Armies around the world continue to pour technology onto the battlefield. Drone strikes and smart bombs have proven relentless, but that doesn't mean soldiers will disappear anytime soon. In fact, a new Russian development suggests that future fighters will be equipped with a combat suit that combines personal armor, an exoskeleton, and a smart helmet.
The interest in bringing robotic soldiers to war is huge. Beyond ethical conflicts and petitions to prohibit their development, leaders focus only on their benefits. The robot soldier doesn't tire, doesn't sleep, doesn't eat, doesn't drink, doesn't bleed, requires no medication, nor recreation. Maintenance is basic, any damage can be repaired, and in the worst case, they build another. However, before generals jump for joy over their metal battalions, there will be a long transition process that combines those automatic weapons with flesh-and-blood soldiers equipped to the core.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tJxQiBCjKvcA couple of weeks ago, the National University of Science and Technology in Moscow and the Central Research Institute for Precision Machine Building (TsNIITOCHMASH) presented a new prototype of a combat suit that immediately makes us think of Star Wars, Halo, or the Combine from Half-Life 2. The suit was part of a special exhibition with "10 Artifacts of the Future", and for more than obvious reasons it captured the attention of all visitors. The suit is something like a hybrid between personal armor and a powered exoskeleton to reduce soldier fatigue, which also includes a helmet with an integrated electronic visor.
How long will we have to wait to see Russian soldiers equipped with advanced suits? It won't be in the short term, we are sure of that. So far, the suit is a concept, a source of inspiration that will help better visualize development plans. Obviously, the final cost will be a critical factor. We know how these things are: Governments want indestructible armies… but they also want them cheap.
