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In this paper the authors illustrate developments in sensor technology with a number of examples. From their own research they discuss radar, image processing and sensor networks. Radar performance is affected by propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves. Experience has shown that this may lead to considerable errors and even failure to detect threatening targets. Characterization of these propagation effects helps to determine their consequences and to counter or even utilize them. Image processing in a maritime environment provides challenges with complex variable backgrounds and a diversity of objects and appearance. This requires characterization of meteo and environmental effects and development of new image analysis algorithms. Finally the authors consider networks of large numbers of sensors that are made possible by ongoing miniaturization and offer new deployment possibilities but also pose new challenges because the limited resources of individual sensors must be overcome by efficient network organization. In combination this offers an overview of limits of current technologies and how attempts are made to overcome these.

The development and application of modern technology plays a pivotal role in modern warfare. Therefore it is evident, that projects on large material renewal and acquisition attract a lot of attention in both the military and the political scene. Introducing new technologies and novel military platforms can lead to fundamentally re-thinking on their usage and of course on the budget involved. When it comes to the acquisition of novel technologies, we therefore expect exciting years ahead. In view of these new developments this book presents an outlook on emerging technologies currently being studied by the Netherlands Defence Academy and its partners. This book does not only deal with new future technologies themselves, but also with new operational concepts and paradigms that are created by these technologies, viz., planning, system integration, and life-cycle management.

The development and application of modern technology plays a pivotal role in modern warfare. Therefore it is evident, that projects on large material renewal and acquisition attract a lot of attention in both the military and the political scene. Introducing new technologies and novel military platforms can lead to fundamentally re-thinking on their usage and of course on the budget involved. When it comes to the acquisition of novel technologies, we therefore expect exciting years ahead. In view of these new developments this book presents an outlook on emerging technologies currently being studied by the Netherlands Defence Academy and its partners. This book does not only deal with new future technologies themselves, but also with new operational concepts and paradigms that are created by these technologies, viz., planning, system integration, and life-cycle management.

In this paper the authors illustrate developments in sensor technology with a number of examples. From their own research they discuss radar, image processing and sensor networks. Radar performance is affected by propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves. Experience has shown that this may lead to considerable errors and even failure to detect threatening targets. Characterization of these propagation effects helps to determine their consequences and to counter or even utilize them. Image processing in a maritime environment provides challenges with complex variable backgrounds and a diversity of objects and appearance. This requires characterization of meteo and environmental effects and development of new image analysis algorithms. Finally the authors consider networks of large numbers of sensors that are made possible by ongoing miniaturization and offer new deployment possibilities but also pose new challenges because the limited resources of individual sensors must be overcome by efficient network organization. In combination this offers an overview of limits of current technologies and how attempts are made to overcome these.

In an increasingly technology-driven world it is natural to ask what exactly are the expectations and limitations of novel technologies in a particular domain. Military technology has a high-tech imago that is not always justified by the facts. However there is no doubt that the military is a powerful endorser of novel technologies. Even in the absence of a full-fledged war technological developments are stimulated by "peace-keeping" missions and anti-terrorism operations in the name of homeland security. In an industrialized world it is obvious that the military industry is a powerful economic driver, in which a substantial amount of GNP is spent. In this article the author reviews current and future technological developments and will focus on materials science and its influence on computing hardware and sensor technology.

In an increasingly technology-driven world it is natural to ask what exactly are the expectations and limitations of novel technologies in a particular domain. Military technology has a high-tech imago that is not always justified by the facts. However there is no doubt that the military is a powerful endorser of novel technologies. Even in the absence of a full-fledged war technological developments are stimulated by "peace-keeping" missions and anti-terrorism operations in the name of homeland security. In an industrialized world it is obvious that the military industry is a powerful economic driver, in which a substantial amount of GNP is spent. In this article the author reviews current and future technological developments and will focus on materials science and its influence on computing hardware and sensor technology.