Post-9/11 Technology Brings Exoskeletons, Laser Cannons to 21st-Century U.S. Military [Slide Show]

Scientific American ^ | September 6, 2011 | Larry Greenemeier

[Windflier]

The U.S. Department of Defense keeps seeking and developing advantages for today's unconventional warfare, ranging from Iron Man-like body suits to smart grenade launchers

The U.S. military has evolved so fast in the post-September 11th era that much of its technology would be nearly unrecognizable to commanders, soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors only a few decades ago. Some of the biggest advances over the past decade have come with the development, application and integration of sophisticated information technology and robotics in daily operations.

[Windflier]

Continued.....

"This emerging technology ranges from the military's workhorse remotely piloted aircraft (more generically known as "drones") to futuristic soldier-supporting exoskeletons and laser cannons. Scientific American takes a look at some of the more significant developments in military technology occurring in the wake of September 11, 2001.

[View a slide show of different military technologies whose development was spurred by the past decade of combat.]

[Windflier]

SMART GRENADE LAUNCHER:

"A shoulder-fired XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE) System is tested at Aberdeen Test Center, Md. It features an array of sights, sensors and lasers housed in a target acquisition fire control unit on top, an oversized magazine behind the trigger mechanism, and a short barrel wrapped by a recoil dampening sleeve."

[JSteff]

Watching a special on the Maginot Line and how advanced that was.. or "was it ?" goes the show.

Also how the Germans were using modern weapons (tanks, aircraft, etc that France had ignored and France ran a P.R. program and convinced the French of how secure the line made them.

Hope we never get like the French... but also running is a Mail Call on the LAV. And although the don't point it out, there is an LAV driving toward the camera and the sun is flashing off the goggles of the driver who has his head out the door and above the level of the armor!

Sheesh, stupid nice target for a sniper or the enemy forces with an anti armor rocket!

Maybe despite of our advances we could end up like the French. All our advanced stuff ending up just stops on a tourist site.

[Claud]

High tech is great and all, but does it not just make us that much vulnerable to being crippled by an EMP attack?