FORT IRWIN, California -- Before the Airborne Rangers deploy in a hostile country, before the helicopters arrive, bringing troops and weapons, military commanders of the future will have already visited the battlefield -- virtually. And Army Staff Sergeant Jason Feser will likely be the one taking them there. His weapon? A computer with half a terabyte of disk space, 36 different peripherals, and 2GB of RAM. Tonight's "Tech Live" takes you there.

"We can sit down with the commander, take a look at what his assets are, what are his strengths and weaknesses, take a tour of the battlefield, and make estimates on how best to handle the terrain situation," Feser said.

He works with the Digital Topographic Support System (DTSS). The data is collected from maps, satellite images, and other sources. It's then synthesized by a secret military software program. The end result is an incredibly detailed, 3D view of the battlefield.

Battle monitoring to go

Ultimately, commanders will use the technology to monitor a battle while it's happening, collecting data from various sources including unmanned surveillance planes. What makes the system so compelling is that it's completely mobile, meaning it can be deployed out with the troops in the field.

The DTSS is linked by Ethernet to a dozen other computer systems inside the mobile command center dubbed the Army Battle Command Systems. One system is the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, which provides the complete fire support picture to match the right weapon to the right target at the specified time.

Another system is the All Source Analysis System, which gives commanders a real-time picture of the enemy's location. This system also provides suggestions to commanders about how best to neutralize an enemy. Then there's the Air and Missile Defense Workstation, which gives commanders an up-to-the-second air and missile defense picture and helps them assess threats by prioritizing them.

"A lot of these kids are pickin' it up and able to fly right away with it. But the more you're around it, the more you see it, the more you touch it, the easier it is to operate it," said Major Andrew Mortenson, who will coordinate the tent full of computer systems when it's deployed in battle.

Getting to know the battlefield

As a reporter and cameraman head out to live-fire missile exercises in the middle of California's Mojave Desert, they think back to that central command tent. All the technology inside exists to make sure that once troops head out to a real battlefield, they're not faced with any surprises -- such as firing at the wrong targets.

There's one big application for all this computer power. Data from command central can be transmitted to forces in the field, directly to dashboard computer systems inside the rocket launchers themselves. That dashboard system is called the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below and it can display the Army's tactical intranet, digitized military maps, and specific tactical data. A similar system is installed in the Army's new troop carrier, the Stryker.

Tomorrow's military dominance will not come simply from bigger, better weapons, but by knowing the intricacies of the battlefield before troops get there.

"Having a complete understanding of what the terrain will and will not allow your equipment and soldiers to do is the key to information dominance," Feser said.

This is the second story in our week-long look at advances in military technology. Tomorrow's installment of "Tech Live's" Combat Week will give you a glimpse of the soldier of the future.