7 Life-Saving Developments You Didn't Know About The Conflict In Afghanistan

Over the years the kit used by troops in Afghanistan has developed quite a lot. Here are 7 things that have helped save the lives of those involved in the conflict.

1. Bomb finding robot

A back-packable robot that helps troops find bombs in the ground and keep them safe.

2. Military Working Dogs

Not strictly a development as dogs have been working for the military for ages, but their use has increased massively. They have saved hundreds of lives by sniffing out bombs in the ground before troops walk near them. True life-savers!

3. Rocket stopping nets...?

What do you do if your outer armour is damaged? Use a net obviously. This lightweight net stops rockets from exploding!

4. New protected vehicles

Vehicles designed with v-shaped hulls to direct explosions away from the troops inside. Such as the new Foxhound vehicle that was designed using the latest F1 process technology.

5. Blast protective pants

...although not 100% blast proof, the 3-tiered system helps reduce impact to the ‘nether regions’ from shrapnel if caught in a blast.

The picture above shows the material in action against a bit of shrapnel.

6. Mini flying helicopter thing

A tiny flying camera (about the size of a mars bar) that troops can use to see what is around the corner or on the other side of a wall.

7. Boomerang shot detection system

Techy guys realised you could use the sound of a shot fired to find out exactly where and how far away it was from… so they developed a detection system so troops can return fire accurately.