'Invisible' commandos might stalk future battlefields

Researchers are looking into a variety of technologies to hide special forces from enemy sensors, while also providing improved night vision and situational awareness.

The U.S. Special Operations Command wants stealthier, practically invisible commandos with improved sensors and situational awareness, reports Madhumita Venkataramanan at Danger Room.

Among the technologies being assigned high priority by SOCOM are gear designed to hide soldiers’ heat and visual images, better night vision systems, and sensors and data-gathering tools to give commanders improved situational awareness during operations.

Researchers also are looking at less-than-lethal methods to incapacitate and subdue enemy combatants.