The US military is working on an advanced .50 calibre sniper bullet that can change direction after being fired.
Called the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance program, the bullet is the work of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, otherwise known as DARPA.
Using a specially outfitted rifle, the sniper 'paints' the target with a laser pointer. Once the round is then fired an optical sensor on board the bullet locates the laser point and -- using tiny fins -- redirects the bullet towards it.
This almost entirely eliminates problems that can arise with moving targets, adverse weather conditions and visibility issues. As long as the laser is point at the intended target, the bullet will redirect from its original trajectory to intercept that point.
DARPA has now reached the testing phase of the program and as you can see from the video above, is having significant success with the first round of trials.
With modern sniper rifles able to hit targets of up to 2 miles away, this technology would help compensate for the increasing number of obstacles that face snipers as they tackle longer distances.