A conference related to the items special operations forces use – such as weapons and gadgets – may be appealing to veterans interested in finding out how things have changed since life after military. The exhibition will be held this week from Monday to Wednesday, according to ABC News. The source noted that this event is essential for companies and suppliers of special forces equipment..
Military gadgets demonstrate prowess
The Tampa Bay Times noted that the event is not solely the province of the U.S. military – as 84 nations will have representatives at the Tampa Bay Convention Center. ABC News reported that the exhibition has featured impressive military devices – like the Highly Adaptive Robotic Vehicle, a device that is very small. According to the source, it only weighs 4 pounds, but has nifty attributes. For example, it is used via remote control, enabling the vehicle's user to have a significant amount of freedom in determining what the gadget will do. The military benefits of the vehicle include night-vision features and surveillance equipment, sure to be popular among the intelligence community.
CBS News noted that the event will have representatives from the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit project, an ambitious plan that is currently being worked on at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, Florida. The source noted that the suit is similar to the infamous suit from the "Iron Man" franchise. Its currently being developed, and is slated to be released in 2018. According to the source, the suit will keep its wearer apprised of vital signs. It will also wholly encase a soldier with a bulletproof outfit. This concept, if developed and carried out successfully, could have a tremendous impact on battlefield safety.
Numerous technological advances
"We've lost a lot of guys to gunshot wounds and explosions," said James Geurts, the Deputy for Acquisition of the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill, according to CBS News. "If there's anything I can do to more rapidly field technology, give better protection, better capability, any progress, I think we've done well."
A prospective visitor to the 4-day event can expect to find many more items that reflect technological savvy. For example, ABC News reported the event exhibited a robot that is designed to work underwater, called Bluefin 21. It has the power to descend deep into the ocean, purportedly searching the ocean floor for the missing Malaysian airplane.
The special forces conference proves to be interesting – especially so for those involved in the inventions on display.