The Future of Army Weaponry - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

The Army is always looking for new ways to do their job better and make soldiers safer. And there are more than a few companies who create new technologies for the army.

How does the Army take science fiction and turns it into science fact?

It may just look like just another army uniform, but it's designed with the solder's comfort in mind, elbow and knee pads built into the uniform. But that's not all.

"It includes the helmet with microphone and boon-knockers which are not in the ears, it's the chasis with the plates pushed off the body allowing for air circulation between myself and the plates," said Sgt. Michael Schake, Fort Benning Soldier.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. This may look like a robot but it's an unmanned ground vehicle. Capable of carrying eight different cameras, it can gather intelligence while the soldier is more than a mile away.

"We're looking more at technology that can keep the soldier at any distance for any purpose, " said Jeff Wilkins, Northrop Gruman.

It's also able to approach and remove i-e-ds.

"They're capable of going in and either disrupting an i-e-d or physically removing it from harms way," said Wilkins.

And just like technology in the civilian world, the smaller the better. This field radio weighs only one point pounds and has video capabilities.

"He can get the images of a u-a-v aircraft from many kilometers away and make decisions on how to enter a village or a hot zone," said Gary Nolan, ITT.

For soldiers, the best part is they get to test the new gear. Then it's modified based on how they think it can best benefit troops in battle.

"We're able to give our feedback and we're able to see those changes being made," said Schake.

Changes that save lives when they're used in battle

Much of the technology on display will be available for the troops very soon. In fact, several products from last year's show is currently used in Iraq.