Smart Shooter

Smart Shooter Unveils Smart Sight for Heavy Machine Guns

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Israeli defense company SMART SHOOTER will debut a new configuration of its SMASH 3000 fire-control system at the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London next week — this time adapted for use on heavy machine guns (HMGs).

Heavy machine guns are large-caliber automatic weapons, typically over 12.7 mm, designed to engage vehicles, drones, and light structures, and usually mounted on tripods or armored vehicles. Until now, SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH systems were primarily paired with small arms carried by individual soldiers or remote weapon stations. Their integration with heavy machine guns marks a significant expansion of operational capability and use cases.

The SMASH family of smart sights is built on algorithm-driven fire-control technology that detects, tracks, and locks onto targets in real time. Its uniqueness lies in turning a standard weapon or firing position into a highly precise system capable of intercepting fast, unpredictable drones. The system also connects to battle management networks, giving soldiers updated situational awareness, conserving ammunition, and dramatically increasing first-shot hit probability.

The new HMG configuration follows a series of trials under Project VANAHEIM/FLYTRAP, a joint UK–U.S. initiative aimed at integrating counter-drone (C-UAS) technologies into frontline units. In exercises held across Europe from June to August, U.S. and British troops tested multiple advanced systems in realistic battlefield environments. SMASH was operated in handheld, vehicle-mounted, and remote-controlled configurations — and for the first time, the SMASH 3000 was mounted on a heavy machine gun. In parallel, the SMASH Hopper system was installed on a reconnaissance vehicle.

The trials demonstrated successful interception of drones at ranges of up to 400 meters, considered a major achievement against small unmanned aerial systems. A key advantage was system connectivity: SMASH integrated with the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) and battle management systems (BMS), enabling real-time transfer of target data directly to the shooter’s sight. This gave troops advanced situational awareness and allowed precise coordination against aerial threats.

According to SMARTSHOOTER CEO Michal Mor, “Project VANAHEIM gave us the opportunity to test our systems in a complex combat environment and to validate their effectiveness for general-purpose combat units. Expanding the SMASH family to heavy machine guns and vehicle-mounted stations underscores our commitment to delivering flexible, effective solutions against evolving threats.”

The joint trials also highlighted a broader lesson: there is no single “silver bullet” against the full spectrum of drone threats. The key takeaway from the Flytrap exercises was the need for layered defense — combining kinetic effectors, electronic jamming, optical and acoustic sensors — to create comprehensive, adaptable protection in the field.

U.S. Army Expands Use of Smart Shooter’s Precision Fire Control System

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[Image above: The customized SMASH sight version tailored to U.S. Army requirements]

Smart Shooter, an Israeli defense tech company, has announced another deal with the U.S. Army for the supply of its SMASH fire control systems, in a contract valued at approximately $13 million. This significant order adds to previous ones placed by various branches of the U.S. military, signaling the growing adoption of the SMASH system as part of the American combat arsenal. In February, the company also reported a major contract with the German Army for several hundred units, alongside ongoing agreements with other NATO forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Smart Shooter developed a dedicated version of the SMASH system in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), tailored to meet the specific needs of American forces. The development began in 2020 under the Pentagon’s Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) program, spearheaded by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD), formerly known as CTTSO. The program focuses primarily on counter-drone threats.

In 2023, Smart Shooter completed the required testing process, successfully passing IWTSD’s Technology Readiness Evaluation, which included a series of live-fire tests and field trials—some conducted at night. As part of the customization effort, the company added a display screen and image magnification capabilities (zoom) to enhance soldiers’ situational awareness.

Michal Mor, CEO of Smart Shooter, stated: “This new contract marks a significant milestone toward widespread deployment of our SMASH systems within the U.S. Army. We are proud that our customers, having used the system in the field, are choosing to expand its use.”
Avi Shoham, VP of Marketing and Business Development, added: “We’ve put the most advanced technology in the hands of soldiers on the ground—because even in 2025, wars are still won on foot.”

Smart Shooter was founded by two former employees of Rafael’s missile division: CEO Michal Mor and Chief Technology Officer Avshalom Ehrlich. The company’s flagship product, SMASH, is a fire control system that mounts on standard assault rifles via a rail. The soldier operates the system using electro-optical sensors and AI-based image processing that lock onto and track targets.

Once locked on, the system ensures the weapon is only fired when the barrel is perfectly aligned to hit the target. This “One Shot – One Hit” capability dramatically increases hit probability—even for less experienced infantry soldiers—under stressful conditions, low visibility, or fatigue, while minimizing collateral damage.
The product family includes handheld rifle-mounted systems, remotely operated setups, and versions integrated with vehicles, robots, and even drones.

SMARTSHOOTER & Roboteam unveiled autonomous tactical robot

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SMARTSHOOTER and Roboteam unveiled an integrated solution of an autonomous tactical robot equipped with a AI-based weapon station that automatically home in the target and hit it with maximum precision. The robot is operated remotely using control system that makes it possible for the operator to both observe the area from distance and to fire. Also, since the SMARTSHOOTER’s sight is capable of precisely hitting drones, the integrated solution can serve as a tactical UAV interception device at the battleground. The solution can also be used in urban scenarios, patrol missions and border defense.  

The integrated solution is the outcome of combining Roboteam’s TIGR robot and SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH Hopper, a Light Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (LRCWS). TIGR (Transportable Interoperable Ground Robot) is a tactical robot, designed to cope with explosive ordinance disposal, hazardous material handling and intelligence missions. Its height is 95cm, it weighs around 75kg, and it can be carried by two persons.  Among other features, it has high maneuverability in complex terrain conditions, at any weather and also stair-climbing ability. Its arms are characterized by 5 degrees of freedom, which makes it highly flexible in operating the weapon station, and it also equipped with HD camera and night vision facility. 

SMASH Hopper is a 15kg weapon station (tripod-like, also called “Pan Tilt Unit” in military terms) that carries a gun equipped with the smart fire control system SMASH, SMARTSHOOTER’s flagship product. The system, which can be mounted to any assault rifle, is homing in the target through electro-optic sensors and track it using AI-based image processing. The automatic target homing in allows the operator to effortlessly point the weapon, and once locked, he pull the trigger, and let SMASH do the rest.  

Both companies will present the integrated solution at the Eurosatory 2022 Military Exhibition in Paris mid June. It seems that the companies are planning for an extensive cooperation, as they both say SMARTSHOOTERS’s systems can be integrated with any Roboteam’s platforms. 

Currently, Roboteam had developed 5 ground robot systems and a flying robot, remotely navigated and designed to carry and land robotic systems. All Roboteam’s robot families are meeting the JAUS/IOP standards, which allows for generic device mounting on the system depending on the mission, such as hazard material detecting sensors, vision devices and more. Significant component of this system is the algorithmics and software, which makes it easy for the operator to intuitively perform complex and advanced operations in the battleground, while taking advantage of the autonomous capabilities and managing complex system of multi-platform and multi-sensor.

Smart Shooter reveals ultra-precise fire control system for UAVs

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SMART SHOOTER, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms, reveals the SMASH Dragon: an armed drone system incorporating Smart Shooter’s combat-proven SMASH Technology that ensures precise target elimination.

Presented by the company for the first time, SMASH Dragon is an advanced robotic weaponry payload that can be mounted on different drones and other unmanned aerial platforms. It can incorporate various types of assault rifles, sniper rifles, 40mm, and other ammunition with great precision. Extremely lightweight and therefore allowing long mission endurance, SMASH Dragon integrates a unique stabilization concept with the SMASH technology that enables the system to accurately hit static and moving targets while flying.

Featuring SMASH’s proprietary target acquisition and tracking algorithms as well as sophisticated computer vision capabilities, the remotely operated SMASH Dragon Offers the SMASH technology’s fast and precise hit capabilities and other exclusive benefits while engaging targets from the air.

The company stated that the system has successfully completed live firing tests and is currently under advanced stages of development. 

Michal Mor, SMART SHOOTER CEO: “Smart Shooter’s SMASH technology offers precise elimination of threats at ground, air and sea. We are now happy to offer the same precise, combat-proven target engagement technology mounted on an unmanned aerial platform that can be controlled from a distance. When it comes to drones, platform weight is a critical factor as it impacts mission endurance and cost, and we are proud to announce that the extremely lightweight SMASH Dragon meets this criterion”.

One shot – one hit

SMART SHOOTER is a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms. With a rich record in designing unique solutions for the warfighter, SMART SHOOTER technology enhances mission effectiveness through the ability to accurately engage and eliminate ground, aerial, static or moving targets during both day and night operations.

Designed to help military and law enforcement professionals swiftly and accurately neutralize their targets, the company’s combat-proven SMASH Family of Fire Control Systems increase assault rifle lethality while keeping friendly forces safe and reducing collateral damage. With a unique technology that makes it possible for every battlefield element to be connected with every other battlefield element, SMASH creates a micro-tactical network that dramatically enhances real-time situational awareness and ensures that the entire platoon shares a common operational picture.

The company’s experienced team of engineers combine electro-optics, computer vision technologies, real-time embedded software, ergonomics, and system engineering to provide cost-effective and easy-to-use solutions for modern conflicts. 

Fielded and operational, Smart Shooter SMASH family of solutions provides end-users with a “One Shot – One Hit” capability across multiple mission areas, creating a significant advantage for the infantry soldier and ultimately revolutionizing the world of small arms and optics.

SMART SHOOTER’s headquarters are based in Yagur, Israel, and its American subsidiary, Smart Shooter Inc., is located in Virginia. Smart Shooter also has offices in Düsseldorf, Germany, and in Canberra, Australia. 

SMART SHOOTER  announce a new contract with the US Marine Corps 

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SMART SHOOTER announced that the United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, through its Rapid Capabilities Office (MCRCO), has recently purchased several of its SMASH 2000 smart fire control systems for Test & Evaluation.  The systems will be delivered this Fall. 

The company has also signed a cooperative research & development agreement with US Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane). Under this agreement, the US Navy will evaluate the use of SMASH technology on ships and vessels for Counter-UAS purposes. This collaboration aims to perform joint integration and evaluation of Smart Shooter’s technology with weapons and ammunition currently supporting the US Navy’s mission. With an increased hit probability for small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and increased engagement range, Smart Shooter’s SMASH technology has demonstrated the potential to increase the Navy’s ability to engage sUAS at the individual level – using existing weapons and ammunition in inventory.

SMASH Fire Control System (FCS) is an external add-on solution that can be integrated into any type of military rifle. Once the user identifies the target (independently or using the detection system guidance) and locks on it, SMASH tracks its movements and synchronizes the shot release to assure a fast and precise hit on the target.  SMASH can be operated as a stand-alone solution as well as combined with other systems to provide an effective multi-layer defense solution.

SMART SHOOTER won Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) project

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In February 2020, the US Department of Defense’ Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) selected SMART SHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems, to develop the solution for its Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) project.

Last November, SMART SHOOTER reached an important milestone in successfully completing the IWOO Critical Design Review.  This means the IWOO design has been approved by IWTSD and will now move to prototype production with delivery of the first functional system next Fall.

The IWOO program was initiated by IWTSD to provide tactical operators overmatch capability against long range static and moving targets, both day and night. SMART SHOOTER won the competition and began development using proven technologies from its SMASH line of Fire Control optics and inserting new capabilities such as a variable x1- x8 zoom – all stitched together with combat-proven fire control algorithms to assure the hit.

The IWOO system automatically detects, highlights, and tracks potential targets – including drones – using a see-through display which enhances the user situational awareness. Built-in fire control processing continuously calculates the optimal firing solution to provide the user with clear, discreet guidance, firing only with the best chance of neutralizing the target, delivering first-round hit capabilities time after time.

“We value this important opportunity to partner with IWTSD to develop the IWOO system, and are honored to provide operators with an unmatched optic capability against modern threats and the types of terrorist attacks that we are increasingly seeing on streets and battlefields around the world” Ms. Michal Mor, CEO of SMART SHOOTER said.

“We are very pleased with the progress SMART SHOOTER has made with the IWOO design” said Michael Trexler, Special Operation Forces Combat Support Coordinator / Program Manager, at IWTSD.  “We look forward to conducting operational testing and evaluation using the dual-capabilities of IWOO prototypes in 2021 against ground targets at increased ranges and to take-down drones.”

one shot – one hit

SMART SHOOTER is a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms. With a rich record in designing unique solutions for the warfighter, SMART SHOOTER technology enhances mission effectiveness through the ability to accurately engage and eliminate ground, aerial, static or moving targets during both day and night operations.

Designed to help military and law enforcement professionals swiftly and accurately neutralize their targets, the company’s combat-proven SMASH Family of Fire Control Systems increase assault rifle lethality while keeping friendly forces safe and reducing collateral damage. With a unique technology that makes it possible for every battlefield element to be connected with every other battlefield element, SMASH creates a micro-tactical network that dramatically enhances real-time situational awareness and ensures that the entire platoon shares a common operational picture.

The company’s experienced team of engineers combine electro-optics, computer vision technologies, real-time embedded software, ergonomics, and system engineering to provide cost-effective and easy-to-use solutions for modern conflicts.

Fielded and operational, Smart Shooter SMASH family of solutions provides end-users with a “One Shot – One Hit” capability across multiple mission areas, creating a significant advantage for the infantry soldier and ultimately revolutionizing the world of small arms and optics.

India’s Navy purchased Smart Shooter’s smart sights to combat chinese drones

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Against the backdrop of renewed tensions in recent months between China and India in the eastern Ladakh region, the Indian Ministry of Defence has signed a procurement contract with the Smart Shooter company from Israel in order to purchase the company’s smart shooting system for the Indian Navy. The system is mounted on small arms and zeroes in on the target using AI-based image processing to help the soldier fire accurately. The Indian Ministry of Defence has decided to purchase the upgraded system, Smash 2000 Plus, which is also designed to intercept drones. It was not stated what was the scope of the order and what are the delivery dates.

At a press conference held on December 4 on the occasion of the Indian Navy Day, the navy chief of staff Admiral Karambir Singh said that the acquisition of the Israeli sights was intended to address the possible use of attack drones by China. As part of its military deployment in the area, the Indian Navy also stationed Israel IAI’s Heron UAVs, a Boeing P-i8 naval reconnaissance aircraft and MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAVs from the American General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.

The rifle becomes smarter

The Admiral announced that the Navy intends to purchase additional submarines and even aircraft carriers. “The Indian Navy is determined to protect our national interests.” There is a long-standing border dispute between China and India at various points along the Ladakh province of the Kashmir region. In May, against the backdrop of infrastructure work being carried out by India in the Galwan River Valley, the conflict intensified and escalated into an armed conflict in which 20 Indian soldiers and 43 Chinese soldiers were killed. Since then there have been several more incidents in the area and the Indian Army has directed many forces to the area. Although Ladakh is very far from the sea, tensions between China and India may also spill over into the maritime arena.

Smart Shooter was founded by two former members of Rafael’s missile division, CEO Michal Mor and CTO Avshalom Erlich. It has developed the Smash Fire Control System to be mounted on top of every assault rifle using a rail. The system zeroes in on the target using electro-optical sensors and monitors it using AI-based image processing algorithm. An automatic tracking allows the soldier to aim effortlessly, and when the weapon is positioned at the right angle – the trigger is released automatically.

[Pictured above: India’s Coast Guard ships. Photo: Indian Navy]