US military looks to 'black ice' (BBC News)

[Yrys]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6295567.stm

The US military has appealed to scientists to help develop a novel weapon - artificial black ice.

The plastic-like substance, the brainchild of the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), would be used to force slip-ups from enemies.

The "polymer ice" would be designed for hot, arid environments, "as found in Iraq and Afghanistan", it said.

A spray-on "reversal agent" could be incorporated into boots and tyres to prevent friendly forces sliding around.


Such a system will provide unprecedented situational control
Darpa

In a document published on the agency's website, officials point out that "to get from point A to point B, one must have sufficient traction with the ground".

Darpa believes a polymer-based compound could replicate the properties of black ice - a thin, translucent slippery coating, typically found on roads in winter - to reduce traction.

The agency's wish list for the "Mobility Control System" includes the polymer ice or raw materials to produce it very quickly, a spray-on reversal agent and a means to clean the ice up.

"Such a system will provide unprecedented situational control and sustained operational tempo," said Darpa.

"It would degrade the ability of our adversaries to shoot and chase us."

Researchers interested in joining the Polymer Ice Project are being invited to respond by the middle of April 2007.

 

[geo]

chase us?  didn't think that was one of our problems... woulda thought it was more a case of us chasing them.

WRT reversal agent.... try sand! it works real good on the real stuff and would imagine that it'll work on the artificial ice as well.....


Hey - hold on, the TB & insurgents have access to sand as well......
Hmmm - can see that this idea won't be going too far too quickly - but il'll be expensive.

 

[Mike Baker]

can see that this idea won't be going too far too quickly - but it'll be expensive.

Yet another amazing idea, but flushed down the potty.

 

[Old Sweat]

So much for global warming.

 

[Exarecr]

Beam me up Scotty, theres no Intelligent life at the Pentagon.