# Harnessing the Potential of Emerging Technologies to Break Down Barriers in Tactical Communications
## 3 Emerging Technologies as Potential Candidates: Overview
* **Semantic communications (SC)**: This novel approach for communication systems involves transmitting only pertinent information directly related to the specific task at hand, resulting in an intelligent system that markedly reduces data traffic [34]. This presents a substantial advantage for tactical radios, particularly those outlined in the preceding section, as they typically operate with limited bandwidth [35]. * **Neuromorphic processors**: These refer to computing functions that emulate the human brain through finely grained parallel processing and real-time learning. The benefits of neuromorphic computing include enabling event-based low-energy consumption, scalable parallel processing, and the integration of memory and computation within a neuron unit [65]. In tactical scenarios, where swift responses to threats are crucial, the incorporation of neuromorphic processors into tactical radios aids in enhancing situational awareness. * **Digital twin (DT)**: It constitutes a dynamic representation of the physical asset or system, persistently adjusting to operational alterations guided by continuously gathered online data and information [66]. The DT network can forecast the future of the corresponding physical counterpart [67]. In military contexts, this technology holds great significance, as it allows for the testing and evaluation of assets before subjecting them to physical testing. This results in substantial cost savings and significant time reductions by avoiding unnecessary testing and rebuilds. Additionally, it has the capability to anticipate future engine failures and vulnerabilities, enabling predictive maintenance based on historical and real-time data. This foresight allows for the early prediction of potential issues and improves response times. Furthermore, emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, can be integrated into digital twins. These techniques enable virtual representations to predict errors and help prevent costly consequences. Based on this literature review and to the best knowledge of the authors, we compiled in Table 2 the status of each technology mentioned within the tactical and military scenarios. We classified the technologies by their level of implementation in tactical communications systems into two groups: technology proposed for military application, or if it is currently a challenge. If it has been considered in a scenario, we assessed whether it is in an inevitable or operational state, differentiating between fully or partially operational. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c c} \hline \hline  & \multicolumn{4}{c}{**Existing**} \\ \cline{2-5}  & **Research** & **Full** & **Partial** & **Operative** \\ \hline MIoT & ✓ & & & \\ \hline Tactile Internet & & ✓ & & \\ \hline Tactical Internet & & ✓ & & \\ \hline Wearables & ✓ & & ✓ & \\ \hline UAV & & & ✓ & \\ \hline Situational awareness & & ✓ & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Status of emerging technologies in tactical communications and networking.