American tech firm Bounce Imaging has introduced the Pit Viper 360, a throwable tactical camera designed to enhance situational awareness for soldiers and law enforcement in high-risk operations. The device was unveiled at a recent conference and is aimed at helping military personnel gather intelligence without exposing themselves to danger.
The Pit Viper 360, named for its heat-sensing capabilities, offers 360-degree panoramic thermal imaging, allowing operators to detect movements and assess potential threats inside buildings or rooms from a safe distance. The camera can be thrown, rolled, or mounted to gather visual information in challenging environments, making it ideal for CQB operations such as hostage situations or armed standoffs.
Bounce Imaging’s CEO, Francisco Aguilar, emphasized that the device can connect to existing military radio networks, enhancing communication and data-sharing capabilities during missions. The camera integrates with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), a geospatial infrastructure and situational-awareness app used by military and law enforcement.
Bounce Imaging has also secured significant contracts with the U.S. military, including an $11 million deal with the Department of Defense (DoD) to equip special operations units with several hundred systems, with the first shipments expected in May 2024. The company has also signed $5 million in contracts with the U.S. Air Force for developing next-generation systems with advanced thermal video and 5G communications.
In addition, the company has started delivering TrellisWare-enabled K9 cameras to a NATO country and is in discussions with other NATO allies. The Pit Viper 360 and similar cameras are already in use by various U.S. federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as international partners.