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| Afghanistan |
| The four inch gadget that helps British soldiers to pinpoint Taliban snipers |
| 2011-01-02 |
| There is a nice diagram on the web page showing what this tool looks like and how it works. Hopefully, the new took will help to save lives and identify the enemy snipers much more easily. British soldiers are to test a revolutionary new device which can pinpoint the exact position of enemy snipers 1,000 yards away. The tiny computerised 'sniper spotter', which has been developed by Army scientists at the top-secret Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in Wiltshire, identifies the shooter's location in an instant, enabling British troops to fire back immediately and accurately. The new high-tech gadget -- just 4in square and weighing 11oz -- is worn on a soldier's arm. It is connected to a shoulder sensor which pinpoints the location. The device will be trialled this month with the Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan. The detector's powerful acoustic processing technology evaluates the enemy position by determining the target's co-ordinates on a small screen with an arrow indicator. Simultaneously it bleeps a warning into a headset connected to the device. The Boomerang Warrior-X processor is the most advanced detector on the market. It has been refined by the scientists from a US system used in Iraq. The small square-shaped detector will also allow Joint Tactical Air Controllers to forward exact locations of the enemy to fighter pilots for an air strike. Sources say each unit -- known officially known as the Compact Soldier Worn Shooter-Detector System -- costs £10,000. An initial 1,000 have been ordered for British troops in Afghan¬istan's southern Helmand province. If trials are successful, more soldiers will be issued with it later this year. The way the technology works is a closely guarded secret, but the unique software provides constant updates on the enemy's location -- even if they move position while being fired at. A senior source said: 'This bit of kit could be a life-saver. An earlier, larger model was used by US forces in Iraq and in parts of Afghanistan, but this is a first for us and it is being seen as revolutionary. 'It works on acoustics and when a round is fired the small display panel highlights an arrow indicating the direction of fire, which is a major help in returning fast and accurate fire.' |
| Posted by:Delphi |
| #5 The Boomerang acoustic sniper detection system has been used for several years and to great effect. Note I am referring to earlier versions. It was developed by a company named BBN, which is based in the Boston area. I think they've been purchased by someone, perhaps BAE given the Wiltshire connection on this version. The only weakness on an acoustic sniper detection system is that the sniper has to fire first to be detected. Regardless, it is a significant improvement to compact this to a soldier-wearable size. Bravo. |
| Posted by: remoteman 2011-01-02 22:51 |
| #4 Lets wait for field trials' results before we cheer. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2011-01-02 15:18 |
| #3 I remember how, in Iraq, typically enemy snipers didn't know what they were doing, so were readily eliminated. But then they got just a few who had some training, so our side put a lot of extra effort into insuring that they were taken care of ASAP. We did not want them developing that knowledge base. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2011-01-02 13:40 |
| #2 The city of Boston uses similar technology to identify gun shots being fired. But it is a much larger unit. It is able to use acoustics to identify the location so that the local police know where to start looking. See Shot Spotter http://tinyurl.com/2aqguj2 |
| Posted by: Delphi 2011-01-02 12:54 |
| #1 Anything that helps, is good to go. |
| Posted by: Dave UK 2011-01-02 11:18 |