The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced this week that their new smart bullet is capable of changing its flight path in mid air to hit a moving target, Military.com reports.
Called the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program, DARPA engineers plan to "revolutionize rifle accuracy and range by developing the first ever guided small-caliber bullet." DARPA officials said they want the 50-caliber round and optical sighting technology to "extend the day and nighttime range over current state-of-the-art sniper systems."
The program has entered Phase II of development, which includes "design, integration and demonstration of aero-actuation controls, power sources, optical guidance systems, and sensors," according to DARPA.
Video released by DARPA features a number of expert shooters hitting the target with the smart bullet and then shows an untrained shooter accomplishing the same task. The video comes after a similar test in July 2014 showed the bullet could successfully change trajectory in mid flight to hit stationary targets. DARPA is continuing testing on the round and has yet to announce when it may become operational.