The Air Force Has A Radical Technology Plan For The Next 30 Years {LARGE IMAGES}

http://www.businessinsider.com/air-force-futuristic-technology-2014-8

The Air Force recently released its outline for a 30-year strategy, charting the future of a branch of the military that has been recently transformed by technological innovations like the development of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. In the new plan, the Air Force highlighted technologies it would be targeting in the coming decades.
The advances will focus on adding even more "speed, range, flexibility, and precision" to the Force's operations.

"The aircraft as an instrument of war was once considered 'game changing,'" the report says. "Pursuit of the next 'game changing' technology is central to maintaining the asymmetric advantage our Air Force has always provided the nation."

The report highlighted five areas in which the branch will direct its attention over the next three decades — technological developments that can keep the Air Force prepared to face future threats and maintain the U.S.' global military edge.

Hypersonics


Unmanned Boeing X-51 Waverider.

The Air Force has a natural interest in increasing its planes' speed, a development that would vastly broaden the Force's travel and attack options.

"Though we may not always desire to operate at the fastest possible speed, the ability to do so creates a significant advantage," the report said.




Gold-polymer nanorods self-assemble into a curved structure during research conducted at Northwestern University. The National Science Foundation says that curving nanorods have applications for "drug-delivery systems, nanoscale electronics, catalysts and light-harvesting materials."

Nanotechnology

The Air Force believes that nano-technology will have a direct application for both flight and space travel.

"By manipulating materials at the molecular level, we can create structures that are both stronger and lighter, contributing to both speed and range," the report said.




The military has been using laser-guided missiles for years. Over the next three decades, the Air Force will attempt to integrate lasers themselves as a legitimate weapon.

Directed Energy

n plain English, this means lasers.

The Navy has been working on the Laser Weapon System, or LAWS, per National Defense Magazine.



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