Endless wars from ancient times to the present day forced people to constantly improve their weapons, from the baton to ballistic missiles.
Striving to surpass their adversaries, countries are creating ever more dangerous and sophisticated weapons for successfully waging the wars of the future. Cyborg insects, laser cannons, replicant soldiers - what previously could only be seen in science fiction films and games is now a reality! See for yourself:
1. Immortal synthetic creatures
Under the Biodesign program, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA is dedicated to creating a zombie army. Their research is aimed at obtaining synthetic soldiers or replicants for warfare that can resist the processes of death and aging using genetic engineering and molecular biology. In the event that such a cyborg soldier needs to be eliminated, then the created beings will have a special trigger molecule for self-destruction, which can be activated remotely.
2. A weapon that creates an electromagnetic field
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MAHEM, or magnetohydrodynamic explosive weapon, is a missile that, using a magnetic field, can shoot a stream of molten metal into space at a speed of hundreds of kilometers per second. Such weapons will easily hit any target - bunkers, protected buildings or vehicles.
3. Free electron laser
This cannon is capable of striking targets at a distance using thermal laser beams. The experienced American combat laser FEL produces the most powerful beam in the world today: it can cut up to 6 meters of steel per second. According to the US Navy, combat lasers will be deployed on ships by the end of this year.
4. High-energy laser local defense system
The HELLADS project involves the creation of an aircraft laser installation with a power of 150 kW. DARPA was able to design a lighter, smaller laser weapon system with the same power, allowing it to fit on a fighter jet. The HELLADS laser will be able to shoot down guided and unmanned aerial vehicles and even fire at enemy infantry with minimal collateral damage to densely populated areas.
5. Rail-mounted electromagnetic gun
A rail gun can accelerate small (up to 10-15 kilograms) shells to significant speeds, causing enormous damage to equipment and other enemy targets by converting electrical energy into kinetic energy. The project of creating a "railgun" or "railgun" has been intensively discussed in recent years.
The implementation of such weapons has always been hampered by their size, weight and energy consumption, which were completely unsuitable for placing such guns on ships. However, the US Navy hopes to install and test the advanced naval railguns as early as 2016.
6. Weapons for shooting from around the corner
Such weapons for combat in urban conditions can be bent 90 degrees in the barrel, which allows you to ensure visibility of the target without exposing the soldier to bullets.
7. Hybrid insects
Believe it or not, kamikaze cockroaches are already a reality! Another project of the DARPA agency is aimed at using special control devices that will be attached to the nerve endings of insects, thus turning them into controlled robots. Cyborg insects with a camera or even a bomb mounted on them will be able to penetrate into any premises with the aim of reconnaissance or destruction of an enemy object.
8. Electric machine gun DREAD
Such a weapon makes circular rotations with prohibitive speed, dropping ammunition directly at the enemy. The DREAD combat unit is capable of producing 2,000 rounds per second, and their number reaches 120,000 per minute! Also, the machine gun works without recoil, is silent and does not overheat.
9. Helicopter "Excalibur"
The unmanned aerial vehicle, developed by Aurora Flight Services, is an aerial device capable of vertical takeoff and landing, transporting four Hellfire anti-tank missiles at once, hovering in place and reaching speeds of up to 740 kilometers per hour. In short, it is a quiet and compact assassin vehicle designed for reconnaissance, ammunition transport and ground striking.
10. XM-25 grenade launcher
The self-loading hand grenade launcher XM-25, developed by Heckler & Koch, has a high firing range and the ability to hit the enemy behind cover, because "Smart" 25mm grenades explode behind or to the side of the object, striking the desired target with shrapnel. The grenade launcher is equipped with an ultra-modern laser rangefinder, and also uses various ammunition: from high-explosive fragmentation with air detonation to anti-personnel mines. The successful use of this grenade launcher in Afghanistan led to further improvements in order to turn the XM-25 into a weapon of the future.