WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. military is seeking technical proposals for development of technologies for a protective undersuit for dismounted troops.
The undersuit to be developed under the Warrior Web system project would be lightweight and durable, and would help reduce injuries and fatigue from carrying heavy loads and improve soldiers' ability to perform missions efficiently.
The project is from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and proposals would be for the Task B phase of development in which earlier proposed technologies are integrated and further developed.
"Many of the individual technologies currently under development show real promise to reduce injury and fatigue and improve endurance," said Joseph Hitt, DARPA program manager for Warrior Web. "Now we're aiming to combine them -- and hopefully some new ones, too -- into a single system that nearly every soldier could wear and would provide decisive benefits under real-world conditions."
Warrior Web Task A focused on developing a mix of core component technologies worn at the ankles, hips, knees and upper body. Component systems within Task A included methods for rapid joint stabilization, functional structures, energy injection, regenerative kinetics, load transfer and distribution, and flexible kinetic and kinematic sensing.
DARPA said it seeks proposals in the technology areas of integrated advanced control systems across multiple joints; materials, fabrics, structures, sensors, sensor interfaces and human factors associated with developing conforming, assistive wearable technologies; and technologies that significantly reduce the potential for acute or chronic injury of a wearer under typical warfighter situations; and technologies that increase physical capabilities and/or endurance.
DARPA has scheduled a Warrior Web Task B Proposers' Day for potential performers for Sept. 5.
