Super Soldiers of the Future are Powered by AI | What is the Classification of Chatgpt Within Generative ai Models | Free Generative ai Text to Image | Benefits of Generative ai in Healthcare | Turtles AI

Super Soldiers of the Future are Powered by AI
Isabella V

 


THE HYPER-ENABLED OPERATOR : THE FUTURE OF U.S. SPECIAL FORCES.

 

In an era when darkness falls over tumultuous cities, U.S. special forces face increasingly insidious threats. In a densely populated and politically unstable urban center, the bustle of the streets is amplified by a series of seasonal events. Intelligence reports speak of a high threat level, but details are vague. Avoiding direct confrontation is imperative to prevent chaos.

A special forces operator, camouflaged in the crowd, activates a complex sensor system through his visor. These advanced instruments capture data on heart rate, body language, facial expressions and conversations in local dialects. All this information is processed in real time by an artificial intelligence connected to a powerful computer in the operator’s backpack. Data analysis reveals that the frenzy is related to seasonal events and poses no immediate threat to the team.

This scene is one of many envisioned by the U.S. Department of Defense to outline the future of the U.S. Special Forces, known as the "flagship" of the U.S. military, tasked with tackling the most complex global threats. Instead of focusing on futuristic armor or brain implants, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is focusing on "Hyper-Enabled Operators" (Heo).

Introduced in 2019, the Heo concept emerged from the TALOS program, designed to create a kind of Iron Man-like armor. TALOS was closed in 2019, but lessons learned fueled the innovation of the Heo, whose goal is to equip soldiers with a "cognitive advantage" on the battlefield. This approach aims to improve situational awareness and rapid decision-making through advanced technologies, rather than heavy armor.

In the current context, the Heo is no longer seen as an armored soldier but as a discrete, James Bond-like operator equipped with an intelligent visor that gathers information in complex environments. This evolution was confirmed by SOCOM spokesman James O. Gregory, who outlined advances in three key technology areas: sensing and edge computing, architecture and analytics, and language translation.

Sensing and edge computing refers to the collection and processing of critical data directly in the field, using advanced hardware such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and neural processing engines. These devices support advanced artificial intelligence technologies, making language translation and other capabilities possible even in the absence of connections to the cloud.

The flexible architecture developed by SOCOM makes it possible to fuse data from various sources into a usable format, facilitating rapid and informed decisions. In terms of language translation, the Versatile Intelligent Translation Assistant (Vita) represents a milestone, enabling operators to communicate effectively in different languages and dialects through real-time voice and visual translation.

SOCOM has also introduced a beyond line-of-sight (BLoS) communication system and an "ambient visual translation" tool capable of converting foreign language texts into clear English through a smartphone camera. These innovations are designed to improve the situational awareness and communication skills of field workers.

The Heo represents a technological promise that could revolutionize special forces operations. Although the full implementation of a tactical AI assistant similar to Jarvis remains an ambitious goal, the capabilities already developed, such as Vita, mark a significant step forward in military operations. The next challenges will lie in integrating these technologies in an intuitive and practical way for operators in the field.