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Sniper Detection Systems

3224 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Aslan
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.
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Somehow I don't think that sniper detection will have much application for SHTF situations.

GB, can you tell us the physical dimensions and weight of one of these devices. Is it man portable?

RIKA
Raider said:
Somehow I don't think that sniper detection will have much application for SHTF situations.
The sonic devices would be easy to rig-up on your property. I don't know about cost, but it is comparable in technology to a chronograph, so the cost should be reasonable in kit form.

GB, can you tell us the physical dimensions and weight of one of these devices. Is it man portable?
The optical detectors are easily man [or woman ;) ] portable.

Here is a link to an optic detector:

http://www.cilas.com/englais3/html/default_detectors.htm
interesting stuff - thanks.

(also thanks for your reply to my questions about sensors)

:devil:
Great post & thanks for the link.

More .. MORE!

RIKA :)
Raider said:
More .. MORE!

RIKA :)

Always great to hear a woman to say that with such enthusiasm. :dgrin:
You should hear me when I really get enthusiastic. :dgrin: :dgrin:

RIKA
GB,

A guy I knew who was a retired Navy UDT Master Chief told me he had first hand knowledge of a sniper detection device at the W. House which could locate a muzzle signature and send a round back at it. Some of the weaponry he described to me was unreal. Then again, he might have been embellishing a little.

Mike
What kinds of weaponry did he describe?
A Master Cheif?
Embellish?
Nooooo Way!
SatCong
Mike in NC said:
GB,

A guy I knew who was a retired Navy UDT Master Chief told me he had first hand knowledge of a sniper detection device at the W. House which could locate a muzzle signature and send a round back at it. Some of the weaponry he described to me was unreal. Then again, he might have been embellishing a little.

Mike
You simply would not believe what is available legally to the general public, not including what the government already has, and has had for decades.
if it aint WITH YA, IN WORKING ORDER, it is pointless

and that's rarely the case. In the time it would take the system to locat the firer, traverse over to the guy, calculate the holdover, etc, the sniper's head and shoulder will long since be back behind cover.
You fail to understand some of these systems. Some of them are capable of returning fire before the sniper shot even connects.

Also, even if the guy is behind cover, his position is now fixed. If he decides to bail, his movement might give him away.

If he decides to stick it out, his position is known.

Look for aircraft based systems in the near future. (the software is a lot more complicated, but doable.)

It would really mess up your day to fire a few rounds at a helicopter, only to discover that the gun on the chopper was slaved to such a system and was already returning fire based on your first shot before your second shot even left the barrel.

:devil:
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