NCO Journal 1 July 2023
NCO Journal provides a forum and publishing opportunity for NCOs, by NCOs, for the open exchange of ideas and information in support of training, education and development.
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/
Future Weapons Technology of 2040
By Master Sgt. Christopher L. Hartzell
10th Mountain Division Artillery, Fort Drum, New York
T
he U.S.’s ability to ght and win future wars will
depend heavily upon technological advancements
in weapons and technology. Advancements
in next-generation weapons will allow our safety and
security while deterring adversaries worldwide. ese
advancements will ultimately give U.S. Army Soldiers an
edge against adversaries on future battleelds.
Our government and the Department of Defense
(DOD) will continue building and developing next-
generation weapons to maintain military dominance.
The U.S. will spend trillions of dollars building
infrastructure to develop technologies needed to
succeed on battlefields. The men and women of future
wars will be inside a secured facility using computers
to employ munitions on hostile targets (Hickman,
2020). Soldiers will employ autonomous weapons,
some with lasers, which utilize Artificial Intelligence
(AI) to execute targets according to mission plans.
AI and Autonomous Weapons
Artificial intelligence will be a crucial development
for the U.S.’s drone platforms. Next-generation drones
will fly autonomously without interference from end
users, but end users can assume or override controls if
needed (Hecht, 2006). Drones will fly in any weather
condition and track enemy activity while sending back
intelligence and video feed to end users (Hickman,
2020). Operators will be able to track and detect
Soldiers at Fort Irwin, California utilize advanced technology including the SkyDIO unmanned aerial vehicle and dierent types of Remote
Piloted Vehicles in collaboration with the Infantry Trials and Development Unit (ITDU). (U.S. Army photo by Sta Sgt. Matthew Lumagui)
