U.S. military develops Robocop armour for soldiers
quote:
U.S. military develops Robocop armour for soldiers
By MATTHEW HICKLEY, Defence Correspondent
We may have seen it all before in science-fiction films. But the bionic warrior is in fact a vision of real-life warfare in the 21st century. U.S. defence chiefs hope to have their troops kitted out in the outlandish combat gear as soon as 2020.
Included in the Pentagon's Future Warrior Concept are a powerful exoskeleton, a self-camouflaging outer layer that adapts to changing environments and a helmet which translates a soldier's voice into any foreign language.
The future soldier will also benefit from 'intelligent' armour, which remains light and flexible until it senses an approaching bullet, then tenses to become bulletproof.
Perhaps worryingly, several of the planned enhancements seem to owe more than a little to Hollywood blockbusters such as Robocop, Aliens and Predator.
But officials are quick to point out that many of these systems are already working in prototype form, or are refinements of proven technologies.
Some of the blueprints will be unworkable without eagerly awaited advances in nanotechnology, but researchers remain confident. And perhaps with good reason.
The sheer scale of U.S. military research spending and the pace of recent advances in aircraft stealth technology and guided precision bombs are staggering.
Project specialist Jean-Louis DeGay, a former captain in 75th Ranger Regiment, said: "We're already trialling equipment and technologies that did not exist a few years ago.
"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."
He told Soldier magazine: "Five years ago, nobody thought we'd have a portable hydrogen fuel cell, but we've got them now.
"They're functioning, and we're just trying to make them smaller. And if I'm honest, nothing speeds up the development of technology like war."
If the U.S. military's vision of the future is even half-right, Britain's armed forces will have their work cut out trying to keep up.
Even comparatively understated attempts to improve our troops' battlefield technology, such as the Bowman digital battlefield radio system, have been blighted by years of delays and embarrassing technical blunders. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...in_page_id=1965
Apr-10-2007 19:23
Capitalizt
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Feb 2005
Location: USA
I want one!
Apr-10-2007 20:16
ResonantDrag
BeanAddict
Registered: Mar 2001
Location: just visiting
now if we could tweek the design....
Apr-10-2007 20:33
Dj O'Callaghan
The UKTA Triggerman
Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Northampton UK
hmmmmm I'm very skeptical about this. In theory it would revolutionise warfare. However that gun looks utterly gash and is totally unpractical, especially when operating in situations where civilians are present let alone fellow troops.
___________________
Apr-10-2007 21:11
Yohan
Champion of Deep&Nu-disco
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Kitchener, Ont, Soviet Canuckistan
Still waiting for power armour from Starship Troopers. (the book, not the movie!)
Failing that, I'll take a Space Marine Terminator suit
Originally posted by chinamon
not true. i say "ugh"
but i am a tranny.
quote:
Originally posted by kotsy
lol colour me retarded
Apr-10-2007 22:03
venomX
ISO salty whenches
Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Vancouver, Canada
It's funny how the states invests so heavily in war equipment and so shallowly in making peace. Seems they don't foresee peaceful times any time soon. I guess one can't say anything about the military driven economy of the states lest the neocons jump at one. So many mouths to be fed, so many schools to be built, but hey I guess making robocop a reality is more cool than feeding hungry children.
Orbax
At that point you kind of crossed the rubicon and you might as well lay siege to Rome
Apr-10-2007 22:10
Marc Summers
I must behave
Registered: Jan 2005
Location: New York, USA
quote:
Originally posted by venomX
It's funny how the states invests so heavily in war equipment and so shallowly in making peace. Seems they don't foresee peaceful times any time soon. I guess one can't say anything about the military driven economy of the states lest the neocons jump at one. So many mouths to be fed, so many schools to be built, but hey I guess making robocop a reality is more cool than feeding hungry children.
+1, i was going to post UN peackeeping forces, but it turns out they carry guns, too.
___________________
"You won a new refrigerator, great! Where you gonna put it?" - Tony Danza
Apr-10-2007 22:28
Yohan
Champion of Deep&Nu-disco
Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Kitchener, Ont, Soviet Canuckistan
quote:
Originally posted by Marc Summers
+1, i was going to post UN peackeeping forces, but it turns out they carry guns, too.
What did you think they carry, a fucking stick? LOL
Originally posted by chinamon
not true. i say "ugh"
but i am a tranny.
quote:
Originally posted by kotsy
lol colour me retarded
Apr-11-2007 00:37
Fir3start3r
Armin Acolyte
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
quote:
Originally posted by EvilTree
Tanks and gunships that shoots out flowers ftw!
It would be the ultimate hippie fest!
LOL @ ResonantDrag
I was thinking along the lines of:
...but I had a good chuckle at yours
___________________
"...End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...one that we all must take.
The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."
