UTAMS Motor, Rocket, Explosive Detector

Last updated

Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT Sensor (UTAMS)Mortar, Rocket, Explosive Locator System is an acoustic localization sensor system developed by the Sensors and Electronic Devices Directorate (SEDD) of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) in 2004. [1] This technology is utilized to detect and isolate transient events such as mortar or rocket firings, munition impacts, and other explosive events. [2] It consists of an array of acoustic sensor stations that are linked via radio to a receiving base. Each sensor has the ability to monitor hostile territory, international borders, and/or detect indirect weapon fire covertly with 24-hour surveillance. These small, inexpensive, non-imaging sensors can monitor large areas without a significant need for power sources and manpower. [3]

Contents

System concept

Three to five acoustic arrays are set up in a roughly equilateral configuration several hundred meters from each other. Each array detects an impulsive event such as motor/rocket launch and determines the line of bearing from the array to the launch site. The lines of bearing from each array are transmitted via radio link to a central point where the results are combined to establish the location of the firing point through triangulation. Impact points are detected and located the same way. Results are displayed on a georeferenced map as icons using a laptop PC. The system generally detects the weapons out to their maximum range and screens out false results due to local noises from vehicles, people, etc. [4]

UTAMS can locate the x, y, and z directions from an acoustic signal and are sensitive in the 20–500 Hz frequency range. Noise canceling algorithms produced a continuous resonance that UTAMS separated out through adaptive filtering. Processing for infra-sound was combined with acoustic microphones and deployed in Iraq with smaller sensor arrays to detect rockets, small arms, and mortars. [3]

History

In 2001, ARL fielded infrasonic sensors (<20 Hz) in the Republic of Korea to meet a U.S. Army requirement for passive surveillance systems to detect artillery fire (8–10 Hz) in the vicinity of the Demilitarized Zone. To meet the new requirement that came out of Iraq in 2004, ARL reconfigured the infrasonic sensor processing box to be used with acoustic sensors for the UTAMS detection of mortar fire (<100 Hz). The Rapid Equipping Force funded UTAMS in 2005 and 2006 for use in Iraq for Forward Operating Base protection. [3]

In 2006, UTAMS II was designed, based on lessons learned from previous fielding, and automatic alignment with two GPS sensors for precise pointing direction. Solar panels with batteries were used as power sources to reduce power requirements. The Miniature Acoustic Warning System (MAWS) is a mobile UTAMS in a smaller package. [3]

In 2012, the Program Manager Ground Sensors took over fielding. [3]

Extended capabilities

UTAMS were deployed with various configurations since the program started in 2004. One such configuration was the integration of UTAMS with the Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS) and the Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) aerostat surveillance systems as well as the Rocket Launch Spotter. ARL also demonstrated increased range detection and localization capabilities by mounting a UTAMS variant under a tethered aerostat, named the aerostat-mounted UTAMS system (AMUS). In each of these systems, UTAMS would send acoustic detection locations to cue camera systems to focus surveillance efforts on areas where suspicious activities are occurring. [1]

The capability to review past events was added to allow the user to analyze historical sensor detection and target localization. Live data is continuously being processed by the ground station; however, users can view previous events in the review mode. To share critical situational awareness information on the battlefield, UTAMS provided a flexible message output system to transmit sensor and target detection. [1]

Recognition

In 2004, the UTAMS Mortar, Rocket, Explosive Locator System was awarded the U.S. Army's Greatest Inventions. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonar</span> Acoustic sensing method

Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, measure distances (ranging), communicate with or detect objects on or under the surface of the water, such as other vessels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infrasound</span> Vibrations with frequencies lower than 20 hertz

Infrasound, sometimes referred to as low frequency sound, describes sound waves with a frequency below the lower limit of human audibility. Hearing becomes gradually less sensitive as frequency decreases, so for humans to perceive infrasound, the sound pressure must be sufficiently high. While the ear is the primary organ for sensing low sound, at higher intensities it is possible to feel infrasound vibrations in various parts of the body.

Measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) is a technical branch of intelligence gathering, which serves to detect, track, identify or describe the distinctive characteristics (signatures) of fixed or dynamic target sources. This often includes radar intelligence, acoustic intelligence, nuclear intelligence, and chemical and biological intelligence. MASINT is defined as scientific and technical intelligence derived from the analysis of data obtained from sensing instruments for the purpose of identifying any distinctive features associated with the source, emitter or sender, to facilitate the latter's measurement and identification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counter-battery radar</span> Radar that locates artillery pieces by tracking their projectiles

A counter-battery radar or weapon tracking radar is a radar system that detects artillery projectiles fired by one or more guns, howitzers, mortars or rocket launchers and, from their trajectories, locates the position on the ground of the weapon that fired it. Such radars are a subclass of the wider class of target acquisition radars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel</span> American short-range air defense radar

The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel is an X-band electronically steered pulse-Doppler 3D radar system used to alert and cue Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) weapons to the locations of hostile targets approaching their front line forces. It is currently produced by Raytheon Missiles & Defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gunfire locator</span> System that detects and conveys the location of gunfire or other weapon fire

A gunfire locator or gunshot detection system is a system that detects and conveys the location of gunfire or other weapon fire using acoustic, vibration, optical, or potentially other types of sensors, as well as a combination of such sensors. These systems are used by law enforcement, security, military, government offices, schools and businesses to identify the source and, in some cases, the direction of gunfire and/or the type of weapon fired. Most systems possess three main components:

In land warfare, artillery sound ranging is a method of determining the coordinates of a hostile battery using data derived from the sound of its guns firing, so called target acquisition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ARTHUR</span> Counter-battery radar system

ARTHUR is a counter-battery radar system originally developed jointly for and in close co-operation with the Norwegian and Swedish armed forces by Ericsson Microwave Systems in both Sweden and Norway. It is also used by the British Army, under the names mobile artillery monitoring battlefield radar or mobile artillery monitoring battlefield asset (MAMBA).

National technical means of verification (NTM) are monitoring techniques, such as satellite photography, used to verify adherence to international treaties. The phrase first appeared, but was not detailed, in the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) between the US and USSR. At first, the phrase reflected a concern that the "Soviet Union could be particularly disturbed by public recognition of this capability [satellite photography]...which it has veiled.". In modern usage, the term covers a variety of monitoring technologies, including others used at the time of SALT I.

Radiofrequency MASINT is one of the six major disciplines generally accepted to make up the field of Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT), with due regard that the MASINT subdisciplines may overlap, and MASINT, in turn, is complementary to more traditional intelligence collection and analysis disciplines such as SIGINT and IMINT. MASINT encompasses intelligence gathering activities that bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), or Human Intelligence (HUMINT).

Materials MASINT is one of the six major disciplines generally accepted to make up the field of Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT), with due regard that the MASINT subdisciplines may overlap, and MASINT, in turn, is complementary to more traditional intelligence collection and analysis disciplines such as SIGINT and IMINT. MASINT encompasses intelligence gathering activities that bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), or Human Intelligence (HUMINT).

Radar MASINT is a subdiscipline of measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) and refers to intelligence gathering activities that bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of signals intelligence (SIGINT), imagery intelligence (IMINT), or human intelligence (HUMINT).

Electro-optical MASINT is a subdiscipline of Measurement and Signature Intelligence, (MASINT) and refers to intelligence gathering activities which bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), or Human Intelligence (HUMINT).

Geophysical MASINT is a branch of Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) that involves phenomena transmitted through the earth and manmade structures including emitted or reflected sounds, pressure waves, vibrations, and magnetic field or ionosphere disturbances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special reconnaissance</span> Intelligence gathering discipline

Special reconnaissance (SR) is conducted by small units, such as a recon team, made up of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units and/or military intelligence organizations. Special reconnaissance teams operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations, but both are often carried out by the same units. The SR role frequently includes covert direction of airstrikes and indirect fire, in areas deep behind enemy lines, placement of remotely monitored sensors, and preparations for other special forces. Like other special forces, SR units may also carry out direct action and unconventional warfare, including guerrilla operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swathi Weapon Locating Radar</span> Counter-battery radar

The Swathi weapon locating radar is a mobile artillery-locating, phased array radar developed by India. This counter-battery radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire.

Infrasound is sound at frequencies lower than the low frequency end of human hearing threshold at 20 Hz. It is known, however, that humans can perceive sounds below this frequency at very high pressure levels. Infrasound can come from many natural as well as man-made sources, including weather patterns, topographic features, ocean wave activity, thunderstorms, geomagnetic storms, earthquakes, jet streams, mountain ranges, and rocket launchings. Infrasounds are also present in the vocalizations of some animals. Low frequency sounds can travel for long distances with very little attenuation and can be detected hundreds of miles away from their sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Counter-IED equipment</span>

Counter-IED equipment are created primarily for military and law enforcement. They are used for standoff detection of explosives and explosive precursor components and defeating the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) devices themselves as part of a broader counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, or law enforcement effort.

The FireFly Acoustic Threat Detection System is a system for detecting hostile fire. It has been developed jointly by the US Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Command (AMRDEC), the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and industry partners. The FireFly acoustic and electro-optical (EO) sensor can operate with Serenity Payload or be deployed as a stand-alone unit. FireFly was designed for support of small installations, independent of installation power.

The infrasonic sensing array, designed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), was a military device that detected and located explosive events with inaudible frequencies at long ranges, such as artillery, missiles, and helicopters through the use of the array process. It was also used for direction-finding and positioning for navigational purposes and for detecting atmospheric events for battlefield weather prediction.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "UTAMS". ElanTech.
  2. ↑ US Army (June 1, 2005). "U.S. Army Recognizes Top Ten Greatest Inventions of 2004". Defense-Aerospace.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Ratches, James; Chait, Richard; Lyons, John (February 2013). "Some Recent Sensor-Related Army Critical Technology Events" (PDF). Defense and Technology Paper.
  4. ↑ "Unattended Transient Acoustic MASINT System (UTAMS)" (PDF). U.S. Army Research Laboratory. August 2004.
  5. ↑ History of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory. 2017. ISBN   9780160942310.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.