Helmet-Mounted Microbolometer Hostile Fire Sensor

It is critical for soldiers and autonomous systems to quickly determine the origin of hostile fire events for well-informed and timely responses. However, there are capability gaps with current human-worn hostile fire detection systems that rely on acoustics and muzzle flash. Kitware proposes PitViper, an autonomous helmet-mounted, hostile-fire detection sensor system that tracks projectiles in flight. Unlike other systems, PitViper is fully effective (high PD, low FAR) in high-clutter urban or forested areas and does not require line of sight to the shooter’s location. PitViper immediately provides accurate azimuth, elevation, and range information about the shotline as well as the geolocation of the origin. PitViper combines low SWAP-C COTS hardware with Kitware’s established computer vision software tools to provide real-time enhanced situational awareness. Data from an advanced high-speed microbolometer is fused with GPS/INS pose outputs and fed into stabilization, detection, tracking, georegistration, and classification algorithms running onboard. Results are communicated using the Nett Warrior or TAK integrated dismounted leader systems. Extensions include small robotic platform integration, UAV detection and tracking, and counter rocket, artillery, and mortar applications.