WASHINGTON–There are the obvious occupational hazards that come with serving in the military, especially in forward areas – stress and anxiety that can wear on the body, gunshot or IED wounds, and even death. But servicemen and women are also at higher risk when it comes to more common medical problems.
New research shows significantly higher rates of osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, in military men and women than in the general population.
A study published in June in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatism found osteoarthritis more prevalent in military personnel of all age groups, including even the youngest and most active troops. The condition, which causes swelling, joint pain and stiffness, comes from the wear and tear on joints that happens with repetitive use .
The military is testing a new device that will relieve the heavy loads soldiers must often carry into combat areas. The Human Universal Load Carrier, known as HULC, is a titanium hydraulic-powered exoskeleton that could profoundly diminish the joint stress troops endure.
“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,” said James Ni, HULC Program Director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
Straps that attach to the upper body portion of the suit give soldiers the ability to carry up to 200 pounds for extended periods of time with little exertion. HULC also eases climbing or running through all terrains.
“It senses what the user wants to do and where they want to go,” Ni said. The device, created by Berkeley Bionics, has been licensed to Lockheed Martin for development and modification.
The robotic legs of HULC are connected to a micro-computer that senses the direction and speed of the wearer’s motion and then triggers the machine to kick in. “Once the user gets into a rhythmic motion, like walking or running, the machine anticipates the next step and adds power to reduce user exertion,” Ni said. This capability not only alleviates the pain of carrying heavy loads, it gives the user abilities beyond normal human power.
Lockheed Martin is in the midst of a seven-week testing period where they are developing important features like sealing to protect from environmental hazards such as water immersion or sand storms. They are also testing the device for use at temperatures from -40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to mimic the elements soldiers may encounter in the field.
The suit is a technological advancement that will give U.S. troops advantages in battle, and it’s a luxury many opponents won’t be able to afford, but it doesn’t come without its own problems.
Testing has shown that the HULC battery can only last through 20 kilometers of walking, and once the suit is out of power, it’s dead weight for the soldier to carry. Without power, the operator of the HULC is responsible for providing the muscle power for movement, Ni said. “The sensation is like walking in heavy boots,” he said. But with the load-bearing capability of the suit, bringing along a separate battery or two isn’t out of the question .
Lockheed Martin envisions the HULC suit enabling a more agile and flexible military. The exoskeleton’s carrying power could be used to enable bomb-diffusing soldiers to carry a cooling system inside their heavy and extremely hot blast suits. It could also help soldiers wear stronger armor at check points. In any of its uses, the HULC suit will “provide soldiers a powerful advantage in ground operations,” Ni said.
