Article Posted on : - Jul 15, 2010

HULC - Preserves Combat Flexibility. A Lockheed Martin photo

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (BNS): Dismounted soldiers often carry heavy combat loads that increase stress on the body, leading to injuries and exhaustion.

Now, Lockheed Martin has received a $1.1 million contract from the US Army Natick Soldier Center for test and evaluation of its next-generation HULC advanced robotic exoskeleton, designed to augment soldiers’ strength and endurance, as well as reduce load carriage injuries.

HULC is designed to transfer the weight from heavy loads to the ground through the robotic legs of the lower-body exoskeleton, taking the weight off of the operator. An advanced onboard micro-computer ensures the exoskeleton moves in concert with the operator.

HULC is an un-tethered, battery powered, hydraulic-actuated anthropomorphic exoskeleton capable of performing deep squats, crawls and upper-body lifting with minimal human exertion.

“We recognize the importance of perfecting the exoskeleton technology to redefine what is possible for our Soldiers,” said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Researchers at Natick Soldier Center will evaluate how the HULC affects Soldiers’ performance. Additionally, biomechanical testing will measure the energy expended by a Soldier when using the HULC.

The laboratory testing will also assess how quickly users learn to use the HULC system when carrying various loads and moving at various speeds. The contract includes options for field trials to test the system’s utility in operational environments.