United States military officials are confident smart bullets that change direction in mid-air will greatly increase the effectiveness of their snipers.

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a self-guiding small-caliber bullet to improve the effectiveness of military snipers.

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These .50 caliber rounds are the first ever guided small-caliber rounds. According to the Ottawa Citizen, the rounds are being developed under the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO) program.

California's Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC runs the program at the behest of DARPA. How exactly the bullets manage to change direction is a closely guarded secret, however.

"For military snipers, acquiring moving targets in unfavorable conditions, such as high winds and dusty terrain commonly found in Afghanistan, is extremely challenging with current technology.

"It is critical that snipers be able to engage targets faster, and with better accuracy, since any shot that doesn't hit a target also risks the safety of troops by indicating their presence and potentially exposing their location," DARPA said.

The agency said EXACTO rounds have passed Phase II development that includes the design, integration and demonstration of its in-flight controls, power sources, optical guidance systems and sensors.

Researchers say EXACTO rounds help improve the effectiveness of snipers by battling windy conditions and tracking down moving targets.

The rounds will "enhance troop safety by allowing greater shooter standoff range and reduction in target engagement timelines," EXACTO officials stated.

DARPA scientists said Phase III of the project will continue to test and improve the bullet.

TagsDARPA, EXACTO, sniper bullet, Self-Guiding Sniper Bullet, small-caliber bullet, gun bullet, bullet