Virtual Reality Training

Gaming Technology Puts Soldiers Boots on Ground

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2011/December/Pages/GamingTechnologyPutsSoldiers%E2%80%99BootsonGround.aspx

The military is paying Intelligent Decisions Inc. 57 million dollars to develop the Dismounted Soldier Training System.  A Virtual reality training systems that allows nine soldiers with mock weapons to practice battle drills long before they are sent in to fight.  Simulators for pilots and tank drivers have been used for some time now, but their hasn't yet been a simulator for the infantry soldier.  "The system allows soldiers to identify sounds, pinpointing the exact kinds of weapons, trucks, tanks and cars that they hear. It also does not protect the soldier’s avatar from injury. It can be hurt by direct and indirect fire — bullets, grenades and IEDs. And those injuries are simulated to take accurate tolls on the fighters."  Soldiers will be able to experience realistic training scenarios from the safety of home station.

New Hightech Underoos ;)

Military Developing Smart Underwear for soldiers

 "Once you get past the initial elements of humor naturally surrounding a pair of high-tech underwear, it’s actually quite the technological accomplishment given that traditional monitoring systems generally involve bulky straps and irritating wires. With this new technology, the military is hoping soldiers will be able to “wear them and forget them,” keeping soldiers safer, much more comfortable, and providing reliable data in real-time that command centers can take advantage of."(http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/u-s-military-developing-high-tech-smart-underwear-for-soldiers/)

U.S. Military Develops High-Tech Undies to Monitor Soldiers’ Vitals

   "Taken further, the technology could inform tacticians about altitude adaptation, burn and blunt trauma, blood volume, metabolic activity, respiratory distress, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear exposure. With the addition of acoustic sensors, they could even assess ballistic impact and thoracic sounds to detect trauma and help medics pinpoint where they’re needed most."(http://www.ecouterre.com/u-s-military-develops-smart-undies-to-monitor-soldiers-vitals-during-combat/) 

I guess this proves there is no limit to the extent that high technology will invade the every day life of a soldier.  Now even his britches are loaded full of sensors and whatnot capable of monitoring a soldiers vital signs and relaying that information to a central system.  The health of a soldier can be tracked and enable medics to respond more efficiently to injury.  Or these new britches can gather daily data on a soldier to see if he is fit enough for the requirements of their mission.  Normally it takes a complicated apparatus of wires and sensors to monitor vitals, but with these new drawers it could be as easy as getting dressed in the morning.   

 

Land Warrior Gear

The Army's New Land Warrior Gear

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military/news/4215725

The Army's new land warrior system provides users with GPS Navigation to give the positions of their fellow soldiers and vehicles, as well as the ability to mark and track enemy targets.  It is fully compatible with the Blue Force Tracker, (info on that system) and the helmet mounted LCD screen gives the soldier real time position information and maps of all components on the battlefield.  Gadgets mounted on the weapon system include, laser range finder, thermal and night vision sights, and digital camera which can display in the eye piece or send the footage elsewhere.  Also incorporated is microphone and headphones for communication and a compact keyboard like controller to manage it all.  Prior to this technology soldiers only had what information they could actually see and coordination and accountability proved to be a much bigger challenge.  Adapting these technologies, which are already in use on vehicles, so that the ground soldier can utilize them as well has proven difficult.  The system is heavy and a bit bulky.  Improvements are being made and despite these inconveniences, the Land Warrior Gear will one day be a part of each soldiers standard issue.

Good Youtube Video Showing System

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1l1wAWwjmE

HULC Exoskelaton by Lockheed Martin

HULC Exoskeleton by Lockheed Martin

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/hulc.html

"The HULC is a completely un-tethered, hydraulic-powered anthropomorphic exoskeleton that provides users with the ability to carry loads of up to 200 lbs for extended periods of time and over all terrains."

Companies like Lockheed Martin are looking far into the future with technological developments that will improve the effectiveness and well being of soldiers.  Soldiers in combat are required to carry heavy loads of
equipment they will need to complete their missions, which puts heavy strain on the body and reduces mobility.  With the use of hydraulics and lightweight materials, the HULC Exoskeleton is designed to augment the abilities of a soldier by mechanically supporting and enhancing the body and it's movements.  Developers are increasingly looking for ways to synchronize the human body with high technology and create, in essence, a super soldier, who will provide great advantages on the battlefield.  Soldiers are expected to perform seemingly impossible tasks on a daily basis and it takes it's toll on the physical health of the body.  Cutting edge developments such as the HULC Exoskeleton, can one day prove to be a vital asset to a soldier in combat and make the difficult lives they lead a bit easier.  Futuristic; yes, but a very real possibility one day.  

Combat Uniform of the Future

Combat Uniform of the Future

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armyweapons/a/futureuniform.htm

The combat uniform of the future could look like something out of a science fiction movie.  These high-tech uniforms currently being developed culminate several technologies including liquid armor protection, which remains in fluid form until a certain amount of force is applied and instantly hardens.  "Using a test swatch of four layers of untreated Kevlar – the normal thickness of body armor – Wetzel is able to stab an ice pick through the fabric. But when stabbing a treated section of fabric with all the force he can muster, the ice pick dents the fabric but can’t penetrate through."  Also, the helmet, which is the brains of the system will incorporate a camera providing 360 degree situational awareness of the environment and sensors which will filter out some of the sounds on the battlefield and enhance others.  A pack on the soldiers back and a respirator will sense any harmful contaminates in the air and automatically provide a fresh oxygen supply in case it is needed.  These along with other advancements will dramatically improve a soldiers effectiveness and level of safety in a wartime environment. 

New Breakthroughs in Regenerative Medecine

Regenerative Medicine for Soldiers

http://www.mirm.pitt.edu/news/article.asp?qEmpID=456

This article contains an interview with a Dr. Stephen Badylak, Deputy Director of McGowan institute.  He is currently researching the possibility of re-growing the missing tissue of wounded soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Some animals and human fetuses are able to regrow lost limbs but for humans that ability diminishes by the time we are born, says Dr. Badylak.  He is trying to figure out why that is and maybe someday discover the key to stimulating new limb growth for injured soldiers.  The military is taking the care of its wounded soldiers very seriously and the Dr. says "The Defense Department is approaching this in a Manhattan Project mode. It's put $100 million on the table to address these horrific problems from a regenerative medicine standpoint."  Life for Soldiers who suffer from these horrible injuries will never be the same and they will live with a reminder of war for the rest of their lives.  One day this technology could be the answer to repair the wounds of these disabled soldiers. 

McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine

http://www.mirm.pitt.edu/welcome/

The McGowan Institute is moving full bore on research in the field of Regenerative Medicine.  There scope of research includes:

• The replacement of tissue function with entirely synthetic constructs (such as in artificial organs),
• Functional restoration with constructs that comprise both synthetic and cellular components (such as in biohybrid organs),
• The combination of temporary scaffolds with cellular components (such as in conventional tissue engineering), and
• Cellular therapies, including those involving adult stem cells and genetically manipulated cells (such as for the repair of damaged tissue and muscle).

All very technical stuff but the concept is amazing and once developed will be a huge benefit to soldiers and civilians alike.

Throwable Robots Provide Soldiers Risk Free Surveillance

http://www.gizmag.com/us-military-throwable-robots/20052/

The U.S. military is ready to field test several different prototypes of "throw-able robots" in Afghanistan.  According to this article "Robots are a perfect tool to give soldiers in the field "eyes" on a potentially hazardous situation without placing themselves in harm's way. With soldiers often operating in difficult terrain or entering buildings, the easiest way to get such robots into place is usually to throw them."(http://www.gizmag.com/us-military-throwable-robots/20052/)  The current versions of portable reconnaissance robots weigh 32 lbs. and worth their weight in gold.  The significantly lighter versions currently in development will make their use that much more practical and tactically efficient.  The goal is to give the soldier every possible advantage and chance for survival while in combat so they can live to fight another day and eventually come home safely.  These robots are essentially cameras on wheels and prevent a soldier from having to walk blindly into a dark and cramped building where the space inside could be loaded full of enemies.  These nifty robots are another great example of high-tech civilian technology being adapted for military use, and changing the way soldiers operate on the battlefield. 

A New Bandage Saving Lives

"Hemorrhage is the largest preventable cause of death among U.S. soldiers in combat, historically accounting for roughly half of all such fatalities. Until recently, techniques for controlling bleeding hadn't improved substantially since the Civil War."

"During the past several years, however, the U.S. military has funded substantial research into bleeding-control techniques, leading to two types of quick-clotting bandages."

Wall Street Journal Article on New Battlefield First Aid Technology

http://www72.homepage.villanova.edu/michael.fazzini/WSJ_com%20-%20Battlefield%20Medical%20Advances%20May%20Save%20Wounded%20Soldiers.htm

How Quick Clot works(watch video too)

http://www.z-medica.com/healthcare/How-QuikClot-Works/How-QuikClot-Works.aspx

 Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of trauma death on the battlefield. Traditional methods to halt bleeding, such as tourniquets, are not suitable for the neck and many other parts of the body.  The life of a bleeding and pinned down soldier could be saved if they could just receive the medical attention they need.  Advances in blood clotting technology are improving the chances of survival for a wounded soldier on the battlefield.  The wounded or a fellow soldier is able to apply the Quick clotting bandage or powder and stop the bleeding on even the most serious wounds.  Having this new product in every soldiers med-kit gives them an added measure of confidence while they accomplish their missions and an extra chance for survival in the event they do receive an injury.