SPOTTER: Shot Precise Origin Tracking

The ability to determine the source of enemy fire is invaluable for neutralizing the threat rapidly. Besides minimizing further damage, the long term effect is that it will require the enemy to shoot from increasingly difficult positions to eliminate immediate, accurate return fire. Therefore, there is a need for an innovative low cost solution which is passive and requires no line of sight to the source of the fire. As the topic description clearly articulates, most existing technologies have significant limitations (acoustic systems suffer from multipath, optical augmentation is not passive and requires line of sight to the source, muzzle flash detection requires line of sight to the source, etc.). Solutions based on Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) sensors are feasible, but impractical for widespread use due to cost. There are two possible approaches to meet this need: a) develop low cost sensors with the appropriate infrared band sensitivity, or b) leverage existing low cost sensors (such as bolometers) and augment their capabilities with innovative image processing algorithms so that the desired information can be extracted. Intelligent Automation Inc. proposes to develop SPOTTER, a low cost Hostile Fire Indicator (HFI) and localization system suitable for dismounted soldiers during tactical movement.