Counter-Sniper High-Speed Autonomous Optical System (CHAOS)

The problem of sniper detection and neutralization proves to be one of the more significant issues facing the troops presently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan today. This unfortunate reality has spurred both industry and the DoD to press for immediate and effective solutions to the detection and neutralization of the sniper threat. In the case of sniper detection the urgency and importance is exemplified by the existence of no less than fourteen different systems ranging between acoustic, passive IR, and active optical search systems designed to address the problem. Areté Associates is proud to offer a unique approach to address the detection of sniper optics and neutralization of sniper threats in a compact robust package that will provide the autonomy currently absent in existing approaches. Areté’s a counter-sniper high-speed autonomous optical system (CHAOS) being proposed here is based on the physics of optical augmentation (OA), occasionally referred to as the “cats eye” effect, and leverages existing Areté program activities in the area Afocal beam steering. Although the physics of OA is well understood in the detection of optical systems, it will be shown that the CHAOS design approach being proposed provides a unique capability with respect to autonomous operation, laser dazzle counter measure, and threat coordinate localization. The overall goal of the project is to prove the feasibility of the proposed design approach through demonstration during the first phase. Additionally, design and analysis will be combined with the demonstration results to show traceability to the objective system design that is to be developed and demonstrated during Phase II of the program.