MCLEAN, Va: QinetiQ North America announced today that it has been asked to deliver 235 more of its Ears/SWATS (shoulder-wearable acoustic targeting systems) sniper detection systems to the U.S. Army for use in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The order is the final increment on a $10 million contract received last year by QinetiQ North America’s Technology Solutions Group and will represent the broadest integration and deployment of the Ears/SWATS capability with the Land Warrior Program to date.
Land Warrior is an integrated fighting system for individual infantry soldiers which is designed to enhance the soldier’s tactical awareness, lethality and survivability. Systems integrated into the Land Warrior program include the weapons system, helmet, computer, digital and voice communications; positional and navigation system, protective clothing and individual equipment. The Land Warrior system is deployed by infantry and combat support soldiers, including rangers, airborne, air assault, light and mechanized infantry soldiers.
Ears/SWATS sniper detection systems enable military personnel to immediately and accurately respond to hostile fire, asymmetric warfare, or all-out engagement. After only one gunshot, Ears-equipped warfighters can quickly pinpoint and eliminate the threat. More than 1500 systems are now in theater.
“The Army’s continuing commitment to the Ears/SWATS system for force protection and survivability is a point of pride for QinetiQ North America,” said Dr. William Ribich, president of the Technology Solutions Group of QinetiQ North America. “We are honored to support the Army in the protection of our troops in the hostile and unpredictable environments of today’s and tomorrow’s missions.”
“Interviews with soldiers currently using our Ears/SWATS system in theater tell us that the device locates snipers and hostile forces significantly faster and more accurately than was previously possible and is directly impacting their mission effectiveness,” added Don Steinman, Director, Product Transition for the Technology Solutions Group of QinetiQ North America.
QinetiQ North America developed the Ears family of miniature sniper detection systems to allow military personnel to immediately and accurately respond to hostile fire. The Ears low-profile acoustic sensor, coupled with operator interfaces designed for individual warfighters (Ears – SWATS), vehicles (Ears – VMS) and fixed locations(Ears – FSS), audibly cues U.S. forces with direction and distance in just a fraction of a second from the first gunshot, without being confused by surrounding sounds. The palm-sized, 6.4-ounce core sensor needs only onegunshot to accurately locate snipers in a 360-degree view, even when in use on a vehicle moving at speeds over 50 mph.
QinetiQ North America delivers world-class technology and responsive solutions to government agencies and commercial customers for many of their most urgent and complex challenges. QinetiQ North America is an independent, innovative technology provider that earns over one billion dollars in revenue operating with small company speed and agility while leveraging significant global resources. More than 6,400 QinetiQ North America engineers, scientists and other professionals have the mission knowledge and proven, reliable performance to meet the rapidly changing demands of national defense, homeland security and information assurance customers.
