Gyroscopic stabilization of rifles

Final Report. Villanova, PA: Villanova University, 2008. – 77 p.Rifle users have always contended with front-end instability while aiming and firing. It was proposed to design a system of gyroscopes to stabilize a rifle by counteracting the effects of adrenaline and muscle twitches. A device housing two gyroscopes spinning in opposite directions was attached to the barrel of a mock rifle. Different setups were considered for: placement of the device along the barrel, a power source and gyroscope design. Moments created by the spinning gyros were meant to counteract deviations caused by minute muscle twitches, however testing showed the gyroscope orientation utilized did not stabilize the rifle as intended. Using geometric calculations it was determined that three gyroscopes were needed, one in each of the three primary axes. Finally, a control system was also needed to instantaneously change each gyroscope’s speed to properly counteract human deviations.