[brightcove video="2091854052001" /]
TrackingPoint is one of the products I am most excited to see at SHOT Show this year. The system combines a heads up display unit that's tied to a fire control system, a smartphone app and uses some custom-made ammunition from Barnes Bullets to produce 1,200-yard shots with little training and the push of a button.
The heart of the system is the control unit that looks like stout rifle optic, but instead houses a hi-resolution display, laser rangefinder, camera, wireless router and a number of micro processors that form the heart of a networked fire control and observation system.
A shooter lines up a target and designates it with a button on the side of the rifle receiver, then the computer uses its suite of internal and networked sensors and processors to divine the optimal firing solution displaying it as a point of impact indicator. The shooter then pulls the trigger while lining up the two marks in the viewfinder and TrackingPoint times the shot, accounting for movement on the rifle and target.
TrackingPoint calls the shot process as Tag, Track, Xact, or TTX – because the PGF automatically adjusts for range, temperature, barometric pressure, spin drift, wind input, cant, inclination and more. The shooter paints the target with the tag to lock on, watches as the tag persists regardless of relative movement, aligns the reticle representing the firing solution with the tag, squeezes and holds the trigger to arm the system, and the networked tracking scope releases the guided trigger when the reticle and tag are optimally aligned.
The system not only sets up traditionally positioned shooters for success, but the system allows unsupported shots at closer distances along with much higher percentage of fast follow up hits.
Paired with the precision XactShot ammunition custom loaded for TrackingPoint by Barnes Bullets, the XactSystem ensures repeatable performance and accuracy even at extended ranges. Shots in less supported positions like kneeling, barrier supported and sitting are also possible with TTX technology – as long as you can tag it, you can hit it.
Precision guided firearms also feature smartphone applications that interact with the embedded Wi-Fi server in the networked tracking scope. The ShotView app streams video from the heads up display in the networked scope technology to any smartphone or tablet, enabling shooters to be coached or spotted for in real time.
The networked tracking scope also records each shot sequence from tag until 15 seconds after the shot is taken and takes stills of the tag, shot and the frame 15 seconds after the shot so shooters can share their shot films and stills, ideal for forensic analysis and target observation.
While TrackingPoint endows every law enforcement officer and infantryman with the skills of a seasoned marksman, it's important to note that it does not make a marksman a sniper. The system can't replace traditional sniper skills such as stalking and observation, but it can reduce the amount of time students spend in the schoolhouse learning to shoot. The services schools could optimize coursework to either reduce cost and training time or spend more time learning other skills. Of course, any cost saving will depend on the system's cost to the government.
Despite the system's obvious tactical appeal, it's going to be first marketed exclusively to the commercial hunting and outfitted hunting market. Getting one of these systems into the hands of well-heeled, high dollar clients makes perfect sense if you are a hunting guide who wants to make sure clients head home happy.
Bringing TrackingPoint to the commercial market will allow it to mature in the hands of consumers while the system's hardware is hardened and miniaturized for battlefield use. The system will no doubt come into its own when it becomes inexpensive and small enough to run on carbines.
Aside from operational enhancement, the system can also provide long-term savings thanks to the reduced amount of practice needed with a computer-aided firing solution. With training hours reduced and ammunition budgets lowered comes the benefit of lower round counts on ranges, and that means less hazardous waste to deal with, too. Again, this savings will depend on the economies of scale introduced by large volume sales to the government.
TrackingPoint will release three models at SHOT Show 2013. Each features Surgeon actions:
- XS1 - 338 Lapua Magnum with 27" barrel, AAC muzzle brake, 6-35X zoom and Tag, Track, Xact precision up to 1,200 yards firing 300 grain Sierra Match King ammunition.
- XS2 - 300 Win Magnum with 22" barrel, AAC muzzle brake, 6-30X zoom and Tag, Track, Xact precision up to 1,000 yards firing 220 grain Sierra Match King ammunition.
- XS3 - 300 Win Magnum, on a McMillan A5 with adjustable cheek piece and 22" barrel, 6-30X zoom and Tag, Track, Xact precision up to 750 yards with 190 grain Barnes LRX ammunition.
Have a look at the overview video above and the HUD cam video below for a better idea of how the system works. We will get behind a TrackingPoint gun this afternoon when the system is released at SHOT Show.
[brightcove video="2091835977001" /] TrackingPoint Impala 980 Yards
[brightcove video="2091854053001" /] TrackingPoint Gemsbock 595 Yards
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