A uniform known as the "Objective Force Warrior" may be fully developed within a decade. It is an "all-seasons" waterproof suit that adjusts to the soldier's internal body temperature, eliminating the need to change clothing.
"He can actually go from Arctic cold to desert heat and back again," Machrone said.
The uniform will be reasonably lightweight — even with its built in water purifying system.
Soldiers of the future are expected to have
global positioning systems, clothing that
changes color with the environment, and
'smart bullets.' (ABCNEWS.com)
"You can actually pour dirty ground water, even sweat or urine into this system," he said. "It will purify it and rehydrate the soldier," he said. The Objective Force Warrior uniform could be available by 2012.
The computerized portion of the suit includes a tiny screen on the front of the helmet with real-time information on its flip-down display.
The Objective Force Warrior uniform
could be available by 2012. (ABCNEWS.com)
Heat Seeking Battle Garb
Another futuristic uniform, know as the "Land Warrior," resembles a space suit and features a built-in infrared sensor wired to the soldier's weapon that detects body heat in the dark. Although the military has used body heat sensors before, said Machrone, the sensors have not been part of an integrated system.
In the past, soldiers had to rely on printed maps with information that is at least several hours old at the time they set out on a mission. But with the Land Warrior suit, each soldier can get up-to-the-minute information via a helmet-mounted Global Positioning System (GPS), a small wireless voice and data communication system, and a wearable computer linked to an intra-squad wireless LAN (local area network).
A flip-down display on the helmet allows the soldier to scan the surroundings in the darkness, using thermal and night-vision sensors connected to his weapon. This display also gives gives each soldier a view of a situation map that can pinpoint where both friends and foe are located, in real time. With that knowledge, the soldier can better figure out how to hone in on the enemy.
"If he's on a battlefield, he can call in fire, just like sending in an e-mail," Machrone said. "He'll specify the kind of attack. It's sent, it happens, and just that easily, he's in touch with his commanders."
The thermal imaging sensor on the top of the rifle allows a soldier to fire without exposing himself to enemy fire because the sensor, which detects heat, eliminates the need to actually look through the rifle's scope. It works in the dark or the daylight.
"He could be behind the wall, firing around the corner in the dark, in bad conditions," Machrone said. "His thermal scope will target, and he can fire accurately."
The suit relies on lithium batteries and carbon fiber to power the computerized equipment, and uniform designers have shaved the weight of the uniform down from 90 to about 50 pounds.
The communication portion of the gear is made in such a way that the technology behind it would be shrouded, should it fall into enemy hands.
Uniforms like this might be used in battle soon — probably first by Special Ops forces, Machrone said. The whole system is scheduled to go into mass production later this year.
Warriors of the 2025
The next generation of warriors may be able to literally blend in with their surroundings. Scientists are studying animals to develop technology that could be used for chameleon-like battle wear that changes color depending on its surroundings.
"The technology is advanced to where the surface of suit is a chameleon," Machrone said. "If a soldier is leaning against a marble wall, the suit changes coloration to that, or if a soldier is lying on a black tarmac, it changes to that."
The uniforms of 2025 are also expected to draw on advanced biometrics technology and be able to monitor the wearer's heart rate and perspiration, then pass that information on to commanders and medics. With real-time information on their troops' physical condition, commanders should be able to improve the soldiers' chance of survival.
And if a soldier is wounded, the "smart suit" would serves as a high-tech medic, applying pressure to the wound in the proper area.
In 2025, soldiers will likely maintain their global positioning screens. Machrone predict that they will also be firing "smart weapons," with bullets that can actually direct themselves toward a target that is emanating body heat.
"They can actually steer themselves, based on a thermal target," Machrone said. "It will actually be like the cartoon bullets."
Eating on the Run
Perhaps the most striking scenario for future soldiers is a development that could eliminate their need to eat or rest: the food patch. It works much like the nicotine patch used by smokers trying to quit.
"Sustenance patches applied to the body will release the necessary nutrients," Machrone said. "Not a seven-course meal, but enough to keep you going."
Soldiers would be fed, kept awake, and would be capable of surviving in even the most arduous conditions. But the patches would only be used on a temporary basis.
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