In the 2008 movie "Iron Man," the main character becomes a superhero
after building a suit of armor with an exoskeleton that gives him
incredible strength.
Today, elite US special operations forces may be a few short years away
from donning a similar suit, one that can monitor the user's vital
signs, give him real-time battlefield information and be bulletproof
from head to toe. The suit might eventually have other features unheard
of only a few years ago, including an exoskeleton made of liquid armor,
smart fabrics that could help stop hemorrhaging, enhanced sensory
capabilities and Google Glass-like visuals.
The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) project is coordinated
through the Special Operations Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force
Base in Tampa. Prototypes are expected to be shown to military
commanders in June, with hopes that the suit will be given to high-risk
units in 2018.
While the project sounds like something out of a science fiction novel,
its mission is simple, said James Geurts, the Deputy for Acquisition of
the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill.
"We've lost a lot of guys to gunshot wounds and explosions," he said.
"If there's anything I can do to more rapidly field technology, give
better protection, better capability, any progress, I think we've done
well."
Some companies working on the TALOS project are in Tampa this week for
the International Special Operations Forces conference. The four-day
event showcases special military technologies, gadgets and tools — from
pen-like systems collecting chemical vapors to underwater robots.
Several top analysts and military brass are also scheduled to speak,
including SOCOM commander, Adm. William McRaven.
McRaven is widely credited with initiating the TALOS project. Last year,
he described SOCOM's unique approach to the project: By harnessing the
expertise of professional engineers, the creativity of students and
possibly even "local garage tinkerers," the military will end up with a
truly innovative project.
"I am very committed to it because I'd like that last operator we lost
to be the last one we ever lose in this fight or the fight of the
future, and I think we can get there," McRaven said last July.
What might be more remarkable than the whiz-bang technology of the suit
is how Geurts and his team are reaching out to recruit contractors in
non-traditional ways.
SOCOM has held "Monster Garage"-type events for people with potential
ideas, and even Geurts acknowledged: "It's certainly not the traditional
Department of Defense model."
"Looking for #collaborators to help #invent the next generation of #sof
combat gear via #talos
@SOFTALOS," Geurts tweeted in September.
Frost & Sullivan Aerospace and Defense Senior Industry Analyst Brad Curran said this approach is novel for the military.
"A trend of toward seeking more academic and industry input is picking
up as DoD seeks to save research and development funds, shorten
acquisition schedules, and leverage commercial technology," said Curran.
The biggest current challenge is making the suit light and comfortable for the soldier.
"For every pound the operator has to carry in armor, there's an
additional energy supply," said Dan Stamm, a research scientist at
Battelle, an Ohio-based defense contractor that's the lead contracting
consultant on the TALOS project.
Source : abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/special-operations-forces-iron-man-suit-23807188
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