Futuristic bodysuit could strengthen soldiers.

• Author: Beidel, Eric
• Position: Defense Technology Newswire

* Carrying loads of 100 pounds or more has taken its toll on the knees, ankles and spines of troops. About half of the soldiers who are unable to deploy have suffered preventable musculoskeletal injuries, Army officials say.

To combat the problem, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency hopes to develop a lightweight undergarment full of tiny sensors that would automatically know when to stiffen and relax to help prevent injury. The suit, which DARPA calls Warrior Web, also would be able to counter fatigue by augmenting the work being done by muscles.

It should fit like a diver's wetsuit, officials say.

"As the equipment load on our warriors goes up, so does the number of injuries at key body joints and soft tissues," says Army Lt. Col. Joe Hitt, DARPA's Warrior Web program manager. "The vision is to create a suit, carefully mapped to human physiology which fits comfortably underneath the uniform and outer protective gear."

Warrior Web is expected...