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EXACTO

EXACTO, an acronym for Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance, is a research and development program initiated by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create the first guided small-caliber bullet, specifically a .50-caliber round, capable of self-steering in flight to improve sniper rifle accuracy and range beyond conventional limits.^[1] The program integrates a maneuverable projectile with real-time optical guidance technology, allowing the bullet to track targets, compensate for environmental factors like wind and dust, and adjust its trajectory mid-flight to engage evading or moving threats at sniper distances.^[2] Launched to enhance shooter standoff distances and reduce engagement timelines for greater troop safety, EXACTO aimed to extend effective day and nighttime firing ranges while enabling even novice marksmen to achieve hits on dynamic targets.^[1] Key demonstrations included successful live-fire tests in 2014, where guided .50-caliber bullets from a standard sniper rifle struck offset targets despite intentional aim errors, showcasing in-flight corrections for weather and motion.^[3] Building on this, February 2015 tests further validated repeatable performance against moving and evading targets, with experienced shooters achieving consistent hits and an inexperienced participant succeeding on their first attempt.^[2] The EXACTO program was completed following these 2015 tests, with no public information available on its transition to operational use as of 2025.^[1] The technology's innovation lies in its compatibility with existing .50-caliber rifles, avoiding the need for specialized weaponry, and its use of laser designation for target acquisition, potentially paving the way for broader applications in guided munitions across various calibers.^[4] Managed under DARPA's tactical technology office, EXACTO represented a breakthrough in precision-guided small arms.^[3]

Program Overview

Description

The EXACTO program, an acronym for Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance, is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiative focused on developing self-steering .50-caliber bullets for sniper rifles.^[1]^[2] These guided projectiles represent the first effort to create small-caliber ammunition capable of in-flight course correction to achieve precision hits despite challenging conditions.^[1] At its core, EXACTO addresses the limitations of traditional ballistics by enabling bullets to autonomously adjust their trajectory, countering factors like wind, gravity, and target evasion to improve hit probability on distant, moving subjects.^[2]^[3] The program targets sniper engagements at extended ranges, aiming to extend effective accuracy beyond standard rifle capabilities for shots that would otherwise be infeasible.^[3]^[5] As part of DARPA's portfolio of innovative munitions technologies, EXACTO contributes to advancing U.S. military precision in complex operational environments.^[1]

Objectives

The primary objective of the EXACTO program is to dramatically increase hit probability for snipers targeting moving and evading threats at extreme ranges, where conventional .50-caliber projectiles falter due to environmental factors like wind and gravity, as well as inherent shooter limitations.^[2]^[3] The program targets ranges up to 2,000 yards, revolutionizing rifle accuracy by enabling the bullet to autonomously correct its flight path in real time to intercept dynamic targets.^[6] To meet these performance goals, the guided bullet incorporates advanced maneuvering capabilities, compensating for variables such as weather, wind, and target motion to demonstrate high accuracy under adverse conditions, thereby extending effective engagement distances beyond traditional ballistic limits.^[2]^[3] Secondary objectives focus on minimizing collateral damage via enhanced first-shot precision, while empowering individual snipers to adapt to real-time battlefield changes without dependence on sophisticated optics or external spotters.^[2] Strategically, EXACTO addresses operational challenges in environments like Afghanistan, where high winds, dust, and distant evasive targets severely constrain the utility of standard .50 BMG ammunition, ultimately aiming to boost overall sniper effectiveness and troop safety through greater standoff range and faster target neutralization.^[7]^[8]

Development

Initiation and Funding

The EXACTO program, formally known as EXtreme ACcuracy Tasked Ordnance, was initiated in 2008 under the auspices of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office (TTO). This launch aligned with DARPA's broader mandate to pioneer innovative defense technologies in response to evolving tactical challenges.^[9]^[10] Initial funding included contracts awarded in 2008, with $12.3 million to Lockheed Martin and $9.8 million to Teledyne Scientific & Imaging for early research and development. Further funding came from a $25 million contract awarded by DARPA in 2010 to Teledyne to support foundational research and prototyping efforts. This allocation was part of DARPA's fiscal year 2010 budget for research, development, test, and evaluation activities, emphasizing high-risk, high-reward projects aimed at enhancing precision munitions. The funding enabled the program's early administrative setup, including the establishment of oversight mechanisms by DARPA program managers.^[11]^[12] The program's structure included key administrative milestones, with Phase I (ca. 2008–2010) dedicated to feasibility studies and conceptual validation, followed by Phase II (2010–2014) focused on prototype development. These phases were governed by annual reviews conducted by DARPA, ensuring alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) priorities, particularly those stemming from operational needs in post-9/11 conflict zones such as Afghanistan, where environmental factors like wind and dust complicated long-range engagements.^[1]^[3]

Contractors Involved

The EXACTO program was primarily executed by Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, and Lockheed Martin, serving as lead contractors responsible for overall system integration and the development of initial prototypes for the guided bullet technology.^[10] Teledyne's efforts focused on key aspects such as bullet aerodynamics and steering mechanisms, enabling the projectile to adjust its flight path in real time to engage moving targets.^[13] This included designing the maneuverable .50-caliber rounds and conducting demonstrations of their precision guidance capabilities.^[2] Lockheed Martin contributed to advanced guidance algorithms and provided support for testing phases that emphasized real-time control software for target tracking and evasion countermeasures.^[14] Their involvement helped refine the optical guidance systems, ensuring compatibility with sniper rifles under varying environmental conditions like wind and target mobility.^[10] The program drew on a network of subcontractors and collaborators, including optics specialists from organizations such as Cubic Defense Applications for sensor development and Charles Stark Draper Laboratory for precision engineering components.^[13] Munitions experts from Alliant Techsystems (now part of Northrop Grumman) supported the integration of the guided rounds, while Teledyne Brown Engineering contributed to subsystem testing; the overall team comprised aerospace and munitions specialists coordinated by DARPA to advance the program's multi-disciplinary goals.^[13] Subsequent phases of the program expanded contractor roles, particularly in live-fire integration, where Teledyne led demonstrations of the bullet's performance against evading targets at extended ranges, building on earlier collaborative designs.^[2] This evolution allowed for iterative improvements in system reliability without altering the core division of responsibilities among the primary participants.^[15]

Technology

Bullet Design

The EXACTO projectile is a .50-caliber round, corresponding to the 12.7×99mm NATO specification, designed for firing from standard .50-caliber sniper rifles such as the M107 with minimal firearm modifications required.^[3]^[2] This specially designed ammunition features an aerodynamic shape optimized for flight stability, enabling controlled adjustments during trajectory.^[16] The structural modifications include lightweight materials to integrate internal components while preserving the overall form factor and minimizing added weight, ensuring compatibility with existing rifle systems.^[3] Key innovations in the bullet's design allow it to maintain ballistic performance comparable to conventional unguided .50-caliber rounds at extended sniper ranges, providing similar velocity and range without compromising lethality.^[17] The casing is engineered for impact resistance to withstand the extreme forces of launch, supporting reliable operation in high-acceleration environments typical of rifle firing. The projectile integrates with a guidance system for mid-flight adjustments, preserving its core ballistic profile. Technical details remain limited due to classification, and the program concluded without further public demonstrations after 2015.^[18]

Guidance System

The EXACTO guidance system employs a real-time optical guidance technology that enables the bullet to autonomously adjust its trajectory after launch, compensating for environmental disturbances and target motion to achieve precision at extended ranges. This system integrates onboard sensors and processing capabilities to track and home in on designated targets, revolutionizing small-arms accuracy by allowing corrections for factors such as wind, weather, and shooter misalignment.^[2]^[3] At the core of the technology is an optical sensor suite, which facilitates target acquisition and continuous tracking post-firing. The sensors detect and follow a laser designator emitted from the shooter's rifle-mounted optics, enabling the bullet to lock onto illuminated or moving targets even if they evade or shift position. This laser-based homing allows for engagement of dynamic threats, with the system processing visual data in flight to maintain line-of-sight alignment.^[4]^[19] Steering is accomplished through internal aero-actuation mechanisms that enable rapid trajectory adjustments without externally visible control surfaces. These onboard components permit path corrections in milliseconds, allowing the projectile to maneuver against crosswinds and other perturbations while preserving compatibility with standard .50-caliber rifles.^[19]^[4] The control algorithm runs on embedded electronics that analyze sensor inputs in real time to compute and execute intercept trajectories. By dynamically accounting for variables like wind gusts, atmospheric conditions, and target velocity, the software ensures the bullet converges on the designated point, enhancing hit probability for snipers operating under challenging scenarios. This closed-loop guidance operates seamlessly from activation via the rifle's laser designator, with the bullet independently directing itself to the target throughout its short flight duration.^[2]^[3] Power for the guidance system is supplied by a compact, integrated source sufficient to sustain active operations during the bullet's brief in-flight phase, typically under extreme-range engagements. The overall integration allows the EXACTO round to function as a drop-in replacement for standard ammunition, with the guidance activating upon firing and relying on the shooter's initial laser cue for target illumination. Technical details remain limited due to classification, and the program concluded without further public demonstrations after 2015.^[4]^[18]

Testing and Demonstrations

Early Development Tests

The early development of the EXACTO program from 2010 to 2014 focused on foundational research, prototype fabrication, and initial validation to establish the feasibility of self-guided .50-caliber bullets capable of compensating for environmental factors like wind and target movement. Initiated under DARPA's Tactical Technology office, these efforts built on the program's 2010 start and emphasized risk reduction through simulations, component testing, and subsystem integration.^[20] In fiscal year 2010, Phase I activities included feasibility studies, preliminary designs, performance modeling, and validation of key components such as optical links, electronics, and bearings. Simulations were used to demonstrate two candidate designs, laying the groundwork for aerodynamic stability and basic steering mechanisms. These efforts received $16.889 million in funding and were conducted primarily at contractor facilities in the United States.^[20] Fiscal year 2011 marked progress into prototype development, with revised designs, risk reduction testing, and the fabrication of initial bullet prototypes and optic subsystems. Static-fire trials and early live-fire tests at short ranges confirmed sensor integration and basic trajectory corrections in controlled environments. The phase addressed critical challenges, including the miniaturization of guidance electronics and ensuring component survival during the extreme acceleration of barrel launch. With a budget of $22.218 million, these tests achieved the integration of a first demonstration system, validating guided functionality in lab conditions.^[21]^[20] Following funding in later years, prototypes advanced to computer simulations and short-range live-fire experiments under 500 yards, refining accuracy in varied conditions and confirming sensor performance against unguided baselines. Hit rates in these controlled tests showed marked improvements, establishing proof-of-concept for sniper integration. Testing occurred at DARPA-managed ranges across the U.S., culminating in milestones that confirmed the technology's potential. In 2014, DARPA announced successful guided flight demonstrations from these efforts, affirming overall feasibility.^[22]^[3]

2015 Live-Fire Tests

In February 2015, DARPA conducted a series of live-fire tests for the EXACTO program at a test range, utilizing .50-caliber rifles to fire guided bullets at moving targets simulating human movers at sniper ranges exceeding one mile.^[2]^[5] The setup involved standard sniper rifles paired with the EXACTO guidance system, where shooters engaged pop-up targets designed to mimic evasive maneuvers, testing the bullets' ability to perform in real-world conditions including crosswinds of 10-20 mph.^[23]^[24] Key results from these tests demonstrated the bullets' capacity to curve visibly in mid-flight, achieving consistent intercepts on accelerating targets despite environmental challenges like wind and target evasion.^[2] DARPA released video footage on April 27, 2015, capturing the projectiles adjusting their trajectories in real time to strike the intended points of impact.^[25] The tests showed marked improvements in accuracy over unguided rounds under similar conditions.^[2] Demonstration highlights included snipers employing standard optics without modifications, underscoring the system's integration with existing equipment. The technology proved effective even for shooters with minimal training, as a novice operator successfully hit a moving target on their first attempt, relying on the guidance system's real-time corrections for accuracy.^[2]^[26] The DARPA press release highlighted these outcomes as delivering "repeatable performance against moving targets," positioning the tests as a breakthrough in guided munitions technology for enhancing sniper precision and operational safety. The EXACTO program concluded in 2015, with no further public demonstrations reported.^[2]^[18]

Applications and Status

Military Applications

The EXACTO program aims to enhance sniper effectiveness in military operations by enabling precise engagements against moving and evading targets at extended ranges, particularly in challenging environments such as special operations and rural patrols.^[1]^[27] This capability allows snipers to neutralize high-value threats from concealed positions, compensating for factors like high winds and dust that complicate traditional marksmanship.^[1]^[28] EXACTO integrates with existing .50-caliber sniper platforms, such as the M107 rifle, using specially designed maneuverable bullets and real-time optical guidance systems that extend effective range beyond conventional limits.^[2]^[8] Tactically, it reduces target acquisition time, enabling solo or minimally supported engagements in low-visibility or turbulent conditions while minimizing ammunition use through higher hit probabilities.^[2] Building on successful 2015 live-fire demonstrations, these features support operations in urban settings and counter-terrorism scenarios where rapid, accurate fire is critical.^[2]^[29] Broader applications include anti-materiel roles against light vehicles, leveraging the .50-caliber round's inherent capabilities with guided precision for standoff strikes.^[1] Strategically, EXACTO improves force protection by increasing shooter standoff distances, addressing needs identified in conflicts like those in Afghanistan where environmental factors and long-range engagements heighten risks to troops.^[1]^[30]

Current Status and Challenges

Following the successful live-fire demonstrations in 2015, official DARPA updates on the EXACTO program ceased, and the program appears to have been archived with no further public disclosures on its progress or transition to other agencies.^[1] As of November 2025, no confirmed public deployments of EXACTO-guided bullets have been reported, with the technology remaining largely classified and absent from standard military inventories.^[31] Recent developments indicate limited public visibility, with references to ongoing refinements primarily appearing in specialized military discussions rather than official releases. For instance, efforts to adapt .50-caliber guided projectiles for platforms like fighter jet gun systems or miniguns have been speculated in defense analyses, but these remain unverified without confirmation.^[18] The program's optical guidance system, which relies on real-time tracking to adjust bullet trajectory, continues to face integration hurdles with broader weapon platforms. Public sources, including DARPA's own archives, have not been updated since the initial tests, highlighting significant gaps in accessible knowledge about post-2015 advancements.^[1] Key challenges include the high per-round cost, estimated to be tens or even hundreds of times greater than standard .50 BMG ammunition, which typically ranges from $3 to $7 per round.^[32]^[33] This expense severely restricts widespread adoption, positioning EXACTO rounds as a specialized supplement rather than a replacement for conventional munitions. Additionally, the guidance system's limited operational duration—constrained by the bullet's short flight time of under a second at typical engagement ranges—poses technical limitations for extended or complex scenarios.^[34] Vulnerability to environmental factors and potential countermeasures, such as obscurants interfering with optical tracking, further complicates reliability.^[19] Ethical and technical hurdles encompass concerns over the implications of precision-guided munitions enabling more autonomous-like targeting decisions, even if operator-controlled, raising broader debates on lethal autonomous weapons. Scaling production to reduce costs while maintaining precision remains a significant barrier, as does integration with next-generation rifles that may not accommodate the specialized .50-caliber design. These issues, combined with the program's classified nature, contribute to incomplete public understanding, with no verified evidence of operational fielding by November 2025.^[35]^[32]^[31]

References

[1]
EXACTO: EXtreme ACcuracy Tasked Ordnance - DARPA
The objective of the EXACTO program was to revolutionize rifle accuracy and range by developing the first ever guided small-caliber bullet. The EXACTO 50- ...
[2]
EXACTO Guided Bullet Demonstrates Repeatable Performance ...
Apr 27, 2015 · This live-fire demonstration from a standard rifle showed that EXACTO is able to hit moving and evading targets with extreme accuracy at sniper ranges.
[3]
EXACTO Demonstrates First-Ever Guided .50-Caliber Bullets - DARPA
Jul 10, 2014 · The EXACTO program is developing new approaches and advanced capabilities to improve the range and accuracy of sniper systems beyond the current ...
[4]
DARPA's Self-Steering EXACTO Bullets Home in on Moving Targets
Apr 29, 2015 · DARPA's Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program has produced a bullet that can somehow steer itself after it's fired.<|control11|><|separator|>
[5]
US military develops self-guided 'smart bullet' - CNN
Apr 29, 2015 · The goals of the EXACTO program are giving shooters accuracy at greater distances, engaging targets sooner and enhancing the safety of American ...
[6]
New Era of Smart Bullets has arrived: “One Shot, One Kill” of Moving ...
DARPA under its Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program has developed a self-steering bullet that can hit moving targets at long ranges with great ...
[7]
Watch DARPA's magic bullets change course to hit moving targets
Apr 27, 2015 · The agency says the tech will help snipers quickly identify targets in hostile and remote locations such as Afghanistan, where high winds and ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[8]
This laser-guided bullet is a sniper's bloody dream - The Week
Jan 8, 2015 · EXACTO is the solution to a problem. American snipers in Iraq and Afghanistan struggled to hit moving targets in high wind and dust. The idea is ...Missing: objectives | Show results with:objectives
[9]
Tactical Technology Office - DARPA
The mission of the Tactical Technology Office (TTO) is to reimagine every aspect of military hardware design, development, test, manufacture, and sustainment.Missing: EXACTO funding
[10]
Ready, Fire, Aim: Darpa Moves Closer To a 'Smart Bullet' | WIRED
Oct 18, 2010 · Teledyne Technologies received a $25.45 million contract from Darpa to design a .50 caliber bullet that can better hit moving targets while the wind swells.
[11]
[PDF] UNCLASSIFIED Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 ...
Programs in this project will draw upon information and physical sciences to discover properties of biological systems that cross multiple biological.
[12]
Pentagon Shoots $22 Million Into Guided-Bullet Tech - WIRED
Nov 26, 2008 · Lockheed Martin received $12.3 million for the "Exacto," or Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance, project, while Teledyne Scientific & Imaging ...
[13]
Teledyne Achieves Success in Live Fire Testing of Guided Munitions under DARPA’s EXACTO Program
- **Teledyne's Role**: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, demonstrated the first precision-guided .50 caliber bullets in live fire testing under DARPA’s EXACTO program.
[14]
Lock and launch – the future of elite marksmanship - Army Technology
Feb 13, 2013 · DARPA state that EXACTO bullets not only revolutionise rifle accuracy and range through the first ever guided small calibre projectile, but ...
[15]
EXACTO – Effective Sniper Fire at 2500 m - Defense Update
Dec 31, 2010 · 'Exacto' for ' Extreme Accuracy Tactical Ordnance ' is a guided 12.7mm (0.5") projectile under development by DARPA.
[16]
https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/darpa-develops-smart-bullet-for-deck-guns
[17]
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/smart-bullets-these-50-caliber-sniper-staples-could-become-guided-rounds-181648
[18]
DARPA's guided sniper bullet changes path mid-flight - New Atlas
Jul 15, 2014 · The maneuverable projectile uses a real-time optical guidance system to change its path mid-flight and home in on a target, potentially overcoming adverse ...
[19]
[PDF] Department of Defense Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Budget Estimates
... DARPA PROGRAMS ... 2010. FY 2011. FY 2012. Base. FY 2012. OCO. FY 2012. Total. FY 2013. FY 2014. FY 2015. FY 2016. Cost To. Complete Total Cost. Total Program ...
[20]
None
Below is a merged summary of the EXACTO Program (2010-2014) based on the provided segments. Since the information varies across the summaries, I’ve consolidated all available details into a comprehensive response, using a table in CSV format to organize the most detailed and dense representation of the data. Where information is missing or contradictory, I’ve noted it explicitly. The response also includes a narrative summary to provide context and highlight key points.
[21]
The U.S. Military Has Developed Self-Steering Bullets
Apr 30, 2015 · DARPA announced a major breakthrough in developing a system to help snipers hit moving targets: bullets that can change directions mid-air.
[22]
DARPA's Steerable Bullet Can Home in on Targets - Design News
May 8, 2015 · The EXACTO system also proved effective for novice shooters using the system for the first time to hit a moving target. DARPA hopes to continue ...
[23]
EXACTO Live-Fire Tests, February 2015 - YouTube
Apr 27, 2015 · DARPA's Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program, which developed a self-steering bullet to increase hit rates for difficult, ...
[24]
SEE IT: DARPA's self-guided .50-caliber 'exacto' bullet hits long ...
Apr 29, 2015 · SEE IT: DARPA's self-guided .50-caliber 'exacto' bullet hits long-range moving targets whether fired by expert or novice. Share this:.<|control11|><|separator|>
[25]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoOaJclkSZg
[26]
U.S. Military's New Smart Bullets Hit Moving Targets With Deadly ...
May 4, 2015 · The smart bullet project is called EXACTO, developed by researchers at the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency (DARPA).Missing: solicitation 2008 phases
[27]
What Will Be tactical / Equipment Changes and Requirements for ...
May 7, 2017 · ... urban warfare. Some of the prominent reasons which caused this to ... Systems such as EXACTO[14], developed by the US Advanced Defense ...
[28]
Watch DARPA's smart EXACTO bullets change path mid flight
For now EXACTO is specifically designed for combat in places like rural patrols in Afghanistan, where fighting is at long range and the weather can interfere ...Missing: objectives | Show results with:objectives
[29]
Innovation Timeline | DARPA
The goal of the program was to develop a radar-mapping technology that would provide both military and civilian users with elevation models of terrain in areas ...
[30]
SOFINS 2025 - Institute of Saint-Louis is working on a 12.7 mm ...
Apr 13, 2025 · The aerodynamic actuators have already been tested at laboratory and wind tunnel level but have still to be tested in a real firing. ISL ...
[31]
High-precision shooting complex DARPA EXACTO - Military Review
Jul 21, 2020 · Lockheed Martin and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging were selected as contractors. As reported, the goal of EXACTO was to find solutions for ...
[32]
How Much Is a .50 Cal Rifle? Understanding the Costs ... - Crate Club
The cost of .50 BMG ammunition can vary widely depending on the type and brand. On average, expect to pay between $3 and $7 per round for factory-loaded ...Overview of .50 Caliber Rifles · Price Ranges of .50 Caliber... · Ammunition Costs<|control11|><|separator|>
[33]
What two things guide a smart bullet towards its target? - Quora
Jul 11, 2022 · This means at the usual engagement distance, a bullet is airborne for only a third of a second. That is simply not enough time for a bullet to ...
[34]
[PDF] SMART BULLETS: REVOLUTIONIZING PRECISION WARFARE ...
Compact smart bullets capable of engaging targets at extended distances while minimizing logistical burdens could offer significant tactical advantages to ...