Various militaries have lead much of the notable research conducted worldwide in the past century, not because they’ve had a change of heart and would prefer to save lives instead of taking them you see- but because they seem to be intent on turning as many things as they can into a weapon of some kind. Though it cannot be denied that since the advent of the atomic bomb in the 1940’s, the technology associated with weaponry has become more and more impressive- it’s the next gen we should be worried about.

10. Biodesign Synthetic Organism

A pretty bizarre project currently in development by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is the creation of Biodesign Synthetic Organisms. Having put around $6million into the project thus far, the Department of Defense seem rather intent on getting this invention tuned and ready for use sooner rather than later. In essence, these ‘organisms’ will be able to live indefinitely and contain molecules that are actually capable of resisting death itself. On the other hand however, they could also be deactivated with the switch of a button. Intended for the modification of soldiers (I presume…) there is no set debut date for this technology as of yet.

9. MAHEM

Another of DARPA’s wonderful creations currently under development, MAHEM or ‘mayhem without the Y’, is an acronym for the less catchy ‘Magneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition’. This weapon will possess the power to penetrate enemy armor, as in tanks and troop transporters, via the utilization of molten metal. Though it sounds like some kind of Michael Bay special effect, representatives of DARPA proclaim the eventual weapon, in its warhead format, will possess greater control and efficiency than its predecessors.

8. Free Electron Laser

Currently under development by the safe hands of the US Navy, this highly sophisticated laser system will be used to intercept attacks from any pesky missiles and rockets which may be headed towards ships with the intention of sending them to the bottom of the ocean. Doubling as a tracker/sensor/information exchanger when there are no attacks inbound, prototypes of the laser emerged last year- meaning its well on its way to becoming a fully-fledged member of the modern warships arsenal.

7. HELLADS

Another laser system, however this time under Pentagon backed production by good old DARPA in place of the Navy, the HELLADS or ‘High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System’ encompasses the concept of fitting a tiny yet unfathomably powerful laser to aircraft in order to intercept and destroy incoming enemy fire. Yadda yadda….

6. Railgun

Though no new concept, a new breed of railgun has been in development for the past decade or so. Capable of launching projectiles (presumably those of the highly destructive nature) at an astonishing rate of 2.4 kilometres PER SECOND (seven times the speed of sound), the US military say we can expect a finished version of the weapon within the next ten to fifteen years. I can hardly wait…
 

Top 10 Futuristic Weapons Currently in Development

5. Corner Shot Launcher

An odd collaboration between both Israeli and German defense development firms, the Corner Shot Launcher needs little in the way of explanation. From the image alone I’m sure even the most un-militarised of us can work out the perks carried by this model. The combination of a hinged frame, an under barrel camera and a screen linked to said camera make this an elite urban-combat weapon- gifting the user with the ability to not only fire from cover, but peek round corners without putting that neck on the line. Though announced around a decade ago, the Corner Shot Launcher is yet to be deployed by either nation’s military.

4. Hybrid Insect MEMS

Perhaps the most futuristic and intriguing concept available for your perusal on this list, Hybrid Insect MEMS are essentially half bug half highly intelligent robot. Created by introducing a micro-mechanical system to the unsuspecting insect whilst in the early stages of metamorphosis (cocoon or pupae stage), the bug will, for lack of a better word, be programmed thence forth to perform any number of suspected functions- mostly likely information gathering (spying..) or as a detector of radiation or gas.

3. DREAD Silent Weapon

As utterly brutalizing as it sounds, this weapons system will possess the capability to fire off a pretty much ridiculous amount of 120,000 fully accurate rounds in a single minute. As if this wasn’t impressive (or far) enough, the DREAD Silent Weapon system will also function completely on electrical energy instead of gunpowder- eliminating not only downsides such as recoil, but noise and heat too.

2. Aurora Excalibur

Perhaps the single item on this list expected to be a reality sooner than the others, the Aurora Excalibur is an unmanned aircraft that can take off and land vertically as a helicopter would, and can reach speeds in excess of 450 miles per hour. This system of take-off enables the Excalibur, which was tested with complete success in the summer of 2009, to be extremely versatile in terms of its use- without the need for a runway (or even a pilot!) the things are likely to cause all sorts of mischief. The Aurora Excalibur is expected to carry missiles and/or other grossly destructive propellants and can/will be controlled completely by a dude on the ground with an Xbox controller (at least that’s what I envisage).

1. XM-25 Grenade Launcher

Strictly undeserved of a place (let alone the much coveted top-spot!) on this list as a result of the fact that it has been used in field operations in Afghanistan since early last year, the XM-25 is nonetheless a ‘future’ weapon. With the ability to fire as many as 25 highly explosive grenades at pretty much any physically viewable distance with the aid of a highly intricate computer predetermination/programming aspect- what makes the XM-25 particularly savage is not solely its futuristic bringing together of gun and computer, but the fact that it’s extremely versatile and could essentially be carried as a secondary weapon by any soldier.