The HULC exo-skeleton, Lockheed Martin’s prototype heavy lifter for infantry troops in the field, has its battery and is now ready for human trials. If they’re successful, field tests could be close on their heels.
A quick primer though, before anything else: HULC, or Human Universal Load Carrier, could be the military’s answer for troops who need to carry heavy loads—in this case 200 pounds—in the field of battle.
It’s been in R&D for a while, only recently had its battery finalised, and today is preparing to enter the first of a series of serious $US1.1 million biomechanical tests that could very well decide if this ever sees the field, or combat, in a few years’ time Reports Danger Room:
“Biomechanical testing will measure the energy expended by a soldier when using the HULC,” according to a Lockheed statement. “The laboratory testing will also assess how quickly users learn to use the HULC system when carrying various loads and moving at various speeds. The contract includes options for field trials to test the system’s utility in operational environments.”
So one small step for HULC, and one small step for the program—it could still be years before this admittedly cool device sees service, regardless of the results. [Wired]
Paul
Monday, July 19, 2010 at 7:10 PMEven more crap will now be required for these poor bastards to carry around.
Daniel
Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 1:33 AMHow are they “poor bastards”? They are clearly doing their jobs.
Besides, this suit i’d say would take the “poor” out of “poor bastards”. If these articles are anything to go by, it would actually be a lot easier to carry things around while also being large in quantity – so that means more ammunition, more equipment, etc.
I’m sure even the military would be disadvantaged by soldier fatigue – so they wouldn’t just send them out there bearing more weight that they can handle
Boffman
Monday, July 19, 2010 at 9:58 PMWhile this won’t be apart of a regular infantry section anytime soon, it well and truely be apart of a SF outfit, who will use it as part of a specialist role, ie: long range target infiltration by foot, or as part of a long range recon element moving over a number of days if not weeks. The only limitation will be recharging the batteries. If the designers are smart, they would have lent the design used in the regenerative braking of hybrid cars, and used this to aid in recharging the battery pack when the user decends slopes. This tech as well as some type of Dyesolar cell technology would help extend the work-time of this device.