Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency TTO - Boomerang

Project Overview: DARPA’S TTO office, developed Boomerang to assist troops in urban warfare settings. Boomerang is a mounted group of sensors that can detect sniper fire. The sensor suite can currently be mounted to a HMMWV and a troop-mounted version is being designed.

By using sensors to detect both the sonic shockwave and the muzzle blast from a gun, Boomerang can pinpoint a shooter up to 500 meters away. The system works by comparing the shockwave and the blast to determine the sniper’s location. The location of the sniper can be displayed on a device mounted on a dashboard or can be seen on a handheld version that resembles a clock to show the individual soldiers where the bullets are coming from.

Boomerang is able to identify the type of bullet used, detect gunfire even if the shooter is using a silencer. and can even alert troops of rocket-propelled grenades. Boomerang prototypes are currently being used in Iraq.

CenGen, Inc assisted in the networking and testing of the Boomerang technology.