Army testing new electronic battle uniform

[Skyhawk]

Army testing new electronic battle uniform.

Since early June 2000, 44 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg have been testing an experimental electronic battle uniform called the "Land Warrior." According to a report by the Associated Press, the new uniform's system allows the soldiers to shoot video cameras around corners without being exposed, send pictures of the battlefield to fellow troops, and call for medical help using a message system.

With the new system, soldiers can also view the terrain ahead through an eyepiece positioned over the right eye and talk to others on the battlefield via headset microphones clipped under helmets. A global positioning system also tracks the soldier's every step, telling commanders exactly where everyone is during battle. Seasoned soldiers who are making suggestions for alterations are testing the new electronic battle uniform, which is expected to cost between $10,000 and $20,000 per soldier. In September, the platoon testing the new electronic battle uniform will leave Fort Bragg for Fort Polk to test the current proto-type by using it against other soldiers.

************************************************************

Skyhawk

 

[Bruegger]

What do you expect? If you have a $20,000 20 lb. P.O.S. rifle (the OINK-W), you've just gotta have a $20k uniform. They're probably a PC pink with detachable tutus.

The Army is in more desparate need of a decent $50 boot than a $20k uniform. General Krulak (former Commandant, USMC) got all his Marines reasonably decent boots -- and the first pairs got sent to the grunts, not the General Staff!

 

[Satanta]

Ahh...pink and blue goes well with the white UN vehicles for patrolling our streets.
http://www.newswatchmagazine.org/whiteunbus2.htm
http://www.newswatchmagazine.org/unvehpict/home.htm

 

[C.R.Sam]

Wonder if a $20.oo spark-gap generator would shut down those fancy suits n guns.

Footwear situation so bad in the 50s n 60s that PF Flyers dyed green were an improvement over anything we could get from issue. Hush Puppies held up well too in the boonies.

Sam

 

[Gusgus]

And with one 10 cent 7.62 round, fired from a $200 AK, the enemy can secure their very own $40,000 rifle/uniform combo.

The global positioning systems do provoke a question. Since we are putting these things in tanks, artillery, and now soldier's uniforms, what happens if a command unit falls into enemy hands? Wouldn't they then know where every one of our tanks, artillery pieces, and soldiers where? Seems a little risky to me.

[This message has been edited by Gusgus (edited August 17, 2000).]

 

[TexasVet]

I hope they're not running Windows in theese things, "wait, Sarge, I gotta re-boot again."

------------------
Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
68-70
true story, a Union Gen. once said "Don't worry about those Rebs. They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..SPLAT.

 

[galt]

I bet a $20 automobile radar detector would hear these guys coming a mile away. All that EMR can't be good for you. This technology will be in use by BATF and DEA as soon as the army pays for development.

------------------
galt
Speak Out on the Net http://www.netcitizen.org

 

[Shin-Tao]

1)A system with the same capabilities could be put together from off the shelf parts for less than half the price.

2)All of the optics and black boxes the system requires you to sling on your M16A3/M4 make your weapon heavy and unbalanced.

3)This money should be spent on new rifles, lighter field gear, and TRAINING.

KISS

 

[LawDog]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>talk to others on the battlefield via headset microphones clipped under helmets[/quote]

Yeah, and the first thing the bad guys will do is invent a scanner to eavesdrop on LandWarrior.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>A global positioning system also tracks the soldier's every step,[/quote]

And the Pentagon will have no clue as to how the Chinese are managing to drop such accurate artillery strikes on our grunts.


LawDog

 

[Mort]

Do these guys just not care about nuclear scenarios anymore? Or do they propose to somehow shield all this stuff from EMP?

 

[Dave R]

Man, just LOOK at the OICWS (or whatever). Then think about this new gear...

I think our Military brass has been watching "Aliens" a few too many times.

 

[PreserveFreedom]

Just more expensive weight to carry around!