2008

Review of Directed Energy Technology for Countering Rockets, Artillery, and Mortars (RAM): Abbreviated Version

The United States Army is looking for ways to defend against missile and mortar attacks. In this book, the National Research Council assesses a plan to create a 100 kW mobile, solid-state, laser weapon that could defend an area several kilometers in diameter.

The NRC provides several recommendations:
 

• A 100 kW Laser is of limited value, so the program's goal should be a 400 kW weapon.
• The Army should proceed with the program in stages, focusing first on a rugged transportable platform for the weapon using existing 25 kW laser technology, then directing resources toward 100kW and 400 kW weapons.
• The Army should perform a detailed, quantitative study of the effectiveness of a high energy, solid-state laser weapon against future threats.
• The Army should continue to participate in U.S.-based and international research on high-energy lasers and related equipment. The committee found substantial benefits for the Army's solid-state laser program from other programs outside the Army.
• The Army should conduct risk-assessments that investigate the effects that a high energy laser may have on other airborne platforms in the vicinity of the target. 
• The Army should study eye safety for both the operators of the laser and for civilians. The results of these studies should be integrated into the development of the weapon.

 2007

The U.S. military has committed to a strategy of network-centric warfare. As a result, the Army has become increasingly interested in the critical role of network science. To a significant extent, this interest was stimulated by an earlier NRC report, Network Science. To build on that report, the Army asked the NRC to conduct a study to define advanced operating models and architectures for future Army laboratories and centers focused on network science, technologies, and experimentation (NSTE). The challenges resulting from base realignment and closure (BRAC) relocations of Army research, development, and engineering resources—as they affected the NSTE program—were also to be a focus of the study. This report provides a discussion of what NSTE is needed by the Army; an examination of the NSTE currently carried out by the Army; an assessment of needed infrastructure resources for Army NSTE; and an analysis of goals, models, and alternatives for an NSTE center.

 2005

The U.S. Army depends on a broad array of interacting physical, informational, cognitive, and social networks. Nevertheless, fundamental understanding about these networks is primitive. This gap between what is known and what is needed to ensure the smooth operation of complex networks makes the Army's transformation to a force capable of network-centric operations (NCO) problematic. To help address this problem, the Army asked the National Research Council to find out whether identifying and funding �network science� research could help close this gap. This book presents an assessment of the importance and content of network science as it exists today. The book also provides an analysis of how the Army might advance the transformation to NCO operations by supporting fundamental research on networks. The study finds that networks are indispensable to the defense of the United States. In addition, there is no science today that offers the fundamental knowledge necessary to design large, complex networks in a predictable manner. The study also concluded that current federal funding of network research is focused on specific applications and not on advancing fundamental knowledge. 

Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Army asked the National Research Council (NRC) to study how science and technology could assist the Army meet its Homeland defense obligations. The first report, Science and Technology for Army Homeland Security—Report 1, presented a survey of a broad range of technologies and recommended applying Future Force technologies to homeland security wherever possible. In particular, the report noted that the Army should play a major role in providing emergency command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities and that the technology and architecture needed for homeland security C4ISR was compatible with that of the Army’s Future Force. This second report focuses on C4ISR and how it can facilitate the Army’s efforts to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and emergency responders meet a catastrophic event.

The central characteristic of the evolution of the combat soldier in recent years is an increasingly sophisticated array of sensing, communications, and related electronics for use in battlefield situations. The most critical factor for maintaining this evolution will be the development of power supply systems capable of operating those electronics effectively for missions up to 72 hours long. To address the challenge, it is important that new approaches be sought on how to integrate and power these electronics. To assist in addressing this problem, the Army requested the National Research Council to review the state of the art and to recommend technologies that will support the rapid development of effective power systems for the future warrior. This report presents the results of that review. It provides an assessment of various technology options for different power level requirements, power system design, and soldier energy sinks. The report also describes future design concepts, focusing on low-power systems. Recommendations for technology development and system design are presented.  

The confluence of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and the U.S. Army�s historic role to support civil authorities has resulted in substantial new challenges for the Army. To help meet these challenges, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology requested the National Research Council (NRC) carry out a series of studies on how science and technology could assist the Army prepare for its role in homeland security (HLS). The NRC's Board on Army Science and Technology formed the Committee on Army Science and Technology for Homeland Security to accomplish that assignment. The Committee was asked to review relevant literature and activities, determine areas of emphasis for Army S&T in support of counter terrorism and anti-terrorism, and recommend high-payoff technologies to help the Army fulfill its mission. The Department of Defense Counter-Terrorism Technology Task Force identified four operational areas in reviewing technical proposals for HLS operations: indications and warning; denial and survivability; recovery and consequence management; and attribution and retaliation. The study sponsor asked the Committee to use these four areas as the basis for its assessment of the science and technology (S&T) that will be important for the Army's HLS role. Overall, the Committee found that: - There is potential for substantial synergy between S&T work carried out by the Army for its HLS responsibilities and the development of the next generation Army, the Objective Force. - The Army National Guard (ARNG) is critical to the success of the Army�s HLS efforts. 

Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) are expected to play a key role in the Army�s Objective Force structure. These UGVs would be used for weapons platforms, logistics carriers, and reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition among other things. To examine aspects of the Army�s UGV program, assess technology readiness, and identify key issues in implementing UGV systems, among other questions, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology asked the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct a study of UGV technologies. This report discusses UGV operational requirements, current development efforts, and technology integration and roadmaps to the future. Key recommendations are presented addressing technical content, time lines, and milestones for the UGV efforts. 

Alternative Technologies to Replace Antipersonnel Landmines

This report examines potential technologies for replacing antipersonnel landmines by 2006, the target date the United States set in the late 1990s for signing an international treaty banning these weapons if suitable alternatives were available. Alternative Technologies to Replace Antipersonnel Landmines emphasizes the role that technology can play to allow certain weapons to be used more selectively, reducing the danger to uninvolved civilians while improving the effectiveness of the U.S. military. Landmines are an important weapon in the U.S. military's arsenal but their indiscriminate nature poses risks to civilians and friendly forces. Some varieties remain active for many years, posing further risks of unintended casualties. New technologies could replace some, but not all, of the U.S. military's antipersonnel landmines by 2006. In the period following 2006, emerging technologies might eliminate landmines totally, while retaining the necessary functions that current mines provide to the military.

Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications

"...accessible yet technical. ...an excellent overview of biotechnology applications - with an excellent selection of non-pharmaceutical uses. ...an excellent resource for anyone seeking to understand the tools, techniques,and applications of biotechnology. The extensive coverage of non-pharmaceutical applications and the focus on leading-edge science make this book especially useful for readers seeking a broad view of current and future research areas of biotechnology."
-- About.com Biotech Book Reviews

Energy Efficient Technologies for the Dismounted Soldier

This book documents electric power requirements for the dismounted soldier on future Army battlefields, describes advanced energy concepts, and provides an integrated assessment of technologies likely to affect limitations and needs in the future. It surveys technologies associated with both supply and demand including: energy sources and systems; low power electronics and design; communications, computers, displays, and sensors; and networks, protocols, and operations. Advanced concepts discussed are predicated on continued development by the Army of soldier systems similar to the Land Warrior system on which the committee bases its projections on energy use. Finally, the volume proposes twenty research objectives to achieve energy goals in the 2025 time frame.

Commercial Multimedia Technologies for Twenty-First Century Army Battlefields

This book responds to an request by the U.S. Army to study the applicability of commercial multimedia technologies to command, control, communications and intelligence needs on future battlefields. After reviewing Army's needs and discussing relevant commercial technologies within the context of a generic architecture, the book recommends approaches for meeting the Army's needs. Battlefield potential is illustrated, and--drawing on lessons learned from the private sector--a technology management strategy consisting of specific recommendations to the Army is provided. The key to future benefits is for the Army to accommodate the rapid changes taking place in the commercial world of multimedia technologies.

STAR 21: Strategic Technologies for the Army of the Twenty-First Century (Summary of subgroup reports which were published separately)

The STAR 21 effort produced a multi-volume assessment, over two years, of the strategic technologies needed for a dominant Twenty-First Century Army. The above like leads to the main publication. The subgroup reports, published separately, are:

STAR 21: Electronic Systems (1994)
STAR 21: Personnel Systems (1994)
STAR 21: Support Systems (1994)
STAR 21: Technology Management and Development Planning (1994)
STAR 21: Airborne Systems (1993)
STAR 21: Health and Medical Systems (1993)
STAR 21: Lethal Systems (1993)
STAR 21: Special Technologies and Systems (1993)
STAR 21: Technology Forecast Assessments (1993)
STAR 21: Mobility Systems (1992)
STAR 21: Strategic Technologies for the Army of the Twenty-First Century—book and booklet (1992)

Dramatic political and economic changes throughout the world, coupled with rapid advances in technology, pose an important question for the U.S. Army: What technologies are best suited to defending U.S. interests against tomorrow's military threats? STAR 21 provides an expert analysis of how the Army can prepare itself for the battlefield of the future--where soldiers will wear "smart" helmets and combat chemical warfare with vaccines produced in days to counter new threats. This book summarizes emerging developments in robotics, "brillant" munitions, medical support, laser sensors, biotechnolgy, novel materials, and other key areas. Taking into account reliability, deployability, and other values that all military systems will need, the volume identifies new systems and emerging technologies that offer the greatest payoff for the Army. The volume addresses a host of important military issues, including the importance of mobile, rapidly deployable forces, the changing role of the helicopter, and how commercial technology may help the Army stay ahead of potential opponents. Alternative Selection, Doubleday's Military Book Club

 "This book is wide ranging and uninhibited. This review can only give a flavour of the many areas of technology it covers . . . . It is highly recommended, both to weapons and general staff officers and those with an interest in military technology. A copy of this book should be in every military library." --Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies Journal (UK)

Achieving Leadership in Materials Technology for the Army of the Future

Committee on Vulnerability Analysis Phase I (Letter Report)

Committee on Vulnerability Analysis Phase II (Letter Report)

Energetic Materials for Military Purposes: An Assessment

Assessment of an Evaluation by the U.S. Army of Commercial Calibration Equipment