Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
eddo36

U.S. military is on its way to getting its Iron Man

Recommended Posts

 

(CNN) - After an American commando died kicking in a door during a raid in Afghanistan, the top commander of U.S. Special Operations vowed to prevent similar tragedies.

 

Two years later, the U.S. military is closer than ever to putting Iron Man on the front lines -- or at least something that closely mirrors the superhero's tech-forward suit of armor.

 

Unlike Hollywood's, the suit won't give its operator the ability to fly, but the real-life body armor may have one leg up on the fictional version: The military's suit will be made of liquid armor that can solidify on command.

 

Fitted with the protective gear -- the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit, or TALOS -- troops would be more lethal and better protected, particularly the vulnerable first soldier to breach a compound.

 

An amalgam of academics, defense industry types and Pentagon personnel are trying to fine-tune the battery-powered exoskeleton, which would reduce strain on the body, provide superior ballistic protection and in-helmet technologies to boost communications and visibility.

 

"This is a program that we started after we lost an operator on a mission. The first guy coming into a particular building was engaged and unfortunately was mortally wounded. And in the wake of that, we asked ourselves, 'Couldn't we do better in terms of protecting him, of giving him a better advantage when he's at the most vulnerable point that we put our operators?'" said Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Special Operations Command. Votel took over the TALOS program launched by his predecessor, Adm. William McRaven.

 

Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matt Allen said the Defense Department does "not know how much TALOS will cost," saying only that the Special Operations Command "has resourced an adequate amount of funds" to develop the suit.

 

A Defense Tech report cited by former Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn in his 2014 "Wastebook" cited an estimated $80 million price.

 

While many of the suit's technologies already exist, the TALOS researchers are tasked with adapting those technologies into a product that's both advanced and maneuverable.

 

The goal: "To give that operator the advantage when he is most vulnerable," Votel said.

 

The TALOS program has churned out several prototypes and is on track to deliver a first-generation suit by August 2018.

 

Votel said research on the TALOS suit has also been a boon in other areas, helping the military develop improved technologies related to lightweight armor and communications systems.

 

"It's serving as a spin-off for us," he said.

  • Like 1

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
After an American commando died kicking in a door during a raid in Afghanistan

 

Maybe they should just stop kicking in doors, do like they do with enemy snipers, just drop a bomb on the building, no new technology needed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe they should just stop kicking in doors, do like they do with enemy snipers, just drop a bomb on the building, no new technology needed.

 

collateral damage should not exist because with too big collateral damage elimination of terrorists can turn into SS , 

there is need to kick door if behind thin wall you have family of innocent people 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe they should just stop kicking in doors, do like they do with enemy snipers, just drop a bomb on the building, no new technology needed.

What about for the police in your country? Would you make them safer to save you or let them drop a bomb in the building you happen to be in?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What about for the police in your country? Would you make them safer to save you or let them drop a bomb in the building you happen to be in?

Not the point, and i was joking, plus were talking about a wartorn zone here.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you live in a house where someone is doing something wrong, 9 times outta 10, you know it and you know what they're doing.

You being around it and not doing something about it yourself, you put yourself in the danger of having said cops kick down your door. Innocent or not.

Can't blame someone else for doing something you should have done in the first place.

 

But srsly, rocket boots. I'll buy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Modern armies aren't suffering of lack of protection, but of lack of rusticity, defeated by underequiped peasants.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Modern armies aren't suffering of lack of protection, but of lack of rusticity, defeated by underequiped peasants.

 

Our ground troops do lack protection. When you kick in a door, you are encroaching on a entrenched, cornered, and very deadly enemy.

 

If thats not dangerous, go corner a tiger and try to pet it, I dare you. Let alone an insurgent with an AK47, or multiple insurgents at that.

Even if its not an insurgent, boobytraps are the next big thing. One false move and you risk killing not only yourself, but the 4-5 guys behind you as well.

 

In war, the more protection you have, the better. If the enemy cant hit you, it gives you more time to react to a situation and think of a viable plan of action to eliminate a threat.

Otherwise,

 

 

Maybe they should just stop kicking in doors, do like they do with enemy snipers, just drop a bomb on the building, no new technology needed.

 

Say goodnight to little Johnny and Lisa sitting in the back room hiding under the bed, while older brother John, who shoots it out with highly armed soldiers, has your house targeted with a 500lb JDAM.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I see Canadian Infantry Stealth or rather, "active camo", playing a big role in that respect. If you can't see the enemy, you can't shoot it. Only problem with Active Camo, is it only bends light however, meaning movement can easily give you away, anyone with depth perception would notice a glassy like figure moving around. Not only that, Thermal signature is another thing. Thermals scopes are likely going to be the common counter to Active Camo at it's early stages.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×