Self-guided bullet developed

ALBUQUERQUE, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico say they have invented a .50-caliber bullet that can guide itself to a laser-directed target.

Instead of spiraling like conventional bullets, the new mini-missile makes as many as 30 corrections per second in midair as it moves toward its designated target, KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, reported Tuesday.

Jim Jones of Sandia's technical staff said the new technology could be applied to military machine guns, increasing their speed and precision.

"We've tested gunpowders to see if we can get muzzle velocity for military interest," he said. "We've tested various electronic components to see if they would survive the launch."

Jones said scientists are seeking a sponsor to produce the self-guided bullet on a commercial scale.