Tools & Platforms
SMARTSHOOTER Wins Innovation Award for AI-Driven Precision Fire Control Solutions
SMARTSHOOTER won the Innovation Award in the Army Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for its significant advancements in enhancing small arms accuracy and operational effectiveness through the integration of artificial intelligence and modular technology.
The Army Technology Excellence Awards honor the most significant achievements and innovations in the defense industry. Powered by GlobalData’s business intelligence, the Awards recognize the people and companies leading positive change and shaping the industry’s future.
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SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH fire control technology has been recognized in the Precision Fire Control category reflecting the company’s approach to integrating artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, and advanced algorithms into compact, scalable fire control systems that address evolving operational challenges for ground forces.
AI-enabled precision enhances small arms accuracy
Hitting moving or distant targets has traditionally relied on a soldier’s skill and experience. SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH system changes that equation by using real-time image processing and AI-driven tracking. For instance, when troops face fast-moving evasive threats such as small drones (sUAS), SMASH can automatically lock onto the target, calculate ballistic trajectories, and release the shot only when a hit is assured. This improves hit accuracy during intense battle situations and reduces collateral damage.
The technology has proven valuable against aerial threats that are difficult to engage with conventional optics or unaided marksmanship. Field reports from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and U.S. military units show that SMASH-equipped rifles have been effective in neutralizing drones that might otherwise evade traditional countermeasures. By transforming standard infantry weapons into precision platforms, SMARTSHOOTER has addressed a critical gap in dismounted force protection.
Modular and scalable solutions for different missions
The SMASH product family is designed to fit a variety of operational needs, designed for seamless integration with existing force structures. The SMASH 2000L and 3000 models mount directly onto standard rifles without adding much weight or bulk, making them practical for soldiers on patrol. For situations where longer range or better situational awareness is needed, the SMASH X4 adds a four-times magnifying optic and a laser rangefinder to its AI targeting features.
SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH family of fire control systems also includes the SMASH Hopper, a remote weapon station that can be mounted on vehicles, unmanned platforms, or static defensive positions. It connects with external sensors or C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence) systems and can be operated via wired or wireless links. This flexibility means units can use SMASH technology in everything from urban patrols to border security while staying connected with larger command networks.
Operational validation and international adoption
SMARTSHOOTER’s technology is deployed across multiple armed forces and its performance demonstrated in live operational environments. The IDF has deployed SMASH systems across all infantry brigades to counter drone and ground threats along sensitive borders and in battle. Similarly, U.S. Army and Marine Corps units have added SMASH to their counter-drone arsenals following rigorous evaluation by organizations such as the Joint Counter-sUAS Office (JCO) and Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD).
These deployments are not limited to controlled trials; they reflect ongoing use in active conflict zones where reliability is crucial. Users have reported higher engagement success rates against both aerial and ground targets, even when facing complex threats like drone swarms or armed quadcopters. The awarding of multi-million-dollar contracts by defense agencies further demonstrates confidence in the system’s capabilities.
Beyond Israel and the United States, SMARTSHOOTER’s solutions have been adopted by NATO partners in Europe, including Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, as well as by security forces in Asia-Pacific. This broad uptake shows that militaries worldwide see value in this approach to modern battlefield challenges.
Human-in-the-Loop targeting supports ethical use of AI
A distinguishing aspect that sets SMARTSHOOTER apart is its focus on keeping humans in control of engagement decisions. While automation helps with tracking and aiming, operators always make the final call. The technology provides visual cues, such as target locks or shot timing indicators, but never fires autonomously.
This approach aligns with evolving international norms regarding responsible use of AI in defense applications. It ensures that accountability remains with trained personnel rather than algorithms alone, a consideration increasingly scrutinized by policymakers and military leaders alike. By embedding these safeguards into its products from inception, SMARTSHOOTER has addressed both operational needs and ethical concerns associated with next-generation fire control systems.
“We are honored to receive this recognition. This achievement reflects the proven value of our SMASH fire control systems and their ability to transform conventional small arms into precision tools against modern threats, including drones. Deployed by leading military forces worldwide, SMASH continues to enhance operational effectiveness at the squad level, and we remain committed to driving innovation that meets the evolving needs of today’s battlefield.”
– Michal Mor, CEO of SMARTSHOOTER
Company Profile
SMARTSHOOTER is a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase hit accuracy. With a rich record in designing unique solutions for the warfighter, SMARTSHOOTER technology enhances mission effectiveness through the ability to accurately engage and eliminate ground, aerial, static, or moving targets, including drones, during both day and night operations.
Designed to help military and law enforcement professionals swiftly and accurately neutralize their targets, the company’s combat-proven SMASH Family of Fire Control Systems increases assault rifle lethality while keeping friendly forces safe and reducing collateral damage. The company’s experienced engineers combine electro-optics, computer vision technologies, real-time embedded software, ergonomics, and system engineering to provide cost-effective, easy-to-use solutions for modern conflicts.
Fielded and operational by forces in the US, UK, Israel, NATO countries, and others, SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH family of solutions provides end-users with a precise hit capability across multiple mission areas, creating a significant advantage for the infantry soldier and ultimately revolutionizing the world of small arms and optics.
SMARTSHOOTER’s headquarters are based in Yagur, Israel. The company has subsidiary companies in Europe, the US, and Australia.
Contact Details
E-mail: info@smart-shooter.com
Links
Website: www.SMART-SHOOTER.com
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Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks at Microsoft Build AI Day in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 30, 2024.
Adek Berry | AFP | Getty Images
LONDON — Microsoft said on Tuesday that it plans to invest $30 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.K. by 2028.
The investment includes $15 billion in capital expenditures and $15 billion in its U.K. operations, Microsoft said. The company said the investment would enable it to build the U.K.’s “largest supercomputer,” with more than 23,000 advanced graphics processing units, in partnership with Nscale, a British cloud computing firm.
The spending commitment comes as President Donald Trump embarks on a state visit to Britain. Trump arrived in the U.K. Tuesday evening and is set to be greeted at Windsor Castle on Wednesday by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
During his visit, all eyes are on U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is under pressure to bring stability to the country after the exit of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over a house tax scandal and a major cabinet reshuffle.
On a call with reporters on Tuesday, Microsoft President Brad Smith said his stance on the U.K. has warmed over the years. He previously criticized the country over its attempt in 2023 to block the tech giant’s $69 billion acquisition of video game developer Activision-Blizzard. The deal was cleared by the U.K.s competition regulator later that year.
“I haven’t always been optimistic every single day about the business climate in the U.K.,” Smith said. However, he added, “I am very encouraged by the steps that the government has taken over the last few years.”
“Just a few years ago, this kind of investment would have been inconceivable because of the regulatory climate then and because there just wasn’t the need or demand for this kind of large AI investment,” Smith said.
Starmer and Trump are expected to sign a new deal Wednesday “to unlock investment and collaboration in AI, Quantum, and Nuclear technologies,” the government said in a statement late Tuesday.
After introducing its first AI agents for its HR and financial users last year, Workday returns this year with more prebuilt agents, a data layer for agents to feed analytics systems, and developer tools for custom agents.
The company also said it entered a definitive agreement to acquire Sana, whose AI-based tools enable learning and content creation. Workday said the acquisition will cost $1.1 billion and expects it to close by Jan. 31.
Workday has been on a tear with acquisitions this year. It reached an agreement to buy Paradox, an AI agent builder that automates tasks such as candidate screening, texting and interview scheduling. The deal is expected to close by the end of October. In April, Workday acquired Flowise, an AI agent builder.
HR software, in general, is complex compared with enterprise systems such as CRM, said Josh Bersin, an independent HR technology analyst. Because of that, some HR vendors will have to add agentic AI functionality through acquisition. Workday’s acquisitions this year coincide with the hiring of former SAP S/4HANA and analytics leader Gerrit Kazmaier as its president of product and technology.
“Workday knows that the architecture they have is not going to quickly get them to the world of agents — they can’t build agents fast enough to work across the proprietary workflow system that they have,” Bersin said. “Their direct competitors, SAP and Oracle, are all in the same boat.”
Agents, tools to come
Workday previewed several agents to automate HR work, including the Business Process Copilot Agent, which configures Workday for individual user tasks; Document Intelligence for Contingent Labor Agent, which manages scope of work processes and aligns contracts; Employee Sentiment Agent, which analyzes employee feedback; Job Architecture Agent, which automates job creation, titles and management; and Performance Agent, which surveys data across Workday and assembles it for performance reviews.
Another tool, Case Agent, can potentially be a significant time-saver for HR workers, said Peter Bailis, chief technology officer at Workday. He is a former Google AI for cloud analytics executive who also recently joined the company.
“One of the biggest challenges in HR [is when] an employee has a critical question,” Bailis said. “But their questions are often complex, and processing times for HR departments are often long.”
The case agent can review similar cases in HR, apply the right regional and compliance context, and draft a tailored response for humans to review and deliver.
“The most important part — caring for employees — stays human,” Bailis said.
On the financials side, Workday previewed Cost & Profitability Agent, which enables users to define allocation rules with natural language to derive insights; Financial Close Agent, which automates closing processes; and Financial Test Agent, which analyzes financials to detect fraud and enable compliance. For the education vertical, Workday plans to release Student Administration Agent and Academic Requirements Agent.
Workday also plans agents that bring the functionality of recent acquisitions Paradox and Flowise to its platform.
Expected in the next platform update is the zero-copy Workday Data Cloud, which brings together Workday data with other operational systems such as sales and risk management for analytics, forecasting and planning. Also in the works is Workday Build, a developer platform that includes no-code features from Flowise that enables the creation of custom agents.
How AI will affect HR jobs
The AI transformation Workday and the rest of the enterprise HR software market is undergoing will likely affect the ratios of HR workers to employees for large businesses, Bersin said.
Currently, many companies aim for an industry standard of one HR employee per 100 employees; with AI agents automating many administrative processes, he said he sees the potential for ratios of 1:200, 1:250, or — in the case of one client that Bersin’s company interviewed — possibly 1:400.
As such, automation will enable companies to do more work with smaller HR teams.
“In recruiting, there are sourcers, screeners, interview schedulers, people that do assessment, people that look at pay, people that write job offers, people that create start dates, people that do onboarding,” Bersin said. “Those jobs, maybe a third of them will go away. In learning and development, there’s a new era where a lot of the training content is being generated by AI.”
Workday previewed these features and announced the Sana acquisition in conjunction with its Workday Rising user conference in Las Vegas Sept. 15-18.
Don Fluckinger is a senior news writer for Informa TechTarget. He covers customer experience, digital experience management and end-user computing. Got a tip? Email him.
Dive Brief:
- Macy’s wants to lower costs and unlock efficiencies, turning to AI and automation in its pursuit of momentum, executives said during a Goldman Sachs conference earlier this month.
- The company has set its sights on simplifying and automating processes, CEO and Chair Tony Spring said at the event. “That has to do with embracing the power of AI as well as generative AI, that had to do with making sure that we were taking cost out of the network,” said Spring. “In some cases, also speeding up the delivery of product to the customers where we were behind the competition.”
- The retailer is about 18 months into its three-year turnaround plan called Bold New Chapter, which focuses on improving experiences and operations. While executing the plan, Macy’s has simplified IT operations and moved more workloads to the cloud to operate at a lower cost and have access to more capabilities, according to COO and CFO Tom Edwards, who was appointed to the role in June.
Dive Insight:
Retailers are working to alleviate pressures caused by economic headwinds and changes in consumer spending. Several leading brands are placing confidence in technology to push the business forward.
Ralph Lauren, Under Armor, Williams-Sonoma and others have recently credited AI for improving operations and lowering costs as turmoil continues.
A year ago, Macy’s promoted CIO Keith Credendino to accelerate its modernization goals as part of the company’s growth strategy. Previously, Credendino served as SVP of technology product development for customer experience.
Macy’s has seen improvement from its AI-assisted turnaround efforts. Macy’s Inc. and its namesake retailer reported the strongest comparable sales results in Q2 2025 after 12 quarters of lackluster numbers. Still, tariffs cast a shadow on progress with a 2.5% year-over-year net sales decline.
Adding AI isn’t an easy win for retailers despite the focus. They face several adoption roadblocks, from high implementation costs to the risk of alienating customers, according to a Monday.com survey. More than 3 in 5 leaders in the industry worry about the consistency and quality of generated outputs.
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