Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Implications for the Future of the DOD

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (Alexandria, VA) established the DOD

Biotechnologies for Health and Human Performance Council (BHPC) study group to continually assess research and

development in biotechnology. The BHPC group assesses scientific advances for improved health and performance with

potential military application; identifies corresponding risks and opportunities and ethical, legal, and social implications; and

provides senior leadership with recommendations for mitigating adversarial threats and maximizing opportunities for future

U.S. forces. At the direction of the BHPC Executive Committee, the BHPC study group conducted a year-long assessment

entitled “Cyborg Soldier 2050: Human/Machine Fusion and the Impact for the Future of the DOD”. The primary objective of

this effort was to forecast and evaluate the military implications of machines that are physically integrated with the human

body to augment and enhance human performance over the next 30 years. This report summarizes this assessment and

findings; identifies four potential military-use cases for new technologies in this area; and assesses their impact upon the

DOD organizational structure, warfighter doctrine and tactics, and interoperability with U.S. allies and civil society.

https://community.apan.org/wg/tradoc-g2/mad-scientist/m/articles-of-interest/300458