Exoskeleton gets the Green Light

Warped

Warped

Newbie
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
7,546
Reaction score
0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1CeBOWm67A

Holy ****! I've seen these before but its nice to see them hitting the military.

hulc-soldier-20100721.jpg

Its lack of jetpacks means Heinlein's visions of future warfare have still not come to pass, but we're getting closer with word that Lockheed Martin's Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC) exoskeleton is ready for military testing. Since last we heard of the thing it's been "ruggedized" and made a little more battle-hardy, able to carry 200lbs plus its own 53lb heft without burdening the doughy soldier inside, demonstrated after the break. It supports the cargo plus its own weight through articulated rods that follow the legs to the ground, meaning grunts can haul heavy equipment to the battle and arrive feeling refreshed. Next up for the suit is eight weeks of military trials ahead of hitting the battlefield sometime next year. Hooah, future robo-jockeys.
Click to expand...
http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/21/hulc-exo-skeleton-ready-for-testing-set-to-hit-the-ground-runni/

Nerds can now be heroes
 
able to carry 200lbs plus its own 53lb heft without burdening the doughy soldier inside
Click to expand...

are they saying american soldiers are fat?
 
What? No. You must be thinking back to when we used people as soldiers. We've moved on to bread-men, who don't matter when they get shot. Don't you guys use bread people in your armies up in Canada? Ours are garlic flavored.
 
If it works, it'd be incredibly useful. However, I'm curious about how smooth/rapid the movement detection thing is. Also, the fact that it's yet another computer system troops will have to carry likely means regular troops won't be able to do maintenance on it. It's too bad it's not all mechanical.
 
This is the first step to heavy armoring of soldiers and battlesuits.
 
Krynn72 said:
What? No. You must be thinking back to when we used people as soldiers. We've moved on to bread-men, who don't matter when they get shot. Don't you guys use bread people in your armies up in Canada? Ours are garlic flavored.
Click to expand...


doughboy.jpg
 
Viperidae said:
Also, the fact that it's yet another computer system troops will have to carry likely means regular troops won't be able to do maintenance on it.
Click to expand...

The US military will deploy techpriests to aid marines and soldiers in the upkeep of their new kit.

techpriest.gif
 
200 pounds of carrying support?

Feels like I'm wearing nothing at all... nothing at all... nothing at all!



Also, anyone else think they're just going to pile on more equipment for the soldiers now, who have that?
 
when I first saw the title of the thread, I saw Endoskeleton rather than Exoskeleton

I'm so disappointed!
 
Warped said:
Holy ****! I've seen these before but its nice to see them hitting the military.
Click to expand...

No it isn't, why would it be nice to see more people die? What the **** is wrong with you.
 
I for one welcome our new robot pants overlords.

love_nutz2 said:
when I first saw the title of the thread, I saw Endoskeleton rather than Exoskeleton

I'm so disjointed!
Click to expand...

I thought this was what you said when I first read your post. I guess I see what you didn't do there.
 
Mogi67 said:
No it isn't, why would it be nice to see more people die? What the **** is wrong with you.
Click to expand...

Lol.

The enemy dies, man. The enemy dies. Now, whose side are you on? Our side?


Anyway, I like how this could result in some pretty awesome shit. People could just make a suit covered with ceramic armor, and it'd still be mobile enough to be used. Put a minigun on the right side and a automatic grenade launcher on the other hand, and you've got Iron Man. Or a Space Marine.
 
Krynn72 said:
What? No. You must be thinking back to when we used people as soldiers. We've moved on to bread-men, who don't matter when they get shot. Don't you guys use bread people in your armies up in Canada? Ours are garlic flavored.
Click to expand...

But what about Napalm? GIANT BISCUITS!

Mogi67 said:
No it isn't, why would it be nice to see more people die? What the **** is wrong with you.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's nice, because most useful technology like this is developed for the military, but then a gazillion private sector applications are found to be useful too and it hits the public market.

Also this is not even a weapon unless you mean killing people by bashing them to death with it?


Raziaar said:
Also, anyone else think they're just going to pile on more equipment for the soldiers now, who have that?
Click to expand...

First thing I thought too. It's like when they first introduced personal computers to all office workspaces. They were supposed to liberate people and mean less time working with more free time. Instead, even more productivity and more work was expected than before.
 
Mogi67 said:
No it isn't, why would it be nice to see more people die? What the **** is wrong with you.
Click to expand...

Wait?? What?? this suit will probably save lives. Would you want to fight against a guy wearing a mech suit?? You'd more than likely lay down your arms or at least considering running far far away. Not only could it help the soldier but vice versa
 
It's not a mech suit, heh. That term kind of implies it provides some level of protection or something (right?). Either way I can't really see this striking fear into the hearts of the enemy once they discover you can, in fact, still just shoot the guy wearing it.

Anyway, nice idea, but I can't imagine it being very cost-effective. Just like most technology I've seen of it's kind, it places all the value on a single soldier, which isn't really a worthwhile investment in the eyes of those with the money. Maybe in specific operations which require soldiers to carry heavy loads over treacherous terrain like in the video's example, but then I can see them just as easily sending more soldiers to distribute the weight. :p
 
It'll get cheap soon enough and that won't be an issue.

How much does it cost now anyway? I didnt notice the price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top