Smart bullet

Smart bullet is a term that has been used to describe several theoretical and prototype bullets. The "smart" part comes from the bullet doing something other than simply following its given trajectory, IE turning, speeding up, slowing down, sending data, etc.

Types of smart bullets

Changing trajectory

One kind of smart bullet is a projectile that is capable of changing its course during flight. For example, it can turn right, left, up, down, or in combinations of these. One use of this would be to enable soldiers to stay behind protective cover and shoot around corners. One implementation uses a muscle wire inside the bullet. The wire shortens or lengthens, causing the bullet to bend.Fact|date=September 2007 Another implementation uses a spoiler and micro gyro to control the bullet." [http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6422507.html Smart Bullet Patent #6422507] ]

Transmitting data

Another smart bullet is one that can transmit data about the location into which it has been fired. A prototype has been created by researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, USA with funding from Lockheed Martin." [http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn5054.html Smart bullet reports back wirelessly] " by Will Knight in NewScientist, May 2004] The bullet (projectile) has a sensor inside of it that can send wireless data up to 70 meters.

ee also

* Smart munitions

References