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
Wearable Energy Harvester
'... he had tightened the chest to gain maximum pumping action from the motion of breathing.'
Drones Participate In Buddhist Rites
'...a prayer wheel swung into view and began spinning at a furious pace.'
Anna Indiana AI Singer-Songwriter
'She is a personality-construct, a congeries of software agents'
Video Manicuring ala Schismatrix
'The program raced up the screen one scan line at a time'
'Feel the AGI' OpenAI Leader Now OpenWorship
'And are all the people willing to be governed by a machine?'
NASA Tests Prototype Europa Lander
Why have legs if they don't walk around?
Tailsitter Drone Aircraft For SAR
'...it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair.'
Forward CarePod The AI Doctor's Office
'It's an old model,' Rawlins said. 'I'm not sure what to do.'
Mika The Robot-Boss
'the robot-boss was busy at the lip of the new lode instructing and egging the men on to greater speed...'
Yamaha Motoroid 2 No Handlebars Self-Balancing Motorcycle
'He rode the bike with an intense lack of physical grace...'
San Francisco Autobus
'THE autobus turned silently down the wide street...'
Should Your Car Decide If You Can Drive?
'Okay. Maybe the car was right...'
Lucid Dreams On Demand From Prophetic and Card79
'the peeper did not operate by virtue of its machinery alone, but by the reaction of the brain and the body of its user...'
Honda UNI-ONE Hands-Free Wheelchair Follows 100 Year-Old Design
'Noiselessly, on rubber-tired wheels, they journeyed...'
EBS-260 Handjet Free Hand Dot Matrix Printer
'McKie held a chalf-memory stick over the dusted surface.'
Sensitive, Soft Robot Skin
'...tinted material that had all the feel and appearance of human flesh and epidermis.'
