future warrior concept (set to stun)

Soldier ^ | Apr. 2-007 | Andy Simms

[TigerLikesRooster]

CURRENT ISSUE

 

 

 

 

Set to stun

Report: Andy Simms

STUN guns, cloaking devices and deflector shields – once the stock-in-trade of Hollywood sci-fi movies – represent the US Army’s cutting-edge vision of the soldier of tomorrow.
Led by a team at the Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Centre in Massachusetts, the cream of America’s academics have been busy helping the US military transform these science fiction-inspired technologies into science fact.

Among the hi-tech gadgetry being developed by the multi-million dollar research project, dubbed Future Warrior Concept, is a chameleonic camouflage suit, which has the ability to reflect its surroundings, and a robotic exoskeleton.

If such devices sound like they belong in a galaxy far, far away, it’s because they do. The science behind the next-generation camouflage is known as the “Predator effect” because it was inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s space-travelling nemesis in the film of the same name, and the concept of soldiers using robotics on the battlefield was “lifted” from Sigourney Weaver’s inter-galactic thriller Aliens.

However, Future Warrior’s equipment specialist Jean-Louis “Dutch” DeGay, a former captain in the US Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment, insists that the project is grounded in reality and that many of its innovations could be rolled out across the US military as early as 2025.

“We’re already trialling equipment and technologies that did not exist a few years ago,” he said. “The Air Force has just debuted its new stun gun and five years after the concept of an exoskeleton was first discussed we have fully-functioning prototypes.

“Five years ago nobody thought that we’d have a portable hydrogen fuel cell, but we’ve got them now,” Dutch told Soldier at the Natick Soldier Centre – a facility responsible for all the science and technology that goes into everything that an American soldier wears, carries, consumes, lives in and lands on the ground in. “They’re functioning and we’re just trying to make them smaller. And if I’m honest, nothing speeds up the development of new and advanced technology like war.”

With the US Army already the envy of allies and enemies alike, Soldier took a closer look at how Britain’s comrades in Iraq and Afghanistan may line up on the battlefield in 18 years’ time . . .

Super-strength soldiers

The claim – Nano-muscle fibres woven into the textiles of combat fatigues, which expand and contract with electronic stimulation, will give soldiers the capability to load or lift greater weights. One of many uses predicted for this strength amplification technology on the battlefields of the future is the rescue and recovery of casualties. “If I’m with a guy who is 6ft and weighs 170lb and he gets shot, and I’m just a 5ft, 95lb female, there is no way I’d be able to recover him or do little more than just look at him lying on the floor,” explained Dutch. “However, using the nano-muscle fibres I’d have no problems picking him up and carrying him to safety.” The science – Researchers have reportedly already developed a technique to create artificial muscle fibres using carbon nano tubes woven into a yarn a mere 2 microns (2 millionths of a metre) thick. Each fibre has a strength equal to 100 times that of equivalent human muscle fibres. In addition to military uses, it is expected that this technology will have revolutionary consequences for the prosthetic limb and robotics fields.

Water-tight design The claim – Thanks to the hydrophobic and hydrophilic coatings on his uniform, the infantry soldier of 2025 will be able to walk in and out of water without getting wet. The waterproof suit will also work in reverse – allowing the soldier to draw in water if required. The science – Samples of nano hydrophobic and hydrophilic coatings are currently being tested at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. The process of locking-out and drawing-in water involves molecular repulsion (hydrophobic force – a fear of water) and attraction (hydrophilic force – a love of water).

Head start on the enemy The claim – The next-generation combat helmet will completely encapsulate the soldier’s head, without restricting visibility. Ballistic inserts will provide added protection and an on-board respirator will allow the wearer to breathe filtered air no matter where they are. Traditional “look down” displays or monocles will be discarded in favour of stereoscopic cameras, which will be used to broadcast real-time information and images on to the interior of the helmet. An automatic voice translation device means soldiers will have the ability to say “I come here in peace, take me to your leader” in any language. The science – Aside from the real-time voice translator, which is being developed both academically and commercially, much of the helmet’s technology can already be found inside the cockpit of an F16 fighter jet.

Bullet-proof bootnecks The claim – With a combat suit that incorporates “fluidic” body armour, heavy kevlar plates will be retired from active service in 2025. This lightweight alternative, a gel composite containing nano carbon tubules which become rigid once stimulated electrically by an on-board computer, will dissipate the shock of a blast across the body. “We’re salivating like Pavla’s dogs about this one,” admitted Dutch. “We’re talking about head-to-toe body armour which weighs only 16-18lb and can be worn all the time. It will give complete protection instead of just covering the vital organs.” In addition to stopping bullet and shrapnel strikes, the “live” body armour will also be used to protect injuries. For example, if a soldier breaks a bone during combat, the armour can be stimulated locally to the injury, providing both an instant splint and hard cast. The science – Another potential product of the significant advancements in nano technology. However, there remain big question marks over how the armour will “sense” the strike of the round. While the strike itself could ultimately prove the trigger for stimulation of the nano tubules, the displacement of air caused by an imminent strike is also being considered.

Robo-Rangers The claim – In addition to harnessing nano technology, the next-generation infanteer will be able to perform super-human feats using an external robotic system, which will amplify their strength by more than 300 per cent. “In 2025 I won’t have to worry about load or mobility as the system will carry the weight,” said Dutch. “If I’ve got to do a 30-mile road march, no sweat. I’m only going to have to do five to ten per cent of the work and the system will compensate for the rest and walk that 30 miles for me. “Historically we’ve had to ‘build’ our soldiers in the gym – in the future we won’t have to. “The technology shows such great promise that our special ops guys want to bolt weapon systems on to the robotic frame. Where before they had a Humvee carrying a 50-calibre weapon, they now want to take away the vehicle and become a walking gun platform.” The science – America’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency has already invested millions in an exoskeleton programme – a robotic system that soldiers “step into”. PFC Joel Aldridge, a member of the Future Warrior Concept demonstration team and human research volunteer, told Soldier: “I’ve actually trialled the ‘exo-hopper’ and it really does work. I was able to carry loads upwards of 300lb and walk with them for extended periods of time.”

Back to top

 

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[Zeroisanumber]

Neat ideas, but I get the feeling that each of these suits will cost about as much as a jet fighter. So much for equipping whole armies with them.

[rjp2005]

Modern day knights will come back into vogue as institutional systems breakdown during the upcoming resource wars. Some feel the amount of money spent on this program has been a waste instead of better equipping current soldiers in the field.

[AntiGuv]

FutureTechPing!

An emergent technologies list covering biomedical research, fusion power, nanotech, AI robotics, and other related fields. FReepmail to join or drop.

[Army Air Corps]

Who knows. By 2025, the nanotech could see cost reduction. Also, one such equipped warrior is gonna be hell to deal with. Imagine Islamokazies in civvies engaging one of these warriors.

[AprilfromTexas]

bump for later

[Wiz]

The gun is thought to be a rocket pistol using 15mm rounds.

[Danae]

Um.... What happens when the Batteries run out? Or get damaged?

Other than that, I can use one of these bad boys gettin in and out of the mall, those places are BRUTAL! JK

This stuff is so far beyond cool....

[Danae]

LMAO

“Road, meet Rash”, comes to mind...

[Danae]

Ping me!

Thanks!

[AntiGuv]

welcome aboard!

[Army Air Corps]

This starting to look like the stuff Heinlein described in Starship Troopers.

[Wiz]

I predict shock sensors (piezo) for the carbon nanotube body armor will be combined to measure the pressure from explosives and projectiles. The algorithm will be "IF value of pressure is above n (likely an impact from projectiles and explosives that will do critical damage to body), activate system for portion (area of piezo sensor cells) of pressure".

[Wiz]

For active camouflage, I guess it will be nano scale CMOS with electroluminescent display embedded into the fiber of carbon nanotube. Another approach will be meta-material.

[Vince Ferrer]

So much for equipping whole armies with them.

I would think small units, with special capabilities, chosen for the specific mission, would be extremely effective. Wars are becoming smaller, and more personal, right now anyway.

[AntiGuv]

I'm guessing retro-reflective 'invisibility cloaks' will be the ultimate in optical camouflage.

[fatboynic]

bump

[Zeroisanumber]

Who knows. By 2025, the nanotech could see cost reduction.

That'd be nice, but the words "Defense Department" and "cost reduction" rarely meet on amiable terms.

Also, one such equipped warrior is gonna be hell to deal with. Imagine Islamokazies in civvies engaging one of these warriors.

Why just one? Imagine what a pack of 30 could do. : )

[Army Air Corps]

Thirty, eh. Talk about overkill. :-)