TrackingPoint is an American, Austin, Texas-based applied technology company that created the first precision guided firearm (PGF), a long-range rifle system. The first PGF was developed by TrackingPoint, an Austin, Texas-based applied technology company formed by John McHale in February 2011. The first PGF prototype was created in March 2011. The company officially launched a publicly available product in January 2013. The company rolled out a second publicly available product, the AR Series semi-automatic smart rifle, in January 2014.
Bolt-action systems are $16,995.00 – currently available in .338 Lapua Magnum and plan to release a .300 Winchester Magnum in 2017. Semi-automatic systems cost between $6,995 and $15,995 and are available in 7.62 NATO, 5.56 NATO and .300 BLK. In April 2016, the company unveiled the M1400, a squad-level .338 Lapua bolt-action rifle able to engage targets out to 1,400 yards (1,280 m). The system can hit targets traveling at 20 mph (32 km/h) in an acquisition-to-engagement time of 2.5 seconds. The rifle is 45 in (110 cm) long with a 22 in (560 mm) barrel weighing 15.4 lb (7.0 kg). It can be used with the company’s ShotGlass wearable glasses that transits what the scope is seeing to the shooter’s eye. Retail price is $16,995 and it will be available to military, Homeland Security, and qualified citizens in September 2016. In January 2014, the U.S. Army purchased six TrackingPoint fire control systems to begin exploring purported key target acquisition and aiming technologies. The Army has integrated the system onto the XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle for military testing.
TrackingPoint’s precision guided firearms system uses several component technologies:
Networked Tracking Scope: The core engine that tracks the target, calculates range and the ballistic solution, and works in concert with the shooter and guided trigger to release the shot.
Barrel Reference System: A fixed reference point that enables the networked tracking scope to make adjustments and retain zero over time. The barrel reference system is factory calibrated to a laser reference.
Guided Trigger: The rifle’s trigger is hard-wired to the networked tracking scope. The networked tracking scope controls the trigger weight to eliminate trigger squeeze and shot timing errors.
Field Software Upgradeable: Software can be uploaded to the scope to add capability.
Heads Up Display (HUD): The HUD indicates range, wind, reticle, video storage gauge, zoom, and battery life, plus LRF icon, Wi-Fi on/off icon, compass icon, cant wheel, inclination wheels and off-screen indicators.
Recording: An integrated camera captures video and still images from the networked tracking scope and heads up display. Recorded images can be downloaded to a smartphone or tablet from the scope and transmitted via email or social media.
