Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Implications for the Future of the DoD

Abstract

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (Alexandria, VA) established the DOD Biotechnologies for Health and Human Performance Council (BHPC) study group to continually assess research and development in biotechnology. The BHPC group assesses scientific advances for improved health and performance with potential military application; identifies corresponding risks and opportunities and ethical, legal, and social implications; and provides senior leadership with recommendations for mitigating adversarial threats and maximizing opportunities for future U.S. forces. At the direction of the BHPC Executive Committee, the BHPC study group conducted a year-long assessment entitled Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Impact for the Future of the DOD. The primary objective of this effort was to forecast and evaluate the military implications of machines that are physically integrated with the human body to augment and enhance human performance over the next 30 years. This report summarizes this assessment and findings; identifies four potential military-use cases for new technologies in this area; and assesses their impact upon the DOD organizational structure, warfighter doctrine and tactics, and interoperability with U.S. allies and civil society.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 24, 2019
Accession Number
AD1083010

Entities

People

  • Diane DiEuliis
  • James B. Petro
  • James Giordano
  • Natalie Klein
  • Peter Emanuel
  • Scott A. Walper

Organizations

  • Georgetown University
  • National Defense University
  • Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense
  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Biotechnology
  • Brain-Computer Interfaces
  • Case Studies
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Governments
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • National Security
  • Neurosciences
  • Neurotechnology
  • Security
  • United States

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology