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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Army to Speed High-Tech Gear Into Combat

New weapons could hit Iraq, Afghanistan by 2011

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(Newser) – The US Army has moved up the timetable for its high-tech weapons program, hoping to get new devices into the field by late 2010, 5 years ahead of its original schedule, Popular Mechanics reports. It’s also shifting focus away from conventional warfare tech like tanks and artillery and toward the communications and unmanned vehicles, including robots, infantry in Iraq and Afghanistan covet.

“We’re listening to our soldiers and commanders in the field, and we are giving them the capabilities they need—as fast as we can so that they can win in the current fight,” said the army chief of staff.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey talks about the XM1203 none-line-of-sight cannon, back, during a news conference, Wednesday, June 11, 2008, on the National Mall in Washington.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey talks about the XM1203 none-line-of-sight cannon, back, during a news conference, Wednesday, June 11, 2008, on the National Mall in Washington.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Shown are an SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle), left, and and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), being used by soldiers from the Future Force Warrior Program.
Shown are an SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle), left, and and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), being used by soldiers from the Future Force Warrior Program.   (AP Photo/The El Paso Times, Mark Lambie, file)
This is an undated handout from BAE Systems of an artist's impression of their Taranis aircraft.
This is an undated handout from BAE Systems of an artist's impression of their Taranis aircraft.   (AP Photo)
The barrel of a XM1203 none-line-of-sight cannon frames the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, June 11, 2008, on the National Mall in Washington.
The barrel of a XM1203 none-line-of-sight cannon frames the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, June 11, 2008, on the National Mall in Washington.   (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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