The 10 Most-Impressive US Military Technologies Right Now

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http://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-gizmos-2014-6



As a laser weapon capable of shooting down enemy drones is developed by the US military, we look at other weird gizmos and gadgets soon to be rolled out by the US army
A laser weapon capable of shooting down enemy drones is being developed for the US military, defence department officials have announced, but it is not the only weapon in the military's plans for the future. Here are 10 other gadgets and weapons the US military is preparing to roll out.

1. Transformer TX Real Off-Road

The Transformer TX can be driven as a military ground vehicle then converted to fly as a helicopter and back again. These vehicles can be operated by humans or fly-drive by themselves. Due for delivery in 2015.

2. Magpul Folding Machine-Gun-9

Developed for the US Secret Service, the Folding Machine-Gun can be disguised as a laptop battery before being unfolded into a fully functioning weapon capable of emptying a 9mm 30-round clip. It fits into the back pocket of most civilian trousers. Still in prototype phase.


3. Wildcat robot
Moving uncannily like a live creature, the Wildcat can run at 16mph on flat surfaces, bounding and galloping like a real animal. It is designed to support combat troops on the ground and will eventually be able to run even more quickly over all types of terrain.

***SNIP


7. AH-64 Apache attack helicopters
New technology just rolled out by the US military allows Apache helicopter pilots to see targeting and surveillance data in full, high-resolution colour, rather than black and white, giving them a huge advantage in spotting enemy positions.

***HOW MUCH IS ALL OF THIS COSTING?

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10905207/US-militarys-top-10-weird-gizmos-and-gadgets.html#ixzz3558tTZSK

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10905207/US-militarys-top-10-weird-gizmos-and-gadgets.html#ixzz3558LMuv6

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1. The Pentagon Is Practically Begging Congress To Stop Funding Wasteful Weapons Programs

http://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-defense-budget-congress-2014-6


Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E. Dempsey testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2014

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senior defense officials urged lawmakers on Wednesday to accept Pentagon plans to cut troop levels and weapons systems to meet tight federal budgets, saying excessive tinkering could increase risk to the military and leave it poorly prepared for war.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told a Senate panel that budget caps requiring nearly a trillion dollars in Pentagon spending cuts over a decade made it impossible to keep the current military force "adequately ready and modernized."

"Readiness is our main concern, as it must be for anyone who cares about our national security and the men and women who defend it," Hagel told an Appropriations Committee panel. "So we made a strategic decision to reduce the size of our force to ensure our troops are trained, ready, capable."

Hagel's remarks came as the House of Representatives began debating a 2015 defense appropriations bill that includes a Pentagon base budget of $490.7 billion but shifts funds to save weapons at the expense of maintenance and training. The White House said this week it "strongly opposes" the House bill.



Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-defense-budget-congress-2014-6#ixzz355B3yS3Q