--- title: "Star Wars tech we could really use in Iraq and Afghanistan" date: "2020-02-05" modified: "2020-10-21" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/star-wars-tech-really-use-iraq-afghanistan/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Military News" - "Movies and TV" - "Technology" --- # Star Wars tech we could really use in Iraq and Afghanistan ![]() The new Star Wars movies are pretty exciting. It freaked out the entire media landscape in a way unseen since the days before cable TV ensured we all didn't watch the same episode of *Friends* on Thursday night. As each trailer brings the new, Jar-Jar free reality of an impending new saga upon us, the [inner child of someone]() who once read the Star Wars Encyclopedia cover to cover bubbles to the surface, realizing some of the tech seen in the new [trailer]() for *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* would have been really useful on some real-world deployments. --- ### Rey's Visor ![]() Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) is a human scavenger on the desert planet of Jakku (that's not the desert world of Luke Skywalker's Tattooine). Jakku is home to thieves and other criminals and someone like Rey must survive by salvaging old parts and reselling them. Having protection from the elements in the harsh, dry, dusty environment (sound familiar?) of Jakku is a real plus. Rey's eyepro is stripped from an old Stormtrooper helmet, giving her the same tactical advantage Imperial Stormtroopers had on the battlefield. Though it limits her field of vision, it does help her see in the dark, and through smoke, sand, and glare. ### BB-8 "Roller Ball" Droid ![]() As an Astromech droid in the line of R2-d2, the BB-8 droid can deftly work with electronic devices, which would do efficient work with deactivating explosive devices. The new droid comes with a number of improvements on the R2 unit's original design, including a head which appears to float on a 360-degree base, giving the robot vastly improved maneuverability for the rocky slopes of Afghan terrain. ### Luke Skywalker's Cybernetic Hand ![]() Although in some sci-fi epics, cybernetic hands are more of a problem, in the Star Wars universe, cybernetic limb replacements allow for full range of motion, full use, and full sensitivity. These prosthetic replacements connect mechanical parts directly to the user's brain via a neural net interface, covered by synthskin, to where no one would know the difference to look at it. This would be an excellent way to care for troops injured in Afghanistan, considering more than [1,000]() lost limbs there. Good thing science already figured this one out. Thanks, [DARPA](). ### Deflector Shields What military unit wouldn't want an invisible force field to protect them from harm while they destroyed their enemies. It may not be necessary in Afghanistan, but it sure would be nice to have. It's much more necessary in the Star Wars Universe, where not having deflector shields looks like this: ![]() ### Honorable Mention: Rey's Staff It may not actually help in combat in Afghanistan, but if you want to see how Rey's skills with that staff weapon might look onscreen, check out this video of Daisy Ridley's stunt double, Chloe Bruce, working with one like it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5q6rtGJkAc Close enough for government work, either with the U.S. or the New Republic. And finally, we want lightsabers. Please, please make it happen, DoD. ### NOW: [Meet Adam Driver, Marine Vet and Star Wars' Next Villain ]() ### OR: [The U.S. Military wants to build Star Wars hover bikes ]() ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()