I'm not sure it will be practical to load down everyone with all this stuff until it's further miniaturized or DARPA makes a reliable weight-bearing contraption, which doesn't seem likely any time in the near future.

Like istealfreefood says, it can still be very useful if only one of you has to carry it.

You know that this thing is gonna need batteries. And I have never needed a battery that was available or in stock when I requested one at supply/the armory/ comm.....etc ......etc.

Wonder what happens of one of those battery packs gets hit by a bullet?

I think it is all still in the planning stages, but will never make it on to the battle field. Why? Because it's too big and bulky. HOWEVER.....Look at computers today vs. computers in 1984. 30+ years makes a HUGE difference.....In another 15 years, I suspect we won't have half the boots on the ground, but we will be 2x as lethal. UAV's and such have come a LOOONG way in the last 10 years. I think the wars of the future will be fought with joysticks and a computer monitor.

Originally Posted by Ex-Navy cobra

I think it is all still in the planning stages, but will never make it on to the battle field. Why? Because it's too big and bulky. HOWEVER.....Look at computers today vs. computers in 1984. 30+ years makes a HUGE difference.....In another 15 years, I suspect we won't have half the boots on the ground, but we will be 2x as lethal. UAV's and such have come a LOOONG way in the last 10 years. I think the wars of the future will be fought with joysticks and a computer monitor.

yes but all of those UAV are connected by a connection of some sort, which makes them weak against viruses and hackers, which i bet the terrorists are trying to build a virus as we speak, and don't say the firewalls are impenterable, their not, i can guarantee you they aren't. You can hack anything with enough skill.

Originally Posted by Bacara

yes but all of those UAV are connected by a connection of some sort, which makes them weak against viruses and hackers, which i bet the terrorists are trying to build a virus as we speak, and don't say the firewalls are impenterable, their not, i can guarantee you they aren't. You can hack anything with enough skill.

You bring up a good point. There is never a substitute for boots on the ground. Trust me, I wasn't trying to say otherwise. I know that if there is a connection through the airwaves, there is a way to take advantage of it. But, I would like to think that these things have some sort of self destruct on them. I'm not sure because I have never dealt with them personally. (I was in an older military LOL) Now, with that being said, I also know that the Navy ships I was on had the Phalanx gun system on them. That gun system could saw down a UAV in a matter of a split second. I'm sure they have made advancements since then, and I'm sure that most military bases have fail safe measures to protect against UAV problems. As for the UAV's being used against us in the field...Well...It IS possible....I don't know how yet...but I'm sure it is.

Originally Posted by Ex-Navy cobra

You bring up a good point. There is never a substitute for boots on the ground. Trust me, I wasn't trying to say otherwise. I know that if there is a connection through the airwaves, there is a way to take advantage of it. But, I would like to think that these things have some sort of self destruct on them. I'm not sure because I have never dealt with them personally. (I was in an older military LOL) Now, with that being said, I also know that the Navy ships I was on had the Phalanx gun system on them. That gun system could saw down a UAV in a matter of a split second. I'm sure they have made advancements since then, and I'm sure that most military bases have fail safe measures to protect against UAV problems. As for the UAV's being used against us in the field...Well...It IS possible....I don't know how yet...but I'm sure it is.

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and you only have infect on computer of any kind, then it can then dupicate itself, and send itself using that computer to send the virus to all the other computers in the network. Repeat until all the computers are infected and this can infect all the computers in the US military because they wont everyone to connected. This can effect tanks, aircraft, ships, IFVs and anything connected, shutting down our military in a matter of minutes, and being down for weeks. This is all just scenerio, and will probaly never happen but you never know.

Not all of it is controlled by signals. Others just "run on a tape."

Rubbish, what they want is powered exoskeleton which is still not out for decades, its a concept way ahead of available technologies.

Big yes to the new and improved Comms and HUD, i find the new weapon system as too fancifull since existing firearms do the job just fine, as for armor they should concentrate on spider silk and improving existing designs instead of piling dead weight on a already have grunt.

I just read an article the other day that said the system is being deployed in August to Iraq with a Stryker unit from Ft. Lewis. I hope I have my facts straight. I will Google for the news article and if I find it I will post it. My grandson just came in today from Ft. Lewis on his way to Iraq next month. I will ask him if he knows anything about it.

Now, having said that: I served as a MSE battalion maintenance officer when it was first deployed. it was highly useful if it was used properly. What I saw happening too often in the field (not combat) was higher command thought that their input while operations were being conducted was superior to the officers in the field that were in the middle of the action. Not all the time, but too often.
Another 2 concerns that I have are:
1. Many will think just because it is new it isn't any good. That has happened with many weapon systems in the past (think Billy Mitchell in aviation, the M-1 Garand, and others that old soldiers can recall). There will be kinks that have to be worked out if it is the right kind of concept for feet on the ground. Hopefully, the system will work right and be improved with the proper modifications that are found to be necesary by the troops in the field.
2. The weight is a major concern. Because if it is too heavy and the soldier wearing it feels himself in danger and the equipment is in the way - he will hit the quick release and dump it. Personally, I wouldn't blame him.

I am sure that if the gear stays deployed - it will become lighter in weight and battery life will significantly improve.

Since I truly believe technology can save lives and win battles, I will follow the developments of this system with interest.

Here is the url I referred to earlier in this post.
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009...-with-gagdets/