Military – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Jun 2
2016

DARPA moving forward with drone ‘space plane’

The US military’s research arm says its robotic “space plane” program has received funding for the next phase of development. Aiming to provide a quicker and cheaper way to launch satellites, the still-conceptual vehicle may fly as early as 2019.

The Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program is intended to prove that “routine and responsive access to space can be achieved at costs an order of magnitude lower than with today’s systems,” according to Jess Sponable, program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

After reviewing studies submitted by several aerospace conglomerates, DARPA has now issued a call for design proposals. The deadline for submissions is July 22.

Jun 1
2016

DARPA Sees US Fighter Jets as First Thought-controlled Weapon

Imagine these fighter jets being equipped with the DARPA death laser that is being worked on. Very deadly mix.

The size of a matchstick, the stentrode can provide the “brain-machine interface” or BMI necessary for thought-controlled devices. Neural implants currently in use require invasive surgery.

Stentrodes can be attached to the brain using catheter angiography. This procedure passes the device through blood vessels in the neck and into the brain without cutting open the skull.

Development of the minimally invasive stentrode is a key step in the widespread use of thought-controlled devices such as prosthetics and weapons.

Jun 1
2016

The Pentagon is building a ‘self-aware’ killer robot army fueled by social media

Official US defence and NATO documents confirm that autonomous weapon systems will kill targets, including civilians, based on tweets, blogs and Instagram by Nafeez Ahmed.

This exclusive is published by INSURGE INTELLIGENCE, a crowd-funded investigative journalism project for the global commons

Jun 1
2016

America’s New Superweapon? Electromagnetic Projectile Launchers That Fire at 4500 MPH

The new focus of military weapons right now is the railgun. It is capable of launching a projectile 125 miles at Mach 6 speeds using electromagnetic fields.

For several years now, America has been toying with the idea of railguns, weapons that fire not through gunpowder or chemical explosives, but through electromagnetic fields. Yes, these are electromagnetic projectile launchers. Now, they are not only close to reality, but right on the cusp of deployment.

Essentially, the railguns being developed right now operate on the following concept: There are electrical current charges on either side of the barrel of the gun, creating magnetic fields that push projectiles at amazing speeds.

May 31
2016

Fighter jets piloted by mind control using brain-to-machine implant on the horizon

DARPA’s new mind control fighter jets (BMIs are coming here soon) — BMI tech will mean smart devices will not be needed by most of the population.

University of Melbourne has developed an implant that could plug the brain directly into a vehicle.

May 31
2016

The Defense Department Wants Your Ideas For A Military Space Plane

Oh boy.

Got a design concept? You have until July 22 to submit your plan.

By Jennings Brown.

May 30
2016

Bionic Power — Wearable technology for charging batteries

Bionic Power makes wearable technology for charging batteries. Today, we are focused on developing our PowerWalk^® Kinetic Energy Harvester for military use and will begin multi-unit field trials with the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps next year. In the future, we see our walk-recharge technology being used in disaster zones and remote worksites, and by consumers in recreational, emergency preparedness and backup applications.

May 29
2016

U.S. Army using Michigan interstate to test driverless vehicle tech

LAPEER COUNTY, MI – U.S. Army convoys are set to roll down the interstate in Lapeer and St. Clair counties as part of a first-time testing of driverless military vehicle equipment on public roadways in the state.

If successful, officials say the technology that may save the lives of soldiers thousands of miles away.

Representatives from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center, or TARDEC, and Michigan Department of Transportation met with residents in Imlay City and Capac on May 23 to discuss the testing scheduled for late June along Interstate 69.

May 29
2016

Toyota is closing in on a deal to buy Google’s robotics company Boston Dynamics, and the ‘ink is nearly dry’

One misstep after another for Boston Dynamics. First they get bought by the bunglers at Google, who dont want to do business with the Pentagon, so they buy a company who almost exclusively works for the Pentagon, and now getting sold to a foreign electronics company.

Pretty sad treatment for the company making some of the best robotics in the world. It should be sold to a US defense contractor.

Google is selling off robotics company Boston Dynamics, and Toyota is a serious contender.

May 27
2016

High-Tech Railgun Promises New Military Advantage

A powerful new Naval railgun can fire a round that could travel from Washington, DC to Philadelphia in under two minutes. Pentagon officials believe the high-tech cannon could pave the way for a military advantage defending assets on sea and on land. Photo: U.S. Department of Defense.