DARPA Invests in One-Shot Rifle System Capable Under Varying Conditions for Snipers

(Image: Wikimedia)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the military's research arm, has awarded a San Diego company a multi-million dollar contract to develop a rifle-mounted system that would allow snipers to better hit targets in one shot, as this single shot could be the only one they get.

In its Advanced Sighting System Project, DARPA states that its goal is to "enable snipers to accurately hit targets with the first round, under crosswind conditions, day or night, at the maximum effective range of the weapon."

(Image: DARPA)

For its next-generation, One Shot XG Phase, DARPA is looking for a "significantly smaller 'field-ready system' that can be 'clipped-on' directly to the weapon, eliminating the need for a spotter/observer in future sniper operations."

To accomplish this, DARPA recently awarded Cubic Defense Applications a $6 million contract.

"If military snipers could neutralize enemy targets with a single round, they could potentially save many lives," Steve Sampson, vice president of Advanced Programs for Cubic Defense Applications, said in the company's statement. "One Shot XG seeks to allow our snipers to immediately obtain downrange crosswind, direction and range to target to provide ballistic corrections.

Using a crosswind measurement algorithm and electro-optic and laser designs, Cubic and its partners expect to take a different approach to this sniper program.

"Cubic has developed both systems and components, from fiber lasers and quantum well modulators to smart cards. One Shot XG will directly benefit from at least a decade of development geared towards state-of the art field-proven MILES combat training products," Tony Maryfield, program manager and principal investigator for the One Shot XG product development at Cubic, said in a statement.

(H/T: Business Insider)