Cyborg Soldiers Arriving In 2050: The US Army Is Ready For Them

The nature of warfare is a continually evolving science. The last decade has seen the rise of smart weaponry and autonomous combat vehicles such as the US Army's M.U.T.T. and the ever-growing genre of laser weapons used by the armed forces. Now, the US military is exploring the idea of adding real cyborgs to the roster.

The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command announced in November that ear, eye, brain and muscular enhancement is feasible and expected by the year 2050 or earlier. The government agency spent over a year researching the technology to address demands that will further improve the military's efficiency. According to the report, the plan is to link the human brain to computers, creating an instant datalink.

There are also several upgrades that are being explored such as visual and auditory enhancements. The report implies this technology already exists and is being refined. A large portion of the report focuses on the need for foundational research to validate human/machine fusion and its impacts on health and longevity.

A partnership with Microsoft has developed new headsets that provide soldiers with a real-time heads up display in an environment that is very similar to a pair of sunglasses. It is believed that this advancement in cyborg technologies will eventually find its way to the civilian market.

Creating cyborgs would be a huge scientific breakthrough, but is humanity ready for this phase of technological evolution? The US Army seems to indicate that a large division exists between proponents and opponents. There is an entire section of the report dedicated to describing how much effort will be needed to win the hearts and minds of the nation, not just the government.

A source associated with the research team tells International Business Times, “So much progress has been made in the field that we should expect to start seeing very public results, very shortly.”

The United States is continuously looking for ways to develop technologies that will leave them one step ahead of their adversaries. Introducing augmented human beings into the DoD community is expected in the years following 2050 but how it's going to be received remains a big question. Will it lead to imbalances and inequalities as well as a multitude of issues tied into ethics? Only time can tell.