Technology has always been a vital component when it comes to national security. Over the years, the military worked tirelessly to develop cutting-edge weaponry and software that will further improve the way the country defends itself. From the field to the control center, everything nowadays is powered by technology. Here, we will show you some of the most ground-breaking technological advances that the US military has been working on.
Precision Weapons
The 20th century brought us precision weapons. Full weaponry that can be aimed and directed against one, single target. It relies on its guidance system or external guidance. Precision weapons can be launched from submarines, land vehicles, aircraft, ships, or by a soldier stationed on the ground. It is mainly designed to increase lethality on its target while minimizing collateral damage.
The US army is using a Precision Guidance Kit-Modernization or PGK-M. This type of weapon enables you to fire precision strikes even if the GPS is damaged or compromised. The PGK-M includes several features such as wave relay connectivity, navigational technology, and programmable radio networks. Arsenal engineers are also working on an alternative to GPS using satellite images as the primary navigational tool for precision munition.
Multi-domain Smart Sensors
Revolutionary Military Affairs or RMA is all about revolutionizing warfare over time by combining innovative concepts of operation and new technology. Over the past decades, the United States has been working on RMA. Recently, the military pioneered the first and only technology that allows the use of sensors or smart devices to create a large and complex network of sophisticated information.
This method will utilize the potential of artificial intelligence and fully automated systems. This particular RMA focuses on the collection of information, advanced computer analytics, unlimited data storage, and globally capable instantaneous communication. Now, electrically powered weapons can be fired both offensively and defensively. There will be a whole network of sensors that can be deployed on air, land, sea, cyberspace, and outer space.
Now, both the military and the Department of Homeland Security rely on the use of these ultra-smart sensors for gathering electronic intelligence and surveillance. More than 70,000 shipping containers enter the ports of the United States, and smart sensors play an essential role in protecting the territory before entry.
Data and Information Security
In February 2020, the Department of Defense reported a possible breach of data that contains the personal information of over 200,000 servicemen and women. Some details that have been compromised include their Social Security numbers stored on the system hosted by the Defense Information Systems Agency or DISA. The breach was identified and reported during one of the DoD’s routine security checks.
Because of this, the US Department of Defense has implemented a protective measure by creating and launching the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). It is built to protect all Controlled Unclassified Information within the supply chain of the Department of Defense. In the years to come, all potential vendors and contractors who want to work with the DoD should bear a CMMC certificate.
Electric-driven Technology
Batteries have been used for many years in powering both civilian and military vehicles. Though they used to work just fine, it is only recently that its performance was deemed far from meeting the requirements of vehicle applications. One of the top issues is the limited amount of specific energy stored per unit. When compared to traditional petroleum-based energy, the use of batteries often leads to limited operational time.
The U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) has been working on lithium-ion batteries with the highest proven energy value. These can be used in high-energy and high-power configurations depending on the target load.
The US military is also working on hybrid-electric vehicles that, with the use of today’s technology, can offer more remarkable performance, quieter stealth operations, and lower-cost power sources. In partnership with the Department of Defense, the military held an electrification forum attended by engineers, academia, and project managers. The discussion focused on the current developments in hybrid electric vehicles and how to improve their overall electric architecture.
We are indeed living in an era where technology is developing at a startling rate. Maintaining the momentum should help us protect not just ourselves but the country as well. With the help of some of the brightest minds in science, architecture, and defense, we can achieve a level of national security that we have never seen before. Essential measures and elaborate strategies can be implemented to ensure that security is at its best without compromising any aspect.