The Army Research Lab has tapped Logos Technologies to further develop and deploy technology to detect and locate hostile gunfire and explosions under a $9.7 million contract.
The Optical Gunfire, Rockets and Explosive Flash Detection (OGRE) system uses high-speed cameras to capture the signature of a fired weapon or detonation and provide precise source coordinates to ground troops, the company said in a July 28 statement. OGRE is coupled with an existing acoustic sensor developed by the Army’s Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering center (AMRDEC).
The combined OGRE-acoustic unit, called Serenity, creates a dual threat validation process that significantly reduces false positive identifications. The system works in combination with full-motion video and wide-area surveillance sensors to locate and identify the locations of hostile fire.
The integration of visual and acoustic technology dramatically increases the detection range and accuracy in comparison to existing systems, the statement said. OGRE’s enhanced wide-area capability provides forces with real-time operational intelligence, allowing them to respond quickly.
The Serenity system will be integrated with Logos Technologies’ aerostat-based Kestrel sensor system, allowing operators to not only see attacks as they happen, but also access DVR-like forensic playback when necessary. Serenity will detect flash events such as rocket and mortar launches and explosive detonations making it uniquely suited to protect forward-deployed bases.
As troop levels are reduced over the coming years, OGRE and its variants will act as a force multiplier for warfighters, offering constant protection without the need for additional personnel. The system’s lightweight design is also adaptable to unmanned and fixed-wing platforms, allowing these aircraft to closely support land forces even in the face of heavy enemy fire, the company said.