Technologies available for license

When engaging targets at long distance, time matters: enemies may only be visible for a few seconds at a time and snipers need the ability to deliver accurate, lethal fire in those fleeting seconds. The LA-24/PEQ Precision Aiming Laser (PAL) system is a game changing piece of technology that runs the industry-leading Applied Ballistics (AB) solver directly onboard, providing a sniper with a firing solution onscreen instantly after ranging a target. The challenge lies in that the PAL has a small OLED display and is usually mounted above the rifle scope, which means that the display is obscured by the elevation turret of the rifle scope. This means that to read and use the firing solution, the sniper must break from his firing position to look at the display before engaging the target, costing him valuable time to get rounds on target. nVision Technology, the engineering team responsible for embedding the AB solver in PAL and many other products, has teamed with Neilsen-Kellerman (NK), creator of the Kestrel line of weathermeters, to propose two Remote Sniper Heads Up Display (RSHUD) approaches to the challenge. The first leverages NK’s existing commercial LCD HUD product, which is a weapon mounted IP67 waterproof display that wirelessly connects to the Kestrel 5700 series of weathermeters. With its backlight on, the current HUD is capable of running for more than 24 hours. nVision will work with NK to upgrade the electronics and shrink the packaging to provide SOCOM with a more capable HUD that communicates to the PAL system through either wired or secure Bluetooth means. These upgrades will add sensor capabilities and the AB solver to allow the LCD HUD to operate independently from the PAL, as well as connect into the entire AB ecosystem of products so that operators can use the LCD HUD with any LRF that includes the AB communications protocol. Additionally, this upgrade will allow the LCD HUD to communicate with nVision’s AB ATAK plugin, which integrates the AB solver into ATAK to seamlessly provide firing solutions for markers on the TAK map; the ATAK plugin will be able to push this targeting info directly to the LCD HUD so the user does not need to have his ATAK EUD in hand to see the solutions. The second RSHUD approach will utilize the same core electronics coupled to a microOLED display and clear optics that will allow nVision to present the same information to the user in a see-through display alongside the rifle scope eyepiece. This approach will enable the operator to maintain situational awareness while still having access to the information that he needs to put rounds on target rapidly and effectively. nVision’s proposed microOLED display is utilized in commercial products like the SIG SAUER 10K binoculars and boasts a 304x256 sunlight-readable display while typically drawing <10mW of power, which will lead to anticipated battery run times in excess of 50 hours.

When engaging targets at long distance, time matters: enemies may only be visible for a few seconds at a time and snipers need the ability to deliver accurate, lethal fire in those fleeting seconds. The LA-24/PEQ Precision Aiming Laser (PAL) system is a game changing piece of technology that runs the industry-leading Applied Ballistics (AB) solver directly onboard, providing a sniper with a firing solution onscreen instantly after ranging a target. The limitation of the PAL is that it has a small OLED display and is usually mounted above the rifle scope, which means that the display is obscured by the elevation turret of the rifle scope. The result is that in order to read and use the firing solution, the sniper must break from his firing position to look at the display before engaging the target, costing him valuable time to get rounds on target. nVision's proposed DAAS will tie its existing electronics, which nVision has thoroughly tested and implemented firmware for, to NewSight Reality's new clear substrate display technology. This display will mount directly on the back end of the eyepiece, allowing the user to see through it and still view his targets downrange. As data comes in from the PAL, the display will illuminate the pixels to display that info to the user so that he can read the firing solution, hold off appropriately using his reticle and fire on this target quickly without having to look outside of the rifle scope eyepiece. nVision's DAAS will include all of the sensors needed to measure parameters necessary for the ballistics calculation, including temperature, pressure, humidity, heading, cant and incline. The DAAS will onboard Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity to external devices, including smartphone apps, the AB Ballistics ATAK plugin and Kestrel weathermeters.

Current near-eye display technology has deficiencies that makes it difficult to utilize during military missions, either due to being overly obtrusive or unable to survive the full range of environments experienced on those missions. Recent advancements in microdisplay and liquid crystal technology provide an opportunity to develop a transparent near-eye display capability that minimizes the impact on the user’s natural view of the world. nVision Technology and NewSight Reality (NSR) are presently collaborating to develop prototypes that utilize NSR’s Transparent Optical Management Module (TOMM) capability with 6 microdisplays to present fire control information directly in the field of view of a  rifle scope. This system allows a user to range to targets using his laser rangefinder and view his firing solution without moving his eye from the scope. However, there is a slight but noticeable influence on the view downrange. NSR has previously worked with Kent State University (KSU) to explore ways to minimize that impact through active control of the optical elements used to image the display presented by the TOMM. nVision, NSR and KSU are teaming together to continue this investigation and develop an Active Index Matching for Micro-Optics (AIMM) approach that can be applied to the rifle scope-mount prototypes and other TOMM-based systems to enhance the performance with minimal change to the rest of the system.

Based upon nVision Technology employee&#039;s experience developing the DARPA One Shot system and the VALR wind measurement system through another DoD customer, nVision Technology proposes using scintillation-based wind measurement techniques for both passive wind measurement as well as pseudo-profiling along the entire range from the shooter to the target. By modifying existing hardware nVision can quickly adapt the system to perform passive measurements as well as provide a level of wind profiling that will increase the probability of hit on target.

The Phase II prototype will utilize the active wind measurement technique investigated and proven in the Phase I effort that uses information regarding the signal intensity and phase information of the laser return. A risk-mitigated development effort is proposed that modifies an OEM LRF module to incorporate specific changes required for wind measurement. Through these modifications, the average wind speed along the path as well as the wind direction will be directly measured. The prototype is envisioned to have a form factor and size smaller than the current STORM laser rangefinder and include appropriate alignment lasers for daytime and night time operations, atmospheric sensors, and a ballistics computer and display. It is expected that the sensor will weigh no more than 1.5 lbs will not occupy a volume larger than 0.7 liters and will operate off of two (2) CR123 batteries. The prototype will be capable of measuring wind speeds to within +/- 0.5 m/s for wind speeds between 0 and 10 m/s and within 10% of the wind magnitude for speeds up to 20 m/s.

To address the challenges in optically measuring the wind, nVision proposes exploring a modified system design in this Phase I effort, as well as investigate alternative processing methods, such as AI/ML models, to dynamically adapt to changing turbulence structures and incorporate parameters like range and daily atmospheric variations. By training on nVision’s extensive dataset and performing new data captures, these models could identify complex correlations between signal variation, ambient illumination, spot motion, and range-dependent fades, reducing the need for manual parameter tuning. In partnership with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), nVision aims to develop a more robust wind measurement algorithm optimized for low-power hardware. These advancements aim to deliver a DRCWS that meets SOCOM’s need for reliable, downrange wind sensing, significantly enhancing operator lethality.

nVision proposes to implement ATAK-compatible wind measurement capability that utilizes small quadcopter UAS telemetry data to determine wind speed and direction at height, which is then shareable with other devices and plugins within ATAK. Phase 1 objectives: A) demonstrate implementation of UAS wind in ATAK plugin to AFSOC operators; B) initial implementation of telemetry wind measurement algorithm; C) Identify additional AF customers? Phase 2 objectives: A) refine algorithm performance; B) develop deliverable ATAK plugin that shares UAS wind with other plugins; C) develop process for characterizing additional UASes

In military operations, one of the most critical and difficult to obtain parameters is an accurate heading measurement from a SoldierÆs or systemÆs current position to a point of interest. Heading is critical in functions ranging from land navigation to indirect fire control to radar surveillance registration. Currently, warfighters are largely reliant on magnetic-based approaches, like using a lensatic compass for navigation, the M2 compass to lay a mortar section, or digital magnetic compasses (DMCs) embedded in Soldier-worn systems. The compass-based approaches are all susceptible to local magnetic interferences, like power lines or metallic objects; even a rifle or knife carried by a Soldier can swing the measurement by several degrees. This is easily enough for a mortar to miss a target or a Soldier to miss a waypoint while navigating. There is an opportunity to leverage advancements in MEMS gyroscope technology to measure heading to True North in a way that will operate in GPS-denied areas or in the presence of magnetic interference.ĀThe use of MEMS technology will enable nVision to provide a small northfinding capability that can be powered by AA/CR123 sized batteries or tied into a larger system like a radar. This Next Generation North Finding (NGNF) device would be easily carried by hand or could be mounted in the dovetail of a mortar bipod. The device is expected to provide a measurement to North with precision better than the topicÆs Threshold requirement; further sampling would converge to better than the Objective requirement.

nVision Technology, Inc. proposes to develop a system that mounts to the mortar system and brings the same level of performance and ease of use to fire control for 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems that it has brought to small arms fire control. With built-in sensors and minimal user input (projectile information, the wind, range/position of target), the system will automatically compensate for the current atmospheric conditions and orientation of the weapon to compute a firing solution. The wind data and target position data can be either manually provided or automatically populated from external sources in fact, this is a feature that is already present in a number of products using our software. The embedded solver can also account for a variable wind, such as those experienced by a round on a high angle trajectory the proposed solver would be able to incorporate the wind profiles transmitted via MET messages, adjusting the wind experienced by the simulated projectile as it moves vertically and accurately computing a firing solution.

nVision proposes that advances in ballistic computers, directional and positioning sensors, and image recognition algorithms bring a tremendous opportunity to reduce the errors in the mortar firing process, increasing the first-round accuracy and reducing the mortar operator’s workload. nVision's Phase I effort focuses on detailed trade studies, rigorous component testing, and strong systems engineering methodology to drive down the risk to exit Phase I with a well-defined sensor architecture with the major components specified to achieve the desired accuracy and probability of hit for first-round effects.

nVision proposes to develop an ATAK plug-in and smartphone app package that aggregates the current capabilities of individual users and uses those data to compute a probability of hit on a designated target using a technique called Weapon Employment Zone (WEZ) analysis. Each user would have an iOS or Android app where he inputs his current weapon system (e.g. M4, M24, 60mm mortar) and any accessories he’s carrying (e.g. Kestrel, LRF). The app will convey this information and the user’s location to ATAK, which will have built-in performance profiles for each of the items, both weapons and accessories. ATAK will utilize this information to compute how likely each of the individual users is to hit a target given current atmospheric conditions, the target type, and his distance to the target. The result is a network solution that provides users and leaders with real-time computation of the expected capability of an individual to successfully engage a target. The leader can then provide the users with information on which target he should be engaging, even showing the firing solution that fits the current user-target situation.

nVision proposes to integrate the Applied Ballistics software suite developed for the commercial market into plugins that will operate in WinTAK and ATAK. The ATAK plugin will have a few specific features to support users in the field, including communications with Kestrel Weather Meters and laser rangefinders and the ability to select multiple markers on the screen, then display a firing solution from the user to each marker directly on the map. The WinTAK plugin will focus on advanced features, like those found in the commercial AB Analytics software. This includes generation of range cards, analysis of downrange wind profile effects, and detailed error analysis.

One of the chief challenges on the battlefield is maintaining situational awareness across a number of Soldiers that are engaged in combat with enemy combatants across large areas, which has led to the adoption of tools like ATAK for blue and red force tracking. Also, the use of fire control systems like the Kestrel 5700 Elite Weather Meter, Sig Sauer Kilo 2400 and Picatinny’s Ballistically Optimized Sniper Scope (BOSS) has increased user accuracy against targets at longer distances. nVision proposes to leverage this ubiquity of fire control systems and networked communications to develop a collaborative fire control decision aid software that will aggregate the data from end users to a server on the network, utilize those data to compute the optimal engagements for each enemy, then push the results back to the individuals on the network.

The primary objective is to is to develop a collaborative fire control decision aid – referred to as Centralized Fire Control Software (CFCS) - that will aggregate the data from end-users to a server on the network, utilize those data to compute the optimal engagements for each enemy, then push the results back to the individuals on the network. The result would be that Soldiers’ status is pulled from the very devices that they’re using to engage targets (e.g. laser rangefinders) and pushed to a central location for processing & viewing, providing the chain of command with unmatched situational awareness, without requiring any further inputs from the soldier. This organic integration with fire control devices will enhance soldier lethality by minimizing the time from enemy detection to engagement by the best-positioned friendly asset.    One of the central capabilities to this approach is using a technique known as Weapon Employment Zone (WEZ) analysis to compute the expected probability of hit for a shooter on a target, based upon the shooter’s weapon, the current atmospheric conditions, the target’s dimensions and movement. WEZ has been used heavily by SOCOM, the Army, and DHS to assess the effect of different parameters on the expected performance of small arms weapons, even being used in Afghanistan to determine enemy standoff distances. When calculated for each friendly against each enemy in the centralized database, this can be utilized as an objective measure of which friendly should be engaging which enemy.  One innovation for the CFCS is that this WEZ technique can be utilized in both directions of an engagement. If the enemy information includes the weaponry that the enemy possesses, nVision will utilize WEZ to compute the probability that an enemy can hit each of the friendly assets. This provides Soldiers and leaders with an objective measure of which enemy poses the greatest threat to any friendly and the leader can re-task his team members accordingly.