Military

The almost universal use of Kevlar armoured vests by US soldiers in combat situations has resulted in a big increase in arm injuries from combat situations. The Kevlar vests have proven to be so effective that they are reducing deaths, but those that survive do so with arms often damaged beyond repair due to burns and shrapnel penetration. A new arm-armour known as the Sandia Gauntlet could prove to be the solution to the problem.  Read More

Two future soldier combat uniform concepts were demonstrated to members of the US congress recently - a vision of what the American soldier will be wearing in 2010 and ten years hence in 2020. Both systems look straight out of a science fiction movie, with the 2020 concept bearing more than a passing resemblance to Star War's Darth Vader, complete with armour, weapons systems and information advantages that border on unsporting. The two new uniform systems are being developed under the Future Combat System Program and include a weapon, head-to-toe individual protection, onboard computer network, soldier-worn power sources, and enhanced human performance.  Read More

Information technology is playing an increasingly important role in the battlefield, and the best equipped forces of the not-too-distant duture will be carrying an array of wearable IT to assist them in their tasks. One such system recently shown at Soldier Technology 2004 in Belgium was the NA-OR Advanced Integrated Soldier System. The Advanced Integrated Soldier System (AISS) has been designed to significantly enhance combat and control capabilities of the infantry in both urban and open-terrain environments. One such system recently shown at Soldier Technology 2004 in Belgium was the NA-OR Advanced Integrated Soldier System. The Advanced Integrated Soldier System (AISS) has been designed to significantly enhance combat and control capabilities of the infantry in both urban and open-terrain environments.  Read More

The US Army is digitising the battlefield to such an extent, that it has awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract valued at approximately US$100 million for the supply of DRS Technologies rugged Applique Computer Systems for the U.S. Army's Force XXI Battle Command. The US Army already has over 9000 DRS FBCB2s which incorporate advanced digital information processing and networking for improved combat support, real-time command and control, and enhanced operability and situational awareness throughout the military's force structure. Under the new contract, the FBCB2 will complete transition to full-rate production.  Read More

The Heckler & Koch XM8 modular assault weapon system may be the immediate future of individual weapons systems. Currently undergoing its second round of testing by the American Military, the XM8 could replace existing M4 Carbines in the US Army arsenal as soon as Q4, 2005.  Read More

The US Army is digitising the battlefield to such an extent, that it has awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract valued at approximately US$100 million for the supply of DRS Technologies rugged Applique Computer Systems for the U.S. Army's Force XXI Battle Command. The US Ar...  Read More

Imagine a truck that can detect an airborne bio-hazard and alert authorities before it can cause harm or havoc. Or spot and track illegal trespassers or attackers in complete darkness -- and repel them should they try to disable the truck's advanced surveillance and communications capabilities. Or sense an incoming missile and knock it out of the sky. No, it's not a multi-million dollar sci-fi fantasy, it's the US Army's new SMARTRUCK III, designed for America's homeland, a war zone or private security.  Read More

The next time the US military goes to war in a foreign land, there will be a lot more robots and a lot less soldiers doing the grunt work. One of the first tasks that will be assigned to robots instead of soldiers will be driving - resupply, convoy operations, ground medical evacuation and unmanned reconnaissance are all areas targeted for autonomous vehicles.  Read More

January 2004 Corner Shot is a new weapon system designed for urban combat which enables the user to observe and engage a target from behind a corner without exposing any body parts. The highly technological system was officially unveiled in late December 2003 in Israel and is already being used by some of the world's elite Special Forces. Corner Shot attaches to most handguns currently used by Special Forces, for example the GLOCK, SIG SAUER, CZ or BERETTA. It includes a small, high-resolution camera and monitor, which can observe and view a target from various vantage points.  Read More