“Now it looks like the soldier is being used as a pack mule.”
Our military is developing “exoskeleton” type suits with motorized legs that the soldier would wear to help carry the loads! I’m thinking this exhibit (and the new suits) shows the importance of the individual soldier on the ground.
They are also developing robot 'mules', legged all-terrain robots carrying heavier loads and re-supply. Each method, mule or exoskeleton, would have application and advantages in the battlefields we face.