Straight out of the pages of science fiction, Boeing has patented a shield that would, theoretically, absorb the shock waves generated by explosions.

At this stage in the development much of the technology is theoretical and there are some serious hurdles to overcome. However, if the device can be made practical it could protect troops, equipment, vehicles and even entire buildings from sizable explosions.

The patent, named “Method and system for shockwave attenuation via electromagnetic arc”, is similar to the “deflector” employed on Star Trek. It wouldn’t stop actual projectiles such as missiles and bullets, it wouldn’t even stop shrapnel from an explosion but it would block or substantially reduce the force of shock waves which occurred as a result of an explosion.

A sensor would detect the actual explosion, triggering an arc generator which would produce a plasma field generated using electricity, lasers and microwaves. The field would create a different environment inside the shield, varying the density, temperature and composition which would act as a buffer and counter the incoming shockwaves.

“Such embodiments as described above may reduce the energy density of the shockwave by creating a second medium in the path of the advancing shockwave that reflects, refracts, absorbs and deflects at least a portion of the shockwave,” the patent reads.

The system is still a long way from being implemented and, even if fully realized, would have limited applications. The shield would only be active for a few seconds at a time when an explosion was detected. There would be no option to have an “always on” shield and even if that option were possible it wouldn’t be very desirable. When it ionizes the air, it makes it impossible to see what’s going on outside the shield while it is active.

If it were to be successfully implemented, however, it would be another step in turning modern militaries into something out of a science fiction movie.

In November of last year, the prototype for the Laser Weapon System (LaWS) began real world testing on the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. While not quite what a sci-fi fan would expect from a laser cannon, its 30kW beam is capable of blinding incoming ships and shooting down incoming drones (UAVs). A more powerful, 50kw, laser cannon called the HEL MD is still being developed.

As of January of last year, there were also plans being considered to replace up to one-quarter of US soldiers with robots by 2030. Dozens of varieties of drones and robots are currently being tested to do everything from combat to sentry duty as well as bomb detection, search and rescue, surveillance and espionage.

All of that is in addition to stronger and more powerful materials, cloaking technology, smarter, more powerful and more mobile computers and other technologies.

The teenagers who devote most of their time to video games may yet prove to be the people the military wants in the near future.