14 Advanced Military Projects That Could Change The World Forever

http://www.businessinsider.com/14-advanced-military-projects-that-could-change-the-world-forever-2012-8?op=1

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The last few times we did this, we focused on the Defense Science Office, the Information Innovation Office and the Microsystems Technology Office. This time, we look at the Strategic Technologies Office, which is researching the weapons that will eventually define high-tech communications systems.

DARPA is more focused on biofuels than almost any other group
So far the federal government has shown that biofuel research is absolutely a political issue, suspect to wild sways in funding depending on who is in charge. Critics lambasted the biofuel program as speculative, implausible, and underdeveloped.



A testing range, but for computers, not weapons.
The National Cyber Range is one of the cooler ideas that DARPA has come up with, even though it's conceptually somewhat simple.
Right now, it's not possible to replicate the complexity of a network of thousands and thousands of computers. There's (basically) only one internet. DARPA wants a testing range for cybersecurity solutions and offensive capabilities.


The DARPA CORONET program takes a hard look at the future of the web
DARPA does an immense amount of research into Photonics, specifically fiber optics.
The CORONET program looks into ramping up internet speeds with the application of fiber optic cable technology as part of the core connecting hardware that makes up the physical "internet."


DARPA's ISIS system is a self-sustaining stratospheric military recon blimp
DARPA is developing a solar powered sensor of "unprecedented proportions" in their Integrated Sensor is Structure (ISIS) program.
It's a stratospheric airship that will conduct persistent wide area surveillance, tracking, and engagement of air and ground targets.