Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
WeaponWatch Detects, Locates Enemy Fire IR Signature
WeaponWatch from Radiance Technologies combines infrared sensors and high speed data analysis to detect, locate and classify a broad range of weapon firings. And WeaponWatch does it almost instantaneously, potentially allowing return fire before the enemy round or other projectile has reached your position. This remarkable technology was demonstrated at Wired's NextFest 2006 exhibition at the Javits Center in NYC.
(WeaponWatch from Radiance Technologies)
WeaponWatch is an integral part of the United States Pacific Command Overwatch Advanced Concept and Technical Demonstration (ACTD). Radiance is the prime contractor for the program.
The primary objective of the Overwatch ACTD is to demonstrate, with Pacific Command (PACOM) warfighters, an operational sensor targeting capability to detect, classify and accurately locate direct fire weapons in real-time and transmit that information to a command and control (C2) element in support of ground forces operating in urban and complex terrain...The ACTD will demonstrate a robust capability to locate a hostile threat which reduces risks and enhances mission effectiveness by providing the deployed forces with a passive reconnaissance and surveillance system. The system will be capable of surveying the target area and accurately locating active weapons within its field of view.
At NextFest, I watched Radiance personnel demonstrate the system using a large portable projector capable of simulating the infrared (IR) signature of automatic weapons fire. At a distance of seventy-five feet, the camera attached to the sensor slewed to find us almost instantly. The system is also able to detect and display the exact type of weapon using its extensive database of weapon fire IR signatures, including small arms, sniper rifles, machine guns, RPGs, MANPADs, tanks, mortars and artillery.
(WeaponWatch displayed at NextFest with (nonmilitary) camera system
and laptop display software)
WeaponWatch detects weapons fire in light or dark across a 120 degree field of view. The system can accurately describe fire from dozens of different weapons across this wide field of view. The company's representative also described live tests in which the locations of special forces personnel were pinpointed as soon as they fired their weapons once.
According to the company, there is no directive to connect this system to live-fire automated weapons systems at this time. However, the system is used to detect the location of the enemy and display it to command personnel, and it has been connected to Remote Weapon Systems using non-lethal force (i.e., rubber bullets). Connecting these components leads to accurate return fire within 2-4 seconds of the initial threat firing.
It is expected that WeaponWatch technology will be used in moving ground vehicles, UAVs, helicopters, watercraft and aerostats, as well as stationary towers.
Read more at the Radiance Technologies WeaponWatch page, as well as in this descriptive PDF brochure from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command . Thanks also to Blake Herrin of Radiance Technologies for the demonstration. Look at more NextFest 2006 Devices, Stories and Pictures.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 10/18/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Warfare ")
'Warrior Suit' Combat Exoskeleton Project Still Alive
'Suited up, you look like a big steel gorilla.'
Sea Drones Attack Russian Fleet
'...autofreighters, and other self-piloting craft.' - Ray Naylor, 2022.
Slaughterbot AI KIller Quadcopter Drones
'The real border was defended by... a swarm of quasi-independent aerostats.' - Neal Stephenson, 1995.
Russia Working On Military Exoskeletons
'...you look like a big steel gorilla...' - Robert Heinlein, 1959.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Meta's Horizon Studio's Unique Avatars From Text Prompts
'Looks like she has bought the Avatar Construction Set and put together her own...'
VaMEx Biomimetic Mars Robot Inspired By Skink
'Across the ground something small and metallic came, flashing in the dull sunlight of midday.'
NEO Brain Computer Interface (BCI)
'The remains of the lace took on the rough shape of a brain...'
Did Frank Herbert Predict E-Ink Displays?
'A broken circle with arrows pointing to a right-hand flow appeared in the chalf.'
Monolith One Giant Industrial Metal 3D-printer
'The object seemed melted together like wax — nothing was distinguishable.'
'Mooncrete' Lunar Regolith Concrete (LRC)
'And here they began to build...'
China's 'Magpie Drone' Ornithopter
'Midges have many capabilities. To the untrained eye, they look like sparrows.'
MAI-Voice-2 Microsoft Text-To-Speech
'I made disks of my own voice to the number of five hundred very carefully chosen words.'
Tumblin' Tumbleweed Rovers To Eplore Mars
'His sensors out and working, and the whirring of the tape that sucked up sight and sound and shape and smell and form...'
Tentacled Robot Captures Space Debris
Preventing annoying space debris build-up.
Prufrock-MB2 Ready In Nashville
'It sounds to me as though you had invented a kind of metal earthworm.'
DIY Robotic Content Farming
'The chief wheeled to the master machine and pressed a button.'
Reflect Orbital Sunlight On Demand
'I don't have to tell you about the seven two-mile-diameter orbital mirrors that circulate around the satellite, making it habitable.'
The Amazing Lightfoot Electric Scooter With Solar Assist
'The steel tortoise gave MacKinnon a feeling of Crusoe- like independence.'
Fully Electric, Fully Automated Vegetable‑growing Agribots
'...then back to their work, though little enough it was on these automatic cultivators.'
Vero Robotic Dog With Vacuum Cleaner Feet
'Out of warrens in the wall, tiny robot mice darted.'
