Army seeks wind-measuring devices to help snipers fire on target

The military wants battery-operated devices that could be mounted on weapons.

The Army wants mini wind-detectors to help snipers measure crosswinds as far as 1,500 meters away, contracting documents reveal. These electronic devices could serve as aids to help snipers fire on target.

There are currently no efforts to develop standalone wind-sensing devices or wind-measurement tools that could be integrated into firearms technology, according to the documents. Snipers measure wind speeds with handheld anemometers and use unreliable methods to gauge the wind by observing the movements of grass and trees around them.

The Pentagon is seeking partners to help create a sensing device that can measure winds from a distance of 800 to 1,500 meters. The ultimate goal is to create battery-operated devices that could be mounted on a weapon, according to the solicitation.

The solicitation is currently in pre-release and will officially launch May 24. Proposals are due by 6 a.m. E.S.T. on June 27. Read the document here.