Why artificial intelligence has secured its place in special forces' operations
The diverse use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been turning it into a critical tool for Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Smart Shooter to make prototype overmatch optic for irregular operations
Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic. (Photo: Smart Shooter)
Israeli company expects to deliver its first functional Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic system to the US Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate by the end of 2021.
The Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD - formerly CTTSO) in the US DoD has completed a critical design review (CDR) of a Smart Shooter-developed solution for the Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) project.
This milestone was achieved in November 2020 but it was publicised on 24 March 2021.
Smart Shooter began work on the IWOO design in February 2020. With IWTSD approval following a competitive evaluation process, the company can proceed to prototype production with delivery of the first functional system later this year.
The IWTSD aims to provide tactical operators with an overmatch capability against long-range static and moving targets, by day and at night. The original Broad Agency Announcement from CTTSO in February 2019 stated that the IWOO solution must ‘operate on and withstand the shock of’ all individual weapons in 5.56mm, 6.5mm, 6.8mm, and 7.62mm calibres in the DoD programme of record.
According to Smart Shooter, its IWOO system combines ‘advanced optical capabilities such as a variable x1- x8 zoom, together with automated detection and targeting of traditional ground targets as well as small UAS hard-kill capability’.
Michael Trexler, SOF combat support coordinator and programme manager at IWTSD, said: ‘We look forward to conducting operational testing and evaluation using the dual-capabilities of IWOO prototypes in 2021 against ground targets at increased ranges and to take-down drones.’
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