This new push appears to have led to several new experiments with exoskeleton technology in recent years. In 2018, Lockheed Martin was prize a $6.9 million contract to “improve” its ONYX exosuit for future Army demonstrations (Accetta, the DEVCOM spokesperson, tells WIRED the initiative ended due to a “number of technical issues” and a lack financing). Likewise, the service has been testing the Dephy ExoBoot stop in at least the last few years. In August 2022, the Army sleepless a (non-powered) exoskeleton called the Soldier Assistive Bionic Exosuit for Resupply (SABRE) to reduce low back pain and physical stress among service members in the field; according to a 2023 study90 percent of soldiers who used the exosuit during field artillery training exercises reported an increased ability to perform assigned tasks. And the Army isn’t the only branch exploring exoskeletons: Later in 2022, the Air Force announced that the service was testing its own air-powered exosuit developed by ROAM Robotics to help air carriers load cargo planes like the C-17 Globemaster III.
The Fort Sill exoskeleton test is not just the latest installment in a seven-decade effort to merge man and machine; It is also representative of the service cautious and measured approach to technology. Although American military planners may have long aspired to build an army of so-called servo soldiers to dominate the future battlefield, current exoskeleton research efforts appear focused on more modest and potentially achievable applications, such as logistics and resupply, rather than combat engagements. Slowly but surely, the Pentagon is carefully examining whether robotic assistance will help service members carry more for longer.
But the Pentagon doesn’t appear to have completely given up on its dream of a powered exoskeleton as the basis for an armored battle suit just yet. The Army’s 2017 RAS strategy, despite its emphasis on lightening soldier loads, also laid out the long-term goal of building a “warrior costume” with “integrated displays that add a common operational picture, provide intelligence updates, and integrate direct and indirect fire weapons systems,” capabilities not unlike those imagined with a theoretical model. starship soldiers Mobile infantry or operator wearing an Iron Man suit and explored with the TALOS initiative. A few years ago, at least one army officer was still talking about such a lawsuit as a long-term effort that could potentially become a reality sometime in the 2040s.
Today, however, that idea seems to be in hibernation, if not completely dead. When asked about the “warrior suit” effort, DEVCOM officials poured cold water on the entire concept as “a person’s professional vision” and “not to be considered (even at that time).” as an official Army position,” despite its explicit mention in the 2017 RAS document.
“The ‘warrior suit’ never existed as such, it was never considered a ‘warrior suit’—at least not by the Army—but rather a proof of concept, meaning: ‘Would something like this help handle the load while are you moving?’ —Acetta says. “The number of technical, integration, design, power, ergonomic, etc. concerns were not trivial.”
“The project is not abandoned, it is simply inactive,” he adds. “And if it were ever activated, we highly doubt it would be called a ‘warrior suit’.”