Local Flight Plan: Fill & Download for Free

Way back in 1966 or 1967 a student, I forget his name, at old Northfield Airport, about ten miles north of Richmond got his private certificate on about the same day our little airport took delivery of a brand-new Cessna 172 Skyhawk with a good set of radios, ILS, glideslope, and that new airplane smell. I was eager to get my instrument rating completed, and for a while this was the only trainer that had a full ILS, and I was expecting to get the rating in the new Skyhawk.He reserved it for a few days’ trip down to Atlanta, before I could get into it, and showed up in mid-day to get a checkride in it, having not flown anything but 150s, two-seater, for his training and private pilot check ride. The instructor signed him off and suggested he take it to the practice area and nearby airports to get some time and a few more landings in it. He declined, and instead unpacked his car and trunk, loaded the airplane with his wife, two kids, and baggage, and got ready to leave for Atlanta.The weather was iffy, usual for a hot afternoon in Georgia, with lots of convective activity, and I remember my flight instructor, known as Stripgear Strohmeyer for some reason, tried to talk him into leaving the next morning before the clouds had a chance to cook off in Georgia. The new pilot declined, got an iffy weather report about lots of ‘convective activity’, filed his flight plan, and said he’d stop in the Carolinas if the weather closed in on him.A few hours later when we were closing up the office, our airport manager, Ray Tyson, got a call from the FAA that his new plane had been crashed, in weather, into the rock face of a mountain North of Atlanta and the pilot had killed his whole family and himself.A couple weeks later, some of the guys with our local GADO - General Aviation District Office came to a meeting at Northfield and played a tape of his radio contact with Atlanta Center.He was flying South between ridges, had gotten into clouds, and the radar operator was trying to help him out. This was a new private pilot with a couple or few hours instrument time max, and he was in an absolute panic. Every time he keyed the mike we heard his family screaming in the background.After a few minutes where the controller helped him the best he could, he got the plane stable, reported he could see, and his last words were like ‘OK, I think I can turn East now.’ The controller’s next words were ‘No, Sir, You Can Not! Fly South!, Fly South’.The new pilot had turned left quick and flew into a rocky ridge on the East side of the valley, killed himself and his family. The controller called a few more times, and that was the tape Mr Riley and Gilletley, played for us.I was a pilot from 1965 until I retired from flying in 1999 and this is the most serious error I’ve seen a rookie pilot make. Locking the brakes on a tail-dragger J-3 Cub bouncing down the runway and flipping the plane upside down was another serious error, but it wasn’t lethal and gave the guys in the shop working on their A&P certs something to do.

The next twenty years are going to showcase some of the most monstrously terrifying while holistically awe-inspiring feats of engineering in the history of warfare.To set the scene, imagine a time in the not so distant future. A despotic regime in the Horn of Africa is growing wealthy as their people toil though life in comparatively medieval conditions. A once nameless local warlord has grown to become a regional threat, disturbing the balance of power and trade from Central Africa to the waters on the far end of the Indian Ocean. He is backed by powerful Eastern allies caring enough for his nation's mineral wealth to ignore his history of human rights violations to the neighboring peoples who have fallen under his shadow. Emboldened by the regime's newly acquired military hardware, the dictator invades his neighbor to the South.AirSatellite imaging has shown diplomatic initiatives to prevent the invasion have failed. The dictator has already started his attack. Ground forces have crossed the border simultaneously with a series of air strikes. Armed with next generation aircraft, they are an imposing threat to dated military of their targets. As the air raid sirens blow, they scramble to arm and launch their small force of outdated warplanes built more than 40 years ago. In previous wars these planes were considered to be invincible, but today many of the pilots wonder if they now are little more than their own glorified coffins.Elsewhere, on a base in the the Arabian Sea the order has been given to launch a squadron of hypersonic fighter drones.Son of the BlackbirdEnvisioned as an unmanned aircraft, the SR-72 would fly at speeds up to Mach 6, or six times the speed of sound. At this speed, the aircraft would be so fast, an adversary would have no time to react or hide.“Hypersonic aircraft, coupled with hypersonic missiles, could penetrate denied airspace and strike at nearly any location across a continent in less than an hour,” said Brad Leland, Lockheed Martin program manager, Hypersonics. “Speed is the next aviation advancement to counter emerging threats in the next several decades. The technology would be a game-changer in theater, similar to how stealth is changing the battlespace today.”A hypersonic plane does not have to be an expensive, distant possibility. In fact, an SR-72 could be operational by 2030. For the past several years, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® has been working with Aerojet Rocketdyne to develop a method to integrate an off-the-shelf turbine with a supersonic combustion ramjet air breathing jet engine to power the aircraft from standstill to Mach 6. The result is the SR-72 that Aviation Week has dubbed “son of Blackbird,” and integrated engine and airframe that is optimized at the system level for high performance and affordability."Meet the SR-72" - Lockheed Martin Press ReleaseAs the drones take off a nervous international film crew in a hotel more than 3200 km away prepare for the impending attack. As the minutes tick by a lucky cameraman on the balcony spots the enemy's planes in the distance. The tiny specs of silver grows ever more dangerous in the sky as four squadrons of enemy fighters become visible. Twenty six minutes after the invasion began the warplanes are now visible to the capitol city. As their profile becomes clearer the camera captures something its operator can't even see. He sees the jets in the distance and then a flash of light and smoke - first the lead plane followed soon after by all of the other fifteen in his formation. He thinks that they have fired their missiles, but then sees in the distance through his camera's zoom the puffs of smoke were actually explosions in the sky. Sixteen white clouds were showering debris on the city outskirts. A few moments later the city is rocked by a violent tremor and the deafening roar of a thousand screaming lions as windows throughout the city shatter and fall to the ground. No enemy planes are anywhere to be seen as the clouds of fallen invaders dissipates into nothingness. A few minutes later a second boom can be heard, this time much more faint. As its echoes fade the sirens are quieted and silence is all that is heard throughout the city.CyberspaceThe dictator sat at the head of a granite top table in the situation room of the jewel of his domain, the Republican Guard Headquarters Building with his most accomplished and senior staff to either side. They looked above the massive table to monitors on the far wall. As their forward strike fighters continued on their doomed mission, little did these leaders know that an enemy agent had already infiltrated the deepest recesses of their most guarded strongholds, and in fact, that very room. As they gleefully watched their monitors in the situation room, expecting to see the results of a stunning victory, the room abruptly went dark. Sudden night fell on the leadership with the deafening silence of the sudden halting of every light, screen, computer, and air vent in the building. The after image of the screens in the pitch blackness of the room was the only thing the dictator and his Generals could see. As the dim green square in their vision faded, fear and confusion took over when they realize that they are cut off from their information of the battlefield and their command over it."United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) plans, coordinates, integrates, synchronizes and conducts activities to: direct the operations and defense of specified Department of Defense information networks and; prepare to, and when directed, conduct full spectrum military cyberspace operations in order to enable actions in all domains, ensure US/Allied freedom of action in cyberspace and deny the same to our adversaries."Stuxnet is a computer worm that was discovered in June 2010. It was designed to attack industrial Programmable Logic Controllers or PLCs. PLCs allow the automation of electromechanical processes such as those used to control machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or (most infamously) centrifuges for separating nuclear material. Exploiting four zero-day flaws, Stuxnet functions by targeting machines using the Microsoft Windows operating system and networks, then seeking out Siemens Step7 software. Stuxnet reportedly compromised Iranian PLCs, collecting information on industrial systems and causing the fast-spinning centrifuges to tear themselves apart. Stuxnet reportedly ruined almost one-fifth of Iran's nuclear centrifuges. Stuxnet has three modules: a worm that executes all routines related to the main payload of the attack; a link file that automatically executes the propagated copies of the worm; and a rootkit component responsible for hiding all malicious files and processes, preventing detection of the presence of Stuxnet. Israel, through Unit 8200, has been speculated to be the country behind Stuxnet in many media reports and by experts such as Richard A. Falkenrath, former Senior Director for Policy and Plans within the U.S. Office of Homeland Security.The helpless dictator and his highest ranking officials clumsily scurry and stumble amid the confusion and chaos of the situation room. Groping in the darkness one finally reaches the door, opening to reveal a likewise dimmed out hallway, stirring with frightened secretaries and officials. So deep in the building was the central administration section of the Republican Guard Headquarters that natural light from the outside had no chance of reaching them. The first few minutes ticked away as they fingered their ways down the hall, led by the soft glow of lighters in their pockets and the few flashlights that had been found in the office. The dictator's security team stormed the room as they grabbed their leader to take him to his secure command center. The Generals, now left behind, guided themselves to a point of light at the end of the hall. An exit sign was visible at the end of a hall above a door, natural light peeking out from around its perimeter. They opened the door to the blinding light of the setting sun.As they regained themselves, they looked out over the balcony of the building. They could see their dictator being rushed into a car and it screaming into the street. Within the car the dictator desperately tried to regain control of his country. He and his closest secretaries pulled their phones from their pockets to realize all the devices were now dead. All communication lines had been lost. One of them screamed out to destroy their phones since they may be being tracked. Frustrated, he threw his phone to floorboard and stomped it with his foot, followed by all the rest. As his car made its way down the momentous parade route of the Ministry of Defenses's new complex of buildings he saw that none was lit as it should be at this hour. Each had gone dark. In the distance he could see only the dark silhouettes of the National Palace and the Headquarters of the National Police, contrasted greatly by the bright lights in full illumination of the city behind them. Behind him he saw his grand Republican Guard building, now just a shadow, backlit by the rising of the full moon.He could never have known that days before a secret agent had slipped deep into nation's defense system. It had arrived when he had made one of his grand propaganda broadcast in the days and weeks leading up to today's attack. After a digitally broadcast display of his army on parade he gave a speech, invigorating his populace. After the grandiose display a commercial was broadcast telling his citizens of a news application where they could learn more about their great leader's plan to empower the people of their nation. A link was displayed on the screen where his citizens were asked to download the free news and information source. Tens of thousands of his people did as they were instructed. Had he only known that the program they downloaded was not the one he had provided. Unbeknownst to anyone, they were redirected through a series of proxies to a new program, one similar in every way, from look to functionality to the one the dictator had mentioned... that is, except for major difference. Embedded in the program was a new process. This additional program tracked the information of everyone who downloaded it. From a base far away, an information network was being created with the ID's, contacts, messaging identifiers, locations, bank account activity, medical history and locations of thousands of different users. Subtle messages were being generated and sporadically sent out across all user's social media and email accounts. Faithful believe in the words of their friends, family and coworkers endorsement of the very real, well-known and verified national news source encouraged millions of people to download the application. This truly viral media campaign had, in fact, been among the nation's most successful advertising campaigns. His national secretaries believed the great success was due to the people's great faith in the dictator and his dream for their nation. In days building up to right now, a virtual map of all the most influential systems and people had been developed automatically by the intrusive worm. Information on millions of his people was now accessible, most importantly many of his top aides, officials and officers. Entrances had been created into the most important networks in his country, from his military networks, the national banking system, his secret police force and intelligence networks and even into the power and sewer grids. As darkness fell over his city, a shadow that had loomed in his presence began to rise.His car made its way to his secure bunker deep within the Ministry of Defense's Complex in the capital. Helplessly he looked out his window when his car came to a stop. He screamed at the driver for an explanation of the delay when he looked ahead to see the streets ahead in hopeless gridlock. As the lights when dark in the Ministry, so did the traffic lights throughout the entire city. Now there was nothing directing the millions of people heading home from work on what seemed like a normal day. It was the only civilian system affected, yet it left the entire city and all its people in a complete standstill. As he looked out he saw the line of cars clustered before him and the growing congestion building behind him. He was trapped and completely vulnerable. Most were just normal commuters but now many were desperate government officials fleeing the Ministry. Realizing the danger he was in, his security team opened his car door and rushed him out of the vehicle. They would have to make the rest of the three mile trip on foot.He wouldn't reach his destination though. Among his entourage was the driver of his vehicle and his personal confidant. Not realizing the danger it posed, he had never thought to destroy his phone. Though the device appeared to be broken and disabled, as he discovered when attempting to reach Central Command, a message was still being sent.........."9°00'49.2"N, 38°45'44.9"E"..."Heading North by Northwest"..."3.2 meters per second"...SpaceAn overland invasion force has yet to receive word of their forward air strike's failure and the collapse of the Ministry of Defense in the capital. They view the radio blackout as a temporary interruption and continue on their mission as ordered until command can come back online. Formations of tank and troop carriers storm in through the African savanna. They can be seen nearing a local village by villagers high in the mountains. The dust their convoy column has risen is visible for miles. As the village comes in sight from the top of the hill, their column reforms and goes offroad. Spread out across the valley they loom upon the frightened villagers.High in orbit above the continent a satellite shifts into position.Project Thor is an idea for a weapons system that launches kinetic projectiles from Earth orbit to damage targets on the ground. Jerry Pournelle originated the concept while working in operations research at Boeing in the 1950s before becoming a science-fiction writer.[1][2] The most described system is "an orbiting tungsten telephone pole with small fins and a computer in the back for guidance". The weapon can be down-scaled, an orbiting "crowbar" rather than a pole. The system described in the 2003 United States Air Force (USAF) report was that of 20-foot-long (6.1 m), 1-foot-diameter (0.30 m) tungsten rods, that are satellite controlled, and have global strike capability, with impact speeds of Mach 10.[3][4][5]The time between deorbiting and impact would only be a few minutes, and depending on the orbits and positions in the orbits, the system would have a world-wide range. There is no requirement to deploy missiles, aircraft or other vehicles. Although the SALT II (1979) prohibited the deployment of orbital weapons of mass destruction, it did not prohibit the deployment of conventional weapons. The system is prohibited by neither the Outer Space Treaty nor the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.[4][6]The idea is that the weapon would inflict damage because it moves at orbital velocities, at least 9 kilometers per second. Smaller weapons can deliver measured amounts of energy as small as a 225 kg conventional bomb. Some systems are quoted as having the yield of a small tactical nuclear bomb.[5]In the case of the system mentioned in the 2003 USAF report above, a 6.1 m × 0.3 m tungsten cylinder impacting at Mach 10 has a kinetic energy equivalent to approximately 11.5 tons of TNT (or 7.2 tons of dynamite). The mass of such a cylinder is itself greater than 9 tons, so it is clear that the practical applications of such a system are limited to those situations where its other characteristics provide a decisive advantage. Some other sources suggest a speed of 36,000 ft/s (11,000 m/s),[8] which for the aforementioned rod would amount to a kinetic energy equivalent to 120 tons of TNT or 0.12 kt. With 6-8 satellites on a given orbit, a target could be hit within < 12–15 minutes from any given time, less than half the time taken by an ICBM and without the warning.As the raid nears the city, frightened villagers look back to their assailants. As they do they see a series of streaks dart across the sky. The momentary points of light rain havoc upon the enemy vehicles. Tanks are flattened and thrown across the landscape as troop vehicles disintegrate in plumes of dust. As they watch with awe three more flashes of light steak across the sky. They collide the Earth with a massive eruption of violence and astonished bewilderment. With fear and amazement, massive dust clouds rise from the impact sights as each eject a wave of force emanating from their points of impact. The waves spreads across the plain, felling trees and kicking up the grasses. The waves continue on towards the village, first one, then another and then another. They are knocked from their feet and look back on the blast. The area is nothing more than a massive cloud of dust which is now settling everywhere around them. Their attackers are all gone. [1]SeaCombating a rise in piracy within their maritime jurisdictions, various world governments have adapted to be responsive with faster, lighter navies armed with fleets of advanced new ships combining stealth capabilities with high fire power armaments and speeds outmatching their agile rivals.As the regime begins to breakdown in Africa weapons and soldiers flow out and join up with local pirate factions looting shipping lanes across the Indian ocean. Little did one ship know, that it was already being closely followed by the US Navy's next generation of naval weapons.The littoral combat ship (LCS) is a class of relatively small surface vessels intended for operations in the littoral zone (close to shore) by the United States Navy.[1] It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeating anti-access and asymmetric threats in the littorals."[2]The Freedom class and the Independence class are the first two variants of LCS by the U.S. Navy. LCS designs are slightly smaller than the U.S. Navy's guided missile frigates, and have been likened to corvettes of other navies. However, the LCS designs add the capabilities of a small assault transport with a flight deck and hangar large enough to base two SH-60B/F or MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters, the capability to recover and launch small boats from a stern ramp, and enough cargo volume and payload to deliver a small assault force with fighting vehicles to a roll-on/roll-off port facility. The standard armament for the LCS are Mk 110 57 mm guns and Rolling Airframe Missiles. It will also be able to launch autonomous air, surface, and underwater vehicles.[3] Although the LCS designs offer less air defense and surface-to-surface capabilities than comparable destroyers, the LCS concept emphasizes speed, flexible mission module space and a shallow draft.The concept behind the littoral combat ship, as described by former Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England, is to "create a small, fast, maneuverable and relatively inexpensive member of the DD(X) family of ships." The ship is easy to reconfigure for different roles, including anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, homeland defense, maritime intercept, special operations, and logistics. Due to its modular design, the LCS will be able to replace slower, more specialized ships such as minesweepers and larger assault ships.[11]The pirates are occupied hunting down civilian traffic in the area... to busy to notice the ship rapidly gaining on them. Traveling at more than 50 knots these next generation littoral ship is one of the fastest vessels in existence. In little time at all it has closed with the pirate's ship. Desperate to evade, the pirates attempt to flee. Wishing to avoid a confrontation the Captain issues an edict for the ship to shut off it's engines using its latest version of the Long Range Acoustic Device in twelve of the major languages of the region. Fearing capture and acting in desperation the pirates turned their boat towards the US Navy ships. It was clear that they were attempting to ram the vessel. Warning shots were fired from the 110 cannons across the enemy bow. The ship continued to close. The cannons were zeroed on the ship and with the Captain's command the ship was torn to shreds by successive bursts of the overwhelming cruiser.A life raft was spotted behind the wreckage. The XO informed the Captain that it appeared they had jumped ship hoping that the ramming would sink the LCS. If the pirates were able to get back home having captures a video sinking the US Navy ship they could become wealthy men for the bounties that circulated among the area's various black market cartels. Today, however, they wouldn't be so fortunate and tonight they would be spending the night in the ship's brig. This was the second such arrest this week by the fleet with another seven expected before the end of the month. [2]MedicineCorporal "Cy" Fannon is augmented with an artificial eye and hand after losing his in Venezuela. The "Cy" stands either for cyborg or cyclops. No one really knows which and no one is brave enough to ask. He's quiet, but when he looks at you with that creepy as hell robot eye, you'll do whatever he asks just to get him to stop eyeballin' you.After Venezuela, Fannon was given the opportunity to be med-sepped with full medical benefits from the VA. He was also presented with the opportunity to prototype some new of the DARPA tech ready for the field. He took the road of fool hardy and stayed in to be a human guinea pig for some robomed company's hopes of creating the future of robot warriors to put the rest of us out of a job.Futurists and researchers in prosthetic technology say that nearly everything depicted in [science fiction] films is possible; indeed, current advances in robotics, neuroscience, and microelectronics are bringing the visions of science fiction closer to reality every year. Over the next two decades, scientists expect to introduce bionic appendages that respond to thoughts, and chips implanted in the brain with the potential to download data directly into human memory banks.Devices including "neuroprosthetic" limbs for paralyzed people and "neurorobots" controlled by brain signals from human operators could be the ultimate applications of brain-machine interface technologies developed under a $26 million contract to Duke University sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The contract is part of DARPA's Brain-Machine Interfaces Program (http://www.darpa.mil/dso/thrust/sp/bmi.htm), which seeks to develop new technologies for augmenting human performance by accessing the brain in real time and integrating the information into external devices.His first major augmentation was his neural unit installed into his skull. You can see the scar under his high reg, but it's not like the brick they've been installing in amputees for the past decade. Even if they don't have to move their arms and legs like robots anymore, half of them would fall over from the stupid giant controller unit. I don't even know how they sleep. Cy's got it all on the inside. I really don't know that all works. What powers the damn thing? Half of us wonder if the thing is fryin' his brain or something, either with microwave transmissions or just because he has a stinking computer console in his grape, but as long as he doesn't short circuit, I guess he's fine.Next, he got his arm. They've really perfected the art form with arms like his. Honestly, I didn't even know he had the thing until we went out to the bar one day back in San Diego. He crushed a beer can into a marble. I thought I was going to piss myself. It wasn't until he pulled off a flesh panel to show the gears, wires, and techogizzitry that I realized he had the prosthetic limb. It was all Star Wars or something. It's honestly a bit of an advantage. I know you're not supposed to say that a dude who got his hand blown off has an advantage, but as long as he keeps his arm still he always quals expert at the range and has the grip of a bear. Ok, he has to oil himself like some sort of freaky Marine Corps version of the Tin Man, but still I kind of wonder if he is better off with the robot arm.Lastly, and most obviously, is his freaky robot eye. He didn't take the natural ones. No, he went full Terminator. It's an on board camera with multiple sensors that far outperform us "norms". He can see with that thing far beyond normal people. He can focus the thing to full zoom at better than 20/1 vision, more than 20 times farther than any of the rest of us. What'll really freak you out is that he can see in infrared and night vision. It isn't as good as the installed unit of helmets, but he can see heat, which is so freaky. I don't really know what one would do with all that, but I suppose it's nice that he always knows which beer is coldest. I guess that is a good trade off. What's probably the most important though is that he can record everything. At night he'll go through and plug this cable into the port of his eye, review and upload all the important stuff he saw that day. I kind of wonder what he does with it. Makes me really worried to change in front of the guy, but oh well. His depth perception is still off though. When he is letting the system idle with the range finder off, Sergeant has fun throwin' stuff at him, knowin' that he has no hope of reacting correctly. In a way it helps us remember that he has vulnerabilities and isn't some sort of ubermensch gearing up to lead the robots in their take over of Earth. [3]Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa as a teenager, Pontz has been almost completely blind for years. Now, thanks to a high-tech procedure that involved the surgical implantation of a “bionic eye,” he’s regained enough of his eyesight to catch small glimpses of his wife, grandson and cat.The artificial implant in Pontz’s left eye is part of a system developed by Second Sight that includes a small video camera and transmitter housed in a pair of glasses. Images from the camera are converted into a series of electrical pulses that are transmitted wirelessly to an array of electrodes on the surface of the retina. The pulses stimulate the retina’s remaining healthy cells, causing them to relay the signal to the optic nerve. The visual information then moves to the brain, where it is translated into patterns of light that can be recognized and interpreted, allowing the patient to regain some visual function.In any case, Corporal Cy is one messed up freak, but he is a crazy good Marine. He's specialized in ways the rest of us couldn't compete with. He is special and a great asset to the squad. He's unique in the Corps and all his augments make him perfect for his role with the team... as the squad's field operator.LandIn a valley to the South of the recently created Camp Mēga a pack of autonomous robots maneuvers through the valley. They are delivering supplies to the recently activated forward operations base. The four robots run in line through the dry river beds and plains, navigating the rocky feet of mountain cliffs. These are the GammaDogs, the latest's version of transportation vehicles built by the robotics firm Boston Dynamics, a subsidiary of SoftBank. They make thousands of these runs delivering the gear and equipment across the thousands of miles of terrain in the scope of military operations. They deliver everything from gear and equipment to medical supplies and food for the local villages and even care packages from home. They also have specialized combat variants which support the front line patrols by carrying packs and heavy ordinance of the troops in the field. When on their own, each time they make the journey it is a new one, so that their patterns are never discovered by enemy insurgent forces.BigDog is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the hopes that it will be able to serve as a robotic pack mule to accompany soldiers in terrain too rough for conventional vehicles. Instead of wheels or treads, BigDog uses four legs for movement, allowing it to move across surfaces that would defeat wheels. The legs contain a variety of sensors, including joint position and ground contact. BigDog also features a laser gyroscope and a stereo vision system.Built onto the actuators are sensors for joint position and force, and movement is ultimately controlled through an onboard computer which manages the sensors. Approximately 50 sensors are located on BigDog. These measure the attitude and acceleration of the body, motion and force of joint actuators as well as engine speed, temperature and hydraulic pressure inside the robot's internal engine. Low-level control, such as position and force of the joints, and high-level control such as velocity and altitude during locomotion, are both controlled through the onboard computer.On March 18, 2008, Boston Dynamics released video footage of a new generation of BigDog known as AlphaDog.[4] The footage shows BigDog's ability to walk on icy terrain and recover its balance when kicked from the side.[5] The refined equivalent has been designed by Boston Dynamics to exceed the BigDog in terms of capabilities and use to dismounted soldiers. In February 2012, with further DARPA support, the militarized Legged Squad Support System (LS3) variant of BigDog demonstrated its capabilities during a hike over tough terrain.Starting in the summer of 2012, DARPA planned to complete the overall development of the system and refine its key capabilities in 18 months, ensuring its worth to dismounted warfighters before it is rolled out to squads operating in theatre. BigDog must be able to demonstrate its ability to complete a 20 mi (32 km) trek within 24 hours without refuelling while carrying a load of 400 lb (180 kg), whereas a refinement of its vision sensors will also be conducted.From one of these cliffs a shepherd watches with amazement. These must have been the "mule cars" he had heard spoken of at the market the last time he visited the village. Now he could see them in his valley. He marveled how at times they reminded him of the bison stampeding as they maneuvered through the valley below. Only these bisons moved too perfectly. Every action was with intent and with purpose. In a perfect line they leaped, bound, climbed and ran faster than he could believe possible of a machine. The small train of robots continued without pause where there was no road nor trail, leaving only puffs of smoke where their feet impacted the dry earth. Wanting to show his friends and family the wonder he saw today, he pulled out the phone from his pocket to capture the moment. [4]IntelligenceAbove surveillance drones escort the train of GammaDog transport vehicles. They're armed with a battery of cameras and other detection equipment, able to see in 3D and infrared detection. Sonar systems allow them to make three dimensional maps of the area for battlefield planners. This latest model can fly in two modes, as a glider for endurance surveying or flapping its wings as a bird or, more precisely, as a bat. These bats measure just two feet in length. They are capable of surveillance silently from several hundred feet above the target to perching indiscriminately on the ledge of any building. It's powered through a solar membrane on its wings providing hours of additional flight time after the battery would have run dry. The COM-BATs are equipped with networking capabilities to share view points across multiple angles and a wide area. They communicate everything in real time to operators or higher level intelligence programs. Traveling in flights groups of four or more, they provide numerous layers of immediate information to troops in the field, war planners, and battlefield observers.Scientists at the University of Michigan College of Engineering are developing a six-inch robotic spy plane, modeled after a bat. Colloquially known as the COM-BAT program its purpose is gathering data such as sights, sounds, and smells in urban combat zones and transmitting the information back to combatants in real time. A $10 million grant was given for this project, which is being developed in the Center for Objective Microelectronics and Biomimetic Advanced Technology. The robotic bat is planned to perform short-term surveillance missions supporting advancing troops in the battlefield. It could perch at a street corner and send data regarding its immediate surroundings, or could land on a building for longer surveillance assignments. Real-time reports of its activity will constantly be sent to the commanding unit.The University of Michigan researchers are focusing on the microelectronics. They will develop sensors, communication tools, and batteries for the new “Bat” micro-aerial vehicle. Engineers envision tiny cameras for stereo vision, an array of mini microphones that could home in on sounds from different directions, and small detectors for nuclear radiation and poisonous gases. The robotic bat will also have the ability to navigate at night, using low-power miniaturized radar and a very sensitive navigation system. Its lithium battery will recharge using solar energy, wind, and vibrations, and the bat will communicate with the troops using radio signals.The robot’s body is designed to be about six inches long and to weigh about a quarter of a pound. Its expected energy consumption will be 1W. They will work to develop quantum dot solar cells that double the efficiency of current solar cells. Furthermore, they expect their autonomous navigation system, which would allow the robot to direct its own movements, to be 1,000 times smaller and more energy efficient than systems in use today. If the planned improvements will indeed be successful, the researchers believe they will provide the bat with a communication system ten times smaller, lighter and more energy efficient than currently available systems.Today, one of the tiny planes has spotted something through its on board infrared camera. There is a man on the ledge above the pass. One of the BATS leaves the group of escorts to investigate. With his cameras the plane circles above the unsuspecting man. The plane relays images to a remote operations intelligence server. The server's image recognition software sees that the target is a military aged male. He has with him an AK-47, though this is common in such a dangerous country. However now the man has pulled from his pocket a device the program recognizes from its database to be one of the old phones of a few decades ago. The system analyzes the angular projection and determines that this man could have attempting to capture images from the mule team down below. The event is flagged "Orange".The Orange rating triggers the server to initiate a series of queries to determine more information on the target. The GPS location was cross-referenced with the country's land listings and it was found that the land was leased to a family by their patriarch Solomon Selassie. Another query to the nation's record office of public health pulled a birth certificate and health care history information. That information indicated Solomon to be too old to be the man seen in the recording, however, Solomon had a son, Yared. Yared's age and medical information matched the apparent height and age of the target. Further investigation of his record showed school records with photos. Facial recognition with aging calculated a high probability that the target in question was indeed Yared Selassie. A search for information on Yared connected the search program to his account with the local phone company service provider. A data package had indeed just been sent from Yared's device to another device in Yared's network.Fortunately for Yared, he had no known background with the now displaced regime. He also had no criminal record and was not connected with any known agents of the regime in the last 10 years. His ID had not been one of those gathered during the initial cyber infiltration a few weeks ago so no logs of him existed yet in the military's watch list, which indicated that he had little contact with the rest of the world and with the regime at all. By all known accounts, the program results seemed to indicate that he was indeed a peaceful shepherd farmer living deep in the African savanna. The event would be logged as Yellow for cautionary and suspicious activity. He would have an identity file created under the database where his information would be easily accessible and the event would be called any time in the future if Yared may come into investigation. Any future suspicious actions by him would likely result in his apprehension.His GPS location was also flagged Yellow. In the event of future activity there, Yared would likely be a source of information if not also suspect. The Selassie home was also flagged White - for informational - along with the rest of the family and known contacts of Yared. If Yared were to ever become considered dangerous, they would be considered sources of potential information or potential accomplices and the house would be watched. Today, however, Yared was not in danger of arrest. Logs were created in all the relevant databases and a report was generated on Yared, the location and infraction in question. The report would be delivered to the Provisional Constable's email. The entire process up to this point had been automated and no human would have any knowledge of the event until the Constable read his email. It would be one of a few dozen he would receive that week. He would probably forward this one on to one of his deputies and in a few weeks the deputy would dispatch an officer with security detachment to investigate the Selassie house. They would discover the reason for taking the photo and if everything was determined to be all clear the family would be advised not to take any more photos of military equipment again. The family would be scanned with the Biometric Automated Toolset. Their photos, fingerprints, DNA and numerous other identifiers would be logged to their identifying files. After that the Selassie family's life would go back to normal, though a new mountain of information on them would be readily available for intelligence agencies and perhaps more dangerously, the new regime to come once the Americans left.As the report was generated and sent to the Constable, the BAT was directed to call off its surveillance of Yared and return to escorting the transports. Yared watched the train move out of the valley completely unaware of what had transpired. He returned his phone to his pocket, gathered his things and moved his small flock down the mountain back towards his home.Light InfantryCommand is nervous following an up-tic in civilian protests throughout the region. Numerous activist groups are coming out as they attempt of built something resembling a government to replace the shattered regime. Most are harmless and benevolent. Many want to bring about real change for the region and are anxiously seeking to take advantage of their first real chance at leadership roles in more than a decade. Others, however, push for more dangerous agendas. Remnant forces still vie for power, sometimes through democratic means and other times in the form of a new brewing insurgency. Many of the old leadership in the defunct regime escaped overseas and are now channeling money, and propaganda into the country. Enough of the old regime's officers saw the coming storm and saw to it that stockpiles of weapons and ammunition mysteriously disappeared prior to our arrival. Now, many of those weapons, along with thousands more are being smuggled in through the unregulated black market, and are finding their way to the quickly organizing insurgency forces.That's where we come in. We are Marines expeditionary rifle squad of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 2nd Battalion 5th Marines. We were stationed in the area to ensure that stability is maintained while a constitution is drafted. The squad's marching orders were to conduct an unmounted patrol through the city. Tensions are high since there is currently a massive rally taking place all along the parade route of the old Ministry of Defense's complex. The streets of the complex are crowded with tens of thousands of people. Marine platoons are on patrol in the event that this peaceful rally turns into something far worse. You'd probably have guessed that by now all military activity would have been replaced by all the drones flyin' around, but history has shown us that some jobs, just like these, you just can't trust a rumba to replace boots on the ground. Not that they haven't tried, but after the mess in 2022, they realized the only real future was one that married the drones with infantry into a holistic combat unit. So that explains why there are still morons like me trudging around in places like this.Marine Expeditionary Rifle SquadPurpose: Significantly increase future Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) ability to conduct squad level combat operations in an uncertain environment across the ROMO for the Joint Force. Improved ability to operate in both traditional and irregular warfare environments while retaining the ability to conduct forcible entry operations from the sea.Attributesgreater lethalityaccurate identification and classification of targetsunencumbered mobilitysecure, reliable, MAGTF- integrated command and controlballistic and fragmentation protectionclimate and terrain protectionability to administer low level medical aidimproved training and leadershipProvide greater improvement to the current rifle squad’s ability as a total package to engage the enemy across a wider range of operations with an increase in survivability and better access to support forces.- LtCol Chris Woodburn, USMCThe squad was composed of the ten of us, nine Marines and a doc in two fire teams and the Staff Sergeant.Our fire team leaders are Sergeant Nguyen and Corporal Piers. They each carry an M-35 Infantry Automatic Rifle attached with M-207 grenade launchers. For the 207, they carry an assortment of goodies they can launch depending on the mission requirements. For today, they are armed with tear gas, flares, and one grenade that can be fired above, through a window or into a dark alley, bursts open and out pops a tiny little drone cam to check out what overhead drones might miss. They also have regular explosive varieties and incendiaries, but today is just supposed to be a routine patrol. More important than their armaments, they're also equipped with networked Tee-Cud helmets. Tee-Cuds are the common name for the Tactical Command Heads Up Display integrated combat helmet systems. They are complete helmet systems with a ballistic visor that covers their entire face. Inside is a broad spectrum networking node that communicates information to and from the higher ups. This feeds into a heads up display that projects an augmented reality layer over everything they see. Team members, allies, non-combatants and enemies are highlighted with a colored filter to seek to avoid identity confusion in the heat of battle. They also have combat relevant data on each of the members of their team from ammunition count to a 3D geographic mapping projection complete with possible fields of fire. The Tee-Cuds run off of the Layar based MZ Scout Systems. Scout is an augmented reality browser and AI that coordinates all the networked visual data. The entire system is voice activated, sensitive enough to a whisper, so different commands will initiate different actions from Scout. Each Marine goes through a certification week where they have to speak a ton of random lines and sentences to create a unique voice ID and only the ID's on the team can operate the system. The team leaders can say "Squad" which will temporarily open a channel with their squad. "View..." can open any viewpoint from different squad members to overhead observation or strike drones, as well as other personnel within the area of operations. Saying, "Command" or the command's designation can open a direct channel with command headquarters for requests of information, backup or to send out a nine line request. The Tee-Cuds give the team leaders an unmatched view of the battlespace and their own team's condition warfighters of only a few decades prior would have died to get their hands on.Next, there are the SAW gunners. SAW stands for Squad Automatic Weapon, which used to be the name of an old weapon system the position used to use, but being that they even today they can somewhat reliably cut whatever they want to in half, the name stuck. That said, they are armed with M3, the largest non-crew served weapon in the Corps' history. The M3 is the automatic machine gun currently used for squad suppression fire. Depending on the situation, the M3 can fire a belt of high velocity rounds, or high mass yield rounds for heavy impact. In the semi-automatic setting it can fire a kinetic impact round that can punch through walls from six hundred yards. The gunners themselves would never be able to lift the damn thing, though, if it weren't for the exoskeleton assist. With the rigging the SAW gunners can carry a load of over 400 lbs for six hours and never break a sweat. SAW gunners, as well as the other members not equipped with Tee-Cuds, wear Scouters. Scouters are units that attach into the helmets over one ear and have a small ballistic visor that completely covers one eye. The Scouters operate on the same Layar based Scout system. It can project limited amounts of information in the same way as the Tee-Cuds on the ballistic lens, but with less detail and scope. It is also voice activated and the commands are all the same. The only difference between the leadership level Tee-Cuds and the scouters is that the scouters don't come with the full heads up display and can be worn separately without the helmet. [5]After the SAW gunners are the assistant light machine gunners. The A-gunners assist the the SAWs. They provide direct fire back-up and can provide emergency assistance to the SAW gunners' equipment in the field. They are armed with the M1300 CSASS, a compact semi-automatic sniper system rifle engineered for squad level sniper support. The weapon can deliver a variety of rounds to the enemy from sixteen hundred yards or deliver deadly fast accuracy with mid-range engagements.The newest members of the squads are designated riflemen. They are equipped with standard M-35 Infantry Automatic Rifles and extra ammo. They also carry the M-483 Light Infantry Missile System. It's a small pod you drop on the ground and arm. Once armed, the squad leader, or the operator, will designate a target and issue the command to fire. From there, the system will fire a self-guided missile about the size of two soda cans directly into the air before it directs itself to the target from above. Besides that, they are boots and if you're lucky they will only almost get you killed once a day. They're really good for getting ammo from the Heavy Dog and digging holes when you don't want to tire out the robots.Last are the field operators. In the mid to late 2020's infantry integration with drone warfare became paramount. As I mentioned before, militaries around the world realized that there are just too many things you can't do with a drone that require on the ground support to accomplish. Swarms of robot jets overhead and mini tank guns look cool in movies, but 90% of the time wars are fought by you actually walking up and asking a bystander if something jacked-up is going on that the good guys should know about. When the bean counters in Washington finally realized that a drone can't exactly prevent looting or arrest someone without having their onboard camera's kicked in by a six year old, they realized that next generation infantry integration was the way to go. With that came the field operators.Field-ops have constant command of drone escorts during patrols and missions. They are equipped with the same Tee-Cuds as the team leaders, but their systems are set up to direct the feeds of information from surveillance and attack drones overhead, paint targets as either hostile or non, coordinate battlefield intelligence with the squad and to also directly command drones in combat. They are equipped with sidearms for immediate emergency protection, but their main offensive weapons are their gloves. Hundreds of sensors in the gloves catch every subtle movement as a command to manipulate drone movement and observational capabilities. At any given moment, the Field-ops are overseeing dozens of nodes all around the battlefield. They are aware of hundreds of moving objects from people, vehicles and drones. They have as close to a complete holistic view of the battlefield as has ever been available to a frontline infantry unit. Working Field-ops is supposedly like nothing else. Even though they are right there with us, many describe their job as an out of body experience. The role used to go squad and fire team leaders, but the tsunami of data bombarding them left them unable to manage both the drones and their teams, so the tasks were delegated to the newly created unit. Their omnipotence is flushed down the toilet, though, when their focus is so deep on planes buzzing overhead that they completely lose track of where they are, trip, and fall flat on their face. Obstacle avoidance is their most requested new feature since they'll find themselves on the ground all the damn time. It's honestly a little embarrassing that they are the future of warfare. A field-ops' idea of a good day is hunkered on a rooftop or in the back of a vehicle controlling the battlefield without fear of tripping over a rock or something. They come off as clumsy and distracted, but when they get in their zone, they are the deadliest thing in the battlezone. They command the swarm and the respect of any enemy they might seek.Along with our doc, the last member of the squad is its leader, Staff Sergeant Ramirez. He's been to every major conflict in the last eleven years; Odessa, Yangong, Valencia. They say that back in the day a squad like ours would have been led by just a Sergeant or even a Corporal, but I guess with the modernization of the new Corps, this is what it takes. The Squad leader is armed identically to the Fire Team leaders. He carries the same M-35 with the 207 attachment and is equipped with the same Tee-Cuds as the others. Besides his experience, he doesn't differ greatly from the two team leaders. This was by design in case he should be incapacitated than one of them could be able to step into his role.This is the modern Marine Corps infantry unit. Two fire teams complete with leaders, SAW gunners, A-gunners and dedicated riflemen supplemented with corpsmen, Squad Leader and with the advent of the Field Operators, the eleven man Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad was complete.We made our way down the street. Far off in the distance you could hear the sounds of the rally. Here though, all you could hear was Cpl. Fannon picking himself up off the ground again and the sound of the SAW gunner's hydraulic joints. Chatter over the inter squad channels reported the same quiet.We turned another corner into an alley. It was completely devoid of movement and deathly silent. As half the squad made their way into the alley, SSgt Ramirez turns the corner and calls for an all stop. The squad darts for cover along the alley. Fannon started a detailed scan of the area. From one view he noticed a small group of men on the next street. He could see inside a few windows and could see people shutting their windows. From one of his aerial units he noticed a window at the end of the alley with a suspicious pipe moving out of it. He flew the unit around the building to get a clearer view of the window. As his view became clearer he saw a man aiming his rifle on the squad."CONTACT FRONT! SECOND FLOOR!"Support"Contact". The term has been part of infantry training and battlefield tactics for a century. Now the word has evolved to much more. This single word initiates a mobilization of a vast movement of men and machines in a worldwide effort towards the acts of locating, closing with and eliminating the enemy through fire and maneuver.When Corporal "Cy" Fannon gave the call for Contact Front he initiated a command within MZ Scout System that forwarded the alert to seventeen other commands. These commands included Forward Operations North East Africa, the Coordinated Unmanned Asset Command, Marine Air Ground Task Force Central Command, and a myriad of other units. Alarm bells rang out and operators manning stations across the globe came online, now with all of their attention directed to a small alleyway in a small city and one particular squad of Marines. Monitors across the globe lit up with the view scopes of the Marine's Tee-Cuds. A voice came in through the NCO channel. It was a woman's voice.Corporal Piers was surprised. He was a newly promoted Corporal and unfamiliar with assaults from the NCO's point of view. He'd handled engagements before, but now the flood of information on his visor and responsibility to the Marines within his charge left him momentarily frozen. Her voice brought him back."This is the Operator. Standing by for SITREP."With her sudden call to awakening, his training kicked in. He knew of the operators and had experienced them in dozens of exercises when he was given his fire time, but he was still surprised by what he heard over his headset. Usually, everything in training is nothing like the real thing. Adrenaline and confusion are elements that are difficult to replicate in the training environments without Marines actually getting killed. Everything amps up, but this voice didn't. He knew it was their job to watch over the combat patrols and coordinate relief, reinforcements, or additional assets when need. She was calm and relaxed, like listening to the weather girl or the melodic tones of the host for some late night easy listen radio stream. She made it sound as if dropping in on Marines embraced in the heat of combat was something she did everyday. Perhaps she did. As Cpl Piers gathered himself in the midst of the chaos that was enveloping the Marines, she was calm, the collected voice of serenity reminding the Marines that they were not alone.Cpl Piers composed himself not a moment soon enough. What started as a single shooter foolish enough to get caught before the ambush, had in fact been a well orchestrated attack by more than a dozen insurgents. They had prepared the alleyway for what must have been some time in hopes of catching the Marines off guard. Such a defeat would be a massive symbolic victory for the insurgency, ushering in new recruits by the droves. As Piers and the others took up defendable locations in the alley, the scope of the danger became apparent to the Marines. Windows all along the narrow street were suddenly filled with men and metal. Bullets rained down like tears from heaven.Staff Sergeant Ramirez was already on the bounce. He knew something didn't feel right about this alley in the first place. The call for contact only confirmed what his instincts had prepared him for."Operator, this is Echo Six Romeo. Incoming SITREP..."... individual troops can look forward to the JTRS Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Fit AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio. Developed by General Dynamics C4 Systems. Rifleman is designed to deliver networking connectivity to frontline troops in a lightweight, ruggedized, body worn device. The radio transmits voice and data simultaneously via SRW. Perhaps most importantly, Rifleman radios are capable of interfacing with smart phones.Cutting-edge wireless networking technologies, potentially capable of supporting both JTRS and smart phone devices, are now arriving in the form of mesh networks, including mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) that can provide virtually instant high-bandwidth networking capabilities for handheld radios, ground and airborne vehicle communications and security and tactical wireless sensors. The military is increasingly turning to wireless mesh networks technology for sensor-driven environmental control, yard management, and security and tactical applications. A mesh network provides continuous asset visibility from any location in the system’s range, noted Mark Lieberman, automatic identification technology program manager for the Defense Logistics Agency, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va..John Edwards - Telecommunications Industry Analyst - Defense Systems[dot]comSSgt Ramirez listed relevant information in the hasty situation report. The operator, not flinching and with no obvious distress in her voice, replied back to the NCO channel,"Very well Echo Six Romeo. I've secured a roaming aerial interceptor squadron for your field operator. Echo Four Foxtrot, you should see the new units displayed on the Active Unit Window of your Tee-Cud. Do you see them?""Yes, Operator. I see them," Cpl. Fannon replied."Very well. They should be arriving in the next three minutes. Echo Six, I've opened a channel to higher command, designated "Snakepit". I've also opened a channel with the other patrol unit leaders in the city. CASEVAC has been alerted and are standing by. I'll be standing by for further assistance as needed.""Understood. Echo Six out."The squad was entrenched in the alleyway. Windows all along street slammed open to become places of cover for concealed insurgency forces, ducking away as quickly as they had appeared. They popped in and out to spray momentary bursts of fire on the Marines below, only to replaced by another in another window, and then another and another. The alley was unsecurable. The minimal cover and overhead deployment of enemy forces meant that the Marines would be chow in minutes if something wasn't done.Fannon was a bit occupied at the moment. He was the only one with a clear bird's eye view of the scene with aerial strike capabilities. His view, however, was obscured by the buildings. As he was trying to gain a clear sight on the window, a burst of rifle fire ricocheted next to his head. He ducked away in search of new cover. By the time he felt secure enough to focus on the drones, it had already moved on beyond view of the window. He would have to wait on the next one to make a pass. More rifle fire cracked as it struck the building next to him. The squad may lose its field operator if he didn't secure his most valuable asset: his life."Operator, I'm in heavy fire! I need to find cover and am requesting QRF assist!""Understood field op." She knew who had said it even though he hadn't said much by the indicator denoting which helmet made transition. "Patching in UAV Pilot Quick Reaction Force with special instructions to secure your immediate location."With a few adept keystrokes of the operator's hand, a red light lit in an installation in Colorado. A team of four pilots were already in their seats. They had been watching the feed and listening to the instructions. The operator opened a channel between them and the field op. As he scurried and dodged his way through the alley, he was relieved to see the individual units in his active asset window switch over from autonomous operation to full remote. One by one their icons switched from green to orange and faded to a translucent fuzz on the side of his display. He could now focus himself on finding a securable location for the time being. Fortunately for him, SSgt Ramirez was also aware of his desperation and had sent one of the squad's riflemen, LCpl Dodd, to secure him.As the two sought some mild semblance of safety, the drones above and all around came alive in a way not like before. Under normal operations, they circle around in simple methodically programmed patterns or hovering at points spherically encompassing the squad, waiting for the field op to call for them. Now, all of them were under the direct control of a team of remote pilots thousands of miles away.Interoperability Functional DescriptionThe ability of systems, units, or forces to provide services to and accept services from other systems, units, or forces and to make use of the services, units, or forces; and to use the services so exchanged to enable them to operate effectively together. An example for the use of this policy would be the condition achieved among communications-electronics systems or items of communications electronics equipment when information or services can be exchanged directly and satisfactorily between them and/or their users.Interoperability is integral to the continued success of missions using unmanned systems and represents a long-term objective of the Services and their stakeholders. The urgent needs in theater and corresponding rapid acquisition approach during recent years have resulted in thecurrent fleet of unmanned systems that generally do not interoperate with each other or with external systems. The combat development community is calling for interoperability as a critical element to the future unmanned systems fleet. The ability for manned and unmanned systems to share information will increase combat capability, enhance situational awareness, and improve flexibility of resources. Interoperability will improve the ability for unmanned systems to operate in synergy in the execution of assigned tasks. Properly stabilized, implemented, andmaintained, interoperability can serve as a force multiplier, improve warfighter capabilities, decrease integration timelines, simplify logistics, and reduce total ownership costs.Department of Defense - Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038The individual birds started their maneuvers. They were each taking actions for the different specialties of each vehicle. Four target acquisition units were actively darting in and out of the building's windows seeking runaway insurgents, following them through hallways and as far as the trail would take them. When their scanners found something, other specialist operators were busy tagging each person as either friend or foe and adding an identifier so that the tracking system could keep watch as need be. Hunter strike craft pursued the insurgents relentlessly, able to dart in and out and descend from anywhere upon their targets. In the few seconds since the squad had taken fire, the alleyway had descended into a hornet's nest of firefighting from both man and machine.With the time bought by the swarm, Fannon and the other Marine were able to secure a location in the kitchen of one of the buildings along the alley. Fannon hunkered down in a back corner of the room. Dodd provided security for the two. He now posted himself along the window, regularly checking to make sure the two were safe while Cpl Fannon focused on the battle overhead.As he gained his bearing, Fannon began receiving instructions and information from the rest of the squad, along with communications from the other pilots. Now keyed back into the engagement at hand, he took control of the ships around him and began to coordinate his assets with the rest of the squad's counter offensive. He took back manual control of the remotely piloted unmanned assets as objective necessity dictated.One might wonder why Fannon would take back control at all. While the team back in CONUS was fully capable of carrying out the mission of taking down all enemies they saw with guns, explosive ordinance, and maneuver warfare, there was too much they could not know. They lacked the unit briefings on specific engagements for this particular region, since their area of operations was the entire planet as need be. They lacked a thorough understanding of the area, population centers, business centers and key hotspots and places to avoid fire. Mostly, they lacked clear communication with the entire squad. Fannon, more correctly, the Field Operator, did. What might be perceived as a design flaw was actually a well engineered aspect of the overall future of infantry warfare.They used to just have an open channel to everyone involved in the battles. The idea of a flat system of communication seemed a Utopian ideal. Any boots on the ground could speak directly with the people they needed to to get whatever assistance they would need. Anyone who might be able to help could just chime in if they thought they could be of service. On paper it is miraculous. So long as you were a part of the picture in the slightest your voice was overhead on the channel. Every command, every request, every observation, every opinion, every scream; everyone was talking and not enough were listening. It got to be a real nightmare scenario. Everyone from the General on down would be barking out conflicting orders to the troops on the ground. Debates out rules of engagement would clutter up the messages needing to be sent as terrified Marines lay frozen in forced inaction. Pilots for bombing runs and pilots for casualty evacuation were all speaking and yelling at the same time. Even engineering unit commanders would be giving his two cents on what to be be careful of so as not to blow up their precious fiber optic line more than two miles away. There might be as many as a hundred people squawking at once. And do you know who wasn't listened to at all? Why, it was that Lance Corporal Schmuckatelli on the ground, getting cut to pieces by machine gun fire in the jungle, the very Marine who started the conversation. It was a cluster.So they turned to the NCO's. The Non Commissioned Officers of the infantry squad were elevated to new levels of responsibility. Besides leading the fight, these warriors were now also the information hubs, directed to guide battlefield data and unit instructions from higher to the field troops assigned to them. At any given movement these troops may be relaying information from several different scopes and fields of view. They are now the levies holding back a paralyzing flood of information. The training necessary for their vocation puts them on par with any master level technician or specialty artisan in the world, not the least of which being the field operators. They are all career military and with their training, each holding the civilian equivalent to degrees in various fields from electrical engineering, telecommunications or logistics, they might be living easily overseeing some automated package delivery service, driverless taxi or even building the next gen automated warfare. At home they would have the life, but they chose something different. By being the channel through which all sources of information are funneled, their focused implementation of command and information allow them to direct the application of force on battlefield as if it were the strings of a marionette.Want more future of war? This answer has grown a full length novel mixing the same focus on technology and tactics while providing a character driven narrative I'm sure you will all enjoy. If you would like to check out my book inspired by this answer, The Next Warrior follow the blog The Next Warrior and follow this link to the start of the book.The Next Warrior by Jon DavisAirMeet the SR-72This Stealthy, Hypersonic Drone Could Become The Most Exotic Plane EverCyberspaceUnited States Cyber CommandStuxnetSpaceKinetic bombardmentRods From God - New York TimesU.S. Air Force Transformation Flight Plan, United States Air Force, November 2003 - http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/af/af_trans_flightplan_nov03.pdfSeaLittoral combat shipIndependence-class littoral combat shipMedicineNew Prosthetics Keep Amputee Soldiers on Active Duty - US NewsProsthetics in the VA: Past, Present, and FutureThe future of artificial limbsMichigan Man Among 1st In US To Get ‘Bionic Eye’ - CBS DetroitLandBigDogBigDog - The Most Advanced Rough-Terrain Robot on EarthIntelligenceBat-Inspired Spy Plane - The Future Of Things | Science and Technology of TomorrowLight InfantryHeadquarters Marine Corps - Combat Development and Integration: Marine Expeditionary Rifle SquadSupportA look at the future of mobile military communications on the battlefield -- Defense SystemsUnmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap FY2013-2038 - Page on defense.gov[1] - Kinetic Bombardment is currently still relegated to science fiction rather than actually being planned out for the future of warfare, though it was referrenced as a possible avenue in the U.S. Air Force Transformation Flight Plan , November 2003 linked above. The idea comes with massive logistical and engineering problems that are beyond our current reach. Most importantly is that the delivery of massive tungsten rods into space would be an impossibly costly endeavor and likely be more costly than any possible advantages gained from the practice. Given the recent advancements in the private space industry, however, the idea of space born military instruments like this becomes more a possibility every day.Also, I am still unclear if such a reaction would throw out nuclear fallout. Since there is no nuclear reaction taking place I don't see it happening. Of course I have also read that fallout comes from the churning of already radioactive material below the earth's surface which I really don't get. Either way, I'm not a physicist so if you physicists who have just been yearning to teach me a lesson, please clear that up in the comments. The fate of a fictitious village rests on your shoulders.[2] - The littoral combat ships are not actually the future of warfare. They are happening right now. The US Navy already has a fleet of these ships in deployment. My story involved an slightly exaggerated ship that is an update of the current version. The reason I didn't change the story to focus on some future super sub or next generation aircraft carrier is because of how speculative their future roles will be. What is certain is the role LCS's will play in the next several decades as an important element in ensuring peace along the world's coastal regions. That's why I wanted to focus on them, because no matter what happens, these are going to be a part of the Navy's future.[3] - OK. The eyeball thing is pretty weird. Truth be told, I borrowed the idea from Orson Scott Card's sequel to Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead. All this to say the character who had one was freaky too. As far as Corporal Fannon's eye, I really don't even know if it will be close to possible to fit all those technologies into such a small platform whether in the next twenty years or ever. Every day tech is improving and bionic eyes are a reality even today, but heat vision, night vision and twenty times zoom, let alone the ability to record. Well I probably stretched my creative license on that one. Maybe making a Marine into a modern day Predator was asking too much, but don't even pretend that you don't want Cpl. Cy's cyborg eye.[4] - A lot of people may be curious why I chose to write a story surrounding a glorified pack mule, but in reality, I think this machine has a much more important role than any future weapon that we might be talking about today. More important than a new self guided rounds or a gun that shoots around corners is the logistical mastery of the field. Armies march on their stomach as it is said and the ability to deliver gear and supplies cheaply and safely will be a massive advantage from modern delivery systems. Add to this that the VA paid out about $57 billion on disability benefits last year and the most common injuries from veterans today are related to stress injuries of heavy, burdensome equipment. Given this information, it makes a lot of sense for the military to utilize a robot as a form of loss prevention on the bodies of future vets its going to provide medical care for otherwise. Finally, the ability of an autonomous system to maneuver through random routes, never taking the same one twice, illuminates the most deadly foe of the War on Terror, roadside bombs known as IED's. By avoiding the major arteries that roads are, logistical support can be delivered without the expense of air drop or helicopters. It provides an unimaginable scaling opportunity for the US military on many different fronts, providing the technology works as we all hope it does.[5] - Yeah, the Scouters are from Dragon Ball Z. That's over 9000! Thank you Google Glass for fulfilling my childhood fantasies that didn't include Bulma.[6] - Those of you who are sharp will have noticed another Easter Egg in this story. More than half the technologies mentioned are built of products and companies currently owned by Google.Liked this? You might also like my YouTube Channel. You can also connect with The War Elephant on Facebook. If you want to help me make more content like this, please visit my Patreon Page to find out more.

1. Srinagar, Jammu & KashmirA place of splendid natural beauty, historic gardens and distinctive mosques, Srinagar is without a doubt one of best hill stations in North India.Best Experiences: Get enchanted by the beautiful Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, the botanical gardens during the popular Tulip festival and Badamwari Garden to see the almond trees in full bloom. Make a visit to the tranquil Shankaracharya Mandir, the beautiful Khanqah Shah-i-Hamadan mosque and Pari Mahal. And finally, spend a day exploring life on Dal lake and Nigeen lake. It is among the coldest hill stations in India during winter.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Srinagar International Airport. Or take the train to Jammu followed by a taxi or a J&K State Road Transport Corporation bus to Srinagar.2. Pahalgam, Jammu & KashmirCharacterized by gurgling rivers and snow peaks all around, Pahalgam makes a poster perfect destination for a hill station in India in summer.Best Experiences: Whilst here, visit the three sites of Chandanwari, Betaab Valley, and Aru Valley. Go for a pony ride to the beautiful Dabian and Baisaran which are surrounded by thick forests and snow-covered mountains and are one of the top 40 hill stations in India. Go white water rafting down the Lidder River. Other prominent tourist spots are Tarsar Lake, Sun Temple, and Mamaleshwar Temple.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 2 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Srinagar International Airport followed by a 2.5 hour taxi ride.3. Gulmarg, Jammu & KashmirLiterally meaning the ‘meadow of flowers’, Gulmarg is known for its unparalleled natural beauty. A popular ski destination during winters, its Pine forests and wild flowers make for a breathtaking summer trip too.Best Experiences: Visit the Ningle Nallah, originating from the melting snow of the Apharwat peak and get enamored by the aerial view of the Himalayan peaks from the Gondola Lift. Other great locations are Lien Marg, the pristine and medicinal waters of Verinag, the Biosphere Reserve of Gulmarg and Alpather Lake, all of which make it one of the most beautiful top most hill stations in India.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Srinagar International Airport followed by a 3-hour taxi ride.4. Manali, Himachal PradeshPopular for its scenic beauty, flowery gardens, snow-capped mountains, and orchards of red and green apples, Manali is one of the best hill stations in India in May & June.Best Experiences: Visit the Rohtang Pass, the highest point on the Manali-Keylong Road. Some of the other great spots here are Kalath Hot Water Springs, Vashist Hot Water Springs, Jogini Falls, and Solang Valley.Ideal Duration: Plan for a 4 day trip to one of the famous hill stations in India to visit in May.How to reach: Fly to Bhuntar airport followed by a 2 hour taxi or bus ride. Or take the Himachal Pradesh State bus from Delhi to Manali (553 km) which takes 10 hours.5. Khajjiar, Himachal PradeshNestled amidst green surroundings, Khajjiar is famous for its meadows and ethereal beauty making for one of the best hill stations in North India.Best Experiences: Visit the Khajjiar Lake, fed by streams and situated amidst the cedar forests. Other prominent places to visit are the Khajji Nag Temple, the Khalatop Wildlife Sanctuary and the villages of Rota, Ladi known for their apple orchards.Ideal Duration: Visit for 3 days for a perfect holiday.How to reach: Take a flight till Gaggal Airport (180 km) or Pathankot Airport (80 km) and board a Taxis to reach Khajjiar. Take a train till Pathankot Airport (80 km) and a taxi from there.6. Keylong, Himachal PradeshPopularly known as the ‘Land of Monasteries’, Keylong is a beautiful tourist destination with archaic mountain ranges along with lush green valleys that make it one of the best hill stations in India to visit.Best Experiences: Visit the Kardang Monastery and the Shashur Monastery, the village of Sissu located on the banks of the River Chandra, the Baralacha La, the Pin Valley National Park and Ancient Fort at Gondla.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Bhuntar Airport in Kullu Manali (175 km) followed by a 5-hour taxi ride. Or take the train to Joginder Nagar railway station (250 km) followed by a 7-hour taxi ride.7. Bir Billing, Himachal PradeshSituated amidst tea gardens and forests in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas Bir-Billing is a popular destination for adventure sports including paragliding.Best Experiences: Soar high and enjoy the untouched scenic locations and verdant landscapes, go camping to enjoy the view of Kangra Valley and Beas Valley. Also, visit the beautiful Chokling Monastery and the Palpung Sherab Ling Monastery in the Tibetan town of Bir.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to Dharamshala airport followed by a 45-minute taxi ride. Or take the train to Pathankot followed by a narrow gauge railway to Bir.8. Shimla, Himachal PradeshAlso known as ‘The Summer Refuge’ Shimla is famous for the colonial heritage buildings and British architecture on display. This combined with the natural beauty makes it a perfect destination for a summer trip in North India. Regarded as one of the premier hill stations in India with the airport, Shimla must be on your bucket list.Best Experiences: See various species of birds at the Himalayan Aviary, enjoy a quiet picnic at Glenn next to a captivating stream and the beautiful Dorje Drak Monastery. Other prominent sites include Solan Brewery, Darlaghat, Scandal Point, Kamna Devi Temple, Jakhu Hill, and Gurkha Gate.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to Jubbarhatti in Shimla. Or take the train to Kalka followed by a 2-hour taxi ride.9. Mcleodganj, Himachal PradeshThe Tibetan town of McLeodganj is a great spot for a holiday at any time of the year. Surrounded by snow-capped hills and with a number of beautiful monasteries, it is the perfect place for a serene trip and one of the most popular hill stations in India with snowfall .Best Experiences: Visit the Tibet Museum inside of the Tsuglagkhang Complex and the charming waterfall in Bhagsu. Go for a hike to the tiny camp of Triund for the incredible view of the Himalayan peaks.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 2 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight to Gaggal Airport (20 kms) followed by a 45 minute taxi ride. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar run to Mcleodganj in 10 hours.10. Almora, UttarakhandPerched on a horse saddle shaped ridge, Almora is a popular hill station in India where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks of the mighty Himalayas.Best Experiences: Visit the Bright End Corner for a beautiful sunrise and sunset and enjoy a quiet picnic at the beautiful Simtola or Martola which covered with pine and fir trees. Also visit the Deer Park home to deer, leopard, and the Himalayan black bears. Some other popular tourist attractions of the place include Gobind Ballabh Pant Public Museum and the Binsar Wildlife sanctuary.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight to Pantnagar (115 km) followed by a 3 hour taxi ride. Or take the train to Kathgodam (81 km) followed by a 2.5-hour taxi ride. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar run to Almora in 12 hours.11. Nainital, UttarakhandLocated in the Himalayan Belt amidst the Kumaon Hills and blessed with beautiful lakes, Nainital is amongst the list of top hill stations in India in May & June. The lush green oak, pine, and rhododendron forests make it a perfect destination to relax amidst nature.Best Experiences: Go for a picnic at the beautiful Kilbury or The Tiffin Top. Visit the Land’s End to enjoy the mesmerizing views of Khurpatal Lake and trek the Naina Peak, the highest peak of Nainital.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight to Pantnagar (72 kms) followed by a 1.5 hour taxi ride. Or take the train to Kathgodam (41 kms) followed by a 1 hour taxi ride. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar run to Nainital in 9 hours.12. Auli, UttarakhandAuli is a beautiful tourist spot which is famous for skiing all across the country. This scenic place, well is known for its oak edged slopes and verdant coniferous forests is amongst the best hill stations in India.Best Experiences: Visit Nandaprayag, a popular attraction of Auli which is situated at the meeting point of the River Alaknanda and Mandakini. Also see the natural spring in the village of Saildhar Tapovan, the Auli Artificial Lake, and the Chattarkund Lake. Travel on the Gondola for a beautiful aerial view of the place.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Jolly Grant Airport (279 kms) followed by a 5 hour taxi ride. Or take the 8 hour bus to Joshimath situated at a distance of 16 kms from Auli.13. Kausani, UttarakhandThe beautiful destination of Kausani lies along the mighty Himalayas and is situated amidst dense pine trees and overlooks the beautiful valleys of Someshwar, Garur and Baijnath Katyuri, that makes it one of the top 40 hill stations in India.Best Experiences: Go for the popular trekking options such as Sunder Dhunga Trek, Pindari Glacier Trek, and Milam Glacier Trek. Other attractions present here are the beautiful Rudradhari Waterfalls and a visit to the Kausani Tea Gardens and the pear orchards.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight to Pantnagar (165kms) followed by a 4 hour taxi ride. Or take the train to Kathgodam (132 kms) followed by a 3 hour taxi ride. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar run to Kausani in 11 hours.14. Chopta, UttarakhandAlso known as ‘Mini Switzerland’ owing to its breathtaking scenic beauty and lush green grasslands, known as Bugyals, Chopta provides a great escape from the hectic city life. Chopta is certainly a coveted addition to the list of hill stations in India.Best Experiences: Get lost among the dense forest of Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary and visit the pristine Deoria Tal lake. Make a trip to the Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary and Chandrashila, the mountain on which Tungnath Mandir is located.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun (221 km) followed by a 3.5-hour taxi ride. Or take the train to Rishikesh followed by a 3.5-hour taxi ride.15. Tawang, Arunachal PradeshBreathtaking valleys, misty rivers, and stunning waterfalls give you the ultimate experience in the mystical Tawang.Best Experiences: Visit the snow-clad Sela Pass for a spectacular view and stop over at the beautiful Paradise Lake on your way there. Make a trip to the Tawang Monastery, the largest monastery in India. Other destinations are Gorichen Peak, the Shonga-tser Lake, Pankang Teng Tso Lake, Bap Teng Kang Waterfall, and Nuranang Waterfalls.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Salonibari Airport, Tezpur followed by a 6 hour taxi ride. Or take the train to Guwahati followed by a 13 hour taxi ride.16. Bomdila, Arunachal PradeshNestled amidst the scenic Eastern Himalayan ranges, Bomdila is a serene town known for its natural beauty and apple orchards which makes for a fabulous summer retreat, and one of the best hill stations of India.Best Experiences: Visit the Dirang Valley, a stunningly picturesque valley that lies between Bomdila and Tawang. Make a trip to the Buddhist Monasteries of Lower Gompa, Middle Gompa, and Upper Gompa. Other great spots include the Sessa Orchid Sanctuary on the banks of River Bharali, the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kameng Elephant Reserve.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Tezpur Airport and a 6-hour bus or taxi ride from there. Or take the train to Rangapara followed by a bus or taxi ride.17. Mirik, West BengalSurrounded by an undulated carpet of tea estates, orange orchards, cardamom plantations and dark Japanese cedars Mirik is a charming hill station in North-East India which provides a wonderful view of the striking Kanchenjunga.Best Experiences: Visit the popular Sumendu Lake followed by the Tea gardens producing the famous Darjeeling tea. Also make a trip to the Orange orchards, the Bokar Monastery, and the Buddhist meditation center.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Bagdogra Airport followed by a 1-hour taxi ride. Or take the train to New Jalpaiguri followed by a 1-hour taxi ride.18. Darjeeling, West BengalThe hugely commercial but equally breathtaking Darjeeling boasts of snowcapped peaks and endless tea gardens. Spend your days here exploring the colonial-era architecture, visiting Buddhist monasteries and of course sampling the fabulous tea.Best Experiences: Visit a tea estate such as the Happy Valley Tea Estate, take a toy train ride through the Batasia Loop and War Memorial, watch the spectacular Khangchendzonga from the Tiger Hill and spend an afternoon at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Museum. Other great destinations here are the Observatory hill, Buddhist monasteries in Ghum and the Japanese Peace Pagoda.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Bagdogra Airport lowed by a 4 hour taxi ride. Or take the train to New Jalpaiguri followed by a 4 hour taxi.19. Kalimpong, West BengalSnow-capped peaks and lush greenery dominate the horizon at this wonderfully placed hill station in North East India, which is a much quieter version of the close-by Darjeeling.Best Experiences: Head to the Lepcha Museum or the Zang Dhol Palri Phodang monastery for a look into the Buddhist culture. Spend a day amidst nature in the Neora Valley National Park located on one of the best hill stations of India. Other well-known attractions present here are the colonial Morgan House, Cactus nursery and the Rishi Bankim Chandra Park.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Bagdogra Airport followed by a 3-hour taxi ride. Or take the train to New Jalpaiguri followed by a 3-hour taxi.20. Champhai, MizoramOverlooking the majestic Myanmar hills, adorned with culture and tradition and popularly known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Mizoram’, Champhai is one hill station in northeast India that cannot be missed.Best Experiences: Visit the famous Murlen National Park for its subtropical forests and animals such as hoolock gibbon, Himalayan black bear, and leopard, certain species you can find only in the top most hill stations in India. Spend a lazy afternoon at the heart-shaped lake of Rih Dil and explore the caves of Kungawrhi Puk. Some of the other tourist destinations present here are the Mura Puk caves, Thasiama Seno Neihna hill, and the Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to Lengpui Airport near Aizawl followed by a 7-hour taxi ride.21. Aizawl, MizoramThe century-year-old city, flanked by the majestic peaks of Durtlang and the beautiful Tlawng River is perfect for a relaxed and unhurried holiday.Best Experiences: Make a visit to the lush Tlawng River that cascades down the valley. Take a leisurely boat ride on the Tamdil Lake and go fishing on the Chhimtuipui River in Saiha. Also visit Vantawang, the highest waterfall of Mizoram and Phawngpui, the highest peak in Mizoram famous for orchids, rhododendrons, mountain goats and butterflies.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Aizawl Airport. Or take the train to Silchar which is only 130 Kms from Aizawl followed by a taxi.22. Gangtok, SikkimBound by the lush green forests and located on the Shivalik Hills Gangtok is a must see place while visiting the North-east part of the country.Best Experiences: Visit Tsomgo Lake and Gurudongmar Lake, the two most scenic and highest mountain lakes in the world, making this one of the best hill tourist places in India. Also, make a trip to the historical Nathula Pass. Some of the other prominent points are Fambong La Wildlife Sanctuary, Enchey Monastery, Rumtek Monastery, and Tashiding Monastery.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Bagdogra Airport followed by a 2.5-hour taxi ride. Or take the train to New Jalpaiguri followed by a 2.5-hour taxi ride.23. Pelling, SikkimThe snow-capped mountains, panoramic and rich history and the view from the hilltops make Pelling a sought after travel destination in the state of Sikkim.Best Experiences: Sightseeing here combines mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and monasteries, out of which the Kanchenjunga Falls and Pemyangshi Pemayangtse Monastery are the most significant. Other must-see attractions are Changey Waterfall, Sewaro Rock Garden, Sangachoeling Monastery and Rabdentse Ruins.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Bagdogra Airport followed by a 3 hour taxi ride. Or take the train to New Jalpaiguri followed by a 3 hour taxi ride.24. Shillong, MeghalayaWith lush green fields, picturesque landscapes, and sweet-smelling flowers, Shillong is all about natural beauty combined with colonial hospitality, making it an amazing hill station in North East India.Best Experiences: Visit the Umaim lake created by the Umiam river and famous for water sports. Also, visit the rolling meadows of Shillong Golf Course bordered by pine trees and enjoy a boat ride on the Ward’s Lake. Other attractions here are the Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Sweet Falls, and the Lady Hydari Park.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Shillong Airport in Umroi. Or take the train to Guwahati (104 km) followed by a 3-hour taxi.25. Cherrapunji, MeghalayaOnce the wettest land on Earth, Cherrapunji is blessed with mesmerizing hills, waterfalls and panoramic view of the Bangladesh plains, making a visit here no less than memorable.Best Experiences: A trip here is incomplete without a trip to the Nohkalikai Falls, one of the tallest in the country. Enjoy visits to other waterfalls like Mawsmai Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, and Dain-Thlen Falls. Also, go for popular treks that lead to Double Decker Living Root bridge in Nongriat village.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Take a flight directly to the Cherrapunji Airport. Or take the train to Guwahati followed by a 4 hour taxi.26. Mount Abu, RajasthanMount Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan situated close to the Aravali hills. One of the best times to visit this place is during the monsoon season when the lush green environment of the place can enchant you.Best Experiences: The drive along Udaipur – Mount Abu highway is truly breathtaking. The hill station is famous for Dilwara temples, Nakki Lake and Peace Park. Do not forget to miss the gorgeous sunset at Sunset Point that makes it one of the best hill tourist places in India.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Railway line from Ahmedabad to Marwar junction is available connecting passengers from Jaipur, Delhi or Jodhpur. Or plan a road trip from Udaipur which is 162 Kms.27. Wilson Hills, GujaratWilson Hills, Gujarat is located in a densely forested region. It is amongst the best hill stations in India frequented in the months of May, June, and July.Best Experiences: Breathtaking panoramic views of the hills from the sunset point overlooking the Arabian Sea. If culture interests you, visit the Museum too. Wilson hills have pristine waterfalls in the monsoons.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 2 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airport is in Surat at a distance of 125 Km. Buses are available from Mumbai/Surat to reach the hills.28. Saputara, GujaratSaputara is a hill station town in Gujarat. The beautiful hill station in west India is perched in the Dang forest area of the Sahyadri Range.Best Experiences: Visit Vansda National Park for exotic species and flora. Do not miss the refreshing morning sky at Sunrise Point in the Mahal region.Ideal Duration: Visit for 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airport is at Surat at a distance of 160 Kms and the nearest railway station is at Waghai at a distance of 52 Kms. State transport & luxury buses are also available for tourists.29. Pachmarhi, Madhya PradeshTouted to be the Queen of Satpura, this quaint hill station in Madhya Pradesh is an ideal getaway for those looking for peace and solitude. Pachmarhi shares the history of Mahabharata; the small town is a popular tourist destination and among the best hill stations to visit in IndiaBest Experiences: Apart from enjoying the salubrious weather, explore the local art here. There are caves and historical monuments for the adventurous history buffs.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airport is in Bhopal at a distance of 212 Km. The hill station is also linked by road with frequent bus services available in Bhopal.30. Amarkantak, Madhya PradeshA popular religious hill town of historical importance and thriving flora and fauna is a great weekend getaway. It is considered to be a sacred place by many. Experience the spiritual aspect of India here.Best Experiences: Visit the historical temples and go for a nature walk in the Goddess Garden. Do not miss the breathtaking Kapil falls.Ideal Duration: Plan a visit here for 2 days.How to reach: Nearest railway station is at Anuppur and Pendra Road at a distance of 60 Kms. The nearest airport is in Jabalpur at a distance of 230 Kms.31. Panchgani, MaharashtraIt is an ideal place for a pleasant vacation with your loved ones. Panchgani is located in the middle of the five hills. It is a popular tourist spot with lots of picnic activities to offer.Best Experiences: Panchgani is a complete retreat to beat the summertime blues. Some of the major attractions are Table Land, Sydney Point, and Devil’s Kitchen.Idea Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 2 day for a good tripHow to reach: Regular buses, taxis are available from Mumbai, Pune to reach Panchgani at 5-6 hours.32. Matheran, MaharashtraThe smallest hill station in India, Matheran is a mesmerizing hill resort for a short trip. Matheran is a popular weekend getaway for urban residents as the enchanting view of the hill station can call for an enthralling experience.Best Experiences: Trek to the Louisa Point for gorgeous views of the valley. Ride the toy train for a joy ride amidst the forested hills and indulge in adventure activities like flying fox.Ideal Duration: Plan a trip to matheran for 3 days for a good holiday.How to reach: Buses are easily available from Mumbai, Pune since it is very close to the cities.33. Mahabaleshwar, MaharashtraMahabaleshwar is a popular hill station in west India. It has unique sights to offer with historical stories that could make your trip insightful & full of fun. It is also the oldest hill stations with an array of sightseeing opportunities like fresh climate, mountains and valleys. It’s among the best hill stations to visit in India for its beauty and charm.Best Experiences: Mahabaleshwar is famous for strawberries. Don’t forget to try them on your visit here. Indulge in lots of activities like boating, horse riding.Ideal Duration: Plan a trip here for 3 days.How to Reach: Mahabaleshwar is 263 Km from Mumbai and the journey takes around 5 hours via local transportation. Train services are also available with the nearest station being at Satara.34. Amboli, MaharashtraThe ancient charm of this place with a blend of hill station vibes can be a good getaway for tourists looking out for a historical retreat in Amboli. Amboli is a hill station in the southern part of Maharashtra. It is a peaceful, unpolluted place for nature lovers.Best Experiences: Begin your journey with a holy visit to the Shiva Temples. Sit beside the breathtaking Amboli waterfalls and nature walk in the Amboli Jungle.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Amboli is well connected via road. Buses are available from Kolhapur, Panjim.35. Daringbadi, OrissaLocated in Odisha state, Daringbadi is a hill station in the Kandhamal district. It’s a beautiful spot which is surrounded by thick forests.Best Experiences: Along with the gorgeous drive around the hill town of Daringbadi, you can enjoy the scenic views of the valleys and the coffee plantations. Do visit the Belghar Sanctuary.Ideal Duration: Visit here for 2 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar which is at a distance of 250 Kms and the nearest railway station is at Berhampur.36. Coorg, KarnatakaCoorg is a district in the Karnataka state which is known for an array of tourist attractions and quaint villages. There are mountain ranges with a spectacular view.Best Experiences: For a nature lover, nothing is as blissful as the experience of exploring The Coorg District. The beautiful scenery, warm hospitality of people can allure you towards the hill station. The other attractions include Abbey falls, Nagarahole (Wild Life Sanctuary), Mountain Ranges, Churches, Forts.Ideal Duration: Coorg is an idyllic place for a quick weekend getaway.How to reach: The nearest railway station is at Mysore which is about 100 kms away from Coorg. Buses are frequently available to take off to Coorg on a 4-5 hours comfortable journey.37. Kudremukh, KarnatakaKudremukh is primarily an iron ore mining town known for its scenic beauty. Dense forest, rich wildlife, and the riverside view can account for an exhilarating experience in Kudremukh.Best Experiences: The hill station is a trekker’s paradise. Wildlife enthusiasts visit these particular hilly areas in India for exotic species and exquisite fauna.Ideal Duration: You could visit here for a day and extend it for as long as you want to.How to reach: The nearest airport is Mangalore at a distance of 110 Kms. Buses and Taxis are available there.38. Agumbe, KarnatakaReferred to as the Cherrapunji of the South, Agumbe is a village with the highest rainfalls, scenic outlook and sunset viewpoint. Agumbe is a small place with lots to discover especially in terms of feeling a natural beauty around.Best Experiences: Do not miss the majestic Barkhana falls and strolls in the rainforests of India. Go trekking and explore the local markets for the incredible handicraft products.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airport is at Mangalore. Closely railway station is at Udupi which is at a distance of 100 km.39. Araku Valley, Andhra PradeshAraku Valley is a hill station in Visakhapatnam district in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a valley which is famous for coffee plantations.Best Experiences: Explore the beautiful villages of Madugala and Champi as you trek through the carpeted terrains. Other tourist attractions include Chaparai falls and Ananthagiri falls.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Daily railways are available from Visakhapatnam railway station. Buses and taxis are also available.40. Ananthagiri Hills, Andhra PradeshThe picturesque Ananthagiri Hills are located in Vikarabad. The dense forest of the hills can enchant you to unravel its mysteries.Best Experiences: While in Ananthagiri, go trekking across the deciduous forests and explore the medieval forts.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 2 days.How to reach: Nearby airport/railway station is at Hyderabad at a distance of 80 Kms. Local buses, transportation is available to reach the Ranga Reddy district.41. Horsley Hills, Andhra PradeshA summer hill resort in Andhra Pradesh, Horsley Hills is a popular tourist destination known for its scenic beauty and tranquility. The Hill resort is surrounded by lots of trees.Best Experiences: While in Horsley hills visit the environment park and the Horsley hills museum. Indulge in some adventure sports like rappelling and trekking.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airports are available at Tirupati and Bangalore. Nearest station is available at Madanapalle Road. Buses are also available from there.42. Lambasingi, Andhra PradeshReferred to as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh, Lambasingi is a small village with exotic natural sceneries. This is the hill resort where you can experience snowfall during the winter season.Best Experiences: This is the hill station to chill while the summer heat boils you down. It’s one of the destinations where you need to relax in the resorts and enjoy the beautiful weather. Don’t miss nature walks in the misty mornings of these hilly areas in IndiaIdeal Duration: Visit here for 4 days for a relaxed vacation.How to reach: It is very well connected by road. Nearby bus stops are at Visakhapatnam, Chintapalli.43. Munnar, KeralaPerched on the hilly destination of God’s own country – Kerala, Munnar is enveloped with greenery, and romantic locations that can steal your heart away. It is ideally best suited for honeymoon getaways.Best Experiences: The serene hill station in south India is an ideal getaway for honeymooners and couples seeking a break from the bustling city. You could indulge in rock climbing, trekking, boating, yoga, and shopping. With so much to offer to tea lovers and thrill seekers, Munnar is definitely among the best hill stations in India to visit.Ideal Duration: Visit for 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, which is about 110 km from Munnar. The nearest railway station is at Aluva, at a distance of 110 km. Local transportation services – bus and cab are available to reach Munnar.44. Thekkady, KeralaThekkady is one of the best hill stations in India. It offers a mélange of experiences – tranquility, adventure & wildlife exploration. There’s something for everywhere here. What more? You can visit the nearby sanctuary and enjoy the wildlife here.Best Experiences: Amongst the many things to do in Thekkady, do plan a visit to Tiger Reserve. The rocky terrains make for a perfect path for nature walks. You could also go for elephant safaris and entertain yourself with a Kathakali show.Ideal Duration: Visit Thekkady for 4 days for a good trip.How to reach: Nearest airport is at Madurai at a distance of 139 Kms. From there, local transportation services are available to reach Thekkady.45. Ooty, Tamil NaduOoty is amongst the best hill stations in south India. It is popular for those who seek the beauty of nature, relax and take part in activities that could add new experiences to their travel diaries.Best Experiences: Explore the cozy cottages and go for trekking along the plantation sites for breathtaking views. You could indulge in adventurous activities like angling and hand gliding too.Ideal Duration: Visit Ooty for 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: The Coimbatore international airport is the closest. Nilgiri express leaves from Chennai to Mettupalayam near Ooty. Buses and shared taxis are available.46. Kodaikanal, Tamil NaduKnown as the princess of hill stations, Kodaikanal has the locations to mesmerize a tourist. It is one of the most popular hill stations in South India where you can enjoy the beauty of the panoramic views. No wonder it’s often called the most beautiful hill station in India.Best Experiences: Go for a boat ride in the Kodaikanal lake and trek to the Pillar rocks for scenic views. Visit the parks and nature walk in the Pine Forests. You could visit the Wax museums too.Ideal Duration: Visit for 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: Closest airports are at Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore. Nearest railway station is at Kodai road which is 100 kms away from Kodaikanal. One can travel by road to reach Kodaikanal.47. Yercaud, Tamil NaduThe picturesque hill station of Yercaud is famous for its scenery, fruit plantations, coffee and host of other things. It’s defnitely the msot charming place on the hill stations in India map to help you plan your itinerary.Best Experiences: Of the many tourist attractions in Yercaud, visit the Deer Park, the horticulture farm, and the Silk farm. Take a trip to the rose garden too.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 2 days.How to reach: The nearest airport is at Kamalapuram, Coimbatore & Bangalore. They are connected to Chennai. Local transportation is available to reach Yercaud. The nearest railway station is Salem Junction.48. Kotagiri, Tamil NaduKotagiri in Tamil Nadu is known to have the world’s second best climate. The hill station is a paradise in summers to beat the heat of the bustling city. Owing to its abundant natural beauty, it’s the most beautiful hill station in India.Best Experiences: Kotagiri is famous for its Kodanad View Point, sprawling tea gardens, and sparkling waterfalls. Do visit Nehru Park.Ideal Duration: Visit here for a minimum of 2 days for a good trip.How to reach: It is very close to Ooty about 29 Kms. Travelers can take local transportation from Ooty or Coimbatore.49. Kolli Hills, Tamil NaduThe exotic natural charm of this mountain range can leave you spellbound. It is a quaint hill station in South India known for its picturesque views.Best Experiences: The hill stations are ideal for a weekend getaway. You could visit the waterfalls nearby, especially during the monsoons. Visit the Sikku parai viewpoint for breathtaking views and the botanical gardens for exquisite flora.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good trip.How to reach: It is very well connected by road. Nearby bus stops are at Visakhapatnam, Chintapalle.50. Meghamalai, Tamil NaduThe cool mountain range located in the Western Ghats, Meghamalai is dotted with plantations and gardens. Often called the High Wavy Mountains, the natural beauty of the place is ideal for those looking for an adventurous destination. It’s definitely the best hill station in India for honeymoon .Best Experiences: Apart from the picturesque views, trek to the tea estates and chill by the dams. You could also go explore the wildlife around.Ideal Duration: Visit for a minimum of 3 days for a good holiday.How to reach: The nearest airport is at Madurai airport at a distance of 115 Kms. It is well connected by roads.51. Ladakh, Jammu & KashmirFrom nature, landscapes, culture, to the geographical terrain, Ladakh exudes beauty in its every aspect that enchants anyone who sets foot in this mystical land up north. With sparkling blue lakes, cold deserts, to colorful monasteries and gompas, Ladakh has an array of elements that make it a complete Heaven on Earth and one of the best top most hill stations in India. It’s probably the only place on Earth where you can suffer from sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. While Leh happens to be the capital city of Leh, other places that travelers can explore here include Kargil, Nubra, Pangong Tso, and more.Best Experiences: Camel ride at Nubra Valley, visit Pangong Tso, ATV ride, river rafting at Zanskar, bike ride to Chele La Pass (highest motorable pass in the world)Ideal Duration: A duration of 5 nights and 6 days is good for your holiday.How to reach: Leh Airport is the nearest airport. One can also drive via the Delhi-Manali-Leh route for an enchanting road trip to Ladakh, one of the highest altitude hill stations in India .52. Mussoorie, UttarakhandIf your definition of a perfect hilly escapade revolves around strolling through unadulterated natural surroundings, sitting somewhere and looking at a pretty sunset, visiting quaint churches, and buy woolens at a jolly Mall Road, then Mussoorie is the right place for you! Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, Mussoorie is among the best hill stations in India to visit. Its year-round pleasant weather makes it a top choice for couples and honeymooners anyway, add to it the pristine natural beauty and amazing food for a great holiday experience in the mountains of India! It will surprise you to know that it is sometimes called the Queen of Hill Stations in India !Best Experiences: Visit to the churches, shopping at Mall Road, a plate or two of steaming momos at the local eateries, a dip at Kempty FallsIdeal Duration: A duration of 2 nights 3 days is perfect for your holiday.How to reach: Dehradun Airport is the nearest airport. One can also drive from the nearest metros via Dehradun city.