The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has released a solicitation for proposals for its counter-sniper technology called C-Sniper, which we've already written about in this space. Only the agency still isn't saying how it might work. C-Sniper aims to track and target snipers -- with and without telescopic sites and optics -- before they actually shoot, which is a big leap from currently developing technology to track snipers using the sound of muzzle blasts.
Darpa issued a brief announcement about the technology last month and held an industry day May 3. This time, the agency is only saying publicly that the program will have two phases. The first phase will be used to develop the technology and a "fully functional proof of concept system." The second involves the delivery and demonstration of a prototype on a moving vehicle in a "high-clutter environment" filled with false targets. C-Sniper is to be integrated with Darpa's ongoing Crosshairs targeting program, which is being developed by Mustang Technologies in Allen, Texas, and designed to track and intercept bullets, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars fired at vehicles.
As you can imagine, the program has its challenges like how do you identify where fire might come from before it's actually fired?
If you think you've got something that might do the trick, act quick, proposals are due July 9.
--Catherine MacRae Hockmuth
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