The US Military currently lead the race to ensure that they can have troops anywhere in the world in the shortest time possible, however meetings in the National Security Space Office have been held to discuss the use of rockets to transport troops in a new troop carrier.

SUSTAIN (Small Unit Space Transport and Insertion)

Military officials have held a two-day conference with officials from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines to plan the SUSTAIN (Small Unit Space Transport and Insertion) program. 

The discussions were to see if it is possible that the US Military can use rocket transports enabling them to transport troops anywhere in the world in the shortest time possible.

Military Rocket Transport

The concept to travel high in the atmosphere to reduce overall travelling times is currently in use in the aviation world, however the problem is to convert the technology and idea to a military rocket transport that would need to meet tight specifications.

The SUSTAIN program will require the need to be re-launched once the mission objectives are complete. A problem is to get the transport back in the air once landed at its destination. The carrier is likely to require a launch system (launch pad) to ensure accurate and safe travel.

The proposed carrier would also need sufficient armour if used in a combat zone. The costs of the project would be huge and one area that would reduce costs would be to install lighter armour. This will greatly reduce fuel bills and could make the project financially feasible. However troop safety would be compromised with lighter armour, which will be paramount to the carrier achieving operational status. 

The problems facing the carrier according to military analysts will leave the project grounded and no further meetings have been planned. However it is clear that the US military wish to have the ability to land troops anywhere in the world in the shortest time possible and are looking for new methods to achieve this.   

Related Military Technology News

• Invisible Tank Technology
• New "Invisibility" Military Technology
• US Military Mind Reading