Social Media and the Military

Mindfulness: Can social media cause a threat to national security? 

Many experts believe that yes, the use of social media could possibly pose a danger to our national security. Loved ones of those deployed might innocently post a picture of their soldier abroad, or write a post about how much they miss them, and may reveal sensitive information. This quote from military.com re-states this issue in much more concise terms.

"Soldiers, Army civilians and family members need to be mindful of what they put online, with operations security at the forefront of their considerations, said Staff Sgt. Dale Sweetnam, with the Online and Social Media Division, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs.

He said this applies to whether the person is a Soldier or Army civilian communicating as an organization or as an individual on social media sites.

"Once it's out there, it's out there," he said. "You can delete it, but if the wrong person took a screen shot, that's actionable intelligence and you can't get that back."

What about the way the military could use social media against us? This video down below truly highlights the way we could be manipulated by the very platforms that some of us have built our lives around. 

Sources: http://www.military.com/deployment/maintaining-operational-security-with-social-media.html

England: The Internet of Things

IOT World Forum 2017 - London, UK

When I began looking for ways in which England is utilizing the Internet of Things, I came across a conference that took place in London. This conference focuses solely on the Internet of Things, and how these "things" can help us create better and more practical ways of implementing different hardware and infrastructures. This conference looked at how the Internet of Things could positively affect the medical field, urban grids, and manufacturing. A large concern that was addressed was the importance of privacy, and keeping consumer data confidential.

Because the Internet of Things seeks to provide easier ways for us to accomplish tasks, its technologies inevitable require a bit more trust than they had done before. The purpose of this conference that took place in London was to look for ways to build that trust within the consumer population, so they are more likely to adopt a few items that fall into the Internet of Things categories.

The Internet of Things: Data Warfare
So, what does all of that mean within the context of my blog? Well, many experts believe that the next military move will be wuthin the technological, software realm. Data Warfare is a new idea that has only recently emerged, and defines as a way of conducting war over networks by stealing or looking at secret, sensitive consumer and civilian information. In essence, data warfare is the fear that the creators of the International IOT Conference that I spoke about before have been trying to dispell through conversation. I do believe that data warfare is the next new frontier of military technology, because if valuable man-power and countless dollars did not have to be spent on the ground, why wouldn't some states seek to switch over to using networks?

This picture depicts the possible outcome of a war fought over data. Imagine, instead of say a full on nuclear attack, an enemy country simply steals private information from some of our military satellite. This technique could prove to be even more damaging to our infrastructure than a physical military attack.

Sources
https://internetofbusiness.com/us-army-iot-warfare/
http://iotinternetofthingsconference.com/

Military Technology in the Media: Fact or Fiction?

Could Robot soldiers actually become a reality? 

In this science fiction film, a futuristic city depicts the work of a mad scientist who creates a robotic woman in the form of Maria, another character. Although the science behind this part in the film may have not been very thought out, there has been a push within the modern scientific community to create sentient, robotic beings. Take a look at the 1927 version of robotic science. Another movie, the trailer posted below the older one, tells about a military robot that short circuits and causes mayhem around a town.

As I stated before, this concept of robotic creations is not entirely fiction at all. Take a look at this very real prototype of a humanoid robot. It's a bit creepy to me, but it's also interesting to see just how far we have come in the field of androids. These androids could possible be used in battle as a way to limit civilian casualties, and sustain life for a little longer. Robots could also be used as a sort of test subject for new military weapons.

It is even believed that military robots could one day replace service dogs in battlefield. I was especially happy to know this, because one of the things that always breaks my heart is hearing about dogs dying in service. These new animal-like robots, like the one down below, could replace real animals in the field while still providing companionship for soldiers. They are a bit unsettling to watch, and they are still in the first phases of their development, but it does make me wonder about the many other possibilities for these robot companions.

Sources:
http://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/8-science-fiction-movies-that-accurately-predicted-future-technologies.html/?a=viewall

Cost of Military Technology

What are the most expensive forms of military technology? 

1. P-8A Poseidon - $33 Billion

This plane began as a surveillance plan, and turned into a multi-use facility. Missles, mines, torpedoes, and the latest sensors can be found on this plane.

2. CVN-78 Class Aircraft Carrier - $9.8 Billion

3. Virginia Class Submarine - $83.7 Billion

"The Virginia Class subs are among the most useful strategic tools in the DOD arsenal.  These nuclear submarines can carry 38 different weapons, including Tomahawk Cruise Missiles, mines and torpedoes. While eight are currently in operation, the Department of Defense has 30 of these $2.5 billion mobile undersea missile platforms budgeted." - Blaze.com


All of that being said, our military obviously spends an enormous amount of money on technology. Now, whether or not that money could be better spent in another location is up for debate. The video below may begin a dialogue within your head, and help you figure out exactly where, and how, your tax money is being spent. 

Sources
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2012/01/13/here-are-five-of-the-most-expensive-military-weapons-on-earth/

Social Media and the Military

Why exactly is this important? 


"Social Media has become an increasingly vital tool for the Armed Forces in the 21st Century. Not only in order to reach out to a wider and younger audience globally for recruitment and information purposes but as a new front in warfare. What soldiers, airmen and sailors post online can be crucial to winning the hearts and minds of local populations, weakening the enemy’s narrative and as an instrument in the proliferation of cyber warfare. Therefore today’s warriors must be competent in all social media channels as well as aware of the inherent dangers they might be put in at home and on operations when posting online." - SMI, Linking Business with Information

According to the article I read, the military is placing an increasing amount of value upon social media. Social media sites, such as twitter, provide a direct link between soldiers and civilians that simply had not existed previously. Because of this, an entire conference was created that lasted over a two day period, complete with keynote speakers and activities, that explored the impact of social media on current military tactics. 

Sources

https://www.artillerymarketing.com/fs/how-the-defense-industry-is-using-social-media

https://www.smi-online.co.uk/defence/uk/social-media-within-the-military-and-defence-sector#tab_speakers

War Without Blood

War Without Blood

Politically, new military technology cause many issues. A huge part of controversies concerning war has to do with the amount of civilian casualties caused by fighting. By international war laws concerning ethics, if a military assault is going to cause more civilian casualties than is worth, than that military assault should not happen. David Hambling, author of an essay on the politics of military technology, states this in more eloquent words. 

"The insurgents have no chance in pitched battles, even on the smallest scale. Precision weapons and good communications mean that the Coalition can call up devastating firepower at will.  But the insurgents realise that killing even small numbers of Coalition troops might undermine the West’s political will to continue.  Equally, the Coalition forces know that keeping their casualties to a minimum is an absolute priority, as no other factor is likely to force them out. So it is the improvement in defensive technology that is most significant in ensuring that they can continue operations."

As this video states, technology and politics go hand in hand. China is a growing superpower within the military technology sector, even though it has not come close to spending the amount of money the U.S. does. Nonetheless, China is still on its' way to becoming more technologically advanced than the U.S. when it comes to military technology. 

Sources: 
http://www.e-ir.info/2008/08/15/the-politics-of-military-technology-war-without-our-blood/

Wearable Military Technology

Heads Up Display (HUD)

      The HUD, similar to the technology of the Google Glass, is a type of military helmet that rests just above the wearers eyes, displaying a range of real-time situational information within their view. Think Iron Man's helmet, without the artificially intelligent British narrator controlling the sensors. These battlefield heads, often called "Q Warriors", have the ability to set and remove directional markers, monitor the movements and positions of targets and allies, and provide the soldier details about incoming air attacks and ground vehicle threats.

Power Suits

      Although this next piece of technology is merely a concept at the moment, steps are currently underway to eventually make it into a reality. Power suits, also known as power exoskeletons, have the potential to be used in several ways. These suits could be created specially to fit an entire body, making the wearer more of a threat to potential shooters and less susceptible to the environmental wear. These suits could also be used to cover part of the body in an attempt to heighten one of two skills of an individual, like arm strength or speed. The article I read emphasized the importance of knowing that these suits would not add skills to someone who had not already possessed them, but would instead accentuate skills already harnessed. These body suits have endless uses, because they could be used for many issues such as allowing an elderly person the freedom to walk and run again or a surgeon to operate with steady hands.

The XOS Exoskeleton

Sources

http://gizmodo.com/how-close-are-we-to-elysium-style-exosuits-993706204

http://gizmodo.com/this-battlefield-heads-up-display-turns-us-troops-into-1530596634

Smart Military Machines

What is "Smart Skin"? How will it be used in combat? 

      Human skin is the largest organ, and is also arguably one of our most important. Our skin keeps all of our internal organs inside, alerts us to injury, and lets us know when the environment we are in may not be safe. "Smart Skin", a technology developed by the U.K. Military, operates under that same idea.


The Smart Skin technology that is currently being developed aims to allow military vessels to essentially "feel" their surroundings and detect injuries to that specific craft. The Smart Skin would be assembled using millions of tiny computers that would constantly receive and process information from the outside environment, directing all of that data back to a system that would then turn those numbers into accessible information that would be useful for military personnel. The person receiving that information would then be able to act accordingly, in real time, eliminating some of the danger than may come with duty.

An article by Fox News describes some of the uses this technology could possibly have in the future. I understand that Fox News is not always going to be a reputable source, however this article in particular did not have any mention of politics or any other controversial conversations Fox News is known for, which is why I decided to choose it.


"In future combat, all machines could leverage this mega-smart skin, detecting heat, damage and stress. Combat aircraft, drones, tanks and other land vehicles, as well as naval vessels could covered with the smart skin. Drones operating in air, on land, at sea or underwater could also deploy the technology". 

Sources:
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2015/07/23/how-smart-skin-could-revolutionize-military-vehicles.html

Medical Technology

New Advancements in Military Medical Technology

    Lethal military technology has advanced greatly over the past 40 years or so, which called for the creation of more effective medical technology. There are countless inventions that have been designed, but I picked the 3 most interesting ones to me personally to share with you today. 

Chitosan Bandage

The Chitosan Bandage is a way of binding wounds and bullet holes that uses biodegradable carbohydrates found in both the shells of lobsters, and shrimps, and within blood cells. The material creates a thick clot inside of the wound that seals the sides of the cut or hole and stops bleeding entirely. This substance is not harmful to the patient or the environment, and is therefore a sustainable alternative to cloth bandages that may take longer to decompose. This technology was created by the Oregon Medical Laser Center, and is put to the test in the video down below.

Prosthesis

6% of service members who were wounded in Iraq experienced amputation at some point in time, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This unfortunate circumstance is the truth for many cases, calling for the creation of new and improved prosthesis with an increasingly human feel. This has led to the invention of "robotic prosthesis and vacuum-assisted suction sockets for hip dis-articulation", according to MEDCOM. Once given a prosthesis, wounded veterans are given the opportunity to live a full civilian life again after their service.

Smart Clothing

iSmartweaR, a clothing line created by Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute and ECLAT Textiles, is known for its' ability to monitor vital signs, weight, dehydration and hunger. The video down below explains the technical details about this technology, but I believe the potential for this clothing is limitless. Soldiers could be monitored from headquarters while they are in the battlefield, giving allied forces an advantage. Soldiers could also monitor their own vital signs and make better choices about their own health, increasing the effectiveness of conflict in general. The clothing even allows you to manage your sleep quality and emotional state.

Sources

http://www.medgadget.com/military_medicine/page/2

Politics, Policy, and Military Technology: An Evolution

Through my research, I found that politics and policy do generally hamper the creation and implementation of new technology. However, I found more commonly that Politics, Policy and Military Technology have developed a symbiotic relationship over the centuries, evolving together.

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military‐industrial complex…Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific‐technological elite." 

(President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, 1961)

Example:

Weapon Innovation becomes the subject of politics.

 The R&D program began following Vannevar Bush's command and helped fund atomic weapons research, the creation of missiles and aircraft, military electronics, and chemical weapons. It also created military technological creation programs at elite U.S. Universities such as Stanford and Johns Hopkins. This program, being as expensive as it was, raised controversy and criticism from then Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson in the 1950's. Wilson believed that "Basic research is when you don't know what you are doing”, and for that reason fought to end this program. 



Military Technology in Foreign Policy

As the current hegemony in the world stage, the U.S. accounts for around half of the global military spending. The U.S. also spends the most money on developing new technology, situations that undoubtedly relate to each other. The development of new military technology is high important to both the governments of the U.S. and foreign states, as evidenced by this video of Vladimir Putin, Russian President, reports to his cabinet members the current state of Russian military technology. This is a source of pride for all states, figuring out exactly who has this new technology and how they are using it. Here are a few more sources, if you would like to learn more.



Technology and the History of War


US Military Threats to Russia and China

Sources:
 http://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199270439.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780199270439-e-039

The Law of Armed Conflicts: New Military Technology

What is the Law of Armed Conflicts? In the words of Karl A. Kaszuba, Lt Col, USAF, it is:

“[The law of armed conflict’s] raison d’ etre is to establish minimum standards of human decency on the battlefield.”6 Its principles are, in essence, a set of rules generally accepted by a majority of nation-states which embody humanity’s standards for the conduct of warfare beyond which is considered excessive brutality unnecessary for the conduct of warfare.”

This law was put into place during the Geneva Conventions to promote as much world peace and fairness as possible during times of war. The law focuses on many aspects of combat, but for the purpose of this blog, I pulled 5 that I believe are most important.

1. Military Necessity
2. Proportionality
3. Discrimination
4. Humanity (Unnecessary suffering)
5. Collateral Damage

To better understand the "rules" of war, watch this video.

Modern Controversies surrounding the Law of Armed Conflicts

Blinding Laser Weapons: 



These weapons have the ability to purposefully and permanently blind enemies from miles away. Because the damage they would inflict upon enemy soldiers would be long lasting and irreversible even after combat is finished, some institutions such as the International Committee of the Red Cross view it as a violation of international war-time law. The Red Cross places this weapon into the category of causing unnecessary suffering. Others, such as the Judge Advocate General of the Army, do not view this weapon as a violation of the conflict law. What do you think?

Acoustical Weapons: Sonic Guns



This technology has previously been utilized by the British Military as a way to humanely calm rioters and protesters by emitting low frequency sounds below the pain threshold. These sounds gently vibrate the inner ear and create feelings of slight discomfort. However, the potential for these weapons to inflict long-lasting harm upon enemies if the frequency is changed is the  reason for controversy. If the frequency of these sounds are altered, vibrations can occur not only within the ear but the rest of the internal organ systems as well, resulting in various malfunctions. 

Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) G20 Pittsburgh

So why is this law important? Why do we worry about morality and fairness in regards to war activity? When I first read about the Law of Armed Conflicts, I did believe that it was a bit odd to try and "police" war. War itself is supposed to be brutal, and people are always going to be hurt or killed. However after conducting more research on the subject, I realize that the Law of Armed Conflict exists to not make war more moral, but at least more humane. 

Technology of World War 1

The Acoustic Locator

Before the introduction of radar technology into the military stage, large machines just like the one above were created. These machines were used to amplify sounds made by enemy aircraft, one of the ways in which allied forces could predict future attacks. This was known as passive acoustic location and was named so because of the ability it gave to soldiers to pinpoint almost exactly how far away an aircraft was in the sky. 

Anti-Aircraft Sound Locator

The First Tanks

Tanks were first introduced into combat during World War 1 on September 16th, 1916 during the Battle of Somme between the British and the Germans. These tanks, which numbered around 40 at the time, were much too large and cumbersome to inflict a large amount of damage and were also prone to mechanical breakdowns. This picture shows the advance of allied forces in France in 1917, one year after the first appearance of the tank in battle. 

Brief History of The First Tanks

The Fake Trees of No Man's Land

Under the darkness of night, both allied and enemy forces built fake trees as a way to disguise sniper and lookout  towers. Some of these structures were created from actual dead, hollowed out  trees that would be equipped with a scaffold on the inside for a sniper to stand on and hide within the middle of the tree. 

Other trees would be made entirely from scratch. Soldiers would create sketches of the trees in their surrounding area and send these pictures to a workshop where an artificial tree would be constructed out of steel material. 

Leon Underwood was one of the first soldiers to use these trees as camouflage, and his drawings down below were often used as templates for their recreation. 

Sources

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2274260/The-Armys-special-branch-How-bizarre-fake-spy-trees-appeared-mans-land-WWI.html

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tanks-introduced-into-warfare-at-the-somme

https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/04/world-war-i-in-photos-technology/507305/