TrackingPoint, makers of computer-and-app-augmented precision guided firearms (PGFs), have got something a lot more ambitious in mind than just converting single-shot hunting rifles into highly-accurate computerised weapons.
Speaking in an interview with Ars Technica, TrackingPoint’s CEO Jason Schauble has revealed that the company has designs on creating a ‘Super Gun’, capable of accurate firing over a 2.7 kilometre range. The idea for the weapon is not to create it for production and sale but rather to use it as a technology demonstration but creating a firearm accurate over nearly 3 kilometres presents a unique range of challenges for the company.
The weapon that TrackingPoint can use will likely be in the .50 caliber range, due to restrictions on larger weapons, and the company would likely have to design a custom gun and ammunition in order to get the accuracy that they want.
The scope system, which currently uses a 14.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and a 75W laser rangefinder, would need to be upgraded and there are a few other tweaks and features that the company would like to add which complicate the process further. The addition of thermal imaging, automatic wind compensation and the ability to remain accurate if the gun were fired from a drone or helicopter are just some of the extras that TrackingPoint is looking at.
This demonstration of a new type of smart weapon doesn’t exist yet, but the company hopes to have a working prototype of the sort of gun that Schauble has in mind available to show off in the first half of next year.
Source: Ars Technica
