Acoustic detection

Metravib Defence, part of the ACEOM Group (Stand N7-315), a specialist in acoustic gunshot detection, is promoting its PILAR V, which, it says, accelerates collaborative combat. Propelled by the French Army’s Scorpion (Synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l’infovalorisation) programme, acoustic detection is establishing itself as a central technology for collaborative defence.

The inventor of acoustic gunshot detection and supplier of acoustic localisation systems for Griffon VBMR (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles) and Jaguar EBRC (Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat) armoured vehicles, Metravib Defence is offering solutions to exploit, fuse and share data from theatres of operation. PILAR V is the essential sensor in enhancing situational awareness. Its innovative architecture allows interoperability with the SICS (1) Battlefield Management System, which shares data between ‘connected’ vehicles to maximise evaluation of information and digitalisation of the battlefield.

Metravib Defence continually strives to innovate, with major development lines including the detection of a wider spectrum of threats, data fusion from several acoustic sensors and even fusing acoustic data with optical ones to broaden the range of applications for PILAR V, especially for the vehicle modernisation markets.

Future capabilities are always considered within the company’s plans, such as the integration of the acoustic gunshot detection capability into the weapon system; deployment of drones and robots into the combat system; connection with the dismounted soldier and their various items of equipment, such as thermal sights, head-up displays, multifunction goggles, smartphones; and management of multiple sensors.

‘‘We are not only providing high-performance sensors, but also developing software that improves operational capabilities on the ground,’’ said division director Frédéric Molliex. ‘‘Our existing solutions are perfectly connectable and sharable to ensure modernisation of the joint battle group (GTIA) (3), and the ideal gateway between dismounted and mounted combat. With the collaborative mode, it is essential to move towards simplification to provide the right information to the right person at the right time.’’