Soldier 2025 is a
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
research and development project to create an advanced, high-tech combat uniform for U.S. infantry soldiers.
The features of this outfit include
nanotechnology
Nanotechnology, also shortened to nanotech, is the use of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale for industrial purposes. The earliest, widespread description of nanotechnology referred to the particular technological goal o ...
, built-in sensors, and physical augmentations.
The ACU
Nanotechnology
*Chameleonic camouflage - Technology embedded in the fabric of the uniform, most likely chemical receptors, would change color autonomously to blend in with the surrounding environment. This fabric is black when inactive.
*
Liquid armor Liquid armour is a material under research by defense institutions and universities around the world including the United States Army Research Laboratory (ARL). Some of the earliest research in this area was performed at Massachusetts Institute of T ...
- The fabric might also be treated with shear thickening fluid, a mix of
polyethylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol (PEG; ) is a polyether compound derived from petroleum with many applications, from industrial manufacturing to medicine. PEG is also known as polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polyoxyethylene (POE), depending on its molecular we ...
and nanoscale glass particles. This mix would function like
chainmail
Chain mail (properly called mail or maille but usually called chain mail or chainmail) is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh. It was in common military use between the 3rd century BC and ...
, flexible with low speed motion such as running, but hard and solid against high speed motion such as that of a bullet impact, preventing serious injury or death. The technology has already proven effective when combined with
Kevlar
Kevlar (para-aramid) is a strong, heat-resistant synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed by Stephanie Kwolek at DuPont in 1965, the high-strength material was first used commercially in the early 1970s a ...
armor.
Sensory equipment
*Internal sensors - Thermal sensors monitoring both the environment and the soldier would automatically adjust the temperature of the uniform, keeping the wearer as comfortable as possible. Other sensors would detect injuries, the intake of harmful chemicals, and other physical harm, and built-in medical equipment would administer treatment as best able.
*Situational awareness - A front-mounted video camera, vision aides (such as night vision sensors) and sound detectors providing three-dimensional audiological hearing would be embedded in the uniform's helmet. The face visor would act as a heads-up display, voice-activated to show ground maps, locations of fellow troops, and other needed information.
*Communication - Real-time transmission would allow home base to see and hear everything the soldier does. This allows for provisions such as interlingual translation or sudden change of orders.
Augmentations
*Internal respirator - A breathing device built into the helmet eliminates the need for gas masks.
*XO Muscles - An exoskeletal structure on the legs permits the wearer to carry two to three times their body weight and feel only one time their body weight, increasing effective speed and endurance. No such enhancement is built into the arms or main body.
Projections
Soldier 2025 was showcased at the 24th Army Science Conference in 2004. While still in its conceptual phases, it was stated soldiers should be able to don combat uniforms similar to the showcased idea by the year 2025, as implied by the name of the project.
Possible termination
Some sources state that Soldier 2025 is part of the
Land Warrior program, which was terminated in 2007, and this project was terminated along with it. However, the connection between the two is unclear at this time and requires confirmation.
See also
*
Army Combat Uniform
The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the current combat uniform worn by the United States Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Space Force. Within U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, it is referred to as the OCP (Operational Camouflage Pattern) Uniform ...
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Battle Dress Uniform
The Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) is a camouflaged combat uniform that was used by the United States Armed Forces as their standard combat uniform from the early 1980s to the mid-2000s. Since then, it has been replaced or supplanted in every br ...
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Body armor
Body armor, also known as body armour, personal armor or armour, or a suit or coat of armor, is protective clothing designed to absorb or deflect physical attacks. Historically used to protect military personnel, today it is also used by variou ...
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Future Soldier 2030 Initiative
Future Soldier 2030 Initiative was a US Army program that was launched in 2009 with the mission to research and develop future soldiers' equipments, weapons and body armors. The program investigates various futuristic technologies, including min ...
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Land Warrior
Land Warrior was a United States Army program, launched in 1994, cancelled in 2007 U.S. Army Budget Request Documents FY2008 (page 4) but restarted in 2008,http://www.army-technology.com/projects/land_warrior/ Land Warrior at Army-Technology.com ...
*
Shear Thickening Fluids
*
Supersoldier
The supersoldier (or super soldier) is a fictional concept soldier, often capable of operating beyond normal human limits or abilities either through genetic modification or cybernetic augmentation.
Overview
Supersoldiers are common in military ...
References
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External links
Military.com: SoldierTechDocinthemachine.com: Army Axing High-Tech Soldier of Tomorrow
United States Army projects