Military Technology: Past, Present & Future

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 May 2014 16:05:03 -0400

Throughout world/military history there's been amazing advances, inventions, and innovations, which are often brought about through necessity; the idea here is to provide a place to discuss 'military technology' both past and present, and to brainstorm, discuss, and/or speculate on future tech and its potential military applications. So, how has 'mil-tech' impacted you or your career? What technology do you find interesting or exciting? How does civilian technology interface with the military and vice versa? What are the impacts to both? Just a few questions to consider, and as always please feel free to share any photos, links, stories or anything else necessary to communicate your point(s). I'm certain that this will be both fascinating and informative so let's get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made May 18 at 2014 4:16 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Sun, 18 May 2014 16:16:38 -0400

This is a fun subject. Technology is a double edged sword. It can either help you, or defeat you. Smart bombs are a good example of this. Smart bombs were intended for use in population centers where you knew what you wanted to take out, but did not want to take out places around it that were non military. Say a communications center next to school. Or you want to take out a dam. It is useless as an area denial weapon. That is where dumb bombs come into play. Now what I mean by area denial is, troop concentrations, ie infantry, tanks, to taking out air fields. One area where technology failed us was in Tora Bora Afghanistan. I believe we should have used Napalm bombs and we would have had crispy al qeida and Osama Bin Laden would have been crispy too. As long as he was there. Terrain will always play a part into what munitions will and should be used.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 18 at 2014 10:51 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Sun, 18 May 2014 22:51:34 -0400

Best technology sir. There are two that I can think of.
1. The Navajo during World War II, They helped turn the tide during World War II. Their language could not be figured out by the Germans.
2. No amount of technology can ever replace an intelligent, well trained, common sense service member. Boots on the ground is still the best technology the armed forces have.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 2:17 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 02:17:16 -0400

This would definitely fit into the "future" category, the DoD STARBASE Program, read all about it here: http://www.dodstarbase.org/program-description

DoD STARBASE

DoD STARBASE focuses on elementary students, primarily fifth graders. The goal is to motivatethem to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)as they continue their education.The academies servestudents that are historically under-represented in STEM. Students who live in inner cities or rural locations, those who are socio-economically disadvantaged, low in academic performance or have a disability are in the target group. The...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 3:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 03:18:56 -0400

Ladies and Gentleman...I present to you.... the woobie also known as the poncho liner

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 19 at 2014 7:08 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 19 May 2014 07:08:55 -0400

Two examples of past technology that comes to mind are now used on a daily basis. Microwave and GPS. Although both are 'relatively' new, most of us would be (literally) LOST without them!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 19 at 2014 4:03 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Mon, 19 May 2014 16:03:57 -0400

The US Service Member

Tried and true, battle hardened and field tested for almost 300 years. Doesn't need batteries, just a reason to do their job. With just a little fuss, easily adapts to any technology, season, climate or area of operation with proper uniform and food. Falls down and gets right back up without being told to.

Comes in 5 unique and distinct flavors for any outing or occasion!

You can't beat them, so join them!

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made May 20 at 2014 5:01 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Tue, 20 May 2014 17:01:50 -0400

On December 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight. Although the present government of the USA does not seem to support it, Space flight is ALMOST routine just over 100 years later.

The outgrowth of technology from the space program is almost unbelievable. NASA claims that there are over 1600 spin-offs from manned space flight, including things we take for granted such as: freeze dried foods (Yes MREs), memory foam, velcro, computer technology (remember the first cell phones), etc.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2014 8:52 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 May 2014 20:52:09 -0400

Caterpillar drive. Up until a damn cook sabotages it. Submarines are a close second.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 20 at 2014 9:23 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Tue, 20 May 2014 21:23:29 -0400

The biggest thing Mankind ever devised, in my humble opinion, is Saran Wrap. You can put a sandwich in it, you touch, put it over you face...

You can put three olives in it and make a little Saran Wrap, you can put ten sandwiches in and make a big Saran Wrap. Whatever you want, it clings and sticks...you can look right through it

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2014 4:18 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 May 2014 16:18:39 -0400

http://kitup.military.com/2014/05/army-designs-smoke-grenade-wwii.html?ESRC=todayinmil.sm

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2014 12:11 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:11:29 -0400

In order to continue the conversation on this and related subjects, you'll want to check-out these discussions in-progress; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by 1SG Jason Fitzpatrick made Jun 4 at 2014 12:12 PM

1SG Jason Fitzpatrick — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:12:00 -0400

Rifle, Caliber .30, M1 "The greatest battle implement ever devised." -- General
George S. Patton

Response by SGT Dan Knispel made Sep 5 at 2014 6:00 PM

SGT Dan Knispel — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 18:00:43 -0400

The P38... need I say more?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2014 10:25 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:25:42 -0400

Business Insider article "11 Unbelievable Weapons that only American and its Closest Allies Have" http://www.businessinsider.com/11-unbelievable-weapons-that-only-america-has-2014-9?op=1#ixzz3CriIEnAZ

11 Unbelievable Weapons That Only America And Its Closest Allies Have

ISIS has an unprecedented terrorist aresenal, but the U.S.'s has a huge hardware advantage over its adversaries

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Sep 10 at 2014 2:04 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 02:04:48 -0400

I saw a thing on the military channel years back about automated warfare being developed by DARPA. Little drone like things that cary various weapons. Some small, some big. They talk to each other. Sensors can determine what is passing and can fire the necessary weapons to counter it up to and including Tomahawks. Friendlies carry a transponder so they can pass. I've never seen anything on it other than that show, but if they are real, holly crap they are awesome. Maybe it was all speculation, have you heard anything on the "automated warfare".

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Oct 23 at 2017 7:00 AM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 07:00:37 -0400

Still have my 70s issue poncho liner!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 5 at 2024 11:42 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 11:42:11 -0500

Turkey took off the shelf technology to make drones that killed 100 Russian tanks in Syria. This narrative immediately caught my eye. This process is being replicated by Ukraine.

As a former tanker, I marvel at the accuracy of the M1 tank which is achieved by a ballistic computer that takes environmental and other inputs to come up with a ballistic solution.

I ran across an army engineer veteran online. This dickweed had a very high and inflated sense of self. He acted like he was the tip of the spear and actually said I hid in my tank. What a tactical moron.