Hitting a drone with gunfire is hard for an unglamorous reason: by the time the bullet arrives, the drone has moved. SIG Sauer's answer is the XRAY9-CUAS, a counter-unmanned aircraft systems electro-optic unveiled at AUSA, and the idea behind it is to let a soldier point and shoot while the optic works out where the drone will be. The optic mounts to a counter-UAS weapon system and borrows its approach from the targeting system in SIG Sauer's remote-controlled weapon station. A proprietary SWIR laser rangefinder (Short-Wave Infrared) and onboard slew-rate sensors instantly calculate the drone's distance, speed and vector, and from that the optic generates a custom disturbed reticle with dynamic targeting solutions. A disturbed reticle is a lead-computing sight: instead of showing a fixed crosshair and leaving the shooter to estimate how far ahead of a moving target to aim, the reticle itself shifts to account for target motion and projectile time of flight. Put the moving reticle on the drone and the lead is already built in. It is a long-established principle in anti-aircraft gunnery, and the XRAY9-CUAS brings it to a shoulder- or mount-level counter-drone weapon. Unfortunately, there are no images of how the display and the reticle work. Sensor options extend the working envelope. The XRAY9-CUAS can be integrated with CMOS and thermal sensors to give a day, night and fused-capable fire control system.Engagement range runs up to 300 yards (274 m), with exact capability varying by drone size. The optic itself is small, measuring 5.25 x 2.5 x 3.3 in (133 x 64 x 84 mm) and weighing 24 oz (680 g). Battery life is up to 50 hours of continuous use, the display is 640x480 and the window has a 48mm clear aperture.Andy York, President of SIG Sauer Electro-Optics, says the XRAY9-CUAS was fast-tracked because the capability is needed on today's battlefield, and that the company's work in remote weapon stations and electro-optics follows from its focus on supporting soldiers. The XRAY9-CUAS fits into a wider push at SIG Sauer. The company has built out a full unmanned portfolio covering drones, counter-UAS and remote-controlled weapon stations, and Ryan Scott, Director of Advanced Concepts, says SIG Sauer is doubling the square footage and workforce at its North Carolina facility through a multi-million-dollar expansion across R&D, engineering, manufacturing and training. The drone lineup includes the fixed-wing SCYTHE, the SABER quad-copter and the M-HORNET 22 LR payload attachment. At AUSA, the XRAY9-CUAS (as seen below) shares the stand with the M250, the MMG, the new XM8 carbine, hybrid ammunition and the RCWS, at booth #8015 in Hall E. SIG Sauer XRAY9-CUAS specifications:Counter-UAS electro-optic, mounted to a counter-UAS weapon systemProprietary SWIR laser rangefinder with onboard slew-rate sensorsCalculates drone distance, speed and vectorCustom disturbed reticle with dynamic targeting solutionsIntegrates with CMOS and thermal sensors for day, night and fused fire controlTracks and engages up to 300 yards (274 m), varying with drone sizeDimensions: 5.25 x 2.5 x 3.3 in (133 x 64 x 84 mm)Weight: 24 oz (680 g)Battery life: up to 50 hours of continuous useDisplay: 640x480Window: 48mm clear apertureSIG Sauer’s Defense products can be found here: https://www.sigsauer.com/defense-products Source: New SIG SAUER XRAY9-CUAS Electro-Optic Provides Counter Drone Targeting and EngagementIf this post has you ready to hit the range, head over to gunranges.com - a free directory to help you find shooting ranges near you, wherever you are in the United States.