Dow Corning helps Army develop high-tech battle suit

AP ^ | 8/25/2003

[presidio9]

Call it Superman meets the Terminator meets Predator meets Universal Soldier. A futuristic battle suit being designed by Dow Corning, the U.S. Army and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology would, among other advantages, give soldiers the ability to leap tall walls with a single bound, blend in to various backgrounds with the push of a button and repel bullets.

[dirtboy]

The fabric also would have the ability to become rigid to repel a bullet. It also would seal to guard against attacks with chemical or biological agents. Other features include vital sign monitors, artificial muscles that would allow soldiers to jump walls and a mechanical exoskeleton enabling the soldier to carry up to 300 pounds with little effort.

Yeah, but will it be wrinkle-free?

[Blood of Tyrants]

And can we get it in something besides OD?

[ctlpdad]

i bet is still has a ton of irish pennants, too. pty the guy standing inspection with all those. ugh.

[ClearCase_guy]

Jean-Louis "Dutch" De Gay

I'm thinking he tried to go for the nickname "Butch" but couldn't pull it off, so had go with "Dutch" instead.

[UCANSEE2]

The best thing they could add would be AC.

[Outlaw76]

I wonder if they will call them 'Gorrilla Suits'?

Those bugs had best be on the lookout for Rico's Roughnecks...

[presidio9]

You saying there's something less manly about the nickname "Dutch?

[CatoRenasci]

Ah, soon we will really have Mobile Infantry ala Starship Troopers.

[dts32041]

Sounds more like scouts, than gorillias.

[dogbrain]

"...enabling the soldier to carry up to 300 pounds with little effort."

GOOD!

Now he'll be able to hump that new OICWS POS...

[Ex-Dem]

Halo, anyone?


"And stay down!!!"

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[steve in DC]

Like this guy!

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Actually, Heinlein's grunts had some sweet gear in ...

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Those bugs had best be on the lookout for Rico's Roughnecks...

Roughnecks! That was on the tip of my tongue when I posted #14 above

[rageaholic]

I see a very useful potential spinoff to enable wheelchair bound people to walk. Military technology has a way of making itself useful well beyond its original purpose.

[LJPenney]

So--why even use men at all??? Let's just create an army of robots! (Kinda Star Wars like.)

[rageaholic]

Its already happening with UAVs. Eventually the human will be removed from the battle suit.

[.cnI redruM]

Not quite starship troopers yet. The suit is too light on the armor because it lacks 'waldoes' to enhance human limb power, but it will internalize all the electronics from hand-held and weapon mounted equipment by weaving them into the uniform itself and help aclimatize soldiers to a wider range of environmental conditions.