An Ear for Snipers

Popular Science ^ | January 2007 | Gregory Mone

[LibWhacker]

Don't we have a similar system for locating enemy mortar teams? Hopefully, this one will work better.

[volunbeer]

That is cool!

The amount of new stuff we are fielding each year in Iraq is amazing.

Does anyone watch futureweapons on Discovery channel?

Great show and they are going to feature the F-22 on the new episode showing tonight.

[Uriah_lost]

I have one of these in my platoon and it works really well....
Oh sorry, that's in a sci-fi game...
It's really great to see some of this stuff turning up in real life!

[LibWhacker]

I love that show! Recorded the one tonight. Going to watch it later.

[endthematrix]

We have gunshot detection cameras on top of light poles in Chicago...

[Uriah_lost]

I love Futureweapons too!
This season looks to be off to a great start but the host seems to be getting a bit carried away with the melodramatic narrative....
I still love all the cool stuff and Tivo every episode for reference and ideas for my stories.(amateur sci-fi writer here)

[DocRock]

The "Owl" looks just like the "Cobra" in this Future Combat Systems Video. I also see iRobot's logo in the closing credits. (Warning: Long video requiring activeX, but well worth the effort to watch.)

[endthematrix]

IRobot has a $51 million (was $32 mil) Future Combat Systems Contract .

[volunbeer]

Not sure how much they will actually feature the F-22 but I hope it's a good segment and a good look.

This story is another example of a little guy making great things for the military. If we were not in a war this stuff would never make it to the field because it was'nt made by a congressmans corporate friend.

Sad but true statement IMO.

I hope history remembers how much we benefitted in this conflict from letting the little guy and company put his ideas up against those of the established defense industry.

[volunbeer]

I agree that Mack seems to be getting a little carried away but it's obvious he is a technogeek and I don't think he is really acting!

What a cool show and some of the stuff they have shown seems like it came right out of a good sci-fi book.

I emailed them and asked them to do a segment on the Osprey. I realize it's an old platform that has had some problems but it sounds like they are finally working the kinks out.

[jonrick46]

I watch Future Weapons too. I was watching the Discovery Science channel one night about the latest Mars surveillance satellite probe that was launched Jan. '06. Aboard that marvel of science is a radar that can look for water 1/2 mile below the surface. I am hoping they will employ this technology to detect underground booby traps, weapons bunkers, and hidden WMDs. The feature device in this post was also described by the Popular Science December (or November) issue.

[volunbeer]

Why do I suspect something like that is already flying?

It is likely that something replaced the SR-71. My guess has been a UAV with stealth and considering we are worried about N. Korea, Iran, and we were worried about WMD in Iraq I am guessing if this thing really works it has probably been flying for awhile.

That's my guess but it sounds pretty cool. Hopefully we will share the coordinates with the Israelis since it appears we don't have the cajones to deal with Iran.

[Northern Alliance]

I remember last year reading right here on FR about a company that was working on this - don't think it was the same one, though. Well, perhaps there are several. Actually after reading the article it doesn't sound all that challenging. I guess that is common with many great ideas.

[03A3]

Red Owl's superior senses can identify the make and model of a rifle fired a mile away simply by analyzing the sound of the distant blast.

Huh? Cartridge maybe but make and model?

[tcostell]

Well maybe barrel length, thickness, and receiver type. All those are part of the noise. the one thing it won't be able to tell however is the difference between one of our throw away Savage .308's and one of their "protect this glorious new technology with you life" Savage .308's.

[GAB-1955]

I think the British developed a very early version of this system in the First World War to locate German guns... it was the 1910's Manhattan Project.

[The Duke]

Factoring in its own GPS position and using a magnetic compass to determine the direction in which it’s looking...

The margin of error is too great for magnetic compasses, regardless of calibration. And *forget* about inclinometers for pitch and roll.

Wake me up when they have an onboard gyro - preferably a fibre optic ring gyro. :)

[jim_trent]

Anyone want to bet on how long it will take for the anti-gun mayor's to get some for their cities?

[PGalt]

GRRRREAT!