Future Military Technology Science

It has often been pondered whether or not the future of our world will see military technologies such as death rays and hypersonic vehicles. Future military technology science may encompass a wide range of individual topics.

Studies such as hypersonic vehicles, laser technology, using information technology and neuroscience to collaborate humans and machines on the battlefield and the employment of sociology and psychobiology to combat terrorism are things that are in constant scrutiny and research areas.

Stealth planes are being developed now that are rumored to be capable of flying to altitudes of around 100,000 feet with a transcontinental range. The SR-71 stealth reconnaissance plane flew at approximately 2,200 mph and 85,000 feet.

This plane was in operations in the United States from 1964 until 1998. The Concorde on the other hand is the fastest commercial jet ever developed and it flew at a maximum speed of approximately 1,350 mph and an altitude of just 60,000 feet.

This aircraft derives its name from the unique approach it has to coping with hypersonic shock waves that are typically found in the air. It does not fight the shock waves but uses those waves to lift and funnel compressed air into the scramjet engine that it contains.

Laser weapons also involve a technology that all populations may not be ready for. These devices have been in development for many decades and some slight progress has been made, however more developments and research will be required before they become a household name.

The majority of the research currently being conducted is focused for the most part of the more modestly powered beams. Some solid state lasers are being tested and have hopes of reaching 100 kilowatts which is the minimum amount of power that is needed to produce a deployable weapon.

Another model being tested and researched is a free electron laser which is an experimental technology that will use high speed electrons to generate a very powerful focused beam of radiation. This technology is still being scrutinized and highly researched before it can be allowed to be used by any military personnel.

Chemical lasers which draw exceptional energy from chemical reactions are also being tested. One device is currently being installed that is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles. Other researchers are currently looking into the development of a less powerful version of this chemical laser which will be designed to be installed on a gunship.

This laser again is nowhere near ready to deploy. Many tests and much more research must be performed on all these futuristic models of military support.

No matter where the future takes our military one thing is clear - with the amount of technology that has been developed over the past few years, many civilians may find it more than difficult to imagine the types of military force that may be available in our very near future.