The U.S. Marines are testing out a powerful new tool to boost their rifle accuracy against drones. This new tech called the ZeroMark Fire Control System (FCS), is designed to make hitting drone targets much easier for Marines. The ZeroMark FCS attaches to standard rifles and includes an innovative powered buttstock that can make tiny adjustments to where the rifle is aimed. This high-tech system, developed by a startup with “deep roots in Israel,” gives Marines a better chance of hitting fast-moving drones by automatically fine-tuning their aim.
The ZeroMark system was recently tested during a live-fire event with the 3rd Marine Division in Hawaii. Marines used the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR), a 5.56mm rifle, to try out the new system in a real shooting scenario. The new feature, explained in official Marine photos, is more than just a high-powered scope—this setup uses artificial intelligence (AI) to spot, track, and even help aim the rifle at drone targets in real-time. The goal is to give Marines a reliable, portable way to defend against uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), often referred to as drones, which are a growing threat on the battlefield.
ZeroMark’s FCS is similar to another tech Marines have tested recently, the SMASH 2000 system, made by Israeli company Smart Shooter. Both systems use advanced cameras, sensors, and algorithms to detect and lock onto a target, calculating the ideal point of aim. However, ZeroMark’s FCS takes it a step further with a unique motorized buttstock that can actually move the rifle slightly, helping the shooter aim with even greater accuracy. This feature lets the gun “auto-adjust” its aim based on data from cameras and sensors, which is especially useful against unpredictable, moving targets like drones.
Imagine pointing your rifle in the general direction of a drone. Normally, you’d have to rely on steady hands, skill, and quick reflexes to lock onto the target. But with ZeroMark, once you’re roughly aimed in the drone’s direction, the system fine-tunes the aim, automatically adjusting the rifle position to hit the target with greater ease. According to Joel Anderson, ZeroMark’s CEO, the design also compensates for natural human movements and other distractions, making it much more precise than aiming manually.
In a demonstration video, ZeroMark showed that its system can attach to a variety of rifles, from the M27 used by the Marines to popular models like the AK-47 and Tavor rifles. ZeroMark claims their FCS can make hitting a tiny drone at 200 yards as simple as hitting a 60-foot-wide target at the same distance. The system is also easy to attach and remove, so it could be used across different rifle types depending on the mission.
The Marine Corps has been actively searching for new tech to defend against drones. In July, they put out a call for systems that could help individual Marines protect themselves against UAS threats. This includes ideas like advanced sights, electronic warfare tools, and new types of ammunition designed specifically to counter drones. Marine training exercises have shown that Marines are increasingly vulnerable to drones, especially during combat simulations, and need reliable tools to counter this threat.
The dangers posed by drones are growing as these devices get more advanced, thanks to breakthroughs in AI. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted how both sides use drones for tasks like surveillance and even attacks. Small, agile drones can be used as kamikaze weapons or drop explosives, making them an unpredictable threat.
For the Marines, being able to quickly and accurately neutralize a drone could make a huge difference on the battlefield. ZeroMark’s FCS system is still being tested, and it’s not yet certain whether it will be officially adopted by the U.S. military. However, as drone threats continue to rise, tools like this that improve individual accuracy and response times are becoming a top priority for forces around the world.
