Now a rifle that's a better shot than you!

**erezb** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 10:22am

I guess you will have to feed it with some data that it can't collect on it's own. But, don't be so sure a program can't detect wind speed (angle of a flapping flag for example can be calculated..) they get seriously intelligent now days.
The price will drop dramatically (or china/israel will overcome/copy the patent and make it for you cheap).
Though, i don't get why someone will buy that for hunting...where is the fun? it is more like a computer game played out side and than a visit to the butcher shop...No sport.

**Devil** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 10:59am

Originally Posted by erezb

I guess you will have to feed it with some data that it can't collect on it's own. But, don't be so sure a program can't detect wind speed (angle of a flapping flag for example can be calculated..) they get seriously intelligent now days.
The price will drop dramatically (or china/israel will overcome/copy the patent and make it for you cheap).
Though, i don't get why someone will buy that for hunting...where is the fun? it is more like a computer game played out side and than a visit to the butcher shop...No sport.

Except there aren't range flags in combat and wind direction and speed can change multiple times over, say a thousand yard shot. I'm not saying the technology isn't on the horizon. I'm saying this thing isn't ready for primetime from a tactical perspective and there are better options out there if you want a scope with ballistic compensation capabilities.

And American shooters don't want Chinese optics.

**erezb** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 11:05am

The same things a sniper uses to estimate the wind direction and speed along the bullet's route can be detected and calculated with a program (theoretically).

**Devil** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 11:08am

Originally Posted by erezb

The same things a sniper uses to estimate the wind direction and speed along the bullet's route can be detected and calculated with a program (theoretically).

Theoretically. But I don't see this company claiming their scope can read the mirage, etc.

**Devil** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 11:13am

Also in order to (theoretically) replace the shooter's skill, the system would need to accept feedback regarding actual impact of shots. There are so many variables that go into a long shot. The shooter has to be able to adjust when they make all their calculations and their shot is still off. The technology needs to be able to make this adjustment as well.

**Rock Ape** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 11:15am

Originally Posted by erezb

A little, i wasn't a sniper but i did go on a course for the A2 E3 (had a times 4 trigicun for daylight and an acyla for the night, have zero idea how to spell that) we hit body targets up to 500 meters.

500M isn't long range or precision based marksmanship.

That's standard stuff which can be achieved using iron sights.

**Rock Ape** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 11:26am

Originally Posted by erezb

I guess you will have to feed it with some data that it can't collect on it's own. But, don't be so sure a program can't detect wind speed (angle of a flapping flag for example can be calculated..) they get seriously intelligent now days.

The problem with calculating wind speed is less to do with what you can see but predicting what's occurring at the target which, for this sort of shot, could be 1000k or more away. That comes down to experience and physical skill of the operator.

I'm not saying a computer couldn't do it, I'd just be very skeptical of it's reliability and applicability in current warfare. Plus, the role of a sniper isn't solely limited to target interdiction, they are gatherers of raw information which is passed up the chain for processing. Indeed I know members of sniper sections who have coordinated more indirect mortar and artillery strikes than have ever fired their own weapon.

**Rock Ape** · Posted On: 1/14/2013 11:30am

Originally Posted by Devil

Also in order to (theoretically) replace the shooter's skill, the system would need to accept feedback regarding actual impact of shots. There are so many variables that go into a long shot. The shooter has to be able to adjust when they make all their calculations and their shot is still off. The technology needs to be able to make this adjustment as well.

Indeed, whether to aim off or make the physical sight adjustments is always a judgement call based on circumstances and requires cognitive thought process.