TrackingPoint

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TrackingPoint
Company typePrivate
IndustryApplied technology
Founded2011 (2011)
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
,
United States
Websitetracking-point.com

TrackingPoint is an American, Austin, Texas-based applied technology company that created the first precision guided firearm (PGF), a long-range rifle system.[1][2]

History

The first PGF was developed by TrackingPoint, an Austin, Texas-based applied technology company formed by John McHale in February 2011. The first PGF prototype was created in March 2011. The company officially launched a publicly available product in January 2013.[3] The company rolled out a second publicly available product, the AR Series semi-automatic smart rifle, in January 2014.[4]

Bolt-action systems are $16,995.00 - currently available in .338 Lapua Magnum and plan to release a .300 Winchester Magnum in 2017. Semi-automatic systems cost between $6,995 and $15,995 and are available in 7.62 NATO, 5.56 NATO and .300 BLK.

In April 2016, the company unveiled the M1400, a squad-level .338 Lapua bolt-action rifle able to engage targets out to 1,400 yards (1,280 m). The system can hit targets traveling at 20 mph (32 km/h) in an acquisition-to-engagement time of 2.5 seconds. The rifle is 45 in (110 cm) long with a 22 in (560 mm) barrel weighing 15.4 lb (7.0 kg). It can be used with the company's ShotGlass wearable glasses that transits what the scope is seeing to the shooter's eye. Retail price is $16,995 and it will be available to military, Homeland Security, and qualified citizens in September 2016.[5][6]

Military use

In January 2014, the U.S. Army purchased six TrackingPoint fire control systems to begin exploring purported key target acquisition and aiming technologies.[7] The Army has integrated the system onto the XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle for military testing.[8]

Technology

The TrackingPoint XS1, a precision guided firearm
Screenshot from the heads up display of a TrackingPoint precision guided firearm

TrackingPoint’s precision guided firearms system uses several component technologies:

  • Networked Tracking Scope: The core engine that tracks the target, calculates range and the ballistic solution, and works in concert with the shooter and guided trigger to release the shot.[9][10]
  • Barrel Reference System: A fixed reference point that enables the networked tracking scope to make adjustments and retain zero over time. The barrel reference system is factory calibrated to a laser reference.[11]
  • Guided Trigger: The rifle’s trigger is hard-wired to the networked tracking scope. The networked tracking scope controls the trigger weight to eliminate trigger squeeze and shot timing errors.[12]
  • Field Software Upgradeable: Software can be uploaded to the scope to add capability.[13]
  • Heads Up Display (HUD): The HUD indicates range, wind, reticle, video storage gauge, zoom, and battery life, plus LRF icon, Wi-Fi on/off icon, compass icon, cant wheel, inclination wheels and off-screen indicators.[9][14]
  • Recording: An integrated camera captures video and still images from the networked tracking scope and heads up display. Recorded images can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet from the scope and transmitted via email or social media.[15]

References

  1. ^ Rothman, Wilson (Jan. 10, 2013). “Futuristic Rifle Turns Novice Into Sharpshooter.” NBC News. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  2. ^ Murphy, Samantha (Jan. 11, 2013). “TrackingPoint is World’s First Smart Hunting Rifle.” Mashable. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  3. ^ “The TrackingPoint Story.” TrackingPoint website. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "TrackingPoint Announces New AR Series Rifles" TrackingPoint website. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  5. ^ Tracking Point’s New Squad-Level Rifle - Kitup.Military.com, 20 April 2016
  6. ^ TrackingPoint reveals the M1400 precision-guided firearm - Armyrecognition.com, 22 April 2016
  7. ^ "Army Testing TrackingPoint Smart-Rifle Tech" - Kitup.Military.com, 27 January 2014
  8. ^ Army Testing Smart Scope on .300 Win Mag Sniper Rifle - Kitup.Military.com, 14 March 2014
  9. ^ a b Takahashi, Dean (Jan. 13, 2013). “TrackingPoint’s Wi-Fi Networked Sniper Scope Can Lock on Targets From Afar and Stream Gun Sight Video.” VentureBeat. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  10. ^ Wawro, Alex (Jan. 9, 2013). “The Hunting Rifle of the Future is Here at CES.” PC World. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  11. ^ Barrell Reference System. TrackingPoint website. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  12. ^ Hutchinson, Lee (Jan. 9, 2013). “$17,000 Linux-Powered Rifle Brings ‘Auto-Aim’ to the Real World.” Ars Technica. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  13. ^ Higgins, Kilroy (Jan. 9, 2013). “TrackingPoint Shows Off Auto-Aiming Rifle.” Bright Side of News. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  14. ^ Curtis, Rob (Jan. 14, 2013). “TrackingPoint Can Turn Your Grammy Into a Deadly Marksman.” Military Times GearScout. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.
  15. ^ Dillow, Clay (Jan. 10, 2013). “The 'Intelligent' Rifle, Now With iPad App, Wi-Fi, Infallible Accuracy.” Popular Science. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.

External links

  • TrackingPoint website.
  • "Military Science Inspires Better Rifle Control". February 9, 2014.
  • Raymond Von Wahlde; Dennis Metz (August 1999). "Sniper Weapon Fire Control Error Budget Analysis" (PDF). United States Army Research Laboratory (published September 9, 1999). {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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