SMASH 2000 collimator version
A few years ago, the Israeli company Smart Shooter Ltd. introduced the original "smart" sight for the rifle weapons called SMASH 2000. A small-sized device is capable of accompanying a selected target, determining and taking into account various parameters, and also firing at an optimal point in time - for maximum accuracy and accuracy of fire. The sight was of interest to the military of different countries, and the other day there was new interesting information about his trials.
Landfill - Syria
On May 30, the U.S. Department of Defense published photos from a training session of American fighters serving at Tanf base in Syria. During training fighters, fighters used standard M4A1 rifles equipped with new sighting devices of the SMASH 2000 family.
The fire was conducted on motionless targets. Another goal was the simplest box, suspended from a light UAV. With its help, they worked out shooting at a moving low-altitude target. As can be seen in the published pictures, the weapon with the original sight worked perfectly and ensured a reliable defeat of complex targets.
Optical sights
The Pentagon received a batch of Israeli sights in 2019 and handed them over in trials. Initially, the devices were tested at the training grounds, and now we are talking about military tests in the real combat zone. This suggests that in the near future the complex of M4A1 and SMASH 2000 will reach the battlefield.
Smart weapon
Smart Shooter Ltd. presented its first samples in 2018, but she immediately managed to attract the attention of the military of several countries. The development of the line, based on common solutions, continued, and now it includes four sights with different features. Due to this, it is planned to interest customers with different requirements.
In all cases, the basis of the complex is actually a “smart” sight mounted on a standard bar of a rifle. On the forearm, a remote control is attached, connected by a wire to the sight. Also, the weapon is equipped with an additional unit that controls the operation of the trigger mechanism. Declared compatibility with weapons on the platform AR-15; new sights for other weapons are being developed.
Collimator SMASH 2000, rear view
The simplest SMASH 2000 sight is made in the form of an enlarged collimator system. In a large box-shaped base of such a sight, a video camera and a laser range finder, a computer and a battery are located. Optics lenses are displayed on the front wall, and control buttons are placed on the rear. There is a collimator frame on top. The SMASH 2000 Plus scope is offered. With the same design, it has more advanced algorithms. One of the main differences is the ability to provide firing at aerial targets.
There are optical versions of the sight. The SMASH 2000M day scope has an optical unit with a 4x magnification, on the sides of which electronic elements are located. In terms of functions, it repeats the simplest SMASH 2000. The night SMASH 2000N is distinguished by a larger 4x optical “tube” on board of which an electronic unit is placed. There are all standard functions of the line.
Sights of all versions have a length of less than 200 mm and a cross section of not more than 100x100 mm. The weight of the sight with additional devices is not more than 1 kg. A lithium-ion battery is used, providing 72 hours of operation or 3600 shots.
American Soldiers Test SMASH 2000 Plus
Principle of operation
By their functions and capabilities, the SMASH 2000 sights are similar to the fire control systems of armored combat vehicles - but in a compact design. There are all necessary functions: target tracking, ballistic computer and shot control. Some devices in the line have the ability to record video and other data to analyze the results of shooting. Algorithms have been developed to automatically detect a person and identify potentially dangerous targets.
Despite the complexity of the software and hardware, using a sight for a shooter is quite simple. Holding the weapon with both hands, the fighter must aim the aiming mark at the enemy and hold down the button on the forearm. After that, the sight will calculate the data for firing at the specified target and determine the optimal position of the weapon for an accurate shot. Then the arrow should hold the trigger - the shot is blocked by the corresponding block. To complete the shot, you need to combine the reticle with the target mark: when the weapon is at the desired aiming angles, the sight unlocks the trigger.
Target with traces of hits
It is claimed that when using SMASH 2000 accuracy and accuracy of fire are significantly increased, as well as the probability of hitting a target with a first shot; collateral damage is reduced. "Smart sights" can be used in various operations that require accurate shooting, including on moving targets. Finally, such devices reduce the requirements for the preparation of the shooter, since they take care of all the calculations.
Sights in operation
The premiere of products of the SMASH 2000 family took place in 2018, and soon the sights went to military trials. In the shortest possible time, two armies immediately became interested in this development and wished to test it in practice. Subsequently, another foreign army showed similar interest.
The first customer of the sights was the Israel Defense Forces. In May 2018, she announced the purchase of a number of such devices and the operational deployment in separate parts. High performance and potential of the sights were noted, but other details were not given due to secrecy.
Aerial target takes off
Just a couple of months later, in July of that year, it became known that Smart Shooter Ltd. agreed with Thales Australia to work together. Together, they presented their sights to the Australian armed forces. The soldiers and test officers praised the scope with their own computing tools, after which it was decided to purchase a certain amount for use in special forces.
Last year, the US Army received the SMASH 2000 Plus sights. Now these products are being tested in Syria. They were checked by shooting at fixed targets and at flying targets. Sights coped with such tasks and liked the fighters. It should be noted that the inspection of sights takes place in the immediate vicinity of the war zone. Recent photos were taken at the proving ground, but it cannot be ruled out that in the near future “smart” sights will go for a real operation.
Limited perspectives
SMASH 2000 sights from Smart Shooter Ltd. appeared not so long ago, but already managed to interest a few advanced armies. They passed military tests, the results of which were positive conclusions. The capabilities of "smart" sights were useful in various conditions when solving a wide range of fire tasks.
Flies and falls under fire
SMASH 2000 provide effective fire on stationary and moving targets on the ground and in the air at different distances, up to the maximum for a particular type of weapon. The customer has the opportunity to choose the products that most fully meet his requirements - from the simplest sight with a calculator to a combined day-night system with anti-UAV mode and recording.
However, new features come at a price. First of all, this is a significant cost of the sight - a “smart” product is several times more expensive than even the most complex collimator or optical sights. The second problem is a clear loss in size and weight. A kilogram sight makes it difficult to use relatively light weapons such as the M4A1 rifle. It should be noted and the presence of several blocks, the installation of which requires intervention in the design of the basic weapon. Finally, an expensive and complex sight in most situations can be replaced by a good shooter training.
Thus, a potential customer has to evaluate the pros and cons of SMASH 2000 sights and decide what is more important for him. Obviously, accuracy and fire efficiency are important for some countries and units, while excessive cost will be a decisive factor for others.
Speed and altitude didn't help
This explains the limited success of Smart Shooter Ltd. Its sights interested several customers and even reached full operation. But the total number of customers is small and in no hurry to grow. In addition, all orders are made in the interests of special forces, which do not require particularly large batches of products.
It should be expected that this situation will continue in the future. New orders may appear, but all versions of SMASH 2000 will remain low-volume products for special customers. In addition, some deterioration is possible. Other companies are also working on their “smart” sighting systems, and their products can bypass the products of Smart Shooter Ltd.
However, no one will be able to take away from the SMASH 2000 line the honorary title of advanced development, which has demonstrated the capabilities of modern optics and electronics. Events of recent years show that such a status is quite capable of making a profit.