A ballistic model-based method for ranging direct fire weapons using the acoustic muzzle blast and shock wave

A direct fire weapon (rifle) produces an impulsive sound (muzzle blast) associated with the firing of a bullet. If the bullet travels at a supersonic speed, another impulsive sound (ballistic shock wave) is generated by the passage of the bullet. A ballistic model-based method which uses both the acoustic muzzle blast and shock wave for ranging direct fire weapons is described. The effectiveness of this ranging method is demonstrated using real data. Field experiment results also show that its performance is superior to the conventional method which assumes a constant bullet velocity.