Engineering for the Military

Ambitious technical programs including Future Combat Systems are posing engineering development challenges in all facets of the U.S. military. Our features, podcasts, videos and photos below reveal how materials, automation, sensors and simulation technologies are creating a new breed of soldier.

Military’s Active Denial System is First True Ray Gun
Feeling the heat? You will if you are zapped by the military’s Non-Lethal Active Denial System (ADS), slated to enter field testing this summer in Iraq. Full Story
2008-03-06 09:24:00
Future Combat Systems Changes the Face of Battle
Future Combat Systems (FCS) employs robotics and links those robotic systems to the soldier with a vast wireless network. Full Story
2008-01-07 00:00:00
A Program for the FCS Program
The Future Combat Systems (FCS) program includes manned and unmanned vehicles, on the ground and in the air. Full Story
2007-12-10 00:00:00
Future Soldier Will Generate Power
The American soldier of the future will be garbed in an array of lightweight nanoscale materials that will provide ballistic protection and produce power through solar energy. Full Story
2008-01-07 00:00:00
Promising Fuel Cell Uses ‘Green’ Assembly
One innovative technology for the modern soldier is a fuel cell power pack that features innovative chemistry and assembly technology. Full Story
2007-12-10 00:00:00
Military Broadens Use of Virtual Reality
The military’s use of virtual reality technology goes far beyond war game simulation. Today, there are applications being developed in a multitude of areas, including advanced training, virtual engineering and command and control operations. Full Story
2008-01-07 00:00:00
Virtual Reality Helps Treat PTSD
Scientists at the University of California’s Institute for Creative Technologies have developed a VR-based system to help treat returning soldiers struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Full Story
2007-12-10 00:00:00
DARPA Race’s Robot Cars Could Benefit Soldiers and Civilians Alike
Even if the military doesn’t deploy truck-sized autonomous vehicles right away, DARPA’s Urban Challenge highlights how the progress in robot technologies could improve driver assistance systems in passenger cars and trucks. Full Story
2008-01-07 00:00:00
Military MULE
When it comes to autonomous navigation, DARPA Urban Challenge vehicles and the Future Combat Systems Program's Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) Vehicles have plenty in common. Full Story
2007-12-11 00:00:00

Engineering Tomorrows Soldier: Photo Gallery

Design News Partner Zones

CAD/CAE Model Clean-Up: Reduce Iterative Cycles
Discuss how Recipe-Based Automation can help create "just-in-time" CAE-ready geometry when CAD models are updated. Register Now

Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More

Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.