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'Robomarine's and 'RoboGI's: not Robocops |
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August 11, 2000
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina (AP) - It is designed to make the 21st century U.S. soldier a more effective instrument of war, a veritable cyborg able to communicate with more speed and efficiency. Since early June, 44 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division have been experimenting with a prototype system the Army calls the "Land Warrior." Its video cameras allow soldiers to scan terrain ahead without being exposed, even call for medical help with the aid of a message system. "This system will allow us to move leaps and bounds ahead of the current infantrymen on the battlefield," said Sgt. John Petree, who has been using the Land Warrior system since June 5. Assault weapons are fitted with thermal sights able to zero in on warm bodies through the fog of war. Computer overlay maps projected through an eyepiece positioned over a soldier's right eye offer a view of the terrain ahead. Global positioning systems track the soldier's every step through forests or jungle and tell commanders exactly where everyone is while a battle rages. Chemically treated fatigues keep bugs off a soldier's body and, as a result, raises the comfort level. A message system attached to the uniform can call for medical help. The soldier may use a personal computer, packed in gel and mounted on a special harness around the waist, to send pictures of the battlefield to fellow troops so they can prepare for an attack. Those pictures can be captured with a video camera mounted on the soldier's weapon. All this is powered by battery packs strapped to each hip like sidearms. Other gee-whiz features being developed include headset microphones clipped under Kevlar helmets that allow soldiers to talk to others on the battlefield. Those developing the battle uniform say the cost is likely to be between dlrs 10,000 and dlrs 20,000 per soldier. "I believe dlrs 10,000, dlrs 20,000, the taxpayer is going to understand that when it helps save the soldier's life and his buddy's life," said Lt. Col. Scott Crizer, product manager for Land Warrior's electronic systems. The current system is being tested by seasoned soldiers, who are using the equipment and making suggestions for alterations, said Col. Mike Scaparrotti, commander of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, which is putting the equipment through its paces. "When we come out with the system, it's going to be what the soldier is comfortable with," he said. In September, the experimental platoon will leave Fort Bragg for Fort Polk, Louisiana, to use the current prototype against other soldiers. "The concept, the techniques, the equipment we are using here is definitely where we are going," Scaparrotti said.
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