Part 6 – Implications for Defence
The cognitive load on personnel is likely to increase, particularly for those involved in
command and control.^45 Bioinformatics will play a crucial role in identifying commanders
and staff with the right aptitude for command and control roles. Brain interfaces,
pharmaceuticals and gene therapy could all play a significant part in optimising and
enhancing command and control proficiency. In the short term, non-invasive brain
interfaces could improve performance by being used to monitor cognitive load, develop
better processes and improve training. Virtual and augmented reality could provide
commanders and staffs with immersive training linked to analysis and feedback. In the
longer term, brain interfaces could network brains within a headquarters providing a
completely shared operating picture, improving the quality and speed of decision-making.
Brain interfaces could also enable seamless links with artificial intelligence to make sense
of complexity whilst still retaining the benefits of innovative and creative human thought.45 This publication will not discuss command and control in detail as it is covered in Joint Concept Note
2 / 17, Future of Command and Control.Future survivabilityRussia revealed the Ratnik-3 in 2018, a powered
exoskeleton that uses small actuators and motors
to reduce the burden of increased body armour. Its
4 hour battery life is a notable constraint but its
makers claim it has already been tested in combat.Erythromer is a nanoscale biosynthetic artificial red
blood cell that is stored in powdered form at room
temperature and mixed with water when needed.
The quest for synthetic blood has been elusive
but a chronic worldwide lack of donors is making
it increasingly vital. Over 90% of preventable
battlefield military deaths are due to haemorrhagic
shock; synthetic blood may only last for a short time
but long enough to get the patient back to more
established medical care. Erythromer is currently
undergoing animal testing and may be ready for
human trials by 2030.The world’s first remote operation was performed by
a Chinese doctor in January 2019. The procedure
to remove the liver of the test animal used robotic
arms controlled by a doctor over 30 kilometres away
over a fifth generation (5G) network. Post-surgery
care is equally, if not more, crucial than the surgery
itself and much harder to deliver remotely but this
is nevertheless an important step forward. This
world’s first has since been followed up by reports
of a successful brain surgery on a human patient.