RE: DARPA funds $1.7 million for new ultracapacitor
Well, they aren't really that silly when you think about it...you can charge them up in almost the blink of an eye compared to normal batteries. That could be a matter between life and death for a soldier who, for example, can't simply replace the battery in their radio or night-vision goggles.
Still, ultracapacitors as a replacement to batteries is a long way off...