Russia Shows Off Active Powered Exoskeleton for Ratnik-3 “Soldier of the Future”

An active powered exoskeleton was on display, developed by the company for the Russian army, with the goal of turning the soldier who wears it into some kind of superhero. Well, more or less.

The complete version of the suit will be ready by 2025 and has already been tested, Chief Designer for the Life Support System of the Soldier Combat Outfit at the TsNiiTochMash defense contractor Oleg Faustov tells Russian news agency TASS.

And the results are very impressive: the soldier wearing the suit was able to shoot a machine gun with just one hand, with almost computer-like accuracy. The suit will also allow its wearer to carry heavier loads with considerably less effort (up to 50 kg at a time), while offering him bullet- and shrapnel-proof protection. It will make the soldier faster and stronger, allow him him carry more armament and guns, and accomplish war objectives more efficiently.

The suit has integrated electric motors and a storage battery, but the issue of the storage battery is still being worked on. By the time the suit will be integrated into the Ratnik-3 “Soldier of the Future” combat gear, said issue will have been resolved. The current, second generation of Ratnik uses a passive exoskeleton without integrated motors.

“We have already held trials for the prototype of the active exoskeleton. It really enhances a serviceman’s physical abilities,” Faustov explains. “For example, the tester was able to shoot from a machine-gun only with one hand and accurately hit targets.”

Earlier reports said that the exoskeleton was made of titanium, TASS notes. They haven’t been confirmed by the maker.

A video of the suit is available at the bottom of the page. It has certain Robocop / Stormtrooper vibes.