Currently tanks are loud and emit a lot of heat. A quieter tank with a low level of infrared signature might not be detected until it was too late.
Future tanks could also control several large flying or ground drones with missiles. Those tanks would not give away their location when a strike is ordered.
Tanks could be made a lot more quiet by switching to electric battery operation when the detection is to be avoided. A hybrid power tank could switch to electric power when they get within 5 to 10 miles of the enemy.
Ion-soaked graphene sheets are thin and simple material that can shield an object’s thermal signature and even blend into surrounding temperature if actively manipulated. Graphene sheets could eliminate or significantly reduce or disguise a tank’s heat signature.
SAIC and Lockheed Martin are building the first U.S. electric tank prototype. Two demonstration vehicles are expected to be built by 2022. The Pentagon has expressed interest in military vehicles which generate their own electricity.
Brian Wang is a Futurist Thought Leader and a popular Science blogger with 1 million readers per month. His blog Nextbigfuture.com is ranked #1 Science News Blog. It covers many disruptive technology and trends including Space, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Medicine, Anti-aging Biotechnology, and Nanotechnology.
Known for identifying cutting edge technologies, he is currently a Co-Founder of a startup and fundraiser for high potential early-stage companies. He is the Head of Research for Allocations for deep technology investments and an Angel Investor at Space Angels.
A frequent speaker at corporations, he has been a TEDx speaker, a Singularity University speaker and guest at numerous interviews for radio and podcasts. He is open to public speaking and advising engagements.