Advanced Indirect Fire Geolocation Using Relocatable Listening Posts Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.2 Topic No.: N142-086 Topic Title: Advanced Indirect Fire Geolocation Using Relocatable Listening Posts Proposal No.: N142-086-0337 Firm: Scientific Applications & Research Assoc., Inc. 6300 Gateway Dr. Cypress, California 90630-4844 Contact: Ben Thien Phone: (714) 224-4410 Web Site: www.sara.com Abstract: Acoustic detection of indirect fire impact points and the points of origin is a difficult problem. The sensors themselves are time consuming to emplace and maintain, the acoustic data received is difficult to interpret, and sound transmission times introduce latency into the system. SARA proposes an innovative set of algorithms at the command post level to interpret the reports from an array of mobile listening posts with a constantly changing configuration. The algorithms first correlate overlapping and conflicting attacks into event groups. The event groups are then analyzed to determine shot geolocations. Finally, a grouping analysis turns a confusing cloud of shots into discrete attacker positions to report to the warfighter. SARA envisions the command post algorithms as one segment of an integrated indirect fire system that includes advanced listening post signal processing algorithms and advanced flow noise reducing sensors. SARA has an innovative environmentally rugged sensor technology, and a suite of listening post algorithms that can be integrated into the system. The current investigation into the command post algorithms will derive requirements for listening post sensor designs and drive their implementation. Benefits: Commercialization of command post algorithms for indirect fire detection will offer a number of advantages for the warfighter. Incoming indirect fire, will be located more quickly and more accurately allowing warfighters to react to the threat, minimizing causalities. The improved command post algorithms will enable the use of mobile listening posts mounted on top of vehicles, which will greatly reduce the manpower required to emplace and maintain listening posts. The technology will also offer a number of benefits to the homeland defense, law enforcement, and scientific communities. In homeland defense applications, the system can be used to monitor remote border areas. When acoustic signals are detected, the border patrol can be sent to investigate. In a law enforcement setting, the system will listen for gun shots in high crime and areas provide highly accurate geolocations of the source to the police. Finally, the system will have scientific applications in surveys of wildlife. The system can be left unattended in wildlife areas to listen for animal sounds and provide counts of endangered animals. Return