The Future of Battle Tech

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Posted by Soulskill on Friday December 16, 2011 @06:25AM from the i-wouldn't-bet-the-farm-on-lightsabers dept.

PolygamousRanchKid tips a story about research into futuristic military technology currently being funded by DARPA. The Disc-Rotor Compound Helicopter 'is propelled by rotor blades that extend from a central disc, letting it take off and land like a helicopter. But those blades can also retract into the disc, minimizing drag and letting the Disc-Rotor fly like a plane, powered by engines beneath each wing.' The Vulture program aims to keep a plane in the sky for five years or more, and 'LANdroids' are pocket-sized robots which soldiers can scatter around urban areas to seed a communications network. FastRunner is a 'two-legged robot that can cover a moderately rough terrain as fast as the best human sprinters.' The article mentions the flying humvees we've discussed in the past, as well as projects for 'smart' binoculars and a method for recycling space junk.

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Misleading heading is misleading by Anonymous Coward · 2011-12-16 06:28 · Score: 5, Funny

I want to hear about recent ferro-fib developments leading to overall Steiner Scouting Party weight reduction as a means to increase troop transit efficiency against Davion forces.
1. Re:Misleading heading is misleading by uncledrax · 2011-12-16 06:34 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Stop with your 3050 era stuff already.. I want low-tech Battle Tech (3025).. ..oh and LAMs.. definable need LAMs..
  
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  ----- The internet has given everyone the ability to have their voice heard equally as loud.. even if they shouldn't be
2. Re:Misleading heading is misleading by AoF.Squall · 2011-12-16 07:48 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I used to be a mechwarrior like you, then I took an LRM to the knee.
BattleTech by TreyGeek · 2011-12-16 06:29 · Score: 5, Insightful

Anyone else read the title and get excited that it was about the future of "BattleTech" the FASA war/board game?
Re:pointy sticks by MozeeToby · 2011-12-16 06:56 · Score: 5, Informative

DARPA's total budget is miniscule, less than 0.4% of the US defense spending. Their lack of overhead is unheard of in government organizations, 140 highly educated and knowledgeable industry experts whose sole purpose is to identify technology that is several generations ahead of what anyone else is looking at and make sure it gets funded. Besides that, much of what they fund has serious civilian applications in addition to their military uses.
Some things that are being funded today with obvious civilian uses:
Reusable Launch Vehicle
Artificial Intelligence
Powered Exoskeleton
Thought Controlled Prosthetic
Brain Computer Interface
Distributed Satellites