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Soldiers Go Solar

Australian soldiers are now beginning deployment with wearable solar panels. Just like most of us, their military is weighed down by too many gadgets that are consuming too much power. But unlike most of us, their use of night vision is for more than "recreational" purposes. So the government has spent £1million developing a 14- ounce solar panel that's even effective on cloudy days by pulling power from solar radiation (as opposed to mere light). The technology should save battery trips back and forth to base, as well as lighten the overall load of the Iraq-based troops. Now if they can just develop generators powered by pissing oneself, I'm all set to enlist. [dailymail via spluch]

10:02 AM on Mon Oct 1 2007
By Mark Wilson
1,858 views
8 comments

Comments

gary_slamson at 10:13 AM on 10/01/07
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Yeah, and if they keep developing solar technologies maybe we wouldnt need these soldiers to fight wars to stake claims on oil. With that said im going to oil up my body and give myself a rub down.
glibberthwix at 11:13 AM on 10/01/07
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If only they could harness will-power.
Reilaos~ at 11:30 AM on 10/01/07
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Too bad they have to carry all that stuff around with them all the time. I think it'd be rather pointless otherwise to carry around a solar panel -and- night vision goggles....
blueharv at 12:54 PM on 10/01/07
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Now why would Australia spend pounds on anything? They haven't done that since the 1960's. But since the story was culled from the Daily Mail I'll cut the Giz a break.
Gabeeb at 01:03 PM on 10/01/07
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@ REILAO
These are meant for foot troops that spend more than a few hours outside of a resupply base. The idea is that when you are out on a ten day patrol, you'd don't have to carry 50 kgs of batteries. So you recharge during the day and use the goggles at night.
SpoBo at 02:50 PM on 10/01/07
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Yeah ... I'm sorry. Nightvision AND solar panels? The people developing this stuff must be absolute geniuses. Or are they suggesting that soldiers lug a bunch of batteries as well?

Perhaps it's an ok idea for 1 soldier to carry this so he can recharge all the batterypacks while everyone else carries his gear. And that would obviously only be possible in a situation that spans over several days. So all in all ... extremely useless.
gundamsdontkillpeople at 04:18 AM on 10/02/07
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You still gotta carry batteries. Solar panels will only bring in the juice. Batteries will store for later use. Otherwise you have to use the nightvision for daytime.
army ranger at 02:59 PM on 12/18/07
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the US Government makes all the efforts to be always to the vanguard of the technology. This tool will be helpful for the soldiers who guard the frontiers. To read more.. [www.usarmyrangers.info]