What will be the next technological breakthrough in the military?

Rapidly developing technologies create favorable conditions for the next technological breakthrough. The benefits obtained from this are first used in the military sphere, because territory protection is a priority for any state. This approach allows soldiers to be equipped with advanced devices that will help them perform complex work efficiently. When will the next technological breakthrough in the military occur? Nobody knows. At the same time, many specialists can predict in which direction the most significant changes should be expected.

Autonomous weapons

Significant changes in the military will happen with the advent of autonomous weapons. Many are already calling it the next technological breakthrough that will open up new possibilities on the battlefield. Ideas about autonomous weapons appeared many years ago, but few understood how to control them in different situations. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence, this problem should be solved. Using special algorithms, it will be possible to teach combat machines to make decisions independently and do all the dangerous work for people. If this project is implemented, autonomous weapons can partially or wholly replace soldiers, allowing combat operations with minimal risks of injury.

Advanced NV and TI

Night vision and thermal imaging have already been called a technological breakthrough in the military. At the time of their appearance, both technologies made a strong impression on servicemen and helped to obtain ideal conditions for conducting night operations. Today, various units actively use all-night optics, providing a significant advantage over the enemy. At the same time, they continue to develop, so the chance that improved NV and TI will again become a technological breakthrough is relatively high. For example, with the advent of improved high-performance night vision binoculars, monoculars, and goggles, soldiers will be able to observe what is happening in the dark and receive various information, interact with each other, and increase the efficiency of each mission.

Directed energy weapons

The next technological breakthrough may be possible due to the improvement of directed energy weapons (a device that emits energy in a selected direction). This vector of development is included in the list of the most promising in the military sphere, which means that maximum attention is paid to it. Huge sums are allocated for implementing numerous projects, so the chances of seeing good results from the work are high. This approach allows military personnel to test today's first high-energy lasers, particle-beam weapons, and microwave devices. Shortly, they may become the latest equipment that will change the course of any war. The probability of such a result is relatively high, so directed energy weapons can become a replacement for weapons considered advanced today.

Advanced hypersonic technologies

A technological breakthrough is possible in the field of hypersonic technologies. Improvements planned for the coming decades can give even a small army a huge advantage, making it virtually invincible for a stronger enemy. The development of these technologies aims to obtain hypersonic weapons that will be much faster than existing analogues. It is expected that in a few years, guided ballistic and cruise missiles will appear and be able to accelerate to speeds much higher than the speed of sound. Due to this feature, hypersonic weapons will create the effect of surprise and increase the chances of hitting many essential enemy targets. A particular breakthrough is also expected in hypersonic technologies used in modern military aircraft. Thanks to various improvements, they can fly even faster, allowing them to gain more advantages compared to enemy aircraft.

Combat robots

Everyone knows the famous Hollywood story about Terminator robots, which are perfect soldiers. They do not need rest, have no emotions, and are practically invulnerable to the enemy. Is something like this possible in real life? Of course, yes. The rapid development of various areas makes it possible to test and use combat robots. Although they do not resemble Terminators from the movies, they can perform many different tasks. If military personnel fully manage to use them during numerous armed conflicts, this will be a real technological breakthrough. In combat conditions, such robots can be beneficial. They will replace people in the most dangerous missions and make the military profession safer. They can also be trusted with demining the territory, evacuating wounded people, monitoring the state border, and much more.

Internet of military things (IoMT)

IoMT is a technology that may soon become a real breakthrough in the military. Its emergence is a consequence of the popularization of future combat operations under the control of machine intelligence, which can completely change the course of any armed conflict. It is expected that IoMT will control everything from coordinating the actions of military personnel to assessing the expenditure of ammunition. Due to its wide range of actions, IoMT will control all unmanned systems, combat robots, ground military equipment, and advanced weapons. This approach will allow the reception of relevant data in real time and use it to make crucial decisions. Theoretically, IoMT will give any army an advantage on the battlefield and help achieve the desired results.

Additive manufacturing

In combat, quickly producing parts, equipment, or even ammunition is the key to success. That is why improving additive manufacturing (3D printing) could become the next technological breakthrough. If existing projects are successfully implemented, soldiers can meet the needs for various consumables in the field or even during combat. Already today, some advanced armies worldwide use 3D printing to obtain parts needed to repair ground military equipment and drones, and some are even experimenting with creating new types of ammunition. This process will gain momentum, and shortly, additive manufacturing will become even more in demand in the military sphere.

Modern technologies are constantly being introduced into the military industry, changing warfare methods, increasing soldiers' protection and awareness, improving interaction between different units, and helping to use the night to conduct military operations. Their emergence is often associated with a technological breakthrough that opens up new possibilities. This has happened for many years and is unlikely to change. Dozens of promising projects are already being implemented today to help make the next technological breakthrough in the military. What it will be like is still anyone’s guess, but there is no doubt that over time, people will see something that will become a real sensation and completely change the idea of the work of military personnel.