The US Army believes a range of biomedically enhanced technologies, which would effectively turn an average soldier into an enhanced “augmented” super soldier, could be available by 2050. The new study details what soldiers of the future might look like – including super hearing and telepathic skills. The report from the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command identified four areas of the human body which can feasibly be technologically modified. One such enhancement in biotechnology would see an increase the ocular sensor, improving imaging, sight and situational awareness.
Another enhancement, the report said, would be to hearing – to improve communication and protection.
The study also said how muscular control could be better regulated through an optogenetic bodysuit sensor web, which is where light can be used to regenerate muscle cells.
Finally, the study claimed the brain can be fitted with a two way neural sensor which would allow humans to communicate better with machine, and vice versa.
The research, titled Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Implications for the Future of the DOD, said: “This technology is predicted to facilitate read/write capability between humans and machines and between humans through brain-to-brain interactions.
“These interactions would allow war-fighters direct communication with unmanned and autonomous systems, as well as with other humans, to optimise command and control systems and operations.”
The analysis said the demand for cyborg-like features will be driven by the civilian healthcare market, with “a robust bio-economy that is at its earliest stages of development in today’s global market.”
The analysis continued: “Introduction of augmented human beings into the general population, DoD active-duty personnel, and near-peer competitors will accelerate in the years following 2050 and will lead to imbalances, inequalities, and inequities in established legal, security, and ethical frameworks.
“The benefits afforded by human/machine fusions will be significant and will have positive quality-of-life impacts on humankind through the restoration of any functionality lost due to illness or injury.”
But the most important thing for the researchers to do it outpace their enemies.
China is currently leading the race for cyborg soldiers, according to the study, which is already putting the US at a disadvantage.
The report added: “Federal and commercial investments in these areas are uncoordinated and are being outpaced by Chinese research and development.”
However, the team do sign off with a warning, urging scientists to only create items which can be controlled.
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The report said: “It is vital that the scientific and engineering communities move cautiously to maximise their potential and focus on the safety of our society.”
The document comes amid news the US military plans to spend $62million on an advanced implant that would allow a human brain to communicate directly with computers.
The Pentagon’s research arm, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), hopes the implant – which would be about the size of two nickels – will allow humans to directly interface with computers.
The research could benefit people with aural and visual disabilities, such as veterans injured in combat.
DARPA’s program manager, Phillip Alvelda, said the goal of the proposed implant is to “open the channel between the human brain and modern electronics”.
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