War 6: Future weaponry: Trends in military R&D are reviewed by present and former U.S. defense officials; an expert comments on communications in space: Research thrusts of the U.S. DoD

The fragility of humans and the shortcomings of their senses are likely to be less significant in future conflicts than they have been in the past. Remote probes and satellites have replaced human scouts; radars and sonars have replaced eyes and ears; digital transmissions are replacing the voice; and computers are replacing the human brain — in speed if not in reasoning ability. Electronics is changing the face of war — further dehumanizing it, perhaps; automating it, certainly.