1998 Army Science and Technology Master Plan 1998 Army Science and Technology Master PlanThe Army Science and Technology Master Plan describes the development and maturation of technologies for the Army’s future systems and system upgrades. Indeed, it is this transition of technology into affordable systems and capabilities that makes the S&T program a sound investment. Over the last 60 years, Army R&D has developed and fielded a number of significant product and process technologies, some of which are highlighted in Table I–6. Figures I–34, I–35, and I–36 highlight some of the S&T contributions to Army aviation, tanks, and howitzers. The impact of these technologies on military operations has been significant. Army S&T products helped win the cold war, Operation Just Cause, and Operation Desert Storm. Beginning in the 1980s, past Army investments from basic science through subsystem components have made the United States the leader in night vision capability (Figure I–37). Today’s investments will likewise lead to compact power for 21st century applications (Figure I–38).
Table I–6. Army R&D Accomplishments |
1990s |
• Hypertonic saline dexton effectively resuscitates after significant hemorrhage; poses no hazard to renal function• CORE–LOC concrete armor unit for breakwaters • Full–color, thin–film electroluminescent, one–million–pixel, flat–panel display • Composite hull for armored vehicles • Produced enzymatically active human acetylcholinesterase using recombinant DNA techniques • Airborne standoff minefield detection system • Second–generation FLIR • Food and Drug Administration licensure of halofantrine • Insects for biological control of problem aquatic plants • Rock rubble antipenetration shielding • Day/night, adverse–weather pilotage systems (D/NAPS) • Gene code in drug–resistant malaria strains analogous to that in human cancer cells resistant to anticancer drugs • Intrinsic chemical markers for food safety to validate the safety (i.e., sterility) of thermoprocessed particulate foods |
1980s |
• AIDS diagnostic and staging schemes published for wide usage• Resin–based, nontoxic skin decontamination kit fielded • Pretreatment, improved antidote, and anticonvulsant therapy for nerve agent poisoning • Ballistic–laser protective spectacles fielded • High–precision missile terminal imaging • Mefloquine, antimalarial drug fielded • All–composite aircraft demonstrated • Image processing • Personnel selection, classification, and assignment for formation of volunteer Army • Wire strike protection system fielded |
1970s |
• Reverse osmosis water purification fielded• Frequency–hopping radios • Fiber optics applications: fly–by–light, fiber–optic guided missile (FOGM), communications • Lightweight, flexible body armor • Meals, ready to eat (MRE) • High–burn–rate, solid–rocket–fuel technology • First practical hit–rotor system demonstrated • Superlattice electronics • First–generation thermal imager fielded |
1960s |
• Meningitis vaccine developed• Individual and vehicle ceramic armor • Inertial surveying for field artillery demonstrated • Freeze–dried compressed foods introduced • Fast Fourier transform developed • Sulfamylon, an antibacterial cream, developed for treatment of burns • First starlight scope fielded • Laser rangefinder • Rubella virus (German measles) isolated • Laser semiactive guidance invented and demonstrated |
1950s |
• Global standard for time measurement• Photolithographic process for printed circuit boards • First weather/communications satellites • Solar cells for satellites • Redstone rocket—Army first in space • Turbine power for helicopter fielded • Dehydration/freeze drying of foods made practical • Mouth–to–mouth resuscitation developed • Image intensifier scope • T1–6A1–4V titanium alloy for aircraft developed |
1940s |
• Iodine tables for individual water purification• First specific cure for typhoid fever • First synthetic quartz • ENIAC, first modern electronic computer • First supersonic wind tunnel • Atomic bomb fielded • Helicopter first flown • Engine for first American jet fighter • Whole blood preservation • Proximity fuze |
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Figure I-34. Aviation - Past and Future
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Figure I-35. S&T Contributions to Abrams Tank
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Figure I-36. Howitzers - Past and Future
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Figure I-37. Evolution of Second-Generation FLIR Technology
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Figure I-38. The Future of Compact Power Technology
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