21st Century wars: soldiers, weapons, powered by nanotech

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 people; 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 we will eliminate the world’s have-nots 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.

 

Nano-powered Soldiers

• 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.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.