Sniper Detection Systems

One of the most frustrating threats faced by troops on a modern battlefield is enemy snipers. Considerable effort has been expended defending against this threat. Some recent innovations have included sniper detection systems. The systems alert troops to the presence of an enemy sniper by tracking his bullet, locating the source of a gunshot, or detecting optical devices.

Essentially all sniper rifle bullets travel at supersonic speed. Being supersonic these bullets produce a cone shaped shock wave in the air. Some sniper detection systems consist of multiple microphones linked to a common timer. When a supersonic bullet passes the microphones, each microphone hears the shockwave at a slightly different time. A computer then solves the math and determines from where the shot was fired.

Sonic detection technology has been used to develop "gunshot" locators for crime control in cities. Microphones are simply placed atop roofs around the city. When any gun is fired, the muzzle blast is heard by the microphones. Using math the location of the shot is determined.

Radar of very short wavelength and correspondingly high frequency has been used to detect incoming bullets. Used in conjunction with impact intensity sensors, this system estimates the location of the sniper and the caliber of gun he was shooting.

It is always desirable to detect the sniper before he can fire a shot. To do this, laser detection systems have been employed. Laser detection systems indicate the presence of optics. They accomplish this by transmitting a laser beam which is reflected by both binoculars and riflescopes. The reticles used in many popular riflescopes accentuate the laser reflection of the riflescopes. Components in some military binoculars also make them more likely to be detected than their civilian counterparts.

Even if the sniper is using a rifle equipped with a silencer and no optics it can still be detected. How? By the electromagnetic signature of the shot. Because of chemical reactions, every time you fire a shot a tiny radio signal emanates from the burning powder. This technology is already in use to locate enemy artillery. Now it is being developed for small arms applications.

A more recent sniper detection system consists of a passive infrared device that can track the bullet from muzzle to impact. This system works by amplifies the temperature difference between the bullet and its surroundings.

These are some of the ways that snipers are unveiled.