The new optical system, known as the SMASH 2000L or SMASH 3000, is part of an Israeli defence outfit named ‘Smart Shooter’s’ SMASH line of autonomous fire control systems (FCS) for assault rifles that use visual processing based on artificial intelligence to follow and lock in on targets.
According to Smart Shooter’s online promotion, its FCSs have “One Shot—One Hit” functionality. According to the business, it “combines simple to install hardware with powerful image-processing algorithms to transform basic small arms into 21st-century smart weapons.”
‘SMASH’ Autonomous Fire Control System
According to the business, SMASH technology overcomes problems experienced by soldiers during fights such as physical exertion, tiredness, stress, and mental pressure to ensure the shooter’s success.
Overall, the SMASH technology is said to improve mission effectiveness by correctly engaging and eliminating ground, aerial, static, or moving targets during day and night operations.
The US Army and Marine Corps have previously purchased a small quantity of earlier SMASH 2000 models for anti-drone operations. Despite the fact that the SMASH 2000 has been tested in these settings, Smart Shooter’s product brochure for this variant does not formally define its counter-small unmanned aerial systems (C-sUAS) role.
US Special Operations personnel have been observed testing SMASH 2000s in Syria, firing at dummy targets suspended beneath commercial drones to assess the system’s sUAS targeting capability.
Notably, the Indian Navy purchased an unknown quantity of SMASH 2000s from Smart Shooter in 2020, specifically for anti-drone operations. The Indian Army has also been assessing the effectiveness of Israeli SMASH 2000 Plus systems in order to expedite their procurement.
According to a news release released by Smart Shooter, the contract for the ‘2000L’ model was awarded to the business by Atlantic Diving Supply (ADS), a US-based contractor that sells military equipment to American federal agencies.
The contract’s value or the number of SMASH 2000L sights to be supplied as part of the contract were not disclosed in the press release.
SMASH 2000L Optical Sight
The SMASH 2000L, like its predecessor, employs AI, computer vision, and advanced algorithms to maximise force lethality, operational effectiveness, and situational awareness during every battle, day or night.
The ‘L’ in the SMASH 2000L stands for ‘light,’ as this is Smart Shooter’s lightest handheld-operated fire control system (FCS). It is said to enable exact target elimination against both ground and aerial targets, making it a suitable hard-kill solution against drones and small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAS).
It uses see-through optics akin to a video camera to detect potential targets that the user can lock onto, and the device then computes the best point of aim. Once locked, the target can be tracked before a shot is fired, allowing for target discrimination in potentially cluttered areas.
When the SMASH 2000L is in ‘Drone Mode,’ it can recognise sUAS targets, follow their flight paths, provide aiming signals, and allow the operator to engage the target with more accuracy, which would otherwise be difficult.
In comparison to sUAS, the SMASH 2000L is believed to have an engagement range of roughly 200 metres during the day, while the manufacturer has not published the system’s night-time performance statistics.
Furthermore, the system can be linked to command, control, communications, computers, intelligence (C4I) systems, and external sensors, allowing the video stream from the SMASH 2000L to be sent elsewhere for training or operational purposes.
This also means that the SMASH 2000L can be used for secondary surveying and surveillance.
The SMASH 2000L is powered by a rechargeable smart lithium-ion battery pack with a 72-hour runtime.
According to Smart Shooter, the technology can be installed on most firearms, including the M4, AR15, and SR25 (M110) assault rifles.
“We are gratified that the US Army continues to value our genuine fire control systems and has chosen SMASH technology for its soldiers to employ.”
“Whether mounted on a rifle or remotely controlled, the unique SMASH technology assures exact target elimination by ensuring that shot accuracy is neither impacted by human faults such as weariness and stress, nor by target movement,” stated Michal Mor, Smart Shooter’s founder and CEO.
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