US Army developing 'Iron Man' style armour for troops

The US Army is reportedly developing ‘smart armour’ similar to that of Iron Man in a bid to give its troops ‘superhuman strength’.

The army is seeking help of the technology industry, government labs and academia like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to help build the revolutionary smart suit, ready to be out in the field in three years of time.

According to the BBC, the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (Talos) would have a frame like that of exoskeletons that allow soldiers to carry large loads, but would also have layers of smart materials fitted with sensors to monitor body temperature, heart rate and hydration levels.

The US Army said that the suit would also need to have wide-area networking and a wearable computer similar to Google Glass.

Science advisor at the US Army’s research command Lt Col Karl Borjes said that the requirement is of a comprehensive family of systems in a combat armour suit inclusive of exoskeleton with innovative armour, displays for power monitoring, health monitoring, and integrating a weapon into that.

The report said that an MIT team is currently developing liquid body armour, made from fluids that transform into a solid when a magnetic field or electrical current is applied.