briefcase

In 1965, the US Army already tested mechanical devices to increase the strength of soldiers. The problem is that they were models so heavy and impractical that they could barely move with them. Today, half a century later, those systems have reduced their size to fit in a suitcase and weigh less than a light backpack. And they are being tested in Ukraine. From the drone to the exoskeleton. we have been counting. The war in Ukraine had become the best example of how drones and remote control they changed the combat modern. For months, the focus has been on gun operators from screens and devices adapted from the civilian world. However, now has appeared a new step that completely changes the approach. Combat is not only controlled remotely, the body of the soldier on the front line is also reinforced. In other words, the scenario begins to seem less like an evolution of classic warfare and more like a transition towards something close to science fiction or the universe of the shooters. Exoskeletons in real combat. Yes, because the Ukrainian forces have begun to test exoskeletons on the Pokrovsk front both in logistical tasks and in combat positions. As far as is known, this is the first time that this type of technology has been used in real war conditions. As? Apparently, the systems are placed on the waist and legswith a structure that runs along the back and reaches the knees. Additionally, they include actuators in the hip that function as mechanical joints. Your goal is reduce physical effort and allow soldiers to operate for longer without losing effectiveness. Two soldiers from the 147th Artillery Brigade showing off their exoskeletons Faster, stronger and less wear. The first data handled by the units is clear. Exoskeletons have reduced the load on the legs around 30%. This has allowed faster movements of up to about 20 kilometers per hour for distances close to 15 or 17 kilometers. There is no doubt, in artillery units this has a direct impact. A soldier can move and load projectiles faster and with less fatigue. The improvement is not just physical. It also increases the pace of work and maintains operational capacity for longer. The key: artillery. This initial use in real combat is no coincidence because artillery crews endure some of the most demanding tasks on the battlefield. Every day they can manipulate between 15 and 30 projectileswith weights close to 50 kilos each. That means moving more than a ton in an intense day. The exoskeletonsa priori, allow us to alleviate this effort and accelerate the rate of fire. From that perspective, in a conflict where the volume of fire continues to be decisive, any improvement in that process has an immediate impact. Light, portable and adaptive technology. Military commanders counted on Insider that one of the most relevant aspects is the format. Each unit weighs around two kilos and can be folded up to fit in a briefcase where to save and deploy. This makes it easier to transport and deploy on the front line. Furthermore, they incorporate artificial intelligence systems that adjust operation in real time based on load and soldier movement. They can even operate in different modes depending on the task, making it clear that it is not just a mechanical reinforcement, but a system that adapts to the user while fighting. From video game to reality. The truth is that, for years, the war in Ukraine has reminded of a video game due to the use of screens, drones and remote control. Now the reference changes diametrically. Exoskeletons bring combat closer to images more typical of popular sagas like Call of Duty or even mechanical chargers that we saw in Alien. We are talking about soldiers who carry more weight, move faster and maintain performance for longer, a real change in how the human presence on the battlefield is conceived. It is no longer theory. Other countries had been testing similar systems for years without deploying them as a standard. For example, the United States has worked on projects how to KNOW either ONYXbut none had come into widespread use. As in the use of large scale dronesemergencies are leading Ukraine to take the step before anyone else by testing them directly in combat. If the results are consolidated, the use could extend to other units beyond artillery. The pattern is the same as with drones: first a test in real war, then broader adoption. Accumulating technology. The change doesn’t mean drones are going away, of course. It means rather that now add new layers. The combat in Ukraine thus mixes remote operators, artificial intelligence, old vehicles and now exoskeletons. There is, therefore, no substitution of technologies, there is accumulation. The result is a battlefield where technologies from different eras coexist and where each advance does not eliminate the previous one, but rather redefines how it is used. Image | Telegram In Xataka | There are four days left for the US to make a momentous decision: whether it wants to turn Iran into its own Ukraine In Xataka | Iran is exploiting the US’s weak point: it is not its F-35s or its Patriot missiles, it is the bill every time they take off