
Looks like
Korea will be the first country to introduce rifles that feature laser targeting
and rounds that can be programmed to explode over enemy's heads, into active
duty. The rifle-trotting personnel will be able to aim and shoot with complete
accuracy. This is how the rifle works, "The rifle's targeting system emits a
laser beam that measures the distance between the solider and their target. An
optical calculator indicated the target on screen, and the target distance is
then 'written' to a 20mm explosive munition. When the trigger is pulled the
munition round is fired and will explode on 3-4 meters above its target. The
rounds are powerful enough to penetrate walls, and the explosion can be delayed
until the round is inside a building."
The new rifles weigh 6.1kg and are 860 mm long. The exploding bullets have an
range of 460-500 meters. The rifles have been specifically designed for urban
combat, and the Agency for Defense Development, which has the ironic acronym ADD
says the rifles will be ready for combat use in 2009. All that laser guided
exploding goodness comes at a price though, the rifles have cost around 18.5
billion won (around $180 million USD) to develop, and each individual rifle
costs 16 million won (around $12,000 USD). Due to the new rifles high cost each
field unit squad will have two of the new rifles.