Slideshow: Next Generation Defense Technologies
DARPA develops leading edge technologies for use in national security and defense from quadruped robots that trek through remote terrain to small satellite modules for use in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
![](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt6d90778a997de1cd/bltc94608acf452fd67/655cf371ab171e040a838b2a/329050_DR23_Graphics_Website_V5_Default_Image_v1.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
The A160 Hummingbird, manufactured by Boeing, is an unmanned surveillance helicopter equipped with a Forester radar antenna that's capable of identifying troops and vehicles by penetrating the foliage below. DARPA and the U.S. Special Operations Command have ordered A160s. (Image: DARPA)
DARPA's Vulture program aims to develop an unmanned aircraft that's capable of remaining aloft for five years, performing satellite-like intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and communications over areas of interest. (Image: DARPA)
Big Dog is a DARPA-funded, four-legged robot that would be used to support military operations in rough terrain. Components include a small engine and a PC board to control the robot. (Image: U.S. Marine Corps)
The Legged Squad Support System, or LS3, is a joint effort between DARPA's Tactical Technology Office and the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. The program goal is to develop a quadruped platform that will augment troops by carrying equipment autonomously. (Image: Department of Defense)
An artist's rendering of DARPA's LS3 robot. In January 2010, DARPA awarded Boston Dynamics a $32 million to design and build LS3 prototypes with a goal of demonstrating a robot walk in 2012. (Image: Boston Dynamics)
DARPA's Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft United by Information Exchange (System F6) program aims to show that conventional satellites can be replaced by smaller "cluster-flown" spacecraft modules that are wirelessly networked. (Image: DARPA)
One of the technology goals behind DARPA's System F6 program is development of a real-time, resource-sharing architecture operating over a packet-switched wireless network and capable of multi-level security. (Image: DARPA)
DARPA's Tactical Ground Reporting System is a multimedia reporting system that lets soldiers on patrol collect and share information to improve situational awareness. The system's graphical interface can be used to collect and search multimedia data such as voice recordings, digital photos, and GPS routes. (Image: DARPA)
The Hummingbird is designed to fly 2,500 nautical miles at a speed of 140 knots and altitude of up to 30,000 feet. In addition to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, potential uses include target acquisition, communications relay, re-supply, or serving as a weapons platform. (Image: DARPA)
DARPA's Vulture would combine some of the benefits of an aircraft, such as flexibility, sensor resolution, and reduced power requirements for transmitting and receiving data, with those of a spacecraft, including on-station persistence and no logistics tail. The system could function as a single or multiple aircraft, or as a constellation. (Image: DARPA)
Vulture's technology challenges include developing energy management and reliability technologies capable of allowing the aircraft to operate continuously for five years. The program will conclude a near full-scale flight demonstration. (Image: DARPA)
An artist's rendering of DARPA's Falcon HTV-2, an unmanned, rocket-launched, maneuverable vehicle that flies at speeds of Mach 20 and above. DARPA launched a test flight of the Falcon HTV-2 in April 2010. (Image: DARPA)
An artist's rendering of DARPA's Falcon HTV-2, an unmanned, rocket-launched, maneuverable vehicle that flies at speeds of Mach 20 and above. DARPA launched a test flight of the Falcon HTV-2 in April 2010. (Image: DARPA)
An artist's rendering of DARPA's Falcon HTV-2, an unmanned, rocket-launched, maneuverable vehicle that flies at speeds of Mach 20 and above. DARPA launched a test flight of the Falcon HTV-2 in April 2010. (Image: DARPA)
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
CISO Perspectives: How to make AI an Accelerator, Not a Blocker
August 20, 2024Securing Your Cloud Assets
August 27, 2024