Acoustic threat detection systems

Acoustic threat detection systems include technology to help soldiers in combat zones pinpoint the location of incoming fire, from automatic weapons to rocket-propelled grenades. Early acoustic threat detection systems included Boomerang. Developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and BBN Technologies, the technology was created in response to a 2004 U.S. Department of Defense request for an affordable acoustic sniper detector. Boomerang, which was mounted on vehicles, came into wide use by 2006 and cost about $5,000 each.
Manufacturers modified these systems to reduce false alarms, improve user interface and increase accuracy.
Prices have declined rapidly as the technology matured.
Recent developments of acoustic threat detection systems performed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) include the Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor (UTAMS), an aerostat-mounted acoustic-sensor system. UTAMS technology detects, locates, and cues a collocated imager to transient sounds, such as enemy mortar, rocket launches, and IED attacks, and calculates the ground location of the threat source. Other acoustic threat detection systems developed by ARL, Army Aviation Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) and other partners include Serenity Payload and FireFly.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu