In 2022, during a time when many doubted whether Russia would actually invade Ukraine, the United States released what it called a decisive clue that war was imminent: the stockpiling of blood by Russian forces. The U.S. had detected signs of Russia amassing large quantities of blood through its intelligence assets, pointing to it as one of the clearest indicators of invasion preparations.

[Lloyd Austin / U.S. Secretary of Defense (Feb. 2022): They are sharpening their combat readiness in the Black Sea, and even stockpiling blood. You don't do these kinds of things if you're preparing to pack up and go home.]

This means that a nation preparing for war prepares blood first. So, what about the United States today? Today, we look into "artificial blood," a technology the U.S. Department of Defense is researching with tens of millions of dollars.

1. Why is 'blood' so important in war?
In war, blood is just as important as weapons. In particular, the U.S. military identifies hemorrhage (bleeding) as the leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. This means that more lives could be saved if the wounded received timely blood transfusions. According to a U.S. study analyzing casualties from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, 87% of those who died did so before reaching a medical facility. In other words, the goal is to transfuse blood within the so-called "golden hour" to save those who can be saved.

2. Is donated blood not enough?
This raises a question: why not just collect a lot of donated blood and send it to the battlefield? However, it is not as simple as it sounds. First of all, there is a shortage of blood because fewer people are donating. Even when blood is secured, it must be refrigerated and has a shelf life of only about 40 days. Consequently, DARPA, the research agency under the U.S. Department of Defense, launched a program called "FSHARP" in 2023. Standing for "Fieldable Solutions for Hemorrhage with bio-Artificial Resuscitation Products," the program aims to develop artificial blood that can be stored at room temperature for use on the battlefield. Instead of a liquid, this blood comes in a powder form. Soldiers can carry it with them and mix it with saline solution to transfuse directly into wounded personnel when needed. DARPA has poured over $46 million into a consortium of universities and companies developing this artificial blood, and recently announced that its efficacy has been confirmed in animal testing.

3. The U.S. military's 'big picture'
There are clear hints that the U.S. military is developing this with "real combat" in mind. Last month (May 2026), a hearing was held by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee regarding the Navy and Marine Corps' combat ships, troops, and budget. During this hearing, DARPA's artificial blood development was specifically highlighted.

[Ted Budd / U.S. Senator: I recently visited DARPA and heard about the artificial blood program. What preparations is the Navy making to ensure sufficient blood supply during large-scale operations or combat situations in the Pacific?]

[Admiral Daryl Caudle / Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command: I also recently visited DARPA and received the same briefing. That is FSHARP. The development of artificial blood and synthetic platelets is key to battlefield survivability, particularly in securing the 'golden hour' across the vast Indo-Pacific region. That is why I have a keen interest in artificial blood products. I do not believe we have reached the field deployment stage yet. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) also recognizes the importance of this program. Both Commandant Smith and I are focused on this issue. Saving our naval forces is critical.]

The key point to note here is the phrase "securing the 'golden hour' in the Indo-Pacific." While artificial blood would be helpful on any battlefield, specifically pointing to the Indo-Pacific, where Taiwan is located, suggests that the U.S. is keeping a potential conflict between the U.S. and China in mind. In fact, during a U.S.-China summit last month (May 2026), President Xi Jinping warned the U.S. regarding the Taiwan issue, stating that mishandling it "could lead to conflict."

4. What if war breaks out in the Taiwan Strait?
If war were to actually break out in the Taiwan Strait, the U.S. military would have to transport troops and blood by air or sea. However, if China blocks the skies and seas, fighting effectively would become extremely difficult. Since replenishing troops and supplies would be restricted, there would be an urgent need for artificial blood that can be stored at room temperature for long periods, rather than donated blood that only lasts 40 days. Furthermore, having witnessed the limitations of aerial resupply in the war in Ukraine, the U.S. military has no choice but to pay closer attention to this issue.

5. "Artificial blood is the Holy Grail of battlefield medicine"
Last month (May 2026), the U.S. military moved beyond the animal testing phase and entered its next project, "RAPIID," aimed at clinical trials and mass production. Building on the achievements of FSHARP, the goal is to obtain FDA approval so that it can be used on wounded personnel in the field as early as fiscal year 2029—meaning after October 2028. Among those who emphasized the importance of artificial blood at the hearing was General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, who survived gunshot wounds from an enemy ambush in Iraq in 2004.

[General Eric Smith / Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps: Room-temperature-stable blood products are the 'holy grail' of battlefield medicine. When I was wounded in 2004, I nearly bled to death, but I survived after receiving a transfusion at a hospital in Baghdad. If we had room-temperature blood products available in the field, it would have been much better. This technology is the true 'holy grail' of battlefield medicine.]

Will the United States truly be able to change the game in battlefield medicine? We will have to wait and see what role this "new blood" will play in future conflicts around the world.

Reported by Kim Tae-won | Written by Shin Hee-sook | Camera by Park Woo-jin and Cha Seung-hwan | Video Editing by Kim Hye-ju | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Source: DVIDS, KaloCyte | Produced by SBS Digital News