Small arms mini-fire control system: fiber-optic barrel deflection sensor
- ORNL
Traditionally the methods to increase firearms accuracy, particularly at distance, have concentrated on barrel isolation (free floating) and substantial barrel wall thickening to gain rigidity. This barrel stiffening technique did not completely eliminate barrel movement but the problem was significantly reduced to allow a noticeable accuracy enhancement. This process, although highly successful, came at a very high weight penalty. Obviously the goal would be to lighten the barrel (firearm), yet achieve even greater accuracy. Thus, if lightweight barrels could ultimately be compensated for both their static and dynamic mechanical perturbations, the result would be very accurate, yet significantly lighter weight, weapons. We discuss our development of a barrel reference sensor system that is designed to accomplish this ambitious goal. Our optical fiber-based sensor monitors the barrel muzzle position and autonomously compensates for any induced perturbations. The reticle is electronically adjusted in position to compensate for the induced barrel deviation in real time.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1050359
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 8359; Conference: SPIE Security & Defense Conference - Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America - 4/23/2012 12:00:00 AM-
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ULTRA-350 Test Bed
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ULTRA-350 Test Bed