US Army Tests Exoskeleton for Combat Troop

The US Army is testing the Lockheed Martin FORTIS knee-stress-release-device exoskeleton system for potential deployment for combat troop. FORTIS is designed to help soldiers move, carry heavy loads and perform a wide range of combat tasks while preventing hyperextension of the knee. Using independent actuators, motors and lightweight conformal structures, the lithium ion battery powered system allows soldiers to maneuver easily with less energy. The technology involves using uses AI to analyze and augment the walk patterns, provide additional torque, power and mobility for combat troop. It is built with a conformal upper structure that centers on a waist belt. The belt connects with several flexible hip sensors. The sensors feed a computer with data such as where the location of the soldier in space along with the speed and the movements.

Scout.com

times

Lockheed Martin

US Pacific Command Mull Basing of Logistics Support Vessels in Singapore

The Pacific Command want to base some of its Logistics Support Vessels (LSVs) in Singapore by late 2016 or early 2017.

The LSV is essentially the equivalent of a navy landing ship but operated by the US Army. It is a heavy watercraft used for transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies.

Currently, the United States is allowed to rotate up to four of her Littoral Combat Ships to operate from Singapore. A P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft was also deployed to Singapore for a short detachment recently.

Photo of US Army LSV. Image from www.globalsecurity.org

CNA

New Combat Helmet For US Army

The US Army will be replacing its legacy combat helmet with the LW-ACH (Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet). The main improvement over the legacy ACH helmet is a 10% reduction in weight. The new helmet manufactured by ArmourSource, weighs about 3 lbs (1.36 kg) compared to 3.3 lbs (1.50 kg) for the older helmet (Note: The weight depends on the size of the helmet. Comparison is made for L-size. The S-size weighs 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg) while the XL-size weighs 3.57 lbs (1.62 kg) ).

The LW-ACH also conform to an improved ballistic protection standard. A side-by-side comparison of the two types of helmet shows that the LW-ACH is rounder than the ACH. The ACH sports is flatter top to bottom shape.



Advanced Combat Helmet


Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet


Asian Defence

Armorsource

NIE 16.1 - Remote Controlled Weapon System for Augmenting Perimeter Security

US Army

Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) is the Army's soldier-led evaluations of various concept and technologies. NIE 16.1 is held at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, from Sept. 25 through Oct. 8, 2015. NIE 16.1 is special because it is also the final proof of concept for Army Warfighting Assessments (AWAs) on informing network and non-network requirements to support Force 2025 and Beyond.  AWAs are large-scale exercises that will commence in in 2017.

New technologies evaluated during NIE 16.1 include coalition network capabilities, expeditionary command posts, operational energy capabilities, and manned/unmanned teaming (air and ground robotics). The video shows a remotely controlled weapon system deployed on a tower for security perimeter of an expeditionary camp. The system can be fired from inside the command post using a camera sight.

With a network of weaponized towers guarding the perimeter, a commander can afford to have more soldiers deployed for operations and other duties. Two soldiers inside the camp's operation center can effectively guard the camp perimeter, a task that previously require ten soldiers.

Defense- Aerospace

US Army