Page 20 - 21st Century Defense 100th Anniversary WW1

Q uantum computers, sensor fusion, robotics,

immersive technologies and nanotechnology are
the new terms of our 21st century United States
military, they are amongst the many components that take
our armed forces into the future. These tools developed
through Research and Development programs (R&D) along
with continuing technology can mean the difference between
life and death for our US warfighters and the survival of the
country they are sworn to protect.

The keys to creating and maintaining an efficient, effective US
military comprise the maximum utilization of lethal and non-
lethal technology and how humans apply it, training, personnel,
strong leadership, and close working relationships among the
different branches of the armed forces and their allies in joint
operation environments, all within the parameters of a limited
defense and R&D budget. That has been the recipe for the US
military’s success in the past. It remains the same today and
must continue in the future if the US is to survive.
US military researchers, developers, and leaders are working
constantly to develop and implement a wide array of products
and systems to keep the troops mobile, supplied, protected
from harm, and secure in the knowledge that their families will
be safe when they are deployed. They focus on technologically
advanced weapons from bullets to bombers, state-of-the-art
uniform design and material, advanced medical care
applications and techniques, family-oriented morale and
welfare programs that reinforce the safety of warfighters
and their families’ faith.

The bombers include the technologically advanced B-21 Raider
under development by Northrop Grumman. The B-21, part of
the Long-Range Strike Bomber program (LRS-B), is projected
to be a very long-range, stealth strategic bomber used by US
Air Force. The plane is capable of delivering conventional and
thermonuclear weapons. The camouflage that works well in Afghanistan, for example,
On a smaller scale the Defense Advanced Research Projects may be a hindrance in a cold-weather environment. Thus, new
Agency (DARPA) developed bullets that can change directions patterns are being developed to help warfighters blend into
mid-air to help snipers hit moving targets in bad weather their environs. And, to cut costs, different branches are looking
conditions. Bullets of any type are considered small in terms into wearing the same uniforms as their counterparts.
of weaponry. Yet, with typical big thinking military researchers The US Air Force took a step in that direction in 2018 when
made a breakthrough in technology to improve the effectiveness it adopted the Army’s new combat uniform. That may seem
of troops on the ground, which is a hallmark of the US military’s like a small and insignificant step in the armed forces’ mission
uniform strength. to streamline and upgrade the country’s current and future
The various branches continue to experiment with the most defense. But, “the longest journey begins with a single step.”
practical design of uniforms and the fabrics used in a multitude Those little steps are exactly what it takes to protect the
of environments. Products include flame resistant materials, nation’s citizens and infrastructure from external attacks and
extreme cold and wet weather fabrics, and base layers and the US military takes them well, from uniforms to robotics.
knits. Technologies comprise concealment, composites, and Robotics are playing a significant role in the military, to
specialty finishes. Much of the research applies to combat investigate and dismantle Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs)
zones, which can range from deserts to mountains to tropics and other explosives and to facilitate medical procedures for
and in between. surgeons and other health professionals. The use of drones as
20