Army Envisions Future With Master Chief-ified Soldiers

@Sesshomaru:

I actually see it has games taking ideas from military concepts.

jasonliang

In other news, the US government is launching new stem cell research in order to create a super human woman. They plan to do so by fusing the woman's blood with that of another animal. The research is also working on a super human that can survive long periods of time in areas contaminated by nuclear radiation, with the ability to even upgrade such skill and many other skills as well based on how many dogs and people you kill.

Seriously? That looks like a halloween costume.

bangbangblah

@LllusionX: All his base are belong to the borg.:
I personally would prefer they keep the exposed gas tanks.
It adds character.

And a weakpoint for balancing issues, IRL.

@innuendo: Wow.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx: I think they need the armor of the heavy guys in killzone with the giant machine guns and the gas tanks on their backs. without the gas tanks ofcourse.

@Foppemoa: This looks much less "Master Chief" and much more "Storm Trooper".

I heard they're working on respawn tech as well...

c0dek

Actually, IMO, they look more like ODST soldiers than Master Chiefs. Also, this will hopefully serve as a stopgap until they get their hands on the T45's and eventually, the T51b's.

paulrenzo

Cool, now we can do a live action Red vs. Blue.

Bricked

But where's the Foreigner belt?

@vanchrian: Quickly, get him a plasma walking stick then. And a video recorder. Youtube fame here we come.

Thanks goodness this isn't government issue right now. Some jackass would get a little too relaxed and start wearing a Boba Fett Halloween mask with this in a combat zone.

Kid_Bitchin

@vanchrian: When you are a SC marine, you don't need to fit through doors. YOU BREAK THROUGH THEM!

@Toasticus:
Yes, I'm aware of the actual origins of the "Hayabusa" armor.
Put simply, the combination of traditional samurai armor to modern aesthetics (a more technologically advanced take on it, in this case) seems to result in a very Master Shredder-esque design.

At least in the eyes of this beholder.

@Clarke: God damn, lets hope the enemy doesn't have mouse and keyboard.

@Deenight: Fo shitties. Looks like this guy should be jumping out of a Stargate.

they should have tek 9s come out from their side hip like robocop.

@mergedwarrior: Okay, NOW you're playing with power!

@Blah: They put these out every ten or so years to make citizens feel like their money is going towards something bad ass.

I remember seeing a diagram where they promised almost the exact same shit. Ten or fifteen years later and they're still using gear from Vietnam. Its a recruitment poster folks. Hype hype hype.

Am I the only one that thinks that the gun is like the one judge Dredd had? He could control what kind of ammo the gun used by simply telling it.

I wonder if the soldier is pissed that they didn't place a single piece of armour on his lower region.

The headgear is simply ridiculous. It's supposed to do biometric scans of everyone and mark the ones that are insurgents? What if they are covering up their faces? Or if they simply have a look a like? And where the hell are they going to get a database of all the insurgents with good head shots.

Spiderbait

@Chances: LOL, seriously I cant imagine how much I would laugh if that happened in real life.

@THEJOHNNYOHM: Wasn't the Hayabusa armor a tribute to Team Ninja's Ninja Gaiden? Sort of returning the favor for having a Spartan in one of their fighting games.

but why did they use a midget for their photo? :s

Poul Wrist

@Dennen:

You know what pisses me off the most? The United States didn't start this. KOREA DID

North Korea is the first one to start development on these suits. In fact, I SUBMITTED IT TO KOTAKU VIA their 'tips' email (tips@kotaku.com), About 3 months ago!

And JUST NOW they're putting it on the site?

DarkSonic999

@THEJOHNNYOHM:

Master Shredder, which was inspired by the intimidating designs the Samurai used in the Edo period.

So naturally there will be similarities.

But I get what you are saying.

@woons: It is just plastic, you can rinse it off easyier.

@misc.insanity: They should prevent soldiers from cuting peoples arms off?

Ah i think somehow you missed the whole point of an soldier. First soldiers are peoples too, just they have TO CUT others peoples arms off. Mainly other people who are also soldiers. That is the sad way off war, no matter how honorable someone colors the war.

Seriously, am I the only one who can see his package? Hanging a little to the left. Damn they should have airbrushed that out. Ewwww ...

jim_error404

@SketchyIndividual: Functionality is not always a visible feature. Alternatively, don't judge a book by it's cover?

That said, the model presented there may not even be a functional model, but the point still stands. The point being that functionality>appearance.

There is also no mention that the final build won't have camouflage, and there really is no need to showcase it right now.

About time the army got into cosplay.

Apparently, in the future the US Army will go without the "nad shell".

@Cenobite: I agree with this.

@vanchrian: Of course society would be against this. That's why you don't want to ask them. Secretly work on it and then eliminate anyone opposing it with your genetically engineered army. :D

Stop the killing. I say: Bomb enemies with mass quantities of MDMA/ECSTACY drug, some glowsticks, crank up some loud bass driven middle eastern music and watch them come out of their caves dancing like crazies.

@QueKara: Forget Stormtroopers. They need to have Bill Shatner's voice telling them to set their weapons for Stun.

sephycloneno15

@Sebnotic Is Serious Business:

Or a Motorcycle Rally Paintball War. That was the first thing to mind when I saw this.

Dennen

@Onegai: the robots or drones it controls is probably just ROB

@[static.howstuffworks.com]
that, right?

@FlamingZelda: sounds to me like it's still just a basic rifle, only the explosiveness of the rounds can be calibrated. I'm reminded of Mass Effect's High Explosive rounds that were basically mini grenades, or you could switch to rounds that would knock guys down or ones that would cut through them

@Deenight: And that sounds like the next hit series on FOX:
COSPLAY GONE BAD: World's wackiest dress up incidents.

Aikage: The Skilled Cleric Wants More L4D Friends

@Lono: Well the reason i pointed out the bradley development was to highlight an example of the military manipulating test. They early bradley was extremely unsafe with a full tank of gas so when it came time to show it off to officials and do a live fire test the test crew were ordered to leave the tank only partially full. One of the commanders said this is bs and had the tank filled. As you would expect the whole damn thing blew up and the army was forced to redesign the machine.

Yeah i bet weight would be an issue. A couple of my friends in the service were gonna order their own dragonskin vest but were told if they wore em and they got killed their families could kiss their pension checks goodbye. One of the reasons i brought it up.

snakepliskin

I think will be using laser rifles in the future.

@EnigmaNemesis:
I thought Halo's gear was inspired by Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Motocross helmets.
:)

Look at the Hayabusa helmet and tell me, with a straight face, it doesn't look like Master Shredder.

@trogdor0071: True, looks like he's tired of wearing stupid costumes. I would be just as enthralled if someone made me wear that number.

MAXIMUM SPEED.

The future is retro-scifi

@Zeidust:

You never know! D: Maybe in the year 2030 soldiers will have to have their genitals removed in order to join :<

@MagnusGman: Aimbot!

@FlamingZelda:
I believe there's only one mode.

"Rock N' Roll".

@Chances: Bahaha. Someone nominate this.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx: Exactly... it wouldn't look so cheap and like a costume used for halloween if they would've simply given it a paint job.

@ithyphallus: I think we'll see regenerating health when they pump soldiers full of Nanomachines like in MGS4. Look at Vamp and Naomi....

with a bit of aesthetic redesign, it'd be stormtrooper armor.

@searanox: only the best for America.

Um... "biometric facial recognition" for insurgents? So basically, it's a computer-driven racial profiling system that lets soldiers kill non-whites more effectively. Wonderful.

searanox

@snakepliskin:
[www.defensetech.org]
Even if some of that is the Army fudging numbers, one thing that cannot be denied is that the Dragonskin is WAY too heavy. 20 pounds heavier than the IBA? That's ridiculous. The IBA is too much as it is. I'm going to fight tooth and nail to get my Platoon Ranger styled plate carriers before our trip to the Stan, because weight = death in the mountains.

As for the M4, the SCAR is in full field testing now. SOCOM got a few thousand, and now the Ranger Regiments are getting them. So I think there's a decent chance they'll work their way to line units in the next few years.

And the Bradley, to quote an Armor Commander I know, is "like a can of sardines, packed to the gills and easy to open"

I bet that guys glad his face is hidden.

No doubt Billions of dollars in research and they come up with a cheap beige getup that even a cosplayer wouldn't be seen dead in.

coolguyface

@UberCuber: No looks more like a advanced variant of the Mark 17 to me. But I'm no gun lover...

MGS4! I knew it!

This suit looks ridiculous. Is this really the best the US army can do...?

@crabperson: I know, eh

I'd so abuse it, though... ^^;

@MtlAngelus:
Three letters: FEV.

I don't see any armor on the crotch...this suit FAILS.

khuntilla

@MtlAngelus: You... do realize that nothing in that picture is efficient in any way, right?

And that, barring being in a desert of one solid off-khaki color with no other shades and hues, there would be no camouflaging with that gear.

It all looks like plastic over a gray/white/black wool sweater and khaki pants with an oversize (also probably very heavy and peripheral vision impairing) plastic helmet.

I can't believe I've not yet seen this through any of the main comments (didn't look at all the replies), but:

"War has changed."

There, now it's done.

Inzoum

@expansionsss: They called him Captain Tightpants.

@MtlAngelus: Not to mention we'd first have to work out a unified stand on genetic research and especially it's application in genetic enhancement.

Genetic enhancements would not likely be restricted to the military and be provided commercially too. But then we'd have a problem of whether or not these genetic enhancements should be free, cheap, or extremely expensive because it could end up creating a gap between those who are genetically enhanced, and those who're not, depending on what kind of genetic enhancements are available to the public.

There would have to be laws and procedures created governing it's use.

We also have to come to some agreement with Purists who believe that we should not modify our genetic code. Sure we could just say that it's not mandatory; they can choose not to have genetic enhancements. But then the problem about the gap between the enhanced and the non-enhanced would arise.

Of course, we could try to keep it strictly military use. But then whatever international power who had access to such technology would suddenly have a lot of power with which to force their stand. There is a real danger of an upset in the balance of power between nations because suddenly a few nations would have much more military might than the others.

Further more, what of the soldiers who are subjected to the modifications? If it's restricted to the military, would these soldiers be allowed to have children? Would they be confined to their job of soldiering for life? Will we end up raising a breed of humans specifically for use as soldiers?

There are a lot of things that society will have to work out before such technology can be implemented, or even researched. I'm not taking a particular stand, but I just wanna point out some of the multitude of problems we'd have to work out as a society.

We could very well end up like human civilization in the Warhammer 40k or Starcraft universes where there are castes of soldiers, administrators, civilians and the like with different access to genetic enhancements, or we could end up like human civilization in a Star Trek-ish universes, where genetic enhancements are used world-wide just to combat diseases and improve health and longevity. But in either case, there's still a lot of wor to be done.

@mergedwarrior: Smell the glove!!!

@Bergerac: Well, that would be optimal, as long as they prevent future soldiers from flipping out and cutting people's arms off.

@Lono: You dont have to watch future weapons with that over the top asshat. There are plenty of indepenednt reports and video footage of the dragonskin against the interceptor vest. Certainly theres evidence against the armor too but the point is the military has no interest in spending more money to protect soldiers. Theyre more interested in appeasing their suppliers.

Just look at the development of the m3 bradley.

Theyve been saying the m4 is on the way out for years. Alot of sf guys are just buying their own hk416 conversion kits.

snakepliskin

GAY

chang187

@vanchrian: i think you missed the point

i.roboto

Insurgent Facial Recogniciton. What the fuck is that lol

So the guy has to sit down and wait for the helmet to get a clear scan of somoene's face, search through the catalogs for a match and then know if its an insurgent?

This will not happen for at least 100 years.

@snakepliskin: The Dragonskin was a piece of shit, don't believe everything Future Weapons tells you. Of course, not that the IBA is much better. I hope we switch over to a plate carrier soon, if I'm going to wear something that doesn't stop bullets, it should at least be light.

Fortunately, it looks like the M4 is on the way out. Maybe. Hopefully. /cries

Am I the only one who's thinking Earth Defense Force?

@EnigmaNemesis:

True dat. I remember as a kid reading PM and Nova and watching a lot of Discovery Channel. Military design has always used science fiction influence as long as I can remember.

A prime example for kids today is the show Future Weapons. Sure, its a modern show, but do you really think scientists just went 'oh, lets look at the shit their doing in movies and books' out of the blue?

The only thing new is where they're starting to draw inspiration from.

@Eville1 rocks out with his rooster out.: That's true, but a lot of tech being used today was based of what was written in sci-fi novels, and in this day and age games also provide a platform for it.

It's a 2-way thing. The sci-fi novelists and scientists come up with ideas, the military then helps to pick up and fund research into these ideas, which allowed us to have improved media forms which will allow for better representation of futuristic tech based off sci-fi ideas which would feedback into the military who would use it as further inspiration, and so on.

I'm somewhat surprised the article didn't reference Haze. But then, I didn't play the original Killzone, and Killzone 2 seems to assume I know a lot about who the Helghast are, so maybe I don't get the reference.

BtownDesignGuy

Frighteningly similar to the PMCs in Metal Gear Solid 4.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx: You'd either melt the floor with each step, or explode.

@Eville1 rocks out with his rooster out.:

Yeah, because being condescending sure got your point across.

Most people into Sci-Fi knew it was out in a book in 1959, I am talking the designs from the movie, which Aliens and that movie inspired designs in Halo for the gear.

Regardless, this mock up shit was in popular mechanics in late 80's.

@Etheris: The problem with your version of pizazz is that it comes with loads of steroids.

And it'd be kinda hard for them to fit through doors.

@eyeshield:
I laughed quite a bit. But really, I wonder what kind of settings their guns will have? I mean, will their guns have a widespread vs a focus fire mode?

FlamingZelda

INSURGENT 1: "Dear Allah what is that?!"
INSURGENT 2: "Its the new armored N.A.U.N.W.O. Troopers"
INSURGENT 1: "How are we going to fight against that? how can they be stopped? Their Armor is just too strong for our weapons; what are we to do?"

INSURGENT 2: "Stay Calm and Just Aim for the Crotch"

Zeidust

@Valnen: No, but the suit might...

@misc.insanity: I think they need to look at Gray Fox's exoskeleton. These things are too clunky.

Bergerac

@Clarke: Yeah they should be using mouse+keyboard all the way.

@crabperson: No strikethough Kotaku? Damn your html!

crabperson

Is it me, or does that rifle look oddly FAMAS-esque?

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx: To me the costume looks like a weird Halloween costume for a kid. I mean it looked decent at first, then I realized that the proportions seem all wrong for an adult. Or maybe midgets vertically challenged small people will be the soldiers of the future

crabperson

@Wahrheit:

Actually the flight simulator came first, games based off them came second....
[en.wikipedia.org]

Unless you know of any "flight sims" that came before WWI

expansionsss

@MtlAngelus: ... or would it?

3faced

@CO Olimar: Absolutely. Oh, crap, wait until Ocelot hears about this...

The guy in the suit does not look like he's having much fun.

Is it just me or that soldier looks like he has lazy eyes or at the very least he looks bored...

TheZen

There's one of these that was designed by a Canadian from my home town, North Bay. Was originally a bear suit, massive thing. could take any damage. Look it up on youtube.

"Set guns to stun!"

Sweet Jesus, the world is becoming more and more like Star Trek every day

@Here's Some Weapons: Controllers don't red ring.

Read "Wired for War" by P.W. Singer. It looks more like we will be sending in our "Terminators" by 2030. Very cool and very very scary.

chromegnome

nice sand color. Guess we're planning on staying in the middle east for some time huh?

That said, that looks like a cheap Halloween costume.

@0xC001D00D: i know! check out that data-glove.

@BR4DL3I9H: could this be the reason why the model looks so damn displeased?

"this is not doing my package full just."

@TheBrainNinja: +1 follower.

RoboTroop? :D Christ, who comes up with that stuff?

2030 they say? Mm, yeah, maybe for some urban special forces, not for generic troops on actual battlefields. In real world such electrical gizmos just break down without frequent maintenance. I dare these guys sleep few nights out in snow caves at -20 degree celsius, march through swamp or crawl on dust and gravel for few days with that gear.

@Jim81Jim:

LMAO Trap Card

@FishstickAvenger:
all years after 2012 should be left for science fiction
after all, the world ends there, remember?

RonTom

I'd love to see the soldiers of the future, decked out in their power assisted suits wielding smart weapons with biblical firepower, circlestrafing each other taking potshots then running in and cracking their target in the face with the butt of their no doubt hideously expensive rifle.

Those pants do not look comfortable

expansionsss

What about those skin tight trousers? Are they hoping the enemy will be distracted by the guys junk on display so that they can get more easy kills?

@resvrgam: What color is nuclear waste?

@Aikage: The Skilled Cleric Wants More L4D Friends: we'll see a strong surge in battlefield looting again.

@resvrgam: LOL, took the words right outta my mouth

@BarbeQueQ: Well then they better hope that thing doesn't red-ring on them in the middle of an insurgency.

needs less nerd

Obey__

@KingSeafoam: I warn you - The intro to his website will have you spitting milk out your nose. But he's DEAD serious about this and is actually very impressive.

I hope these suits don't incur the desire to teabag your fallen foes...

@SketchyIndividual: Yeah at first I thought Kotaku had made a novelty picture to outline the ridiculousness of the claims. Then I found out it was a real picture. God. Awful.

Aikage: The Skilled Cleric Wants More L4D Friends

I see a Pip-Boy.

Krakin

@dmfamzo:
but but i want to shoot zombies hightech style i got tire of the shotgun and chainsaw thing.

Anner J. Bonilla

@Perfectnumpty: The US military is awful at equipping our soldiers. We're still using an outdated standard rifle in the m4. And there was the major debate over the dragon skin armor which i still cant believe is being passed over by the army. And thats without even looking at the little things like supplying soldiers with water.

So chances are this type of equipment will never happen for our troops. By 2030 we'll still be using the m4 and the weak ass interceptor armor.

snakepliskin

Weakspot: Gonads

@Deenight: But see that's the brilliance of the armies design. The enemy will be so busy laughing at how retarded are soldiers look that it will make them easier to hit....

American Soldier: Look at me! I'm a Spartan.
Chinese Soldier: ROFL
*Bang Bang Bang
American Soldier: Huzzah. You've fallen for my trap card.

Jim81Jim

@dmfamzo: ' not ,

I wonder if Troy Hurtubise has anything to do with this...
[www.inventortroy.com]

@SketchyIndividual: Probably because they just need something efficient, not something that looks pretty.

all that armor and the only real damage would to shoot him in the balls xD no armor there

Merch Wnek

@eyeshield: you get my comment of the week with a late Sunday entry.

Pornosaur

@mergedwarrior: Looks more like a Pip-Boy to me

@TOCATL: "Maximum Cost" (to Taxpayers)

@MonsterKingRen: That and cancer I guess.

MonsterKingRen

And this, my friends, is why we're all going to die.

MonsterKingRen

@innuendo: o CRAP. more the reason for edit function, kotaku

ithyphallus

Even headgears are racist in 2030.

PsycheE

heh you guys just seen this stuff? or is this a new one outside the advanced and future force designs?
it looks like the future force version to me really.
that stuffs been in the works for YEARS now, but may be getting the plug pulled by idiot politicians that can't understand why we'd need to spend billions to make new body armor when the stuff we got works sooo great... yeeeah.

as it is their already pulling funding for dozens of other projects within the military, such as new types of UAV's, new rifles, and new aircraft.

Could you imagine if this fell into the wrong hands!?!? SUPERVILLAINS WOULD BE A REALITY! Cops would have nothing on a bankrobber who had LEG ENHANCING armor!

Aikage: The Skilled Cleric Wants More L4D Friends

@0xC001D00D: ...also "shoot him in the balls"

Looks like the soldier of the future is gonna get hit in the crotch.

A lot.

@Wahrheit: Well it is for 2030, which is when it is set, lol.

pigsdofly

looks like a space soldier from the '80s

@SketchyIndividual:
The legs look fine to me , but I totally think there's a cardboard cutout of a face in that helmet.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx:using plastic as an outer shell is the same thing as cars do for bumpers, used to be chrome, or steel bumpers, now they have plastic covers, for looks, and as a minimal buffer zonefor light impacts as not to weaken the materials for larger impacts.

and yes, this is an artists rendition of something that could look like 20-30 years down the road. the military keeps developments under tight restriction for something like a 10 or 12 year time before anyone outside the R&D really gets ahold of the technology.

but as we can see things like, the leg enhancing braces, and visor HUD, are all things that we can see in japans, recreational developments.

I'd prefer a Samus~Chozo suit myself. Full coverage, but with these you just aim for the balls. Not fun.

Lozmaster

@Deenight:
Agreed...

Foppemoa

@BarbeQueQ: Controllers? You want us to lose?

@curly haired boy: I wouldn't mind a plasma walking stick. It's like having a light saber as a walking stick but it makes you look awesome.

xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx

@Chances: LOOOOOOL.

all this fancy equipment n ppl'll still shit themselves n go AWOL. mark my words.

@Tterboman: Year Zero Blue/Red pills, anyone?

Alternately, Nectar?

TheBrainNinja

Thankfully I'll be a colonel by then and won't have to worry about wearing one of these. Still, it would be cool to see.

@Wahrheit: "He meant that games more or less invented the flight simulator that then evolved into what the army trains with."

Wait..whut? Strike that, reverse it. The military is what has given us a lot of modern technology. Kinda liike the internets. They might have taken the graphics, motion and tech and improved upon it but I promise you they did not take the concept from video games and make it their own.

Eville1 rocks out with his rooster out.

So some combination of Halo & Haze is in the military's future? Not sure how to feel about that... Anyway, this seems like stuff that will be explored but unaffordable anytime in the near future. Unless this was used on a very small scale.

Here's a link to the Post: [www.nypost.com]

/OWUH SOLDIERS AH BETTAH THAN YOWUH SOLDIERS!

@Loreo: Zombies with lungs hanging out of their mouths would scare me.

TheBrainNinja

@Indypunk:

Are you referring to the early phases of the Eastern Front of WWII? Like the opening Stalingrad scene of Call of Duty?

I don't think that the US Army treats its soldiers like the cannon fodder the old Soviet mandarins used to.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx: i'd rather have a couple plasma mining tools. :D

curly haired boy

@QueKara:
Well, they already licensed their upper body armor design.

@KichiGuy: fuckin kill em all, thats what happens. Vietcong weren't as well equipped as the ol US boys, but they still rocked ass.

pandafresh

Things sit in the prototype/experimental phase in the DoD for a while before they ever (if ever) see the light of day. For example, we're STILL working on a replacement for the M16/M4 system, which has been around since the 60s!

krln99

@eyeshield: ?

@Ackers: yup, terrorists will just haxX some shit and disable the soldiers guns, shazam!

pandafresh

@EnigmaNemesis: Your statement makes me think you're thinking Starship Troopers only came out in 1997 (the movie). I doubt you were alive when it was written and even if you were back then the military wasn't showing anyone any of their advanced designs (atomic bomb anyone?)

Eville1 rocks out with his rooster out.

@ithyphallus: "Sarge! I've been shot in the face!"
"Get behind cover and wait ten seconds!"

@TOCATL:

Actually, this problem isn't as old-fashioned as you might think. A few decades back, I think it was Russia who sent their soldiers out into battle without proper equipment, such as guns and boots. They were expected to find their own on the battlefield, via dead comrads and enemies.

I'm getting a strong MGS vibe from the description on the right. Right between the helmet and glove description.

Geez. I think it's scary to see weapons etc. that further increase the governments' capabilities above the average citizen. What happens if one day we disagree with them?

GRAW helmet...

Hehe, it's funny how so many people mock these things, but on the battlefield it's a whole different story when a suit like that saves your life and is the ultimate weapon for victory.

@dmfamzo: Not all aliens are bad, some of those star wars ones are pretty cool. I always liked twileks and hutts.

If it's anything like the locust or covenant we'll just shoot them though. Next step is plasma weapons.

xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx

@Perfectnumpty: I'm not sure of the specific finances involved, but I can't imagine something like this taking off until it's extremely cost-effective.

Remember in Batman Begins, when Lucius first shows Bruce the combat armor? He says something like, "Apparently, the Army wasn't interested in spending $30 Million on a single soldier."

Though the US Government isn't well-known for its discretionary spending habits, there's probably a lot of truth to that statement. Though admittedly, sinking more money into each soldier would make our existing forces go a lot farther, easing some of the burden on the recruiting department.

TheBrainNinja

@Reule: If I can shoot Gungan insurgents I'll enlist today.

SET PHASERS TO STUN!

Venom

@belo: wow, just like medieval times when knights had to buy their own gear to go to way...

TOCATL

@ithyphallus: I read that as

Re-nigger-ating

and then I realized you made a typo. What a funny typo.

innuendo

@CO Olimar: yeh i remembered the "id tagged weapons, id tagged.... blah blah blah" came strait to mind

bleh, nothing is as bad@ss as the Crysis Nano Suit...

TOCATL

Am I the only one that thought MGS4 right away? Especially when it says that there are sensors to monitor health and whatnot... I'm surprised they didn't mention their new project for unmanned fighting machines that jump around and moo like cows.

@Perfectnumpty: its disgraceful - this one guy had to buy boots from ebay whilst he was on tour and it was delivered to him BEFORE the armys proper equipment arrived....

so how the hell with all this new gear will the army get over that problem

First thing that came to my mind, "GDI".

DollaBill

@Etheris: I always did like the look of power armour on star craft and warhammer etc. lol.

@misc.insanity: Well hopefully they'll be able to sort it eventually.

@EnigmaNemesis: Yeah I saw it a while ago too which is why this seemed a little outdated.

xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx

@ithyphallus: No stupid, their energy shields will regenerate.

Btw, anyone who has played Metal Gear Solid will feel a bit iffy when they talk about combat drugs... I know I do.

Wahrheit

@ithyphallus:
No, most defiantly not. I could have said yes, just to give you hope that medicine has progressed far enough in 21 years that we can get shot several times and heal back up. But no, just no.

NewSpecies

@Sesshomaru: Wait...if I can understand it, that must mean I'm crazy! Call in the Psychonauts!

TheBrainNinja

@Glorax: I wonder what camouflage will be used on Chinese/Russian soil?

Neural Prosthetics and drugs that aid cognitive abilities....

As if we hadn't heard the word used enough: Nanomachines.

They hooked up to skynet by any chance?

@Sesshomaru:

He meant that games more or less invented the flight simulator that then evolved into what the army trains with. Games had drone aircraft, cyborg soldiers and America's army even has it's own game.

Of course, other fiction might have had these before, but this is a games website :P

Wahrheit

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx:

True about that.

I seen mock-ups like this before Bungie was even a company. Even before Starship Troopers where a lot of ideas in design came from.

@eyeshield: What's that? A thatched-roof cottage?!?!?

TheBrainNinja

@Perfectnumpty: it does, my friend who served two tours in Iraq says they have to buy and mod majority of their own gear.

The armed forces have the technological resources to produce bodyarmor that increase the survivability rate of soldiers tenfold, but they don't want to spend the money on it.

It's interesting to see from the color scheme where the US military is planing on having their next war. Either in the middle eastern desert or on top of a giant white guy.

Just as long as they remember all that high-tech gear won't work against the zombies.

Remember Yonkers!

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx:
Needs more pizzazz. It should look more bad ass, like this:

So all that American taxpayer money invested in an overpriced Halloween costume that still doesn't protect a cock-shot? That sounds about right.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx:
I know that there's been work on helmet displays and exoskeletons, it's just still very bulky and not as 'marketable' looking as that image.

@SketchyIndividual: Oh, and what's wrong with that guys legs? Is it just me, or do they look a little...off?

Those power enhancing suits may be put into use sooner than some think, there's already one well known design that has been tested and proven to increase the wearers strength by around ten times I think.

Hmm considering the difficulties of the moment in merely equipping soldiers with more basic applications, I don't hold much hope for this.
(A problem with the United Kingdom's armed forces, I'm not sure if it applies to USA's or not)

Perfectnumpty

@Mark Patterson: Really!? He's rocking a friggin' power glove!

Why does that all look so outrageously cheesy to me?

I mean, it's all bound to happen in some form, but why does it have to look like they picked up a ripoff Master Chief costume from the bargain bin at a warehouse store?

And what's with that rifle?

@misc.insanity:
The XOS exoskeleton, though, is completely awesome.
[www.popsci.com]

Bah, I prefer the idea of genetically modified humans for soldiers. Make 'em faster, stronger, and bullet-proof without the need of expensive high-tech equipment.

Of course that would take more than 20 years to achieve...

@dmfamzo: Seriously... anything else than killing each other please.

Snappywave: subtitle option + more access = profit

"I suppose it's only a natural evolution, the Army's designs somewhat trailing the epochal history of combat games; from flight sims to drone aircraft, FPSes to cyborg soldier." This statement makes no sense whatsoever.

Sesshomaru

@misc.insanity: Well it's a nice mock up but I thought they were past that stage so I guess I'm just getting ahead of myself.

xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx

Nope, they're getting ready to travel to Mars moons Phobos and Deimos to protect the compounds for the UAC from utter "doom".

It's gonna happen, folks. Just you wait.

@QueKara: Otherwise it's not terrorists we'll have to look out for. It'll be the Ewoks.

Looks like GDI soldiers from Tiberian Sun imho...

Wahrheit

It'll be hard to get the blood out of that.

woons

Does this mean the enemy can cry "Hax!" for real now?

MagnusGman

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx:
Well, just a mockup.

No you've got it all wrong. This is concept art for the bounty hunter class in the new Star Wars mmo.

Stun blasters? Let's hope the US Government doesn't start outsourcing training to the Stormtrooper Academy.

@mergedwarrior: I love the powerglove. It's so BAD!

FishstickAvenger

I think I like the GRAW-ier look better.
[images.pennnet.com]

i dont think its accurate to say this is related to games in any way. obviously the army are gonna equip their solider with advanced tech in the future-wether or not they had a look at mass effect.

cool non the less.

Mark Patterson

Peace on earth!!! stop the violence!!!
nah just kidding!! as long as it,s used to waste aliens I,m in!!!

so soldiers will have renegerating health now?

ithyphallus

I've seen things like this before. Military type experimental combat suits are being tested quite often and it does look like they ripped off the master chief but they all look pretty similar to be honest. Not much you can do with a helmet that needs a visor.

I am surprised it looks so cheap and plastic like though. The one I saw before this was all black and looked pretty serious stuff.

xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx

They're using the 360 controller for aiming already so it's only a matter of time until we see the first Spartans invading countries in the middle east.

BarbeQueQ

Guess the army is preparing themselves for alien invasions.

I see the model is rocking a POWERGLOVE.

gg terrorists.

looks like cosplaying gone bad...

Deenight

"Alright guys, set your rifles to BURN IT WITH FIRE"

@DarkSonic999: That may have been nothing more than a "political" decision on the part of Kotaku or they simply didn't find North Korea's "development" to be as newsworthy as "US Army = Halo in 2030!!!!"

If Kotaku ran an article about North Korea's military developments in any way that suggested they were "cool" I think the comments section would be filled with people with nothing more to say that "USA! USA! USA!" and the like.

I don't agree with it or think it is "right" but I'm sure Kotaku know's what is best for Kotaku.

Sabbatai

They should aim higher and make the suits from Starship Troopers. The book not the movie btw...

peet

@resvrgam: LOL yea, even in the first game, in one cutscene the main caracter says to another soldier with regular gear "the goverment is not going to spend a billion to protect your sorry @ss" , but the enemy made its own, they where not as good, but they worked XD...

TOCATL

@SketchyIndividual:

The truth is that this picture is just what the author of the story thinks that the new soldier will look like, its all based on opinion. The actual hardware is kept under a tight lid and is classified, so no one in the public really knows what these soldiers would look like.

@coolguyface: Yes, faceless soldiers. It is the perfect war crime.

dirtface

@trogdor0071: Au contraire mon frere, I think it's a perfect "I just killed an entire family of innocent civilians" dead-eyed stare.

dirtface

If only we had something like gundams (or this small but like iron man u know) i would be a first class soldier member ^_^

@Witzbold:

You got that right.

The mighty war machine is where the cha-ching is at.

Looks like a Stormtrooper to me.

Cloudbusting

@Bakeroo: The U.S. hasn't obeyed the Geneva Conventions since 2003.

Paul_Is_Drunk

GO GO POWER RANGERS!

@zz3ta: There are already munitions available for howitzers that fire a round which explodes in a set pattern based on what a techie uploads the shell with. Scale it down to rifle level and this is it pretty much.

Kalamaty

I like the little Pip-Boy

Hes well on his way to looking like a member of the Brotherhood

Altima NEO

So will they be wearing this when everyone is ushered off to FEMA camps? GO USA!!

Come on US military, haven't you played HAZE?
There are sobering lessons to be learned!

@Witzbold: Also forgot where I saw the footage from but the US had something similar just a bit larger though it seems to be able to carry more weight than the Japanese counterpart.

The arms were longer though. In a sense think power loader, just not as massive.

@eyeshield: SPY CHEEEEEEEEEEEECK!

zz3ta

@snakepliskin: Still yet as "weak" as you may consider the interceptor to be you still cant deny the fact that thanks to it a lot of lives have been saved.

Have a family friend who owes his life to the thing.

Gotta admit though the thing is uncomfortable, hot and heavy though.

Am I the only one concerned that there seems to be no armor for that most "vital of male areas"?

d3v

@EnigmaNemesis: Hey bro, you know the exo skeleton stuff might be a lot closer than we all think considering the technology basically works over here in Japan with them wanting to use the stuff in hospitals.

But we all know that the biggest industry in regards to where there is money to be made is the arms industry eh.

@SketchyIndividual: 2 bucks say there's protection under that vest, and under those pants too. Do you think this was designed by 4 year olds? You haven't even seen it working and you are already saying it doesn't work.

@xxXX_Insanities_Birth_XXxx: Imagine this: if they're going public about this... don't you wonder about what are they developing behind us? (or underneath, or above our heads, whatever)

Riagan

@Kid_Bitchin: +1

@RageTowers: win

"Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?"

SigmundTheSeaMonster

@Ackers: To be fair, a lot of guys buy their own gear or customize it for their own comfort, need, or preferances. Boots are one of the most important things a soldier has, and a lot of soldiers even get theirs custom made and fitted because marching, hiking, rucking, etc., is really hard on the feet, and as a result, lower back, etc.. The standard issue stuff isn't always everyone's first choice depending on comfort, locations of deployment, personal preferance and use, all of that.

Suzaku

it all balances out, what with the Chinese developing stealth armor..

@MtlAngelus: whenever they release genetically or biometrically enhanced body parts (knee implants, for me and my twice torn meniscus and ACL) I will be first in line.

casmith07

this is great...so by having mechanically-aided legs, we'll have even worse PT standards than the Army has now, resulting in more fat Soldiers?

I'll pass. Gotta have the emphasis on physical fitness.

casmith07

@MtlAngelus: That's also why there's a severe lack of protection in vital place, right?

I mean c'mon man, anyone with a decent amount of depth perception and hand-eye coordination would have to actually try not to hit one of the many vital spots left unprotected by that suit. By far, even as a conceptual design, that suit is vastly inferior to the already standard interceptor armor even with the added technological features, some of which could very well hamper a solder during an actual fight rather then protect/assist.

I'm all for better protection for the troops, but this is just awful.

@FlamingZelda:
1. Nasty rash
2. Hangover
3. Kidney stone
4. Kill
5. Kill it with fire
6. Take off and nuke the site from orbit
7. "The Hills" marathon
(#7 is banned under the Geneva Conventions of 2019.)

Bakeroo

And this chance of anything they've set on developing materializing is... Yeah, none.

RiotControl

And yet the most important part of the body is left uncovered

They show these dumb things all the time.

MaikenX

NANOMACHINES

@Soldier_CLE has intermittently returned, still reads Arcade...: As if our folks out in the field dont need more shit to carry eh?

Shall we take bets on which "parts" they will remove the first and foremost if such a system goes out.

Im gonna go with the safe bet and say helmet lol.

Kinda like the interceptor and the neck piece. Christ that thing just chokes you I swear. Always fun not being able to look down without having to bend over since neck movement forward is restricted.

!

@EnigmaNemesis: You know it!

just what he need, making killing easyier, and more efficient.

Omniel

@misc.insanity: I always think of the Alians powerloader suit of the Tau Exoamour suit when it comes to badass'ness as the American's would say!!

Thats the gayest thing ive ever seen and Ive seen the Dragon Ball Movie

This sounds a lot less like Halo, and a lot more like MGS4, especially the part about drugs & battlefield assets.

beetnek

The military can't afford proper armor to current armed forces and for that matter what makes anyone think they even give a shit about the lives of soldiers? War in 2030? That's thinking optimistically. Fucking monkeys.

@postulio71: Sorry, When YOU have to live by....

I get a little upset when people talk out of their ass and insult the friends I've lost.

@Paul_Is_Drunk:

Hey, you have to live by the GC, then post a comment on it. Trust me, the only reason US soldiers die to in the middle east is because of the GC.

If we treated them like they treat us, OIF would have been over in 2 years.

Land Warrior 2030 has gone through several color changes, but the shape has pretty much remained the same. The only change to this configuration, of course, being that the primary weapon went from a alternating firing pistol with explosive homing rounds(!), and other differences.

That said, I would hope that they learn their lesson and add crye multicam; much like Land Warrior 2012 were supposed to have. Frankly, the ACU "Parking Lot" pattern is not helping the men and women on the field.

Headgear/Dataglove: There must be a method of reducing glare and "light discipline" on the HUD/UI on glove. Failure to improve those conditions are asking for headshots and disabled arms by well placed fire. Currently, I don't see a way to prevent this. In the distant future, the outlook isn't so good, either.

ALSO: Will the troops' auditory and peripheral visual become impaired by wearing the headgear?

Voice Command: What about VBIEDs and other compromising scenarios that will compromise a person's larnyx? I understand that there would be nanomaterial, but a well placed round will still injure a voicebox.

LBE/LBV: Where will they carry their rounds, utility gear, etc.?

NBC: Will this gear protect against Nuclear, Biological and Chemical attack? For how long?

Water/Subsistence : How do you feed the troop?

Looks nice... But is it practical? Personally, I'm skeptical at best.

Doesn't matter unless it protects from a nuclear blast. Army is so retarded.

Rinaldus

aim for the joints!

iRloading

The problem here is that a soldier's life isn't worth the price of paying for that equipment by any military.

ctorrans

We all know that the only person wearing that will be some billionaire who is planning to go spelunking...

@Anner J. Bonilla:

ok ok but just this time...but I,m afraid with the chainsaw it,s gonna be 1 heck of a mess..autowashing tissue needed..

The lack of armor in the crotch area is disconcerting. It's like a giant neon sign saying "SHOOT ME HERE."

reynoldswrap

@Sabbatai: Um. It was a reference to Crysis, you dumbass.

@mergedwarrior:
GG terrorists indeed. It's probably the only thing that can land the plane in TOP GUN

+ Watch video

James2432

@Combine: Good call, I was going to say something about any point in a wall being a door for a SC marine but you beat me to it XD.

Identify insurgents? They still plan to be fighting insurgents in 2030? This does not bode well.

HfAsianInvasion

And they afford this how? They can't even give every current soldier good quality bullet-proof vests.

@Nawara_Ven: We'd lose the minute sand got stuck in those things.

I worked at the Soldier Systems Center in Natick back in 2000-2001. They had a display of their concept soldiers in the main building. Same idea as the above one, except the suits were black, and therefore, much cooler.

hoogamaphone

The problem is, how much will it cost to outfit a soldier with this armor? Maybe it will be reserved for the best of the best.

The crotch is sorely lacking in protection. Apparently soldiers in the future will be androgynous.

@Soldier_CLE has intermittently returned, still reads Arcade...: Good points.

Interesting in regards to the Interceptor 4. Man that cant be good in terms of being more constrictive. Dont want to imagine what that must be like.

As for the price of good gear cant argue with you that there...

@Witzbold: Indeed. I understand that it is supposed to be "exo-skeletal", but I question how there is any empowered Range of Motion (ROM), when it comes to articulation.

At the same time, I am not satisfied that an LBE/LBV would comfortably fit that configuration. I still am unconvinced that it would be "combat loaded" for firepower suppression, and I am still puzzled on "liquid/food" provision.

Auditory functions will end up limited in the wrst case scenario, since it would likely rely on microphone and speaker functions that would likely NOT be like the L.A.S.H. sets. Feedback would also likely be a problem with a problematic headset that is prone to happen at any time.

Visual problems are also prone to be the same way. While Natick will try their best to make things as shatter-resistant as possible, a well placed shrapnel at the HUD's weakpoint (and there will be at least two areas -- The openings/hinges) will render the HUD useless, while potentially also creating collateral shrapnel on the face and eyes. An ineffective seal will also create problems with humidity and NBC protection functions.

Interceptor 4s : You should see what the USMC is currently doing... They ordered MTVs for their Marines, and it turns out that it's overweight and even more constrictive. Their Commandant halted all remaining orders and are working on newer MTVs that are lighter to make it to the theater.

Either way, I agree that anti-ballistic armor can be better designed for more articulation... Granted, the best pieces out there already seem to cost the price of your first and second born children, ya know?

I wonder if having a HUD in the helmet could litteraly make the soldier feel like in a video game and make him more calm and less afraid to pull the trigger... meaning to be less connected to reality... makes you wonder :/

Furanchisu

@Mark Patterson: but I'm sure they were inspired a bit by movies... even games are inspired by them.

Furanchisu

@FlamingZelda: Spread Gun FTW !!! ^^

Furanchisu

Oh wow, now THAT looks like a LOT of fun!

RT
www.useurl.us/126

Spammy Jones

Nothing new really, I remember reading through magazines and seeing promotional material years ago. First one I remember was a combat armor system, then they started adding HUD's to it years later. As cool as it would be, still years away from seeing it I'm afraid.

Wolfgeist

Aww... wook at its widdle wegs.

So, super-soldier: genetically-engineered for combat and... dwarfism?

Well I guess it does make them a harder target to hit. And you can fit more of them into an APC. Wow, this is just crazy enough to work!

misterdna

Sooo, pretty much the exact same thing as the 'Future Force Warrior' stuff we have been seeing since 2000? There's a ton of these exo-soldier suits being designed and they mostly fall into the pitfall depicted in the Batman movie where they said that the army didn't want to pay that much for an average soldier's armor systems. I'm pretty sure the designers of Mass Effect and HALO looked at a few real world weapons designs/prototypes before just designing those game suits so I would feel fairly confident saying that they are copying the army's suit plans a little bit, and not the other way around. Anyways.. Plus that wrist comp is sooo Star Trek: The Motion Picture.. Like for real.

is it just me, or does it look like it was made by madcatz?

timzee

Why doesn't that soldier have any crotch protection ?

cavalerie

@NKato: And everyone has played crysis?

@Deenight: I guess the cheap plastic look (also including poor detailed plastic gun) are all part of deception tactics to make terrorists think far away soldiers are just cheap plastic tin soldier knock-offs.

Bokusatsu_Tenshi

@SigmundTheSeaMonster: HOW. THE FUCK. DID I MISS THIS. So...

*walks around, stacking empty red SOLO cups. sticks a cigarette butt in a half-full bottle of MGD. at this point chance of someone coming back for their beer and choking on the smoke is exactly: 0. coughs*

So, a few thoughts. First, Owen. Totally not your fault. If I didn't click on the headline, if that wasn't enough, or your good name? I didn't DESERVE to see the picture. Second, Sigmund. Baby. +1 internets. I think it's expired, sorry. What? AT&T? Pshhhh... you're golden. Third. Military. Yeah, um HEY let's go sit down. Over there.

That's better. So I'm gonna keep this to one question, even though I have so many but I know you're SUPER busy but then you're HERE, so tell me. Is that cameltoe? One word? Two? Cam-male toe maybe? Don't you guys have Photoshop or airbrushes or codpieces or-- Oh, hey don't--

Didn't think anyone even drank MGD. But then I'm an optimist.

i wish they make this with the sole reason that when this stuff becomes common place master chief would become old hat and boring, and we would finally stop talking about that dreadful series shitty games.

typingfromwork

@dragonfang18: Gay Helmet.....

too bad the army can't afford to give every soldier a bullet proof vest. this thing looks like you could buy it at a halloween store and it probably will cost 10's of thousands per unit.