Story highlights .50-caliber bullets equipped with optical sensors can follow moving targets

The "smart bullets" can help shooters compensate for high winds

The goal of the program is to give shooters greater range and make American troops safer

(CNN) You know the phrase "dodging a bullet"? Forget about it. Probably not going to happen anymore.

The U.S. military said this week it has made great progress in its effort to develop a self-steering bullet.

In February, the "smart bullets" -- .50-caliber projectiles equipped with optical sensors -- passed their most successful round of live-fire tests to date, according to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA.

In the tests, an experienced marksman "repeatedly hit moving and evading targets," a DARPA statement said.

"Additionally," the statement said, "a novice shooter using the system for the first time hit a moving target." In other words, now you don't even have to be a good shot to hit the mark.

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