Firing
under 'perfect conditions', modern sniper weapons, particularly
the high power 'Anti-Material Rifles' enable a professional
marksman to score a 'perfect first-hit shot' at long range.
Taking advantage of such weapons' capabilities, snipers are
required to accurately hit targets with the first round, under
all battlefield conditions, with maximum effective range of
their weapon. Accurate range measurement and prediction of environmental
conditions (temperature, wind intensity and wind gusts downrange)
are critical in producing such first shot hits. "Winds
of 5 to 10 miles per hour significantly decrease the probability
of a sniper hitting a target, requiring a second attempt, which
increases the sniper’s own probability of detection,"
said Ron Rex, Lockheed Martin’s One Shot program manager.
"Since wind is transparent and gusts are virtually impossible
to time and estimate, even a light gust has huge impact on the
hit-probability, missing the target by over 1.5 meters at distances
as short as 400 meters." explains Dr. Deepak Varshneya,
Program Manager at DARPA's Strategic Technology Office. (more...)
Several systems are currently under development by US-Israeli
and DARPA initiatives. A joint US-Israeli development, under
Israel's Defense Research & Development Directorate (DRDD)
management currently under development at ITL, utilizes a cross-wind
laser measurement concept, developed by Dr Joseph Shapira from
Soreq Nuclear Research Center. This is evaluating fire control
systems designed to improve the sniper team's performance. ITL
unveiled a model of this system, dubbed 'Focus', designed as
a fire control system to be operated by the sniper team spotter,
supporting up to eight sniper positions simultaneously. The
system employs a laser beam that instantly measures and profiles
wind-flow, creating a three-dimensional model used in the ballistic
calculation. Focus will provide each sniper with individual
ballistic correction, based on accurate measurements of cross-wind
downrange, temperature, range and inclination.
Another
device called Sniper Auxiliary Attachment Module (SAM), designed
for the sniper team, was unveiled by Carl Zeiss Optronics. SAM
fits 6-24x72 telescopic sights enabling marksmen to receive
critical information without taking their eyes off the target.
SAM has been developed to solve the problem which marksmen have
in preparing the rifle while still observing, identifying and
targeting a threat. At a touch of a button, users receive menu-guided
information on current settings enabling them to easily determine
the current position of elevation and azimuth turret settings
at night, plus information indicating temperature and air pressure.
Data on the weapon-tilt angle and the slant error is also displayed
in the user's field of view. When added with wind direction
and speed, this information is used to calculate a ballistic
solution. For spotters, the new Spotter 60 provides fatigue-free
observation, clarification and precise acquisition of targets
at greater distances and over extended time periods . It has
a variable magnification range of 20 – 60 power, an optical
clear objective diameter of 72 mm and a focus range of 20m to
infinity. Spotter 60 uses a MIL-DOT aiming-point sight, which
reduces the difficulty in finding a target, usually experienced
with such high magnification devices.
Other companies are pursuing an advanced sighting
system, offering automatic down-range wind-correction to be
embedded into the sniper scope. Lockheed Martin is one of several
companies developing such systems under Phase 1 DARPA's One
Shot program. This aims at removing windage and range errors
from the sniper's performance. The system is expected to deliver
accurate aiming solutions at crosswind conditions gusting to
over 40 mph, up to the effective ranges of weapons. The 'One
Shot' sight will provide the shooter with a continuously updated
ballistic solution translated into a corrected aim point. DARPA
is expected to down-select a single solution for further prototype
development. One Shot is expected to offer dramatic reduction
in the sniper training and qualification process.
Elbit Systems introduced several models of the
CORAL Hand-held thermal vision system. The basic system is a
high resolution, hand-held, dual field of view personal thermal
imaging camera with integral GPS receiver, using a 3-5 µm
Focal Plane Array (FPA). This lightweight observation unit weighs
less than 2.5 kg, is easy to operate and provides excellent
image quality. The system’s applications include infantry,
scout and perimeter defense missions. The recently introduced
CORAL CR derivative of the basic system, is a laser rangefinder
optimized for target acquisition. CORAL CR can also function
as an integrated night sight for medium range weapon systems
or night binocular for light patrol boats and armored fighting
vehicle commanders.
ITL displayed their latest model of Explorer,
a multi-sensor, day/night hand-held target acquisition system
designed for the infantry commander, forward observer and special
operations operatives. An 'all in one' system, Explorer packs
a daylight (CCD) and cooled thermal imaging system, with navigation,
positioning and target acquisition devices. The system enables
the detection of a man-sized target, in daylight at a range
of 6 km (2.5 km recognition) and 3.6 km at night (1.5 km recognition).
The system uses an integral map display for orientation and
situational awareness and supports data transfer over net-centric
systems.
Firing
under 'perfect conditions', modern sniper weapons, particularly
the high power 'Anti-Material Rifles' enable a professional
marksman to score a 'perfect first-hit shot' at long range.
Taking advantage of such weapons' capabilities, snipers are
required to accurately hit targets with the first round, under
all battlefield conditions, with maximum effective range of
their weapon. Accurate range measurement and prediction of environmental
conditions (temperature, wind intensity and wind gusts downrange)
are critical in producing such first shot hits. "Winds
of 5 to 10 miles per hour significantly decrease the probability
of a sniper hitting a target, requiring a second attempt, which
increases the sniper’s own probability of detection,"
said Ron Rex, Lockheed Martin’s One Shot program manager.
"Since wind is transparent and gusts are virtually impossible
to time and estimate, even a light gust has huge impact on the
hit-probability, missing the target by over 1.5 meters at distances
as short as 400 meters." explains Dr. Deepak Varshneya,
Program Manager at DARPA's Strategic Technology Office. (
Another
device called Sniper Auxiliary Attachment Module (SAM), designed
for the sniper team, was unveiled by Carl Zeiss Optronics. SAM
fits 6-24x72 telescopic sights enabling marksmen to receive
critical information without taking their eyes off the target.
SAM has been developed to solve the problem which marksmen have
in preparing the rifle while still observing, identifying and
targeting a threat. At a touch of a button, users receive menu-guided
information on current settings enabling them to easily determine
the current position of elevation and azimuth turret settings
at night, plus information indicating temperature and air pressure.
Data on the weapon-tilt angle and the slant error is also displayed
in the user's field of view. When added with wind direction
and speed, this information is used to calculate a ballistic
solution. For spotters, the new Spotter 60 provides fatigue-free
observation, clarification and precise acquisition of targets
at greater distances and over extended time periods . It has
a variable magnification range of 20 – 60 power, an optical
clear objective diameter of 72 mm and a focus range of 20m to
infinity. Spotter 60 uses a MIL-DOT aiming-point sight, which
reduces the difficulty in finding a target, usually experienced
with such high magnification devices.
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