Gallery: U.S. Army tackles tech for the battlefield
The U.S. Army showed off some its latest high tech combat gear at the U.S. Army All American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas last month. The event is an annual showcase for 90 of the top graduating high school football players and a chance for the army to show off its latest gear to draw new recruits and give the public a chance to see its latest advancements.
Features include the latest robotic vehicles from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center, flexible screens, and new ways to utilize solar power.
The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center featured CERV or Quantum Technology's Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle. Attendees were given rides on CERV which is a hybrid vehicle configured to maintain speeds of 80 mph, climb 60 percent grades, ford 30 inches of water, and perform other unique military requirements.
Flexible screens that are being developed for combat use were shown off at the event.
Lockheed Martin's HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) was on display. It's a robotic exoskeleton that's driven by battery-powered titanium legs. It also contains an on-board computer that helps distribute the load. Lockheed Martin claims the HULC will help soldiers carry up to 200 pounds "with minimal effort."
The Avenger Table Top Trainer trains gunners to detect, acquire, identify and engage enemy aircraft and ground targets on a realistically simulated battlefield.
The army let people experience night combat in this 200 foot truck.
RENEWS or Reusing Existing Natural Wind and Solar system will bring solar and wind energy to virtually any location.
REPPS or the Rucksack Enabled Portable Power System is a flexible solar panel that can be folded and carried in a rucksack. It produces 62 volts and can be used to power portable electronic devices such as laptops.
At the event, TARDEC showed off many small robotic vehicles that are built to scout potentially hazardous locations.
Children were invited to try out the devices.
TGER or the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery is a portable waste system that was used in Iraq.
Photo Credit: Jerry Warner, Defense Life Sciences
More robots to show off.
RAVEN, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, has been in use since 2006 providing aerial reconnaissance and surveillance of the battlefield. It fits into a rucksack.
TARDEC shows a small robot walking up steps.
Controls for CERV.