Introduction

This is the first in a series of reports investigating the future of warfare and the emerging technology that's so advanced, it wouldn't look out of place in the latest science fiction epic. Whether any of the equipment described in these reports makes it into the upcoming Ghost Recon 2 release is anybodies guess. What we do know for sure is that this equipment is being developed and will be used by the future landwarrior.

Article 1 - The CornerShot

The Cornershot is an usual choice to kick off this series of reports with because it is not so much a weapon of the future - it is actually already in use, it's just that none of the Special Forces using it will admit it publicly. The concept of a weapon that will fire around corners is nothing new either, the Germans tried it way back in the 1940s, and more recently the French tried unsuccessfully to develop the technology of firing around corners. In the French version however the operatives hand was exposed during use, with the latest Israeli weapon however, the operative's entire body is totally out of line of sight thanks to it's clever two part hinging design.

The Brief

The concept of firing around corners is simple. Allow the operative a view of the scene around the corner, perhaps down a street, or into a room in a CQB situation, and permit shots to be fired while keeping the entire operative out of sight.

This is the brief Amos Golan set himself when designing a weapon for his elite Duvdevan troops working undercover in the West Bank. After losing operatives to failed building entries Amos set about designing a weapon that would allow his troops to clear a room of hostiles, leaving innocents, without even entering the room.

The Technology

What Amos came up with was a two part weapon. The front part consisted of a pistol and video camera. The pistol can be the weapon of choice selected from Glock, Beretta 92, Colt or a SIG Sauer. The video camera is linked back to the rear of the unit, or optionally back to a command centre. The rear of the unit houses the trigger and camera viewer which is mounted on the rifle stock. While the camera has range of up to 300m, the effective range of the weapon is around 100m, which is fine for it's intended CQB use.

The whole unit can be configured to fit an M16 assault rifle, and has optional extras such as infra red lasers.

Built in features include ;

• Detachable, quick connecting color video camera
• Color video monitor with visible fixed crosshairs
• Video out socket
• Tactical light source and beam shaper
• Folding stock
• Dust-tight and protected against water jets

Optional equipment ;

• Various camera and lens options (fisheye, low light, auto focus and others)
• Video color monitor with electronic crosshairs adjuster and power level indicator
• Visible and IR laser designator
• Video transceiver and portable monitor kit in various frequencies and ranges
• IR filter for tactical light
• Detachable, collapsible bipod
• Sharpshooters stock
• Silencer
• Flash suppressor
• Paintball kit
• Red dot sight

In use the operative can approach a doorway or corner and by quickly hinging the unit in the middle can swing the pistol to the left or the right by 63 degrees. The camera allows the operative to scope the room for hostiles, take aim and fire all from a safe position. No part of the operative need be exposed, as the trigger is behind the hinge on the rear of the weapon.

The Development

The CornerShot was developed by the Israeli army in a joint operation with the US military. Design and construction has taken 3 years, with the final unit now retailing at between $3000 and £5000 each depending on the pistol and optional extras.

Unveiled to various agencies in Tel Aviv late in 2003 the unit was soon after distributed to over 15 different countries as the forces of the world realised the new potential this new technology offered. Customers include the USA, Russia, and European countries. Rumour has it that the SAS are using the weapon in Iraq. Whether the British SAS would use emerging technology on the battlefield 3 months after release is open to speculation.

The weapon is not for sale on the open market and is only available to the military and law enforcement.

We managed to speak to someone who has used the Cornershot, and he has verified the contents of this report. Apparently the weapon is quite bulky, and heavy - but it does what it says it does!

Ghost Recon 2?

Chances of Cornershot appearing In Ghost Recon 2 - 5%

Although this would be a really neat weapon to have for urban maps, we can't really predict that its occasional use would merit it appearing in Ghost Recon 2. It would be a neat option though, possibly working something like the optic cable used by Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell. Once the Cornershot was selected a HUD could be used to display the view from around the corner and identify targets. A gadget like this would possibly be more likely to appear in a game like Raven Shield than Ghost Recon however, so we rate it's chances of making it into Ghost Recon 2 extremely low.

On the other hand it may make it's gaming debut in the original Ghost Recon, as intelligence we have suggests that hi-res digital photographs have already been secured by at least one weapon modder!

Discussion

GR.net forums

Sources and further reading

Cornershot.com
Army-technology.com
Video Demonstration