Note the right shoulder and "d-pad" box on the soldier's sling.
Four small acoustic sensor are used to detect distance and direction of gunshots, and the results are displayed on a small screen. The Individual Gunshot Detector (IGD) was developed by QinetiQ North America, and the first 13,000 units will be in Afghanistan by the end of March 2011. "We're really trying to ensure that every Soldier is protected," said Brig. Gen. Peter Fuller, Program Executive Officer Soldier. The IGD weighs less than 2 pounds and is approximately the size of a pack of playing cards.
Fuller goes on to say, "In the future, the Army plans to integrate this technology with its Land Warrior and Nett Warrior systems. These are network-situational-awareness systems for dismounted units, complete with a helmet-mounted display screen that uses GPS digital-mapping-display technology." Land and Nett Warriors are military units equipped with many different gadgets for communication and coordination.
Of course no detailed information has been given about how the systems works, whether it can be fooled, or its accuracy. The military plans to send 1,500 a month to the field over the next 12 months. 4 sensors, a uC, and a LCD are most assuredly going to save lives. Good work QinetiQ.
Eavesdropper
Photo PEO Soldier