This idea would be an arrow that has quill orientation controlled by either by timing or accelerometer. These on arrow boards, on triggering, would release a mechanism causing the arrow to flare.
The flaring mechanism is made up of each quill mounted on an arm. In flight mode these sprung arms are locked together, as the shaft, in normal flight orientation. On spring release, the arms are forced 90 degrees to the shaft causing the quills to be at maximum orietation to resist the flight direction. Like a shuttle cock, the arrow will drop from the air.
The arrow's electronics is connected by bluetooth and can be loaded with a time release in msecs or acceleration in percentage of peak. Initial variables can be calculated from strength of bow and weight of arrow but recorded data from subsequent attempts will nail down the best numbers for the particular bow and marksperson.
A bullet could have the same concept but would be a lot harder to deform a bullet's shape to drop such a large amount of momentum quickly enough.
Why?, because more advanced weapons are shown by their very accurate and controllable boundaries.-- wjt, Feb 09 2020 So, when hunting, an arrow that misses could be set to airbrake when the range-to-target is exceeded, allowing it to be retrieved for re-use more easily?-- 8th of 7, Feb 09 2020 How about a string connecting the arrow to the bow?-- MaxwellBuchanan, Feb 09 2020 Why do we not have guided arrows? All you need is a laser head and a mechanism to move the feathers.-- Voice, Feb 09 2020 Because it rather tends to nullify the whole point of using a bow and arrow, which are more a test of strength and skill than a practical weapon, given that there are much better things available.
If you used a guided arrow, you'd incorporate it into a more sophisticated weapons system with a target designation system and an energy source with a greater energy input than instantaneous human muscle power - like a crossbow.
The benefit is that a system using guided crossbow bolts would be very quiet compared to a firearm, and could be quite effective at short to medium ranges.
// a string connecting the arrow to the bow //
It's called a "harpoon" and it's Baked and WKTE.-- 8th of 7, Feb 09 2020 // The benefit is that a system using guided crossbow bolts would be very quiet compared to a firearm, and could be quite effective at short to medium ranges//
Much more effective than bullets-- Voice, Feb 10 2020 // quills
Fletches surely?-- not_morrison_rm, Feb 11 2020 // Much more effective than bullets //
That depends on the circumstances and the definition of "effective".
If you are hunting, particularly big game, you want OSOK, and fast - you don't want to have to trail a wounded and potentially dangerous animal some distance through difficult terrain.
For example, hunting bears with a bow is an entertainment for the terminally stupid (or suicidal).-- 8th of 7, Feb 11 2020 [8th of 7] More about trying to keep a maximum radius of a defined momentum for a kill.
[Max] True, a fishing bow line set up could give a radius of use but might be a drag in both respects.
[not_morrison_rm] Yes, fletches was the word I didn't find when I wrote this.-- wjt, Feb 15 2020 random, halfbakery