The Department of Defense Just Invented a Magic Bullet

It won’t help you make a smoothie, but you’ll be able to shoot bullets around things. Life is about compromise.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA, for short) has long been a source of conspiracy theories. From controlling the weather, to robot soldiers, and even mind control, DARPA openly admits its been up to some pretty far-out stuff since it was created in the 1950s. Its newest invention though, is the fulfillment of a long-time dream of munitions and gun enthusiasts the world over: The Magic Bullet. 

Yes, DARPA has created a bullet that can be aimed, re-calibrated depending on the wind, and controlled by a computer. It’s not going to stop on a dime and change direction, but it’s close. On DARPA’s very spooky website (who uses black as a background…unless they’re hiding something?!), the research agency explains the recent success of their EXACTO program (DARPA is predictably fond of acronyms):

“DARPA’s Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program, which developed a self-steering bullet to increase hit rates for difficult, long-distance shots, completed in February its most successful round of live-fire tests to date. An experienced shooter using the technology demonstration system repeatedly hit moving and evading targets. Additionally, a novice shooter using the system for the first time hit a moving target.”

Here’s a video illustration of the test firings:

So instead of super talented snipers giving you a wake-up call from a mile away, precision shooting can now be performed by virtual beginners. Hooray! We’re still a little bit away from full-fledged physics-defying gunplay, a la “Wanted,” but we’re getting there.