{{Short description|Weapon technology company}} {{Infobox company | name = TrackingPoint | logo = TrackingPoint Logo.jpg | type = Private | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = {{start date|2011}} | founder = John McHale | defunct = | location_city = Austin, Texas | location_country = United States | location = | locations = | area_served = | key_people = | industry = Applied technology | products = | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = [http://tracking-point.com/ tracking-point.com] | footnotes = | intl = }} '''TrackingPoint''' is an applied technology company based in Austin, Texas. In 2011, it created a long-range rifle system that was the first precision guided firearm.<ref>Rothman, Wilson (Jan. 10, 2013). [http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/futuristic-rifle-turns-novice-sharpshooter-1B7916613 “Futuristic Rifle Turns Novice Into Sharpshooter.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608200222/https://www.nbcnews.com/technology/gadgetbox/futuristic-rifle-turns-novice-sharpshooter-1B7916613 |date=2023-06-08 }} ''NBC News''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref><ref>Murphy, Samantha (Jan. 11, 2013). [http://mashable.com/2013/01/11/trackingpoint-rifle/ “TrackingPoint is World’s First Smart Hunting Rifle.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507204008/https://mashable.com/2013/01/11/trackingpoint-rifle/ |date=2021-05-07 }} ''Mashable''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref>
Formed by John McHale in February 2011, the company created its first PGF prototype in March 2011. The company offered its first product in January 2013<ref>[http://tracking-point.com/story “The TrackingPoint Story.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823061856/http://tracking-point.com/story |date=2016-08-23 }} TrackingPoint website. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref> and a second, the AR Series semi-automatic smart rifle, in January 2014.<ref>[http://tracking-point.com/labs/ar/ "TrackingPoint Announces New AR Series Rifles"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227235407/http://tracking-point.com/labs/ar/ |date=2014-02-27 }} TrackingPoint website. Retrieved March 4, 2014.</ref>
Variants of the company's bolt-action rifles use .338 Lapua Magnum and .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition. Semi-automatic variants are available in 7.62 NATO, 5.56 NATO and .300 BLK.
In September 2016, the company began selling the M1400, a squad-level .338 Lapua bolt-action rifle that can hit targets out to {{convert|1400|yd|m|0}}. It can also acquire and hit targets traveling at {{convert|20|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} within 2.5 seconds. The rifle is {{convert|45|in|cm|abbr=on}} long with a {{convert|22|in|mm|abbr=on}} barrel, weighing {{convert|15.4|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. It can be used with the company's ShotGlass wearable glasses that transmits what the scope is seeing to the shooter's eye.<ref>[http://kitup.military.com/2016/04/tracking-points-new-squad-level-rifle.html Tracking Point’s New Squad-Level Rifle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024225616/http://kitup.military.com/2016/04/tracking-points-new-squad-level-rifle.html |date=2016-10-24 }} - Kitup.Military.com, 20 April 2016</ref>
In January 2014, the U.S. Army purchased six TrackingPoint fire control systems to begin exploring purported key target acquisition and aiming technologies.<ref>[http://kitup.military.com/2014/01/army-testing-tracking-point-smart.html#ixzz2udhlhLc9 "Army Testing TrackingPoint Smart-Rifle Tech"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229233937/http://kitup.military.com/2014/01/army-testing-tracking-point-smart.html#ixzz2udhlhLc9 |date=2016-12-29 }} - Kitup.Military.com, 27 January 2014</ref> The Army has integrated the system onto the XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle for military testing.<ref>[http://kitup.military.com/2014/03/army-testing-smart-scope-300-win.html Army Testing Smart Scope on .300 Win Mag Sniper Rifle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201132251/http://kitup.military.com/2014/03/army-testing-smart-scope-300-win.html |date=2017-12-01 }} - Kitup.Military.com, 14 March 2014</ref>
In 2018, TrackingPoint introduced the ShadowTrak 6 bolt-action rifle with 6.5 mm Creedmoor cartridge that can hit targets out to {{convert|1000|yd|m|0}}, and can hit targets traveling at {{convert|20|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 1 second. Weighing {{convert|14.6|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, it can fire Hornady ammunition; the 147gr ELD-M (a match type bullet) or the 143gr ELD-X (designed for hunting).{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
In November 2018, Talon Precision Optics, of Jacksonville, Florida, bought TrackingPoint.<ref>{{Cite press release|last=Optics|first=Talon Precision|title=Talon Precision Optics, LLC Announces Asset Purchase in Precision-Guided Firearms and Advanced Optics Technologies|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talon-precision-optics-llc-announces-asset-purchase-in-precision-guided-firearms-and-advanced-optics-technologies-300770236.html|access-date=2021-05-01|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}}</ref>
==Technology== [[File:Precision Guided Firearm.jpg|thumb|250px|The TrackingPoint XS1, a precision guided firearm]] [[File:Precision Guided Firearm Heads Up Display.jpg|thumb|250px|Screenshot from the heads up display of a TrackingPoint precision guided firearm]] 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.<ref name=autogenerated1>Takahashi, Dean (Jan. 13, 2013). [https://venturebeat.com/2013/01/13/trackingpoints-wi-fi-networked-sniper-scope-can-lock-onto-targets-from-afar-and-stream-gun-sight-video/ “TrackingPoint’s Wi-Fi Networked Sniper Scope Can Lock on Targets From Afar and Stream Gun Sight Video.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203070018/http://venturebeat.com/2013/01/13/trackingpoints-wi-fi-networked-sniper-scope-can-lock-onto-targets-from-afar-and-stream-gun-sight-video/ |date=2016-12-03 }} ''VentureBeat''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref><ref>Wawro, Alex (Jan. 9, 2013). [http://www.pcworld.com/article/2024482/the-hunting-rifle-of-the-future-is-here-at-ces-video-.html “The Hunting Rifle of the Future is Here at CES.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127011454/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2024482/the-hunting-rifle-of-the-future-is-here-at-ces-video-.html? |date=2013-01-27 }} ''PC World''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref> *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.<ref>[http://tracking-point.com/innovations/hardware/barrel-reference-system Barrell Reference System.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125010534/http://tracking-point.com/innovations/hardware/barrel-reference-system |date=2013-01-25 }} TrackingPoint website. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref> *Guided to 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.<ref>Hutchinson, Lee (Jan. 9, 2013). [https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/17000-linux-powered-rifle-brings-auto-aim-to-the-real-world/ “$17,000 Linux-Powered Rifle Brings ‘Auto-Aim’ to the Real World.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427054114/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/17000-linux-powered-rifle-brings-auto-aim-to-the-real-world/ |date=2019-04-27 }} ''Ars Technica''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref> *Field Software Upgradeable: Software can be uploaded to the scope to add capability.<ref>Higgins, Kilroy (Jan. 9, 2013). [http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/1/9/trackikng-point-shows-off-auto-aiming-rifle.aspx “TrackingPoint Shows Off Auto-Aiming Rifle.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119011812/http://www.brightsideofnews.com/news/2013/1/9/trackikng-point-shows-off-auto-aiming-rifle.aspx |date=2013-01-19 }} ''Bright Side of News''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref> *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.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>Curtis, Rob (Jan. 14, 2013). [http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2013/01/14/trackingpoint-can-turn-your-grammy-into-a-deadly-marksman/ “TrackingPoint Can Turn Your Grammy Into a Deadly Marksman.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119072155/http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2013/01/14/trackingpoint-can-turn-your-grammy-into-a-deadly-marksman/ |date=2013-01-19 }} ''Military Times GearScout''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref> *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.<ref>Dillow, Clay (Jan. 10, 2013). [http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-01/intelligent-rifle-now-ipad-app-wi-fi-infallible-accuracy “The 'Intelligent' Rifle, Now With iPad App, Wi-Fi, Infallible Accuracy.”] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121111555/http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2013-01/intelligent-rifle-now-ipad-app-wi-fi-infallible-accuracy |date=2013-01-21 }} ''Popular Science''. Retrieved Jan. 20, 2013.</ref>
== Vulnerabilities == In 2017, computer security experts Runa Sandvik and Michael Auger demonstrated that naive software design left the rifle's aiming computer open to remote hacking when its Wi-Fi capability was turned on. They showed that third parties could alter operating parameters; for example, making the computer think the bullet weighed from {{convert|0.4|oz|g}} to {{convert|72|lb|kg}}, which would make the rifle fire inaccurately. A skilled hacker could acquire root access and brick the computer.<ref name="Wired2017-07-29" />
==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=Wired2017-07-29>{{cite news |url = https://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-can-disable-sniper-rifleor-change-target/ |title = Hackers Can Disable a Sniper Rifle—Or Change Its Target |work = Wired magazine |author = Andy Greenberg |author-link = Andy Greenberg |date = 2017-07-29 |accessdate = 2018-07-27 |quote = The married hacker couple have developed a set of techniques that could allow an attacker to compromise the rifle via its Wi-Fi connection and exploit vulnerabilities in its software. |archive-date = 2018-07-20 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180720092404/https://www.wired.com/2015/07/hackers-can-disable-sniper-rifleor-change-target/ |url-status = live }}</ref> }}
== External links == * [http://tracking-point.com/ TrackingPoint] website. * {{cite web|url=http://science.dodlive.mil/2014/02/09/military-science-inspires-better-rifle-control/|title=Military Science Inspires Better Rifle Control|date=February 9, 2014}} * {{cite web|url=https://discover.dtic.mil/results/?q=ARL-TR-2065|title=Sniper Weapon Fire Control Error Budget Analysis|author1=Raymond Von Wahlde|author2=Dennis Metz|date=August 1999|publication-date=September 9, 1999|publisher=United States Army Research Laboratory}}
Category:Companies based in Austin, Texas Category:Software companies based in Texas Category:Electronics companies established in 2011 Category:Optics manufacturing companies Category:Electronics companies of the United States Category:2011 establishments in Texas Category:American companies established in 2011