The United States Marines are currently testing an innovative automated targeting system designed to enhance rifle accuracy against drone threats. The ZeroMark Fire Control System (FCS), an automated aiming solution developed by New York-based startup ZeroMark, has been deployed with the 3rd Marine Division in Hawaii as part of initial testing.
ZeroMark, founded in 2022, developed the FCS with funding from Andreessen Horowitz and Ground Up Ventures, securing $7 million in research and development investment. The system leverages sophisticated machine vision capabilities, including electro-optical cameras and LiDAR sensors, to accurately detect and track drones in real time. Its motorised buttstock allows for precise adjustments to the rifle’s angle, optimising the shooter’s accuracy by responding to both drone movement and the weapon’s recoil, providing enhanced targeting.
How it works
ZeroMark’s CEO, Joel Anderson, explains that the motorised stock effectively creates a “virtual pivot” between the shooter and the weapon, for targeting adjustments that align the shot path, compensating for slight movements or disruptions.
Installation on a standard rifle is said to take approximately 30 seconds which, according to Anderson, makes “hitting a small drone at 200 yards as easy as hitting an 18-metre-diameter circle,” lowering the skill barrier for effectively neutralising airborne threats.
The ZeroMark FCS diverges from other assisted-aiming technologies, such as Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000, by integrating more advanced aiming algorithms that physically steer the barrel for minor angle adjustments. Its proprietary machine vision technology directs the system’s adjustments, assisting soldiers in countering fast-moving, unpredictable drone targets more reliably than conventional rifles.
Anderson, who formerly served in the U.S. Navy, was inspired to create ZeroMark’s technology after observing automated capabilities in Tesla’s autopilot systems. Seeing an opportunity to apply similar concepts to military-grade defence, Anderson pitched his vision to Andreessen Horowitz, leading to ZeroMark’s formation in 2022.
Ethical considerations
While the technology’s potential applications are broad, Anderson states that ZeroMark remains focused solely on anti-drone solutions, noting ethical considerations in weapons technology. Addressing the company’s decision not to market FCS to police agencies, he noted:
“I don’t believe the world is ready for [AI weapons in law enforcement], nor am I.”
Built-in controls, including remote management and license-based activation, have been implemented to prevent misuse and ensure responsible deployment.
The ZeroMark FCS has reportedly attracted attention beyond the U.S. military, as private security firms have begun using the system to safeguard assets against potential drone-enabled piracy threats. ZeroMark has also engaged with the U.S. Department of Defense for further testing and evaluation, with future deployments potentially extending to Ukraine to support its C-UAS needs.
In discussing the wider implications of his work, Anderson envisions broader applications for ZeroMark’s machine vision software, potentially enabling the system to categorise drone models or identify payloads. He also imagines future integrations that could feed real-time data to soldiers through heads-up displays or auditory systems.
Post Image – U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Nathan Olson fires a ZeroMark Fire Control System attached to an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during a live-fire demonstration on Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Post Image Credit: 3rd Marine Division).
