The Future Force Warrior program, formerly known as the Objective Force Warrior program, is the major outlet for future combat
equipment in development today. This program includes two objectives, the FFW 2010, scheduled for release by 2010, and the
FFW 2020, tentatively set for ten years later. Both systems completely rebuild the current military equipment from the ground
up, rather than providing simple improvements to the current gear. The futures soldier will have the latest in high-tech weaponry
and defense, all of which will be integrated with revolutionary computer technology. The most important factor of both future
force systems is that they are, as their name hints, combat systems. Rather than the series of heavy unnecessary add-ons that
soldiers carry today, the future solider will have one integrated system that is more efficient and much lighter.
XM29
Weapons:
The weapons of the near future will continue with the computer integration of the future force warrior program. The XM29
is the major contender for the standard weapon for the future soldier. The XM29 is an advanced assault rifle / grenade launcher
combination. The weapon itself is not that impressive, it's the ammunition that secures this weapon a place in combat of the
near future. The XM29 utilizes a unique type of grenade projectile that can be detonated at specific distances, rather than
simply detonate on contact like modern explosive projectiles. The advantage of this capability may not at first be apparent.
A projectile that explodes at a set distance, rather than on contact, could be used to eliminate snipers behind thin walls
or windows, because the round would explode after passing through the obstacle, eliminating the target. In addition to the
smart ammunition, the XM29 employs a computer sighting system. This sight is capable of night vision, and laser distance calculation
(used in combination with the grenade launcher). With these capabilities the XM29 will prove to be an invaluable tool to the
soldier of the future.
Display of the Dropdown Helmet Screen
Future Force Warrior 2010
Future Force Warrior 2020
Integrated Computer Helmet System
Armor and Equipment:
Surprisingly the majority of the attention of the future warrior program is allocated to soldier defense and high-tech
support equipment.
The goal of this portion of the future warrior program is to transform the modern day soldier into a "warfighter",
or as the slogan says, an "army of one". This is accomplished through state of the art equipment and brand new technologies
for soldier defense. For starters the uniform of the solider of the near future will be an impressive line of defense in
itself. Currently in the testing stage is a new material known as STF, a liquid armor material made of polyethylene glycol
and tiny glass particles. This material will be applied to the soldier's Kevlar vest, and possibly his or her entire uniform.
STF carries some very unique properties, when exposed to slow easy motion, STF is easy flowing, but fast jerky motions immediately
set the material into an incredibly strong solid. "When the movement is slow, the glass particles can flow around each
other, but when the movement is fast, the particles bump into each other, preventing any flow of movement" (Eric Wetzel,
U.S. Army Research Labs). According to current research STF does not change the appearance or texture of the material it is
applied to, but has enough strength to prevent the penetration of an ice-pick through a vest or normal thickness. This example
demonstrates STF's applications outside of the military; possibly being of use for prison guards due to the increased stab-resistant
qualities of STF treated armor. It is predicted that after the appropriate testing is completed, STF will be in popular use
within the next two years. (see video below for a demonstration)
Besides the flashy defense mechanisms and the high-tech weaponry, the real success potential of the future force warrior program
lie in its equipment. As previously stated, the headlining feature of the program is it integrated functionality, reducing
the overall weight carried by a battle ready soldier from 120 pounds to only 50. This weight reduction is accompanied by a
total overhaul of onboard equipment and gadgetry. "Soldiers will be able to chat online with each other while they are
walking down a jungle trail. The new system has the ability for each soldier to be tied into tactical local and wide-area
networks with an onboard computer that sits at the base of the soldier's back. Soldiers will also be able to share data with
vehicles, aircraft and other individual soldiers." Many of these capabilities will be powered by and onboard battery
on the soldiers back, and integrated by a tiny monitor that extends from their helmet (see picture to the left). This display
screen will be capable of monitoring the soldier's performance (temperature, heat rate, hydration etc), as well as those of
other soldiers, which may prove useful for field medics. (see image of the far left) All of these capabilities will be part
of the same scheme within the Future Force warrior uniform; with these systems in place, soldiers, vehicles and commanders
will all be an effective, highly coordinated network.
Prospective Military Technologies
Biofutures Project
Brian Keleher
