Boomerang

Description: The Boomerang shooter detection system has been designed to quickly pinpoint the location of snipers firing small arms in support of military and law enforcement customers. The system utilizes a mast-mounted array of passive acoustic sensors (microphones) with computer-based signal processing for the detection of the shooters and can be installed in a variety of platforms. Mounted on a vehicle can perform incoming fire location stationary or on the move. The Boomerang has been demonstrated successfully for military operations in urban terrain even using moving vehicles. Once a shooter has been detected, it indicates the azimuth of incoming fire by actuating a light to show the clock direction and a recorded voice. Boomerang indicates the range and elevation on an LED screen display. The US military bought and deployed the system successfully in Iraq and Afghanistan. The United Kingdom ordered the Boomerang sniper detection system in September 2011.

BBN Technologies designed the Boomerang to deliver a low false alarm rate caused by non-ballistic events such as road bumps, door slams, wind noise, tactical radio transmissions, and extraneous noise events such as vehicle traffic, firecrackers, and urban activity. Boomerang algorithms also suppress return fire alerts. Besides, the system is engineered not to alert when outgoing shots are fired from its position. The Boomerang Warrior-X is a soldier wearable shooter detection system allowing for rapid detection of hostile fire sources in a variety of terrains.