15 astounding technologies that DARPA is working on right now

[longknife]

Bullets that can change direction in flight

High-energy lasers

Flying trucks

Robotic pack animals

Self-calculating gun scopes

A system that provides almost immediate close air support

Material that allows soldiers to climb up walls

Technologies that eliminate language differences

A drone that can stay airborne for years

A system that gives soldiers enhanced optical awareness

An atmospheric airship

Naval supply payloads hidden at the bottom of the ocean

Helicopters that can function like planes

Satellites that can provide on-demand imaging

A precise lightweight laser weapon



And almost all of these have important civilian applications. Read more about each @ 15 astounding technologies that DARPA is working on right now - Business Insider

 

[Delta4Embassy]

Accuracy isn't a problem with lasers. Problem's always been the same, and why we don't have laser weapons now. Little dust, a little fog, a little cloud cover and the laser weapon's useless.

Plus, lasers heat materials, burning a hole in it, then continue on to the next solid object, heats it up, burns through it. In other words they have no armor piercing capability like in military applications. And if it's a soldier holding a laser weapon, with all the movement and jiggling the beam point is bouncing all over the target ceasing the heating of the point which will cool back down rapidly. Be like using a magnifying glass to try and burn a dry leaf but jiggling it all over. It doesn't work.

 

[Delta4Embassy]

What DARPA should work on is some intermediate explosive between conventional explosives and nuclear. Like Hafnium. 50 times the explosive power of TNT but years away from deployable weapons.