future continuous

Thomas Barnett proposes US military shake up

limitless5000 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:02:43 +0000

In this fascinating TED lecture, strategic planner Thomas Barnett outlines a dramatic restructuring of the way the US military system interacts with its very separate objectives for success in battle and the resultant transition period to peacetime.

The argument goes that there is a definite need for a force to wage war but there is an equally great need for a force to wage peace. Dr. Barnett proceeds with dry humour mixed and harsh truth to set out the realities of war-fighting as it is now, with young troops having to perform the duties of the peacekeeper one day and soldier the next.

The balance lies in dividing the military and security agencies into essentially a force for kicking ass and another for mopping up; getting the country on it’s feet in under six month with a more multi-cultural peacekeeping force (still with the power to shoot back) and leave the natives with a smile on their faces as the wing their way into the democratic world (i.e. not becoming the UN).

Compelling and persuasive, but will they listen?

Sabre Warrior UCAV paves the way for AI control

limitless5000 — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:21:28 +0000

Promotional video for the Lockheed Martin Sabre Warrior UCAV concept could point towards significantly advanced Artificial Intelligence being used in the next generation of fighter aircraft.

The film shows both manned and unmanned variants, stating that a manned version could act ‘as an on the scene controller of unmanned versions’.

Equipped with a single turbofan engine in the 22000lb class with a stealth capable frame based on the F-22 Raptor she should be quick and extremely agile.

While it is most likely that unmanned versions will be remotely piloted, in a similar way to existing pilot less drones like the MQ-9 Reaper, it could provide a platform for completely autonomous system. The ability of one manned craft to control several others in the air surely points towards some level of autonomy.

With military spending being slashed across the globe and with the US aiming to convert a significant portion of it’s forces to unmanned vehicles it can’t be too long before greater levels of independence are demanded. The cost of training operators, building and running the cockpit mock ups for the remote pilots could be all but removed if AI could replace the majority of human input except for mission parameters etc.

More as it comes…

MIT researches scalar body armour

limitless5000 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:35:35 +0000

An interesting article from Defense Review looking at MIT’s research into energy dissipation for next generation body/vehicle armour. Using overlapping scales like those found on some eels. DR ties this research in with the already available Dragon Skin level IV from Pinnacle Armor which uses overlapping ceramic discs.

It’s interesting to note that the Dragon Skin armour, while passing many tests with solid results failed the US Army’s initial tests, only to see this similar research from government backed MIT.

While this research is carried out personnel in need will have to wait but is there a temporary fix? The technology exists for non restrictive body armour sections for the fore and upper arm and lower legs using existing materials. Injuries to the extremities can be just as debilitating as those to the core.

The benefits to morale, cost savings in medical treatment and reduction in recovery time as well as improved media image (less dead and injured) should have been enough for this to have been made a priority years ago.

However it seems that keeping costs down (had the Dragon Skin armour passed testing pressure for a refit would have been considerable) and staying true to current contracts (Protective Products International) are the order of the day.

With the Army’s results classified clarity rests on a multi agency investigation of the Army’s tests which began in May 2008. No end date in sight but I’ll try and keep you posted…