Innovations & technologies

Army Scientists Wrestle With Uncertain Future

In the Army’s latest operating concept, leaders said that the service faces an uncertain future with many unknown variables, from the enemy to the location of the battlefield. What will be needed to counter this threat is a slew of new cutting edge technologies to give soldiers an advantage — these include more powerful helicopters, tougher trucks, better communication devices, more efficient equipment to reduce soldier load and better cyber defenses.

The Army must begin preparing for this uncertain future now, said Paul D. Rogers, director of the Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center during an industry conference in August.

“We don’t know who we’re going to fight. We don’t know where we’re going to fight. We don’t know under what conditions,” he said. “What we have to realize is [it’s] probably unknowable.”