New $13M Smart Rifle Scopes Help U.S. Army Take Down Enemy Drones

The U.S. Army is taking a bold step forward in modern warfare, deploying cutting-edge smart rifle scopes that can automatically shoot down enemy drones with pinpoint precision. As adversaries increasingly use cheap, deadly drones on the battlefield, this new technology promises to give American soldiers a powerful edge.

During a live-fire training event on June 6 in Germany, soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment demonstrated the SMASH 2000L smart scope. Mounted on standard-issue M4A1 rifles, the system allowed soldiers to lock onto and destroy drones in mid-air. The demonstration was part of Project Flytrap, a multinational training exercise focused on countering emerging threats.

Developed by Israeli defense company Smart Shooter Ltd., the SMASH 2000L isn’t just another fancy scope. It integrates cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence to track fast-moving drone targets and automatically control the trigger. Once the drone is locked in, the system only fires when a hit is virtually guaranteed.

Key facts about this groundbreaking system:

• The U.S. Army awarded Smart Shooter a $13 million contract in May to begin fielding the SMASH 2000L scopes under its Transformation In Contact (TIC 2.0) initiative.

• The compact scope weighs roughly 2.5 pounds and easily attaches to existing rifles, allowing soldiers to retain mobility and firepower.

• NATO allies have already tested and employed SMASH technology in active combat zones.

In today’s conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East, low-cost drones have become the weapon of choice for both state and non-state actors. Ukrainian and Russian forces use quadcopters to drop explosives or conduct surveillance, while terrorist groups in the Middle East have flown drones into military bases to launch attacks.

Traditionally, countering these small drones required large, complicated, and expensive air defense systems. But SMASH changes the game completely giving individual soldiers the ability to neutralize drones independently, without requiring bulky support equipment or coordinated air defenses.

This deployment highlights the growing technological gap between the United States military and its adversaries, many of whom continue to rely on outdated tactics. As rogue regimes like Iran and North Korea flood the battlefield with cheap drones, American troops will now be better prepared to take them down swiftly.

While the Biden administration wastes time on diversity training, climate initiatives, and social engineering within the ranks, it’s crucial that programs like TIC 2.0 continue to equip warfighters with tools that actually save lives and win battles.

As America faces growing threats from hostile nations and terrorist groups emboldened by weak Democrat leadership, advancements like the SMASH 2000L remind us why technological dominance not political theater must remain our military’s top priority.

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