It's not December and it's a tradition here to round up the most interesting news that happened throughout the year. But this year feels long because the world is almost back to pre-pandemic conditions. There are so many interesting stories that we feel that a top 10 list alone is not enough. Therefore we start first with a list of the 10 Most Interesting Military Technology News 2022 first as an appetizer.
1. Israel Uses Lasers to repel Drones, Missiles and Mortars
Israel this year began using missile defense systems, drones and mortars using lasers. This laser system can repel attacks with each shot costing only RM15 compared to hundreds of thousands through the Iron Dome missile system that has been used so far.
The laser system, nicknamed Iron Beam, was originally targeted to begin operations in 2024 but will begin patrolling Israel's borders this year due to the growing risk of rocket attacks.
2. Commercial Drones Modified In Ukraine Conflict
DJI Mavic Classic
The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 2020 demonstrated the ability of drones in the modern battlefield to destroy main tanks, armored vehicles, radar systems, artillery and missile systems from long distances. At the beginning of the Ukrainian conflict last February, a Turkish drone destroyed hundreds of Russian armored vehicles. After more than nine months, Russia still failed to subdue Ukraine.
Turkish-supplied military drones are no longer widely used, but instead replaced by DJI-produced commercial drones that are small enough to be difficult to detect and do not require intensive training to use. Commercial drones are being modified into weapons of war to monitor enemy locations, send coordinates for artillery strikes and drop grenades on enemy camps. Hundreds of videos showing attacks throughout the conflict are now shot by drones originally designed for civilian videography purposes.
3. 1.6KW Electric Energy Transmitted 1 km Distance Wirelessly
The United States Navy has successfully tested the Safe and Continuous Power beaming - Microwave (SCOPE-M) system that emits electrical power wirelessly using microwaves. The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) radiated 1.6 kW of electrical power over a distance of 1 kilometer in Maryland last April.
10GHz microwaves are used because they increase power transfer efficiency, can work even when it rains and most importantly are harmless to living organisms. SCOPE-M technology was developed for use in the future when power stations in space can transmit electricity back to earth wirelessly. This is an environmentally friendly power source that is expected to solve the problem of energy needs in the near future.
4. Project Pele – Mini Nuclear Reactor For Military Use
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) announced Project Pele to develop a portable micro nuclear reactor the same month SCOPE-M was shown to the public. These small-sized reactors need to be able to survive being transported by rail, plane and road with a power output of 1-5 MW for at least three years. In addition to military use, Project Pele will also be used for commercial purposes.
So far two designs from BWXT Advanced Technologies and X-Energy are being considered by the DoD. Although nuclear power is seen as a polluting power source, it is still seen as a better alternative power source than burning fossil fuels.
5. DARPA Wants to Redevelop Ekranoplan
Last May, Project Liberty Lifter was announced by DARPA and it wants to bring back the ekranoplan transport vehicle design that surprised people in the 60s. When the secret of the ekranoplan became known to the West, it received the nickname "Caspian Sea Monster".
The three main requirements of the Liberty Lifter are the ability to float low above the surface of the sea at low speeds. With this the issue of damage occurring if the ekranoplan hits the waves can be avoided. The aircraft also needs to be able to operate for weeks at sea level without having to undergo maintenance on land. Finally, the aircraft needs to focus on cost reduction as it needs to be more affordable than conventional aeronautical technology.
6. China Enters Club of Nations With Aircraft Carrier CATOBAR
In June China entered an exclusive club after the aircraft carrier Fujian was launched. It is the third aircraft carrier of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLN) but the Fujian is the first to be completely designed by China.
In terms of size the Fujian is similar to the US Forrestal class aircraft carrier from the 50's. It is 300 meters long, 76 meters wide and weighs around 72,000 Tons. It makes it a supercarrier because of its ability to carry more aircraft than Lioning and Shandong.
The aircraft launch system is also modern because it uses a system to launch the aircraft using the launcher and landing using a barrier (CATOBAR). China became the third country after the United States and France to use the CATOBAR system. Previously, PLN used a ski ramp system to launch aircraft. Later, Fujian will be equipped with three electromagnetic aircraft launchers (EMAL) that will allow various types of aircraft and drones to be launched safely.
7. Xaver-1000 Allows Soldiers to See Through Walls
Camero-Tech an Israeli military technology firm developed the Xaver-1000 which can see through walls. According to Camero-Tech, their artificial intelligence allows it to detect individuals and animals through walls through the 10.1″ screen built into the Xaver-1000. With this, military personnel and police special forces can see through walls like Superman and Robocop.
It can also tell the user that the individual behind the wall is standing, sitting or lying down. In addition, it can also tell Xaver-1000 users the layout of the room behind the wall. The scanning distance is up to 42 meters depending on the wall construction material. This tool only weighs 16.5 kilograms.
8. U.S. Army Begins Receiving IVAS AR Head Sets
This year's hot technology is the headset that supports the world of the metacity. But in the world of military technology, using a headset with augmented technology (AR) is being tried by Microsoft with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).
IVAS uses Microsoft HoloLens technology to display various information to users while in the field. The headset began to be accepted by the military after some initial problems were resolved. In addition to displaying mapping information, enemy locations, asset locations and communication systems, IVAS can also be used during training sessions. Virtual enemies can be displayed on the IVS to create more realistic training scenarios.
9. DARPA Tests Self-Driving Vehicle System For Military
DARPA has announced the Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) project to develop a self-driving system that can operate on unpaved roads with performance as good as a human driver last September. RACER was developed by DARPA in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and University of Washington.
RACER is a continuation of the AMAS (Autonomous Mobility Appliqué System) project developed since 2014 which allows a group of trucks to move in a convoy in a self-driving manner to reduce risks when operating on the battlefield.
10. Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider
This just happened a few days ago. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is the United States' first new bomber in 34 years. This aircraft will replace the B-2 Spirit and B-1 Lancer as the main strategic bomber of the United States Air Force (USAF). It is difficult to detect because its surface absorbs radar waves and has a smaller cross section.
In terms of size it is also smaller than the B-2. Bomber needs for the 21st century are different post-Cold War. With the B-21 Raider fleet, the United States reminds enemy nations that they still have destructive capabilities that are increasingly difficult to detect by radar.
