The U.S. Army is taking a page out of a Hollywood script for its latest armor design.
Special Operations Command is partnering with universities, laboratories and the tech industry to design an Iron Man-style suit that would be worn by soldiers in the field.
The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or TALOS, would comprise layers of smart material and sensors, better enabling and protecting soldiers during combat situations.
In this video (see below), an animated demonstration of how the armor would work shows just how beneficial it could be:
Faster, Stronger
The design of the suit also includes an attachable frame, creating an extra layer of mass and force in the form of an additional exoskeleton. Gareth McKinley, a professor at MIT, said that it would be along the lines of the external suit worn by Sigourney Weaver in Aliens. In a statement, the U.S. Army said the suit promises to provide superhuman strength to the wearer.
Aside from strengthening soldiers, the exoskeleton also includes attachable, hydraulic arms and legs. These limbs would amplify any motions of the person wearing the exoskeleton, including boosts in speed and overall mobility.
Smarter
In addition to enhancing the wearer's strictly physical capabilities, the Iron Man-style suit would also improve a soldiers' visual senses by giving him an image of the entire battlefield. The suit would include a wearable 360-degree, night vision computer (think Google Glass), giving the wearer the ability to look into the corner of the eyepiece and see the enemy's exact location.
The tactical benefits of this last feature are far-reaching, particularly because it would provide a definitive edge during on the ground military missions.
Furthering the Iron Man similarities, the suit will also have embedded sensors designed to monitor body temperature, heart rate and hydration levels, providing a detailed and accurate report of the soldier's health.
The researchers behind the project hope to have a working TALOS prototype within the next three years. Until then, it looks like Tony Stark is the only one who gets to wear anything close to it.
Via Mashable
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