High-Speed Small Firearm Muzzle Flash Acoustic and Optical Detector

An ever-changing battlefield poses a growing threat of small arm hostile fire for our ground troops, ground vehicles and low-flying airborne platforms. High performance and low cost hostile fire indicator (HFI) solutions are needed to protect both stationary posts and moving military platforms. Small firearm and mortar muzzle flash emits much ultraviolet (UV), visible, Short-Wave-Infrared (SWIR), Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR), Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) and acoustic signature for passive detection. Proposed is a high-speed small firearm muzzle flash acoustic and optical detector HFI system using high-sensitivity microphone and Nano-Vertex Photon Counting Integrated Circuit (NVPCIC) Imager. During Phase I, we will (1) optimize the NVPCIC detector pixels with night vision sensitivity for high-resolution high-speed optical imaging, and (2) develop video muzzle flash detection, representation and tracking algorithms augmented with time-correlated acoustic signals. In Phase II, we will optimize the image recognition algorithm, optimize its coincidence with acoustic signals, implement robotic self learning, and prototype the NVPCIC HFI system to be delivered to the DoD labs for characterization and retention. During Phase III, we will manufacture and market the NVPCIC imager and HFI system to major defense contractors to be incorporated into military systems as well as for our commercial medical device products.