Acoustic Sensors for Drones: Enhancing Artillery Detection
**German company Quantum Systems is making strides in military technology by integrating advanced acoustic sensors into drones to enhance the detection of artillery systems.** According to a report from Hartpunkt, a German media outlet, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being designed to pick up the distinctive sounds produced by artillery fire, allowing operators to pinpoint their locations with greater accuracy.
The innovative acoustic sensors are being developed by Weles Acoustics and are impressively compact, weighing only a few grams and roughly the size of a finger. Currently in the prototype phase, Quantum Systems aims to have these sensors ready for mass production by summer 2025, at which time they will be included in their UAVs, including models like Twister, Vector, and Reliant. According to the developers, the sensors can detect artillery and mortar fire from up to 15 kilometers away, with a remarkable directional accuracy of only 5 degrees over a distance of 5 kilometers.
Future advancements for this technology include the incorporation of artificial intelligence, which will enhance the system’s ability to not only recognize but also categorize the specific acoustic signatures of different types of artillery fire. This means that the UAVs will not only inform operators of the direction of incoming fire but will also help identify whether it originates from a traditional artillery unit or a mortar. The development of these sound-detecting reconnaissance UAVs could transform how military forces respond to artillery threats.
The implications for infantry operations are significant; by swiftly detecting enemy artillery, the response time can be dramatically reduced. Furthermore, when paired with automated targeting systems and AI-driven analytics, these UAVs could emerge as vital components in reconnaissance and defensive strategies on today’s battlefields.
Additionally, the utilization of UAVs for counteracting artillery threats extends beyond the battlefield, particularly concerning recent operations involving Russian artillery.
