Lockheed Martin HULC Exoskeleton Given Go-Ahead For Testing

As we look at the stage of war, we're forced to accept that while soldiers will always be needed on the ground, that doesn't mean that the technology on their bodies doesn't need to improve. Whether that has to do with helping them on the battlefield, or just making it easier for them to blow things up, the means are the same. Better technology is a must in today's world. So, here we are with an exoskeleton that's been given the green light for testing here in the United States. And yes, it's called HULC.

The United States Army has just given Lockheed Martin the contract of the year (probably), and will now move forward with testing their HULC Exoskeleton. It will begin its testing in the Natick testing facility in Massachusetts. While there, soldiers will be able to utilize the equipment to help them maneuver staggered and tiered terrain much easier, as well as lift heavy objects that they may not have been able to lift before.

The Exoskeleton unit is designed to evaluate the soldier's effectiveness while wearing the contraption, as well as register how well the user adapts to using the Exoskeleton while doing things, like lifting and walking. And probably most interesting of all, is the fact that the contract provided to Lockheed Martin also details field testing, to measure the suit's effectiveness in operational environments. That's when things should get more interesting.

[via MedGadget]