The French company Kiwi Precision, which specializes in biathlon equipment, is planning to launch a new type of shooting target.
“A European directive stipulates that more than 90 percent of all projectiles fired on an outdoor shooting range, whether in biathlon or other sports, must be absorbed,” explains David Thievent, managing partner of Kiwi Precision, to “Nordic Magazine”. “This means that all future targets must be permeable and able to absorb more than 90 percent of projectiles.”
The new window, for which the company has already won an innovation award from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is intended to meet precisely these requirements.
“Everything that hits the target penetrates the polymer. The bullet is detected and the flap falls down. If the bullet hits next to the target, it also penetrates and is detected,” explained Thievent. “When the bullet penetrates, it flies further and is then absorbed by a polymer that has the unique property of slowing down the bullet and storing its energy in order to independently close the bullet hole. We then recover the bullet fragments behind it from the granular material. They are intact, without splinters or dust. We can then recycle these bullets, in keeping with the circular economy.”
Biathlon: New disc already in use at the 2030 Olympics?
According to Kiwi Precision, the disc revolution should soon arrive in the biathlon scene. “Our goal is for this new generation target to be shot at at the 2030 Olympics,” said Thievent.
The new target is also intended to collect important data for the athletes.
“It’s about understanding the technical requirements of a biathlon shooting range,” said long-time French shooting coach Jean-Pierre Amat, who works for Kiwi Precision. “You can really see what the shooter is doing and get direct feedback. You can focus on the execution and not the result.”
Amat continued: “For each individual athlete, we will have data on what they are doing both in training and in competition. We can follow them throughout their career, which will allow us to identify potential weak points and make it easier to address them.”
