The US Marine Corps has purchased an unspecified number of SMASH 2000 rifle-mounted counter-drone systems for evaluation, manufacturer Smart Shooter has revealed.
According to the Israeli defense firm, the systems will be delivered during the fall. The US Navy has also signed a cooperative research & development agreement with the company to evaluate the system on ships and vessels.
The company states that the “collaboration aims to perform joint integration and evaluation of Smart Shooter’s technology with weapons and ammunition currently supporting the US Navy’s mission.”
Anti-Drone Systems
Smart Shooter CEO Michal Mor said that the systems feature “built-in targeting algorithms that can track and hit even very small drones, SMASH fire control systems put a precision anti-drone capability at the fingertips of its users.”
The systems include the SMASH 2000 and SMASH 2000 Plus rifle-mounted systems. While the 2000 is a fire control system “designed to ensure each round finds its target,” the 2000 Plus provides a counter-drone mode on the basic 2000 system.
The Plus, which can be installed on any military rifle, utilizes a detection system to lock on a target and “tracks its movements and synchronizes the shot release to assure a fast and precise hit.”
SMASH 2000 Plus
Smart Shooter states that the SMASH 2000 Plus contains sophisticated image processing software, increasing hit probability and user situational awareness. The system also has a night vision mode.
The firm further claims that the device can hit ground targets, both static and dynamic, at up to 300 meters (984 feet) and strike small drones up to 200 meters (656 feet) away in day vision mode.
The SMASH 2000 Plus weighs a little over one kilogram and is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery for up to 72 hours or 3,600 shots.