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Small arms mini-fire control system: fiber-optic barrel deflection sensor...

by Slobodan Rajic, Panagiotis G Datskos
Publication Type
Conference Paper
Journal Name
Proceedings of SPIE
Publication Date
Page Numbers
64 to 69
Volume
8359
Conference Name
SPIE Security & Defense Conference
Conference Location
Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
Conference Date

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.