Pacific Noise and Vibration - Personal and Vehicle Acoustic Threat Location Systems

In today’s era of asymmetric urban warfare ground forces face an ever increasing threat from combatants seeking to use concealment and the element of surprise to their advantage. A well-hidden sniper or Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) operator can launch an ambush to devastating effect unless they are located and stopped quickly – and in a busy or chaotic environment such as a city street or alleyway, a soldier’s natural senses may not be enough to save himself and his team.

Australian-based company Pacific Noise and Vibration manufacture a series of vehicle and soldier-mounted acoustic threat location systems which can quickly and accurately locate the source of small-arms and mortar fire.

WAAPS HELMET MOUNTED ACOUSTIC SENSORS

The Wearable Acoustic Area Protection System (WAAPS) utilises the Acoustic Threat Localisation System (ATLS) algorithms developed by the PNV subsidiary company Land Warrior Acoustic Systems for the Australian Department of Defence. The WAAPS interfaces acoustic sensors and other sensors mounted on a soldier's helmet to a Soldier Combat System (SCS) in order to alert the soldier to the source of small-calibre gunfire relative to the soldier's position and orientation. The system can be readily extended to include a range of other acoustic sources, such as mortars and artillery.

The ATLS algorithms have been proven in field tests at the Redstone Technological Test Center, Huntsville AL to be capable of detecting and localising simulated Rocket Propelled Grenade firing.

The WAAPS detects the acoustic features associated with a gunshot (the supersonic "crack" and the muzzle blast "thump") and computes azimuth, elevation and range in near-real time from each person equipped with the system (sensor node). The individual sensor computations are immediately available at the sensor node, and are automatically transferred to a fusion node for additional processing. The combined result is presented at the fusion node in real world coordinates (latitude, longtitude), and disseminated to all members of a formation, whether equipped as sensor nodes or not.

The ATLS algorithms have shown consistent results, a low false alarm rate even in a high noise environment, and the ability to improve the security of ground forces through the accurate detection and localisation of hostile sniper and other gunfire. Testing has proven the ability of the WAAPS to operate in a reverberant environment, and in the presence of multiple shooters. The WAAPS information can be utilised for tactical response decisions, or transmitted to rear headquarters for incorporation into operational situational awareness displays.

VEHICLE-MOUNTED ACOUSTIC THREAT LOCALISATION SYSTEM (ATLS)

Opportunistic and random attacks from RPGs, snipers and mortars are a constant threat to military personnel in ground combat vehicles performing surveillance operations and perimeter detection patrol.

The Vehicle Acoustic Area Protection System (VAAPS) is designed to provide an ability to detect attacks from these weapons, classify the weapon by type and localise the origin of the attacker, thus allowing counteractions to be taken.

The VAAPS will provide a bearing of the location of a gunshot for a single user, whereas multiple users will be able to cooperate to obtain a more refined and accurate threat position. Geographically referenced positional information can be provided at each user, or at the command level of a group of users as required. A variety of display options are available to suit the operational employment of the system.

ABOUT PNV

PNV specialises in the development and implementation of acoustics-based capabilities for defence and non-defence applications, and in the monitoring, analysis, utilisation and remediation of vibration within structures. The PNV workforce comprises approximately 70% engineers and scientists, of whom 40% have PhDs.

PNV’s corporate activities are undertaken primarily from Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and with other representation in Adelaide, South Australia. PNV’s business activities are conducted in four principle areas, namely signature management, acoustic solutions, and environmental and acoustic consulting.