How Technology is Reducing the Weight of War
Technology is helping to reduce the great weight of war. From 3D printers that allow individuals to restock remotely and in turn keep their inventory to a minimum, through to proposed exoskeletons that simultaneously reduce stress on the body and allow individuals to carry far more weight, there are many items that are making combat far less taxing on the body and far less costly at the same time.
With fewer items to carry, fewer vehicles will be needed and fewer resources will be used up when travelling great distances. Furthermore, with women now being allowed to take combat roles in the US army, female soldiers may simply be unable to carry the same loads as their male counterparts.
This is not sexism, and whilst some women may well be bigger and stronger than some men, and indeed will have to be able to do the same physical activities as men to get into a combat role, there are still certain differences between the sexes in terms of strength, and lightening the load will make a big difference to many women out on the front line. Since women tend to have around 30 per cent less muscle mass than men on average, these physical differences will need to be taken into account.
Fortunately, with rugged notebooks and lightweight armour, the weight of war is less than it has been in many years, whilst those fighting in war zones are likely to be simultaneously more protected than ever. The use of rugged tablets and laptops allows individuals to dispense with a great deal of paperwork and other electronic or communication devices, whilst ensuring they can get updates and intel as and when they need them.
Those in combat positions, whether male or female, are likely to benefit from having the latest technology on hand, not just to reduce weight and costs, but also to ensure they are physically and mentally as ready for action as possible.
