Tech News

U.S.S. Independence: A Triple Hulled, Weapon-Laden Monster That is Surprisingly Affordable

Last month, the US Navy and General Dynamics took the lid off the new U.S.S. Independence littoral combat ship (LCS). This beast will sail close to the shore and throw everything imaginable at an enemy—from armored vehicles and helicopters to shells, torpedoes and missiles. Plus, it can hustle at a rumored 60 knots. Basically, that … Continued

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Bring on the Vipers!

Destro’s M.A.R.S. Arctic Headquarters have been revealed for all to see. Thanks to a IESB.net’s Robert Sanchez we can now glimpse the sets and glean some of the secrets of the new G.I. Joe flick. Find out what’s in Destro’s Arctic Headquarters, and get some toy hints, after the jump. Destro’s Arctic Headquarters include a … Continued

Tech NewsPrivacy & Security

Joint Strike Fighter Technology May Have Been Compromised…Whoops!

It appears that the geniuses at the Defense Department have been asleep at the wheel of their new Joint Strike Fighter program, leading some to believe that its super valuable aviation and weapons technology may have been compromised. The crux of the problem involves the fact that the Pentagon’s Defense Security Service (DSS) has had … Continued

Tech News

Israeli Military Guardian Vehicle is Like the Batmobile Without Batman Driving

Other than taking obvious influences from the Tumbler from Batman Begins, this Israeli Guardium unmanned patrol shares more in common with the iRobot PackBot than Batman’s roof-hopping car. The Guardium can either be self-controlled or steered by an operator miles away, and is loaded with cameras, night-vision sensors and machine guns. Unlike the PackBot, which … Continued

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Robot Planes Target Smithsonian

A squadron of six robot planes are now perpetually buzzing visitors to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, performing “reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition,” and possibly even attacks. Or at least, they would be if they weren’t part of the new exhibit celebrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This is one of the most cutting-edge displays … Continued

Tech News

Department of Defense Unhappy With Apple Chip Company Purchase

P.A. Semi, the chip design company Apple picked up for a song, is best known for its super-efficient PWRficient processor, a PowerPC variant. One of the big customers for the CPU is the Department of Defense, which makes use of it in programs in every major branch of the military, and they’re not thrilled by … Continued

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The U.S. Military is Looking for a Few Good X-Men

The U.S. military is famous for getting inspiration from science fiction — witness the not-very-aptly-named Star Wars defense system — and now they’re turning to comic books too. Unfortunately, they’re learning from the bad guys. DARPA has just announced a new project called the Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition (MAHEM), named after Magneto, one of the … Continued

Tech News

DARPA Developing Weapon Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke Idea From 1955

Those of you who are familiar with Arthur C. Clarke’s 1955 novel Earthlight may recognize a new weapon from DARPA dubbed the Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition (MAHEM). In the novel, a commander unleashes “The Stiletto”—a weapon consisting of a jet of molten metal hurled through space by an electro-magnet. The MAHEM concept works in much … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Department of Defense Invests $250 Million in Regrowing Body Parts

The military is serious about regrowing body parts. So serious that the Department of Defense just announced the creation of the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine, or AFIRM. The goal of AFIRM? To “use a patient’s natural cellular structure to reconstruct new skin, muscles and tendons, and even ears, noses and fingers.” Sounds pretty … Continued

Tech News

Morphing Micro-Drone Is Half Bat, Half Cockroach, Creeps Us Out

I don’t know what’s more creepy about this 11-inch remote controlled drone developed by the USAF for reconnaissance missions. Maybe it’s the flexible wings, which close and open like a bat when landing. Perhaps it’s the crawling on the floor, modeled after cockroaches, to reach hidden places to spy. Or most probably is the fact … Continued

ScienceHealth

French Army to Get Aliens-Like Biomonitors

Soldiers in the French army will have their heart rate, BP and other vital signs monitored by telemetry à la the troops in Aliens as part of the next-gen combat suit due around 2015. The FELIN system —Fantassin à Équipements et Liaisons Intégrés— will now include this health-status uplink so commanders can check on their … Continued

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It’s 1980, And You’re Commanding A Tank On Another Planet

Ever wanted to pilot a tank on an alien world while blasting enemies and flying saucers to bits? Well, once upon a time in 1980, that was possible. And when Battlezone comes out on Xbox Live tomorrow, you can do it all over again. The new game will include both the updated online multiplayer version, … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Combat Robots Not Being Withdrawn From Iraq Says Company, Human Masters Safe

Remember those gun-toting robots that were being pulled out of Iraq because they were moving when they weren’t commanded? Well, according to their manufacturer it’s all “an urban legend” — the SWORD robot is not going to spin around and point its gun at friendlies… it’s fine’n’dandy and still deployed in the field. Phew. Looks … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Wearable Antenna for Soldiers Won’t Make Them Look Like Ant Warriors

Five years in the making, Pharad’s wearable antenna is aimed at troops in covert operations, and, I guess, undercover cops and agents. Waterproof and flexible, the wearable antenna, which is made out of dielectric material, supports and is aimed to be integrated into body armor vests and helmets, and there’s even a snug-fitting undershirt that … Continued

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Combat Robot Attempts Rebellion Against Human Masters in Iraq, Army Pulls Plug for 10-20 Years

The army’s machine-gun wielding, insurgent-slaying robot SWORDS is no longer spraying foes with hot doom in Iraq. Actually, it never got the chance to notch a single frag, and never will. Apparently, there was an incident where “the gun started moving when it was not intended to move,” meaning it totally pointed somewhere it wasn’t … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Military Deploying Hand-Held Lie Detectors to Troops

In this day and age, you can’t trust anybody. That’s why I’m excited to know about a new hand-held lie detector that the US military has begun using. As soon as a commercial version, I’ll be using it on everyone I know. Where was my girlfriend last night? Is that really the best price you … Continued

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Living Isn’t Worth Wearing the Diddo Velema Gas Mask

A poisonous green cloud approaches. To your left, your scared wife and young son, trembling in one another’s arms. To your right, three Diddo Velema gas masks complete with Gucci and Luis Vuitton detailing. You realize that the masks are probably just a pointed artistic commentary of the violent, consumer world you live in. But … Continued

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Global Hawk Sets Robot-Plane Endurance Record

An RQ-4 Global Hawk broke the world record for unrefueled flight endurance by a full-scale uncrewed aircraft in a test at Edwards Air Force Base last week, staying aloft for 33.1 hours at altitudes approaching 60,000 feet. The Northrop-Grumman built plane costs $28 million each – there are currently three of them in action both … Continued

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A Lovely Autumn Walk in the Park with a Robotank

That hulking tankbot might look scary as hell if he were all alone, but somehow those falling leaves make the piece seem calm and serene. Bizarre, isn’t it? German concept artist Lorenz Hideyoshi Ruwwe loves robots, gaming, and creating art. He’s got everything from concept art, to finished digital designs to his own manga on … Continued

Tech NewsGadgets

Prox Dynamics Black Hornet: World’s Smallest UAV, Too Small for Mr. T

I’m no sissy, but I don’t like airplanes. And man, don’t be shouting “eclipse” or I’ll get angry! But I like this helicopter: it’s so small, much better than that big Boeing thing. They say it’s the “worlds smallest and most capable Unmanned Aircraft System”. The Black Hornet is designed to aid soldiers in the … Continued