Invisible tanks being tested by the Army

[Jaspaller]

So it's happened. There's some actual Stealth Camo in the works, but only for Large Vehicles at the moment. Pretty cool stuff

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=490669&in_page_id=1770


New technology that can make tanks invisible has been unveiled by the Ministry of Defence.


In secret trials last week, the Army said it had made a vehicle completely disappear and predicted that an invisible tank would be ready for service by 2012.


The new technology uses cameras and projectors to beam images of the surrounding landscape onto a tank.

The result is that anyone looking in the direction of the vehicle only sees what is beyond it and not the tank itself.


A soldier, who was at the trials, said: "This technology is incredible. If I hadn't been present I wouldn't have believed it. I looked across the fields and just saw grass and trees - but in reality I was staring down the barrel of a tank gun."



Breakthrough: The MoD's 'Q', Professor Sir John Pendry
How the technology works in a combat situation is very sensitive, but the MoD is believed to be testing a military jacket that works on the same principles.

It is the type of innovation normally associated with James Bond, and the brains behind the latest technology is the MoD's very own "Q" - Professor Sir John Pendry, of Imperial College London.


He said the only drawback was the reliability of the cameras and projectors.

But he added: "The next stage is to make the tank invisible without them - which is intricate and complicated, but possible."

[EphekZ]

Wow, I remember hearing about this a while back, but I guess they finally unveiled it. It seems very interesting, seems like GitS can be possible, heh.

[Scrub]

I have to call bullshit on this until I see videos of it. That's just a bit too incredible.

[Zorafim]

I remember reading something about a device that bent certain types of waves around it, making it undetectable by these types of waves. Apparently, that same technology could be used for light waves, making it invisible to eyes.
But, um, using cameras and projectors? How does that work?

[Palle]

I remember seeing a video of some university students in Japan trying to 'recreate' the thermoptic camouflage of GitS. My understanding at the time was that it was only effective if you were standing next to the projector, but it did a decent job of making the student, who wore a modified raincoat or poncho, blend into his surroundings.

Not sure about the bullshit factor, but this seems to me likely to be exceedingly difficult to impliment on the battlefield, woefully ineffective, and a misuse of the defense budget.

If humanity wants to prove it can do something, it should start with feeding itself. *shrug*

[Eihwaz]

A friend of mine said it best: the best armies focus on tactics, not technology.

That being said, any possibility of a cloaking device is hell of awesome.

[Skuda]

On 2007-10-30 16:49, Eihwaz wrote:
A friend of mine said it best: the best armies focus on tactics, not technology.



Just look at Canada's army technology. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif

[mizukage]

Invisible tanks? Until I see the real thing in action, I cannot comment on it.

[KodiaX987]

On 2007-10-30 17:17, Skuda wrote:
Just look at Canada's army technology. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif



Hehehehe. Nobody ever suspects Canada. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

[astuarlen]

On 2007-10-30 17:23, mizukage wrote:
Invisible tanks? Until I see the real thing in action, I cannot comment on it.


Clever post alert! To battlestations.


So, apart from this being, IMO, a lesser use of time, money, and effort--and seemingly rather improbable to begin with--I highly mistrust "science reporting" in mainstream media (not quite so much as that found in tabloids, but at least that is widely regarded with incredulity. But that's a topic for another time!)

[Dragwind]

That's insane...imagine what's possible now if we can make LOLSTEALTHTANKS.

The days of hax wars are upon us, lulz.

[Dj_SkyEpic]

2012 It says?

These all remind me of the camo technology that they had from Japan, but much more finished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKPVQal851U

[astuarlen]

Oh, shit, 2012?
Guys, I just remembered something: that's the year the Mayans predicted the WORLD IS GOING TO END. Imagine what could happen when the Stealth Tanks turn on their human masters! We don't stand a chance. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

[BlackHat]

On 2007-10-30 18:57, Dj_SkyEpic wrote:
2012 It says?

These all remind me of the camo technology that they had from Japan, but much more finished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKPVQal851U






MyrtleBeachRealEstat wrote:
So, do all my base belong to you?

Yes, MyrtleBeachRealEstat, Yes they do.

That is impressive http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_eek.gif

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: BlackHat on 2007-10-30 20:18 ]</font>

[Dj_SkyEpic]

On 2007-10-30 20:10, astuarlen wrote:
Oh, shit, 2012?
Guys, I just remembered something: that's the year the Mayans predicted the WORLD IS GOING TO END. Imagine what could happen when the Stealth Tanks turn on their human masters! We don't stand a chance. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

Haha, you're concerned about it too? It's been on my mind for a very long time.

Considering all these "war" topics and new war technology, I think I know what will become of the world soon enough.
/offtopic.

Back on topic, How far do you think this technology will go? Will we start seeing "press button to camo" or something soon enough? That'll be cool.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Dj_SkyEpic on 2007-10-30 20:32 ]</font>

[Sinue_v2]

Maya stela occasionally show dates beyond 2012. Most of these are in the form of "distance dates", where a Long Count date is given with a distance date to be added. For example, on Tablet of Inscriptions from Palenque we find the following Long Count date: 9.8.9.13.0 8 Ahau 13 Pop (24th March 603 AD Gregorian) with a distance date of 10.11.10.5.8. The resulting date is given as 1.0.0.0.0.8 5 Lamat 1 Mol,[10] or 21st October 4772 AD – almost 3,000 years into the future. The king Pacal of Palenque predicted that on this date the eightieth Calendar Round anniversary of his accession

2012 doesn't mark the end of the Mayan Calendar. It marks the end of the age. It's like a cosmic New Year. It's like freaking out over the Gregorian calendar ending December 31st, because nothing comes after that date. Well yes, it does, it simply rolls over. Same with the Mayan Calendar.

In any case, it wouldn't matter if the world did end. Whether you die alone, or you die with the world. You're still dead.

/offtopic

As for the camouflage, I've seen this type of technology in use in universities in Japan - but it's the first practical application of it I've seen. Well, semi-practical anyhow. I don't really see how it'll be useful in traditional combat scenarios. Seems better suited to semi-stationary positions and ambushes where you have time to set up all the equiptment. We won't really see it being useful until OLED (or some other technology) allows you to "paint" a vehicle or clothing in a light projecting covering. Then affix cameras to each angle on the object and imbed miniature cameras to capture the landscape on one side of the object and display it on the other.

Also, if they were holding "secret" tests of this new technology - then why spill the beans about it before it's combat ready? Seems to me that the best way to reveal this information to outside sources - is when it's firing on them.

[Neith]

*cue Solid Snake* STEALTH CAMOUFLAGE? http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif

Although it's clearly only in early stages (cameras and projectors had to be mounted so the tank could blend in, which is obviously no use in a battle), it definately has potential, and if it can be cut down to affect single soldiers, we may, in many years be looking at a totally new approach to combat.

Until we get thermoptic camouflage, Ghost in the Shell style though, I'll just keep an eye on how this develops http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

[amtalx]

Sounds like h4x.

[astuarlen]

On 2007-10-31 00:59, Sinue_v2 wrote:

Maya stela occasionally show dates beyond 2012. Most of these are in the form of "distance dates", where a Long Count date is given with a distance date to be added. For example, on Tablet of Inscriptions from Palenque we find the following Long Count date: 9.8.9.13.0 8 Ahau 13 Pop (24th March 603 AD Gregorian) with a distance date of 10.11.10.5.8. The resulting date is given as 1.0.0.0.0.8 5 Lamat 1 Mol,[10] or 21st October 4772 AD – almost 3,000 years into the future. The king Pacal of Palenque predicted that on this date the eightieth Calendar Round anniversary of his accession

2012 doesn't mark the end of the Mayan Calendar. It marks the end of the age. It's like a cosmic New Year. It's like freaking out over the Gregorian calendar ending December 31st, because nothing comes after that date. Well yes, it does, it simply rolls over. Same with the Mayan Calendar.

In any case, it wouldn't matter if the world did end. Whether you die alone, or you die with the world. You're still dead.

That's nice and everything, but I saw this program on TV several years ago about how all our machines--toasters, fax machines, computers, you name it--are going to rise up against us in 2012, as predicted by the Mayans. I have to go with the more credible source, sorry.

[HUnewearl_Meira]

On 2007-10-31 00:59, Sinue_v2 wrote:
Also, if they were holding "secret" tests of this new technology - then why spill the beans about it before it's combat ready?


Because they've been experimenting with this technology since the early 90's. This is not actually something that's new. At best, it's something that's just now becoming practical. Given that, just consider what they aren't telling us about.

[Jaspaller]

But seriously, I'm really not sure what to make of this though. It's going to require a load of energy and will most likely be visible through thermal vision easily. That and you will probably hear it. Oh well, only time will tell what will happen.
-
Keep those fantasies to yourself. Thank you.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HAYABUSA-FMW- on 2007-10-31 20:49 ]</font>

[BlackHat]

My guess is that they will have something figured out for thermal optics.




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HAYABUSA-FMW- on 2007-10-31 20:49 ]</font>

[Sinue_v2]

That's nice and everything, but I saw this program on TV several years ago about how all our machines--toasters, fax machines, computers, you name it--are going to rise up against us in 2012, as predicted by the Mayans. I have to go with the more credible source, sorry.

http://www.1000misspenthours.com/posters/postersh-m/maximumoverdrive.jpg

Oh Shi~

I just wonder if AD/DC will provide the soundtrack to our own apocalypse?

And some people actually do take this 2012 business far more seriously than they should. So that wasn't really directed at you, more of just being thrown out there.


Because they've been experimenting with this technology since the early 90's. This is not actually something that's new.

Right, but it still seems to me to be a dumb move releasing this information because it redflags the technology as being close to combat effective and pushes opposing militaries to work on countermeasures for it before it's even fully developed.

Which I guess it would only take a pair of thermal vision goggles to defeat it, but still. Better to have your enemies think the technology is still in development and have a few highly one-sided victory than none.

[Sord]

even if this technology exists, I have my doubts about it's durability in the field. Not to mention, while there is a lot of innovation in military technology, I never hear about it ever being deployed.