Real Life Super Humans Via Robotic Software

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Research for robotic-type suits for the military has been under the microscope, so to speak, since the 1990’s. 

The first actual suit was unveiled in 2002 but it lacked power. As the advancement of technology birthed smaller and more versatile sensors as well as faster microprocessors, many researchers were becoming convinced that a wearable robot - exoskeleton -- should be further considered, developed and perfected; and it has, pending a few tweaks here and there. A compact box on the back of the robot-suit houses the on-board computer and the control systems.

Continued perfection is moving forward; and one research company, out of several, is working under a two-year, $10 Million grant from the U.S. Army. The realization of a motorized human is on the verge of completion. A handful of engineers are on the thresh-hold of fulfilling the military’s fantasy of mechanically-enhanced soldiers that would have the super-human ability to lift equipment weighing 200 pounds as if it were only 30-some ounces.

Using a sensor attached to the wearer’s skin, the exoskeleton detects brain signals sent to muscles. The on-board computer analyzes these signals to determine how it must move and with how much force. 

Medical and Military Applications:

Medical: 

The software that commands artificial muscles, as well as control systems, has applications beyond the military. For those who are wheel-chair bound, the possibilities are wide open and remain extremely tantalizing. Developed technology in the field of robotics software has been eagerly embraced by a variety of medical organizations which recognize and have responded to the need for better mobility beyond the wheelchair. An artificially-intelligent brace is being developed to allow paraplegics and the elderly to walk once again. The technology and mechanics involved very much parallel those of the military counterparts.

In 2009, intelligent braces and exoskeletons were used in more than 100 hospitals and welfare centers throughout Japan, with encouraging success. America’s medical arena has followed suit.

Military:

As stated, the military exoskeleton responds to movements of the wearer; and provides astonishing load-bearing assistance over any terrain. The user can support up to 220 pounds and walk continuously at a steady pace and cover over 12 miles without stopping and without exertion. Research is looking into using advanced fuel cells to provide up to 72 hours of continual use without impeding a soldier’s movements in any way.

Overview of Functioning:

Mechanical engineering as well as software engineering combine forces to prompt computer-assisted sensors to control the exoskeleton’s systems. A variety of sensors work in perfect harmony to determine force and position factors. The sensors are connected through the Ethernet to computer processors in each leg and arm joint, which stimulate the actuators which are, simply, mechanical devices that convert energy into motion. This delivers up to 200 kg per square centimeter of force through high-pressure hydraulics. As if that weren’t astounding enough, it should be noted that each joint in the arms and legs has its own processing capability and the joints stay in communication with each other on a constant basis.

While the world is accustom to helpful software applications like file sharing by RLink, this goes beyond the normal realms of technology. With everything in place, the wearer can lift 50 pounds placed in each hand while leaving the arm in a horizontally, extended position for a prolonged period of time with no effort --- Astounding!

*by andreascy*

The True Cost of Military Equipment Spending

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

With the American political climate in such a heated status for the past few years, there have been many discussions based on where money should and shouldn’t be spent. One area that most politicians are scared to make cuts in is the military. Housing, education, healthcare insurance and workers’ wages have all been mentioned, but only minimal efforts have been made to help these areas, with cuts being made in most of them.

The American military is the most well equipped military in the world, but at what cost does it really come. A U.S. military plane can cost over $1 billion, and several billions are spent on a nuclear program that hasn’t actually used a bomb in over 60 years. This type of spending is often said to be necessary, but if the actual cost was calculated and people saw what the nation was missing out on because of it, they may have a different view.

From: MilitaryEducation.org

*by andreascy*

US Army tests AHW (Advanced Hypersonic Weapon) over the Pacific

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

On 17 November 2011, the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command conducted the first test flight of the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) concept, a new weapon capable of traveling five times the speed of sound. 

At 6:30 a.m. EST (1:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Time) the test vehicle was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii to the Reagan Test Site, US Army Kwajalein Atoll. The objective of the test was to collect data on hypersonic boost-glide technologies and test range performance for long-range atmospheric flight. Mission emphasis was on aerodynamics; navigation, guidance, and control; and thermal protection technologies.

During the 17 November 2011 test, a 3-stage booster system launched the AHW glide vehicle and successfully deployed it on the desired flight trajectory. The vehicle flew a non-ballistic glide trajectory at hypersonic speed to the planned impact location at the Reagan Test Site. Space, air, sea, and ground platforms collected vehicle performance data during all phases of flight. The data collected was to be used by the Department of Defense to model and develop future hypersonic boost-glide capabilities.

Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) is to provide a transformational capability on the order of 6,000 KM [3200 NM] range with 35 minute time-of-flight and < 10 meter accuracy. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) is working on the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon-Technology Demonstration with the US Air Force Space and Missile Center. The two services are deliberating how certain AHW technologies might fit into the Air Force's Prompt Global Strike program, which aims to field a next-generation weapon capable of striking fleeting targets around the globe faster than today's munitions.

The Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review Report of 2006 highlights the need for ''prompt and high-volume global strike'' capability to deter aggression and provide a broader range of conventional options to the President, if deterrence fails. In March 2006, the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), testified before the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces of the Committee on Armed Services that in situations where U.S. general purpose forces are not in a position to respond rapidly to dangerous threats to the United States, the President may require USSTRATCOM to interdict such fleeting targets at global range. The Department of Defense is conducting an analysis of alternatives for prompt global strike capabilities in the near, mid, and long term.

One alternative option for prompt, conventional long-range strike is to employ advanced technologies such as hypersonic vehicles that can travel thousands of miles in the upper atmosphere in under 60 minutes. The Senate Armed Services Committee recommended an increase of $20.0 million in PE 63308A to support a flight test demonstration program for the AHW. The FY2007 budget request included $11.8 million in PE 63308A, for Army Missile Defense Systems Integration, but included no funding for Advanced Hypersonic Weapon (AHW) risk reduction efforts. 

The committee was aware that hypersonic research is being conducted throughout the Department for efforts that go beyond prompt global strike. The committee recommended that the Secretary of Defense establish a joint technology office to coordinate, integrate, and manage hypersonic research. Activities related to the development of the AHW should be consistent with the approach adopted by this new joint technology office for hypersonic development so that the AHW could be considered by the Department as a candidate for a joint technology capability demonstration.

As of 2006 Defense Department hypersonics research programs were not integrated or even coordinated, either internally or with NASA efforts, especially since the cancellation of the X-43A project. Some Navy hypersonics research programs, conducted with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), were completed in fiscal year 2007, yet a transition path had not been identified. Further, it was not clear how the Navy RATTLRS program complemented parallel approaches to high-speed strike missions.

DARPA planned to initiate a new hypersonics effort in fiscal year 2007 for a ''transatmospheric'' vehicle to ''further mature, integrate and flight demonstrate propulsion technologies developed by the high speed reusable demonstration and Falcon programs. DARPA programs also lacked a clear transition path or tangible service transition support. Finally, the Air Force plans to conduct a first-flight demonstration of the X-51A Scramjet in fiscal year 2009, yet the Office of the Air Force Director of Test and Evaluation (T&E), which conducts annual surveys on future T&E requirements, indicates that no program office has reported a need for hypersonics testing facilities. The Army has indicated similar concern with insufficient links between hypersonics research efforts and service requirements.

Hypersonic technologies have the potential to enable the development of new military capabilities in time of a critical strike, as demonstrated by the Air Force X-51 program.

The high speed / hypersonic cruise missile can support various levels of capability across the reach and responsiveness trade space. This trade space may be organized into supersonic and hypersonic speed regimes and medium to long range. The high-speed / hypersonic missile would be launched at subsonic speeds and at altitudes between 30,000 and 40,000 ft. Targeting information would be provided to the launch aircraft where the data would be uploaded to the weapon. 

After launch, the missile will accelerate to cruise conditions shown above. In-flight guidance would rely upon integrated GPS/INS and possibly passive sensing. For both missiles, descent would occur rapidly into the target area for either a direct or a submunition attack. If using a submunition payload, the missile would decelerate to transonic or subsonic speeds prior to autonomous submunition deployment. If using a direct attack (unitary warhead) payload, the missile would use GPS and/or an active terminal sensing, allowing for impact velocities ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 feet per second.

The Hypersonic Cruise Missile is a full capability weapon system demonstration including air launched weapon with Mach 3-6+ cruise up to 1000nm, on-board sensor employment for guidance and target acquisition, and terminal engagement of fixed targets. Includes additional ground test series of tailored lethality and penetrating warheads. This demonstration will build on the flight test experience of RATTLRS, HyFly, and X-51A and integrate other munition, connectivity, and sensor technologies into a weaponized flight demonstration.

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*by andreascy*