Buzz
Soldiers of the Future Force
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier CenterWarfare evolves constantly, with each new engagement introducing more sophisticated and potent armaments. Tools that dominate today's battlefields may soon become obsolete within a few short years. The ever-changing nature of combat demands relentless innovation to maintain an edge over adversaries.
The U.S. Army is creating a next-generation infantry uniform designed to offer unparalleled strength and enhanced ballistic defense. Equipped with wide-area networking and integrated computers, soldiers will gain heightened situational awareness and improved physiological monitoring.
In this piece, we’ll explore the future battlefield, compare its technology to current advancements, and uncover how the Future Force Warrior will transform soldiers into highly mobile, combat-ready units akin to 'F-16s on legs.'
We extend our gratitude to 1st Lieutenant John H. Frushour, USMC, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit for his invaluable contribution to this article.
Preparing for Combat
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier CenterThe U.S. Army is revolutionizing warfare logistics with the creation of a bionic uniform. This advanced gear will feature integrated health monitoring, superior communication systems, and increased physical power, equipping future soldiers with the capabilities to dominate adversaries simply by wearing this cutting-edge suit.
The Future Force Warrior program is divided into two phases. The initial phase focuses on releasing a uniform by 2010 to address immediate Army requirements, with certain components potentially being deployed sooner. Jean-Louis "Dutch" DeGay, a Future Force Warrior Equipment Specialist, explains, "The Department of the Army has established design spirals, allowing us to introduce mature technologies into the field approximately every two years, rather than waiting until 2010 for the complete system." By 2020, the Army plans to introduce a suit incorporating nanotechnology, exoskeletons, and liquid body armor, technologies currently in the conceptual stage.
The final version of the suit comprises the following essential components:
- Helmet - The helmet integrates a GPS receiver, radio, and connections for both wide- and local-area networks.
- Warrior Physiological Status Monitoring System - This innermost layer of the suit is equipped with sensors that track vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and hydration levels. The data is transmitted to medics and commanders in real-time.
- Liquid Body Armor - Constructed from magnetorheological fluid, this armor remains liquid until exposed to a magnetic field. An electrical pulse instantly solidifies it, providing protection in milliseconds.
- Exoskeleton - Made from lightweight composite materials, the exoskeleton attaches to the legs, boosting the soldier's physical strength and endurance.
These subsystems work in unison to create a uniform that not only informs and protects but also significantly enhances the wearer's capabilities. Let’s delve deeper into each component.
Enhancing Battlefield Awareness
Rear view of a Future Force Warrior suit
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier CenterThe effectiveness of enemy reconnaissance hinges on how swiftly the gathered intelligence can be communicated to soldiers on the ground. Future soldiers will have access to more real-time information than any previous generation.
Currently, the U.S. Army utilizes a system known as Blue Force Tracker (BFT). This system allows commanders to view a live map of the battlefield on their computers, enabling them to monitor unit movements and share this data with allied forces. The U.S. Marines initially chose a more compact and durable alternative called the Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (ePLRS). Both systems aim to provide real-time tracking of friendly forces, but they suffer from being cumbersome, outdated, and requiring operators who could otherwise be engaged in combat.
The Future Force Warrior system represents a major upgrade over these existing technologies. A computer integrated into the suit, positioned at the lower back, will link to both local and wide-area networks, facilitating seamless data exchange.
DeGay describes it as follows:
Future Force Warrior helmet
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier CenterSoldiers will use a voice-activated, retractable screen integrated into their helmets to access critical information without needing to lower their weapons. The display, embedded in transparent glasses, will project the equivalent of a 17-inch screen, showing maps and live video feeds from scouts, satellites, or aircraft. DeGay notes, "We aim to design the graphic user interface to resemble computer or gaming console interfaces like Playstation 2 or Xbox, as most soldiers are already adept at using such systems."
Future Force Warriors will not only have enhanced awareness of their teammates but also detailed insights into their own physical state. The uniform's physiological subsystem, in direct contact with the skin, includes sensors tracking core and skin temperature, heart rate, posture, and hydration levels. This data is accessible to the soldier, medics, and commanders, even from a distance, enabling better strategic planning. The helmet also features a GPS receiver, offering precise location data for troops.
Effective communication is crucial in combat, and the Future Force Warrior system employs cranial vibration sensors to eliminate the need for external microphones. This bone-conduction technology facilitates seamless communication between soldiers and controls the display menus on the helmet's eyepiece. The helmet also provides 360-degree situational awareness and voice amplification.
"This system will enable soldiers to pinpoint the origin of sniper or mortar fire while simultaneously filtering out harmful noise levels to protect their hearing," explained Robert Atkinson, liaison sergeant for the operational forces interface group at the Natick Soldier Center.
The advanced situational-awareness technology equips soldiers with the ability to:
- identify fellow soldiers up to several kilometers ahead
- isolate and amplify specific sounds for enhanced auditory focus
The entire suit is powered by a compact microturbine generator, ranging from 2 to 20 watts, which runs on liquid hydrocarbon. A single 10-ounce fuel cartridge can sustain the uniform's operations for up to six days. Additionally, battery patches integrated into the helmet offer three hours of emergency power.
Liquid Body Armor
The Future Force Warrior's uniform incorporates liquid body armor for superior protection.
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier CenterAs ballistics technology advances, the need for improved body armor becomes critical. One modern solution, developed in the 1960s, utilizes high-strength woven fibers that can be integrated into vests and other soft garments. Known widely as Dupont Kevlar®, this material is among the various body armor options used by U.S. Forces today. Another type, SAPI plates (small arms protective inserts), are rigid ceramic composite plates placed in the front and back pockets of a soldier's fragmentation vest.
Researchers are now pioneering a new generation of armor using magnetorheological (MR) fluids—essentially liquid body armor.
A common MR fluid is composed of tiny iron particles dispersed in silicon oil, which prevents rust. When exposed to a magnetic field or electrical current, the fluid solidifies in milliseconds. The current aligns the iron particles into a uniform structure, forming a nearly impenetrable barrier. The hardness of the material depends on the intensity of the magnetic field or current. Once the charge is removed, the particles disperse, returning the substance to its liquid form.
The Future Force Warrior uniform will feature small pockets filled with MR fluid. The fabric will be embedded with wiring to conduct electrical currents, controlled by the suit's onboard computer. This system will automatically activate the MR fluid when a ballistic threat is detected.
MIT researchers developing this liquid body armor estimate it will take five to 10 years to achieve full bullet resistance.
Exoskeleton
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier CenterWhile superhuman strength has long been a staple of science fiction, breakthroughs in human-performance enhancement systems could enable soldiers to lift hundreds of pounds with the ease of lifting a much lighter load.
The Future Force Warrior uniform incorporates a fabric in the shoulder area embedded with nanomachines that replicate human muscle movements, contracting and expanding in response to electrical pulses. These nanomachines enhance lifting capacity by 25 to 35 percent, functioning similarly to natural muscles.
"Imagine being on steroids, effortlessly lifting heavy weights for extended periods," Atkinson explained. "This technology would allow a 90-pound individual to carry a 250-pound person off the battlefield without feeling the full weight."
The exoskeleton attached to the soldier's lower body will significantly enhance strength, offering up to 300 percent greater lifting and load-carrying capacity.
"Developed in collaboration with DARPA, the exoskeleton will enhance the soldier's stability," Atkinson stated. "It effectively transforms the soldier into a mobile weapons platform."
This increased strength allows weapons to be directly integrated into the uniform system. In the conceptual design (shown at right), the exoskeleton is visible as the protruding composite material below the knee.
The exoskeleton will integrate structure, power, control, actuation, and biomechanics. Below are some of the key challenges DARPA has identified:
- Structural materials - The exoskeleton must be constructed from composite materials that are durable, lightweight, and flexible.
- Power source - It must be capable of operating continuously for at least 24 hours without refueling.
- Control - The system's controls must be intuitive, allowing the wearer to move and function naturally.
- Actuation - The exoskeleton must move fluidly to avoid hindering the wearer, with actuators that are both quiet and energy-efficient.
- Biomechanics - The design must accommodate natural human movements, including side-to-side and front-to-back shifts, with joints that mimic human flexibility.
As the nature of warfare evolves, military forces are seeking every possible edge over adversaries. The Future Force Warrior suit represents a leap in human performance, transforming ordinary soldiers into real-life superheroes on the battlefield.
