May 08 2008 / by futuretalk
Category: Security Year: General Rating: 13 Hot
By Dick Pelletier
The world faces an estimated 70 percent chance of a nuclear,
biological or chemical attack in the next decade, according to
analysts surveyed in a recent Senate Foreign Relations Committee
study. 
During the Cold War, the possibility of a nuclear battle that
could kill every American made it imperative to avoid conflict. But
today, we are still not safe. A suicide bomber hiding a weapon of
mass destruction in a suitcase could murder a million Americans;
twice as many as died in both twentieth century World Wars
combined.
Though some believe the eventual solution to ending today’s
terrorist threats lie in improving the welfare of have-nots, former
Defense Advanced Research Project Agency manager, Dr. Robert Popp,
says we must also get better at intelligence. “We need more Arabic
speakers, more experts who understand tribal relations, and more
diplomats to capture audiences on Al Jazeera.”
However, military leaders do not believe that technology will
eliminate the worlds disgruntled anytime soon, so many want to
improve their fighting machines now, and are turning to the
Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN), a creative group that
has produced such far-out ideas as “portable lab-on-a-chip” and
“wireless power.” Its partners include traditional weapons
companies like Raytheon and DuPont, and new nano businesses like
Zyvex and Nano C.
What kinds of innovative military developments are on
ISN’s drawing board? First, let’s glimpse
at planned improvements for our soldiers; then examine some of the
futuristic weapons being considered. (cont.)
Soldier Improvements
• Mechanically active materials and devices. Artificial muscles
and bone-strengthening materials create a nano-enabled
“exoskeleton” that gives wearers increased speed, strength and
endurance.
• Energy-absorbing materials. These nanomaterials can absorb
nearly any shock to the body, and will keep our warriors out of
harm’s way in most crash situations.
• Sensors and chemical/biological protection. Tomorrow’s
super-soldiers will boast an array of artificial sensors enabling
them to see or sense harmful toxins in the air, and amazingly, even
be aware of what the enemy is eating, drinking, smoking, or
wearing.
• Biomaterials and nanodevices for automated healthcare. New
bio-nano innovations will enable a built-in first aid system that
detects and responds to the needs of blood cells, serum, and
antibodies, providing fighters with instant high quality medical
care 24/7.
Futuristic Weapons
• Cyborg wasps – half insect, half robot. Israel scientists are
creating a “bionic hornet” that can identify, pursue, photograph,
and kill insurgents if they try to attack coalition forces.
• Armed robot vehicles and flying drones. These clever ‘bots can
fire on enemies, drop grenades, hit planes, and spread germs.
Should an enemy shell strike them, no human life is lost.
• Space-based weapons. President Bush’s Vision for 2020 believes
that a space system which can fire destructive lasers at enemy
facilities would help maintain American military dominance. This
horrific idea has evoked criticism from most of the world. Do we
really want space-based warfare?
This writer hopes that most military advances mentioned in this
article will never need to be used. Positive futurists see a
nanotech-empowered “magical future” unfolding over the next two
decades that promise amazing medical benefits and financial
abundance for everyone. Let’s make peace, not war.
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