April 23, 2014 – Technological advances have had a major impact on the way that all branches of the military respond to high risk situations. Since 1958, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has been developing new technology that can assist the military during a variety of situations, and this group has also been fundamental in providing funding for things that are now used worldwide such as computer networking.
Additionally, scientists and developers work with DARPA to provide solutions to keep military personnel as safe as possible at all times. In certain cases the government has enlisted the services of private companies to get ideas on how to incorporate new technologies into security missions that require high threat protection.
Robotics – Keeping our Military Safer
The entire purpose of developing new technology for high risk security missions is to help improve the odds of successfully completing each mission while also reducing the number of injuries and fatalities that are sustained by soldiers. With this in mind, it is becoming much more prevalent for the military to use robotics such as drones to enter high risk areas. In fact, an Army general recently indicated that robots could be utilized to significantly reduce the size of this branch of the military within the next few decades. It is important to note that the usage of robots and other security devices makes it much easier for soldiers to carry out the aspects of each mission that require the presence of an actual human. After all, when security threats are neutralized by technology, soldiers can take care of their job more effectively.
The Importance of Threat Detection Equipment
The potential eventual switch to a mostly robotic Army will definitely reduce the human cost of war, but this is something that will still take many years to accomplish. In the meantime, it has become essential for the military to rely on threat detection equipment to minimize the risk of casualties. This equipment gives the military the ability to identify chemicals and detect traces of hazardous materials, and it is also common to take advantage of x-ray systems and the ability to detect radiation and explosives.
Additionally, these technologies have been proven to be so helpful at isolating threats that they are now used by a wide variety of security teams outside of the military. There are private high-threat security companies that offer explosive detection, perimeter security training and specialized protection programs on how to use technology to lessen risks and protect property and personnel. They are often hired by corporate and government agencies as partners in specialized security programs such as: hostile surveillance, special events security and executive protection specialists.
New Landmine Detection Capabilities
Landmines are a serious problem that can lead to catastrophic injuries and deaths for soldiers and innocent civilians. According to the Project Manager Close Combat Systems (PMCCS) website, multiple landmine detection systems have been created with the intention of assisting soldiers during high risk situations, and they can be used to help locate active landmines in areas that were previously occupied by a military or insurgent presence. DARPA and several private companies are also currently working on new technological advances that will keep soldiers even safer in the future.
As you can see, technology plays a major role in dealing with high-risk security missions, and it can also be put to practical use to assist civilians who are involved with a high-profile company or event. Ultimately, threat detection equipment is one of the best ways to quickly determine if a threat is present so that it can be dealt with before anyone is injured or loses their life.
Teresa Stewart is a freelance writer who enjoys learning about developing technologies. She is particularly interested in technology such as robotics which can be used to minimize the risk to military personnel without compromising the quality of the security.
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/2918620685/