TANKS, IFVS, AND APCS
While many people talk about the need for an infantryman with a rifle, the fact remains that an infantryman brings very little relative firepower to the table. On the ground, much of the firepower on the front lines comes from tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers.

One cannot really fight a war without these, especially on the ground. These vehicles can often provide protection, transportation, and fire support. The tanks, APCs, and IFVs in service today are proven veterans.

An innovation that will leave female Soldiers safer and more comfortable on the battlefield was named one of Time Magazine's "Best Inventions of the Year 2012."

A collaborative effort between the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center and Program Executive Office Soldier resulted in an improved outer tactical vest, or IOTV, designed specifically for women. The 101st Airborne Division's 1st Brigade will be the first unit to test the new female body armor in Afghanistan.

The Spider XM7 Network Command Munition is a hand-emplaced, remotely controlled, man-in-the-loop, anti-personnel munitions system. Through positive radio control and positive target identification, the Spider meets 2004 Ottowa Treaty and National Landmine Policies. It replaces earlier landmine and anti-personnel systems that were often remote detonated.

Video by 120th Fighter Wing

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully conducted the largest, most complex missile defense flight test ever attempted, Oct. 24.

MDA, Soldiers from the 94th and 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC); Sailors aboard USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62); and Airmen from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center conducted test, resulting in the simultaneous engagement of five ballistic missile and cruise missile targets.

An integrated air and ballistic missile defense architecture used multiple sensors and missile

Video by 85th Civil Affairs Brigade

An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from a 5th Generation fighter, Oct. 16.

Flying through a January sky in 1945, U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Robert Nesmith was piloting a P-38G Lightning - one of the Air Force's best aircraft during World War II. The plane, equipped with two engines and relatively long wings, was a beautiful sight, and Nesmith worked hard to be in a position to fly it across the Pacific.

The U.S. Army Air Forces accepted the P-38G from the manufacturer, paying $98,441.00 for it. The plane arrived at Elmendorf Field, Alaska, and was assigned to the 54th Fighter Squadron.

Four more Picatinny Arsenal products have been added to the 2011 list of inventions chosen by Soldiers to be named "Army Greatest Inventions."

Announced by the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command in a news release on Sept. 19, the recipients of the award are recognized for their inventiveness, contribution to Army capabilities and potential benefit outside the Army.