WASHINGTON, 9 Oct. 2006 The U.S. Army's Rapid Equipping Force (REF) placed an order with Qinetiq North America in McLean, Va., for Soldier Wearable Acoustic Targeting Systems (SWATS).

The SWATS units will be deployed to Army troops in Iraq and Afghanistan this year. The devices are part of Qinetiq's Ears Gunshot Localization product line.

The order marks the Army's first large-scale deployment of any warfighter-wearable gunshot and sniper detection solution, Qinetiq officials say.

The Ears systems for the REF will include next-generation sensors and rugged features tailored to the environment in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The system was tested in the field and in stateside demonstrations, says Don Steinman, director of technology marketing and transition for Qinetiq North America's Technology Solutions Group. "The soldiers gave us feedback and we acted on it," he adds.

The mission of the REF is to equip operational commanders with off-the-shelf solutions, insert future force technology required by engaged and deployed forces, and assess capabilities, thus enabling U.S. forces to rapidly confront an adaptive enemy.