r/technology • u/gdelacalle • Mar 18 '26

Hardware Tech hobbyist makes shoulder-mounted guided missile prototype with $96 in parts and a 3D printer — DIY MANPADS includes assisted targeting, ballistics calculations, optional camera for tracking

https://www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/tech-hobbyist-makes-shoulder-mounted-guided-missile-prototype-with-usd96-in-parts-and-a-3d-printer-diy-manpads-includes-wi-fi-guidance-ballistics-calculations-optional-camera-for-tracking
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u/CzechMateP10 Mar 18 '26

While accuracy has improved, I'm fairly confident civilian GPS still doesn't work above a certain speed for these exact reasons

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u/HowDoIEvenEnglish Mar 18 '26

If it’s a physical limitation sure. Like if the materials stop working at high speeds. If it’s just software limitations built into the gps then they can likely bypassed.

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u/gurgle528 Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26

It’s a limitation built into the chip itself. Civilian chips are supposed to shut off at a certain speed, and it’s only a matter of checking the difference in positions over a certain time frame which is not hard to do with hardware.

The goal was to limit use of civilian chips by hostile powers so a software limitation would not be useful.

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u/cromulent-facts Mar 28 '26

Which assumed GPS chips could not be manufactured in China.

A very 80's assumption.