Using those 'smart weapons' will certainly help reduce, or even completely avoid, civilian casualties. Commanders will be able to assassinate the target anytime, from anywhere, with mechanical precision without a margin of error. It will provide soldiers with the ultimate protection of invisibility during combat operations or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities. The use of nanotechnology thus enables existing weapon technologies - such as stealth, precision-guided munitions and UAVs - to evolve into their ultimate form. There are scientists who are working to create Harry Potter's invisibility cloak, which undoubtedly attracts obvious military interests, or what is called 'nano air vehicles' - the prototype 'Hummingbird' developed by the US DARPA could be further miniaturized into a small insect-like combat vehicle. The laser weapon is not the only armory that benefits from the rapid development of nanotechnology. Interestingly, though, the law may oblige soldiers not to use such less lethal means if there is a chance of civilian casualties, for example, as a result of disabling an aircraft that then clashes into a town. However, it could well be adopted as government policy for a specific operation from political or ethical considerations. The law currently does not require such gradual application of force. Ethicists may envision the arrival of a more humane warfare in the near future where a less lethal force will always be used prior to lethal means. Even the existing laser weapon the US Navy announced for deployment has the ability of limiting the damage to the targeted aircraft, rather than destroying it like with a missile. Although the technical details of the laser weapon announced for deployment is kept secret, there is little doubt that the rapid development of nanotechnologies over the last decade has enabled significant improvement of different components of the solid state laser system that makes it deployable as a weapon.Ī greater excitement may be forthcoming with the prospect of further fine-tuning of the laser technology to provide a wider range of tactical options - like a weapon that can be set for 'stun' up to 'kill'. The idea of laser weapons was already hinted as a potential counter-strike onto a nuclear ballistic missile. Indeed, the history of the pursuit of laser weapons is as old as the nuclear arms race during the Cold War. The revelation of a laser weapon was not unexpected. It is expected that these laser weapons will be more widely deployed with the aim to strengthen defence capabilities against missiles, artillery and mortars. The image might have excited some sci-fi movie fans around the world, envisioning the arrival of futuristic weapons, like 'phasers' familiar to 'Trekkies'. The YouTube image they posted at the same time demonstrates how effective it is to damage an unmanned aerial vehicle. The executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Robert Lightfoot stated: “With an eye toward the future and building on our current business momentum, these changes position us to deliver end-to-end solutions for today’s mission demands and well into the future.In April this year, the US Navy announced the deployment of a laser weapon on the USS Ponce. Lockheed’s restructuring directly responds to this by offering a more streamlined service that includes customized mission solutions to deliver on emerging military space solutions. New concepts are coming out of the space domain that militaries seek to benefit from. The increasing launches of satellite systems testifies to the critical communications infrastructure it offers. It offers crucial satellite communications that allow forces to operate across any domain. The Space domain is the most integrated domain that exists in the military space. The US Department of Defense (DoD) held a command, control, computers, and communications (C4) and Cyber summit on, where it was asserted that “ecent global events have highlighted the need of multi-domain operations and an integrated force.” Strategic and Missile Defence Systems: will continue to include strategic deterrence, missile defence and hypersonic programmes.ĭelivering multi-domain space capabilities.National Security Space: will be a new line of business that incorporates classified and defence portfolios, aligning programmes that support military space, mission solutions and special programmes customers. Commercial Civil Space: will continue to include scientific discovery and exploration missions, while focusing on space infrastructure development.The new structure will focus on the following three strands of demand: To meet these needs, Lockheed Martin Space will transition from five lines of business to three, better enabling the business to deliver 21st century security capabilities and pursue innovation, exploration and discovery missions.
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