Presenting the Tracking Point AR series of rifles
Tracking Point has finally gotten their system to work with the AR-10 and AR-15 platforms. Now available in 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm and 300 AAC Blackout (a longer ranged 5.56 derivative). Hopefully, the Army and Marines can find the money for some of these, for these rifles will give our designated marksmen a real advantage in combat. They are also available for civilian sale, though at around $10K they are outside the range of impulse purchasing.
TrackingPoint is rolling out of new line of AR-15 rifles equipped with their smart scope technology. More than just semi-auto rifles with a smart scope slapped on, these guns have a host of new features that takes things to a new level. The changes represent a shift from hunting rifles to military hardware.
The rifles are the TrackingPoint AR 556 and TrackingPoint AR 300, chambered for 5.56 NATO and 300 AAC Blackout, respectively. The smart scopes have a 2-12x magnification range.
When powered on, the smart scope works just like an AR-pattern rifle with a red dot sight. The trigger functions just like a standard trigger; take it off safe, get on target and fire. This allows the rifle to “just work” in an urgent situation. The technology won’t interfere with the gun’s ability to work like a “dumb” rifle.
In “Freefire” mode, the scope kicks in but the shooter maintains full control of the trigger. In this mode the user tags their target with a button integrated into the trigger guard. The scope will use its laser rangefinder and other sensors to measure the distance to the target and detect the position of the rifle. Using this information, the scope corrects for bullet drop and rifle cant by manipulating the position of the reticle.
As far as the shooter is concerned, it still functions like a scoped rifle, with the advantage of having a computer-corrected ballistics solution tailored to the target’s position relative to the user built in to the reticle’s zero.
It also maintains the “Advanced” mode of TrackingPoint’s higher-end rifles. Called “Tag Track Xact” or TTX, this is the function that gives any shooter the ability to shoot like a marksman.
The full story is here, and Tracking Point’s website is here. Comments are welcome as always.