War technology encompasses a broad range of equipment, vehicles, structures and weapons that have been designed specifically for use in combat. The military uses technology to kill or harm opponents, communicate, transport troop and weaponry to coordinate operations and detect forces.
It is important to understand the relationship between war technology and tactics, because both directly affect the success of the military organization. For example, the hoplite infantrymen of ancient Greece and the late medieval knights fought as close-knit units because their technology facilitated such behavior, while the Germans exploited the superior firepower of tanks in World War II.
The technology used in warfare has changed over the centuries. Everything from the shape and size the battlefield, to the way the soldier himself or herself conducts the battle have been affected. The biggest changes in warfare have been in the form of new weaponry, new methods to train and organize soldiers, as well as more efficient command and control.
It is not uncommon for technological developments to be a result a number of factors. These can include political and technological changes as well as the desire to upgrade military capabilities. The result is the need to defend a nation's safety from new threats like weapons of destruction and advanced cruise missiles.
Modern nations seek out new technology to enhance their army’s capacity. These capabilities will be most efficient when developed, deployed and used by experienced, professional armed force.
New technologies will have a major impact in a variety of fields, such as the ability to combat weapons of mass destruction and air and land war, communications and space warfare. These technologies are part a larger global trend of knowledge-based warfare, and will lead to changes in military strategies and tactics.
To defend against weapons of mass devastation, we need sensors that can detect and monitor the presence and output of chemical, nuclear, and biological facilities. This will require better wideband radars, multispectral electro-optical sensors, and laser radars. They must also be accurate enough to discriminate between quiet submarines or ballistic and Cruise missiles.
The use of unmanned air vehicles (drones) is growing in all branches. The military requires these capabilities in order to monitor and spot potential terrorist targets as well as detect and track the movement of enemy ships and planes.
Technology in warfare is always changing and making new advancements. These advances are shaping the future of war and enabling our military to respond more effectively to emerging threats.
Note that technology is not the answer to all war problems. It is important to have good leadership, well-trained soldiers, cohesive and efficient units.
By identifying the technology enablers most likely to disrupt the status-quo and integrating this information into a larger framework for predicting conflict outcomes, the military can improve their ability to fight and win. We can avoid hyperbole, by not cherry-picking the technological possibilities that seem most promising at this time.