OneShot prototype (via Cubic Corporation)
The military uses snipers as a deadly form of psychological warfare on the battlefield. These are highly trained precision marksmen that are able to ‘reach out and touch someone’ from greater distances through the use of high-powered rifles and long-range optics. They’re about to become even more deadly, as the Cubic Corporation (partnered with Trex Enterprises) has recently won a $6 million US contract from DARPA to design the next generation of sniper XG optics. This scope practically aims for the soldier.
The standard optic (or scope) uses a ‘mildot’ reticle to sight the target which compensates for bullet-drop with a minute-of-angle (MOA) crosshair and can be adjusted for distance and cross-wind (or windage). It takes a massive amount of training to learn how to ‘dope your scope’ but Cubic’s new design looks to simplify the process of sighting-in with their ‘One Shot crosswind and range measurement system.' The system will calculate all the known variables needed for a precise shot, such as gravity, distance and most importantly cross-winds, and then provides the shooter with an offset aim point through the reticle. The key to the One Shot optic system is the cross-wind measurement algorithm, sensitive enough to provide real-time ballistic corrections. Once completed the One Shot optic can then be mounted on either a rifle or spotting platform. However, the company states that the goal of the new optic will be to eliminate the need for a spotter (most military units use a spotter to acquire ballistic information for the sniper by working in pairs). Once the system is deemed successful (sometime in the next year or so) it will then go into a limited production and most likely fielded to US Spec-Ops units deployed around the globe.
This general concept is about as close as we will get to learning how the system works for some time, unfortunately.
Cabe