SMARTSHOOTER SMASH 3000

History

The SMARTSHOOTER SMASH 3000 is an Israeli fire-control sight used with small arms to improve the probability of hitting moving targets, including small unmanned aerial vehicles. It combines optical aiming with electronic target tracking and ballistic computation.

Japan has adopted SMASH-series sights as part of efforts to provide infantry and airfield security personnel with a direct kinetic counter-drone capability. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has been reported using SMASH 3000 systems on Howa Type 20 rifles.

The SMASH 3000 also forms part of SMARTSHOOTER's broader development of fire-control technology for different weapon platforms. In 2025, the system was demonstrated on a heavy machine gun during Project VANAHEIM.

The Japan Ministry of Defense signed its first contract for SMASH sighting systems in November 2024. The contract was placed with Solid Solutions, which was responsible for exporting the equipment to Japan. According to Militarnyi, the first systems entered service with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in 2025 and further orders followed as Japan expanded infantry counter-drone capabilities.

Japanese personnel subsequently trained with SMASH systems in the United States and Japan and during the Dharma Guardian 26 international exercise. Reports from these activities show the sights mounted on Howa Type 20 rifles. Some published exercise photographs are specifically captioned as showing the SMASH 2000L, so those images should not by themselves be treated as confirmation that every photographed Japanese system is a SMASH 3000.

In September 2025, SMARTSHOOTER demonstrated an expanded application of the SMASH 3000 during Project VANAHEIM. According to The Defense Post, SMASH 3000 optics were fitted to a heavy machine gun and were used to engage unmanned aerial systems at reported ranges of up to 400 m.

Design

The SMASH 3000 is part of SMARTSHOOTER's family of compact fire-control modules intended to be installed on conventional weapons rather than requiring a dedicated firearm. In the infantry configuration reported in Japanese service, the sight is mounted on a standard Picatinny rail.

The system combines a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer and computer-vision module. The electronic system detects, locks onto and tracks a selected target in real time. The shooter aims through the sight and activates target lock, after which the fire-control algorithm calculates the target's projected position while accounting for target movement and movement of the weapon in the shooter's hands.

This arrangement is intended to assist engagements against small moving aerial targets that are difficult to hit with conventional unaided sights. The underlying SMASH fire-control concept uses target tracking and a dynamically calculated firing solution to support the shooter while retaining the existing weapon as the projectile launcher.

Counter-drone role

The principal role reported for the SMASH 3000 in Japanese service is engagement of drones with small-arms fire. The system provides an individual soldier with a kinetic counter-UAS option without replacing the service rifle. Japanese procurement is being expanded as part of a broader effort to distribute counter-drone capability among infantry units.

Platform integration

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has used SMASH sights with the Howa Type 20 rifle. SMARTSHOOTER has also demonstrated SMASH 3000 optics on a heavy machine gun, showing that the fire-control concept can be applied beyond an individual rifle installation.

Operational history

The first SMASH sights were reported to have entered Japan Ground Self-Defense Force service in 2025. Japanese soldiers have trained with the systems domestically, in the United States and during the Dharma Guardian 26 exercise.

By August 2026, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force was reported to be using SMASH 3000 sights to improve its ability to engage drones. The systems were associated with Howa Type 20 rifles, while additional SMASH-family sights were also being delivered to airfield security units of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

The available reporting also indicates continuing procurement rather than a single limited acquisition. Japan's Ministry of Defense has placed additional orders as it expands the ability of infantry units to counter unmanned aircraft.

Variants

• SMASH 3000 — Fire-control sight reported in Japanese counter-drone service and demonstrated by SMARTSHOOTER on a heavy machine gun during Project VANAHEIM.
• SMASH 2000L — A separate SMASH-family sight identified in captions of photographs showing Japanese personnel with Howa Type 20 rifles during training. It should not be treated as the same designation as SMASH 3000.

Operators

• Japan — The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has been reported using SMASH 3000 fire-control sights with Howa Type 20 rifles for counter-drone engagements. SMASH-family systems are also being supplied to Japan Air Self-Defense Force airfield security units.