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Dow Corning helps Army develop high-tech battle suit
AP ^ | 8/25/2003

Posted on 08/25/2003 11:19:53 AM PDT by presidio9

Edited on 04/13/2004 1:41:05 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

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To: presidio9
Yawn. Heinlein thought this up in 1959's "Starship Troopers." He also described the "heads-up display" currently found in fighter aircraft.
21 posted on 08/25/2003 12:05:35 PM PDT by CholeraJoe (If Rudy Bakhtiar had no teeth, could she still lie through her gums?)
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To: presidio9
The big question: WHAT WILL POWER IT???

It MUST be nuclear, or wouldn't last more than an hour or so in battle. And it would be hard to find an outlet to rechange the damn thing in the desert.

22 posted on 08/25/2003 12:11:57 PM PDT by montag813
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To: montag813
I can't say very much about the power supply. It's not nuclear. Power packs are being manufactured in Roswell, NM and use a technology not previously seen on Earth.
23 posted on 08/25/2003 12:16:46 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (France delenda est)
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To: montag813
Remember what happened to the soldiers in Starship Troopers when the suit ran out of power? They became frozen in place like a statue.
24 posted on 08/25/2003 12:17:37 PM PDT by Nachum
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To: Nachum
Why not use the movement of the soldier to make power? Sort of like a kenetic watch.
25 posted on 08/25/2003 12:27:17 PM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: Alas Babylon!
Why not use the movement of the soldier to make power?

Because such a suit would be no more powerful than the knight errant soldier wearing it. The idea is to augment the soldier.

26 posted on 08/25/2003 12:48:50 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard
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To: CatoRenasci
Ah, soon we will really have Mobile Infantry ala Starship Troopers.

Yep, soon a platoon if US soldiers will be able to take on brigade or division size conventional forces.
Of course their gear will cost more than a conventional divisions too.

When the current equipment upgrade is finished in '07 we will be nearing $100,000 per infantryman for standard issue combat loadout.

So9

27 posted on 08/25/2003 1:26:26 PM PDT by Servant of the Nine (Real Texicans; we're grizzled, we're grumpy and we're armed)
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To: LJPenney
Cause someone is going to have to put muddy boots on the ground with their pink bod.

Classwork assignment, Warbots series Author HG Stine.

Carry on

28 posted on 08/25/2003 1:29:04 PM PDT by dts32041 ("moderate Arab" he's the one who detonates his bomb via remote control.)
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To: Nachum
Remember what happened to the soldiers in Starship Troopers when the suit ran out of power? They became frozen in place like a statue.

Which is what will happen within an hour or two unless we use nuclear. But enviro wackos will not allow it.

29 posted on 08/25/2003 1:42:49 PM PDT by montag813
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To: presidio9

30 posted on 08/25/2003 1:44:12 PM PDT by pabianice
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To: presidio9

31 posted on 08/25/2003 1:47:50 PM PDT by pabianice
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To: dogbrain
Now he'll be able to hump that new OICWS POS...

Ummm, the OICWS is supposed to be 6lbs lighter than an M-16 equipped with a grenade launcher...

32 posted on 08/25/2003 1:49:07 PM PDT by Gunslingr3
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To: presidio9

33 posted on 08/25/2003 1:52:18 PM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: LJPenney
So--why even use men at all??? Let's just create an army of robots! (Kinda Star Wars like.)

MIT is already working with the grant money. They're creating a completely distributed wireless network of ground rovers (essentially computer controlled 4-wheelers) with several stacks of remotely or computer controlled arial vehicles as additional weapons platforms/spotters. All of them capable of serving as routers within the network to handle bandwith and distribute traffic. Any one can be lost without impairing the network. Some kid will be sitting with a controller in Tampa making the final call about whether to pull the trigger.

34 posted on 08/25/2003 1:53:54 PM PDT by Gunslingr3
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To: LJPenney
So--why even use men at all??? Let's just create an army of robots! (Kinda Star Wars like.)

MIT is already working with the grant money. They're creating a completely distributed wireless network of ground rovers (essentially computer controlled 4-wheelers) with several stacks of remotely or computer controlled arial vehicles as additional weapons platforms/spotters. All of them capable of serving as routers within the network to handle bandwith and distribute traffic. Any one can be lost without impairing the network. Some kid will be sitting with a controller in Tampa making the final call about whether to pull the trigger.

35 posted on 08/25/2003 1:54:08 PM PDT by Gunslingr3
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To: presidio9
Is it bear-proof?


36 posted on 08/25/2003 1:54:18 PM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Gunslingr3
I didn't know that.
here's some more reading on the subject
37 posted on 08/25/2003 2:23:42 PM PDT by dogbrain ("Life is hard son. It's harder if you're stupid.")
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To: presidio9

38 posted on 08/25/2003 2:27:28 PM PDT by Liberal Classic (Quemadmoeum gladis nemeinum occidit, occidentis telum est.)
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To: dogbrain
"Technical specs and accounting ledgers don't tell the whole story. In simulated combat, an OICW prototype showed the weapon's true potential. When the simulated hits were tallied, the virtual units firing M16s suffered 70 casualties. Those firing the OICWs saw only one soldier go down." link

Saw them playing with one on Ermey's Mail Call. They were showing off how the laser range finder lets the trooper put a 20mm explosive round through a window and put holes in the guys hiding inside. Works the same way 'around' corners and walls. Bad ass.

39 posted on 08/25/2003 2:38:29 PM PDT by Gunslingr3
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To: presidio9
http://www.geocities.com/ihatetherainforest/FBOS.jpg

Are there any fallout fans in the building?
40 posted on 08/25/2003 3:30:25 PM PDT by The Black Knight
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