New rifle "sight"

[Steve Hunter 510-423-2219]

The following is from Popular Mechanics on-line magazine.

An electronic sight developed for tanks has been miniaturized for
use on small arms.
The Army has assembled the Inertial Reticle System using off-the-
shelf technology.
The Inertial Reticle System combines miniature inertial sensors
with a microprocessor and a video display to stabilize a crosshair. When
the shooter turns on the sight, he sees a video image of the target with
two video overlays. One is the actual aim point, the other is the desired
aim point.

Inertial sensors measure the motion of the weapon. When the
rifleman presses the trigger, the weapon waits until the actual and
desired aim points cross, then fires.

The Army Research Laboratory says the sight will improve the
accuracy of rounds firedfrom helicopters and fast-attack vehicles. In
tests, the system has proved accurate withstandard-issue rifles at
distances of nearly 900 yards.

[h...@unity.ncsu.edu]

Steve writes about an interesting new development:

>The following is from Popular Mechanics on-line magazine.
>
> An electronic sight developed for tanks has been miniaturized for
>use on small arms.
> The Army has assembled the Inertial Reticle System using off-the-
>shelf technology.
> The Inertial Reticle System combines miniature inertial sensors
>with a microprocessor and a video display to stabilize a crosshair. When
>the shooter turns on the sight, he sees a video image of the target with
>two video overlays. One is the actual aim point, the other is the desired

^^^^^^^
>aim point.
^^^^^^^^^

OK - what or who decides on the "desired aim point"? That seems to be
a key element.

>
> Inertial sensors measure the motion of the weapon. When the
>rifleman presses the trigger, the weapon waits until the actual and
>desired aim points cross, then fires.

This is understandable - once the "desired aim point" has been set up.
But setting it up is somewhat like aiming something. The only think I
can imagine is that the "aiming" (i.e. selecting the "desired aim point"
in the video image is done by moving a cursor, rather than by having to
point with a cross-hair in real time - otherwise it wouldn't be any
easier than just aiming the weapon.)

>
> The Army Research Laboratory says the sight will improve the
>accuracy of rounds firedfrom helicopters and fast-attack vehicles. In
>tests, the system has proved accurate withstandard-issue rifles at
>distances of nearly 900 yards.

--
--henry schaffer