Gunfire Location and Incident Documentation System

Overview

The Gunfire Incident Documentation System provides immediate detection and rapid documentation of gunfire. The system detects the location of a muzzle flash from a weapon and slews a high magnification zoom camera in that direction. For sniper class rifles the system has a detection range that exceeds the effective range of the weapon used. The system does not need to be located near the path of the sniper’s bullet, it even functions if the shooter is aiming away from the system. Because optical detection methods are used a muzzle flash can be detected before a sniper's supersonic bullet has traveled fifty yards.

System Description and Operation

The system consists of a remote sensor suite including an infrared camera, a television camera with zoom lens, and a gimbal, as well as a control console incorporating a processor, video tape recorder, drive electronics and power supply. The sensor and zoom cameras are deployed remotely and are connected to the control console by a tether. The system is designed to be deployed and operated by a single person. The user controls the operation of the system from the control console. The system is designed so that the control console can be located within a vehicle and the remote sensor suite can be rapidly deployed.

Another mode of deployment is to mount the sensor suite atop a vehicle with the control console located within the vehicle. This would allow portable use with immediate use when the vehicle gets to a target area.

The system can also be installed to protect a fixed site, such as an embassy or other high profile target. In this case the sensor suite would be permanently installed in a manner similar to the common security camera.

When deployed in a vehicle the system draws power from the vehicle battery. For a fixed site installation a power adapter with rechargeable battery backup is provided.

The system uses a focal plane array midwave infrared camera to stare at a 32 degree wide by 24 degree high field of view. The video signal is fed to the processor where detection algorithms are used to detect the muzzle flash signature. The system detects rifle fire within seventy milliseconds of its occurrence. During this time a supersonic bullet would travel less than fifty yards.

Upon detection the visible light television camera is slewed in the direction of the muzzle flash. The video from this camera, overlaid with GPS derived time and location symbology is displayed for immediate surveillance and is recorded on video tape to provide documentation for later use.

The control console screen shows a high magnification visible video of the scene as well as system status information. The basic symbology consists of the location of the detected sniper, designated by a cursor. The user has a joystick to pan and tilt the camera, and to zoom in and out. A keyboard provides other control functions. The system can be set up to either automatically or upon user commend to slew to detections after the first one, and to zoom out after each detection for scene context information.

This system significantly enhances the detection and documentation of gunfire. In the case of a sniper with a high power rifle the system can record video tape of the sniper's location prior to the bullet reaching its target.


For additional info please contact 
Dr. M. C. Ertem
Maryland Advanced Development Laboratory 
(301) 345 8664