Corrected Aim

Each soldier could be made more effective with new rifles being developed by AimLock Inc., a subsidiary of the Rocky Mountain Scientific Laboratory (RMSL), in conjunction with the U.S. Army’s Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments (AEWE) program. It’s able to aid with accuracy when firing at moving targets, eliminating shooter error, and reducing the time it takes for an infantryman to complete an acquisition.

It works using a software called the AimLock system. Its electromechanical system translate prompts from a camera mounted on the carriage of the rifle. The program then corrects and redirects the rifle’s line of sight.

The rifle is set up such that the rifleman’s controller and point of contact to the weapon is separate from the barrel. This eliminates “shooter’s wobble” and any other physical effects of the user to the weapon. The soldier just has to aim at (or even just near) a target, and the AimLock Stabilized Weapon Platform will lock into it.

The technology also has great potential in improving the use of arms fired from moving vehicles and aircraft. AimLock is currently undergoing testing and further development at the US Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). According to the results released by U.S. Army RDECOM, the technology “minimizes almost all shooter errors” as well as accounts for lesser training time to achieve the same skill level.

Deadlier Units

The ARDEC and AEWE are a part of the army’s Force 2025 initiative, which is leading in the development of making units more capable as well as lethal.

Other technology being developed include suppressors for greater stealth and accompanying munitions to increase the lethality of rounds fired from them, grenades and guiding systems to maximize damage to enemy personnel, as well as software enhanced/induction chargeable tactical vests to enhance soldier connectivity.

All this to say, that the trend toward armed conflict becoming deadlier is going to be helped along with technological advancement.