I’ve heard over the years that the US military is working on some sort of portable optical invisibility, weather or not it’s true, or even possible given current technology, lets assume we have this ability. Would a soldier captured while using this be afforded GC protection as there is no visible uniform? Could the US claim optical invisibility as a valid US military uniform?
What is the soldier wearing when the field is turned off?
As I’ve noted in the many discussions on this Board, I seriously doubt if any sort of invisibility shield will be possible with current or future technologies, fictional uses of the idea to the contrary notwithstanding (James Bond and George Takei, I’m talkin’ to you).
I suppose it’s an interesting speculative question, just like the rights of fairies and the licensing of dragons are, but I don’t see this as achieving reality.
(Now watch. Some wise-ass is going to come up with breakthrough invisibility technology, and I’ll look like the guy declaiming heavier-than-air flight. But anybody wearing the invisibility suit is still gonna be blind, or need image intensifiers.)
Optical invisibility isn’y any different, legally speaking, from using camouflage. Either way you are taking physical steps to prevent the enemy from seeing you.
The purpose of this part of the Geneva agreements is not that soldiers be physically visible at all times, but that they be distinguishable from civilians. The Geneva conventions are not universal rules of war, although that’s the common impression (I cannot tell you how many arguments I got into with fellow soldiers who thought certain weapons were “outlawed by the Geneva Conventions.”) The GCs exist to define what persons are valid military targets and which are not.
Those who are not are defined into four categories; civilians, the wounded, persons escaping stricken ships and aircraft, and prisoners of war. Distinguishing civilians requires that soldiers distinguish themselves as a separate class - hence, the requirements to wear uniforms, carry arms openly, etc.
You mean like this? Not quite complete invisibility, but it looks pretty promising (if impractical for now).
I’ve seen that sort of thing. at best, that may be able to give you acceptable camofloge from one particular angle. It sure as hell won’t make you invisible – ever. And right now it doesn’t do a very good job at even the camoflage, although it’ll probably get better with time.