QinetiQ North America announced that its sniper detection systems, Ears® and SWATS (shoulder-wearable acoustic targeting systems), have been recognized as one of the top technology innovations of 2009 in Popular Science Magazine's annual "Best of What's New" awards.

QinetiQ North America's unique gunshot localization solution, the first shoulder-mounted system of its kind, is the only sniper detection system to earn this prestigious award, which recognizes the top technology innovations of the year.

Ears provides a miniature sensor and display mounted on the warfighter's non-firing shoulder. The system listens for hostile fire and instantly detects incoming rounds, pinpointing the location of the enemy shooter - including range, bearing and grid position - even as the warfighter moves. The warfighter hears constantly updated information on the precise location of the source of the hostile fire and can immediately respond. This immediate react-to-contact capability increases situational awareness, improves overall survivability and enhances force protection.

Ears is the smallest, lightest, lowest power, lowest profile and most versatile gunshot localization system available. The shoulder-worn system, SWATS, weighs less than one pound. More than 1,500 Ears systems are currently deployed with troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Ears applies proprietary algorithms to eliminate false alarms. In addition to the individual shoulder-worn systems, Ears also can be configured to protect fixed sites and moving vehicles. Vehicle and fixed-site installations take less than 10 minutes; individual warfighters can be outfitted with SWATS in less than 5 minutes.

"The increased use of marksmen, or snipers, to target our troops in Afghanistan makes improved situational awareness more critical than ever to the survivability of our warfighters - our country's most critical asset," said Dr. William Ribich, president of the Technology Solutions Group. "QinetiQ North America created the Ears family of gunshot localization systems to give troops on the ground the ability to respond instantly and accurately to hostile fire."

"For 22 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us − those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our views of what's possible in the future." said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. "The Best of What's New Award is the magazine's top honor, and the 100 winners − chosen from among thousands of entrants − represent the highest level of achievement in their fields."

QinetiQ
12.11.2009