Lockheed tapped for Onyx exoskeleton development, demonstrations

Lockheed Martin announced on Thursday that it has been awarded $6.9 million by the U.S. Army for development and enhancements to it's Onyx load-bearing exoskeleton for dismounted troops.

The enhancements will be for further demonstrations of the system in 2019 for the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. The modifications will first face evaluation by the University of Florida.

Onyx is a powered, lower-body exoskeleton that uses AI technology and is meant to improve strength and endurance for soldiers carrying or dragging heavy loads and aids in steep inclines.

It is designed to help reduce stress on the lower back and legs using knee actuators and sensors managed by a AI system. It is meant to distribute weight and help keep the skeletal system in alignment, allowing soldiers to carry heavier loads while lowering the risk of injuries and fatigue.

A study by the University of Michigan showed that soldiers wearing 40-pound backups while climbing steep inclines expended less energy using the system, according to Lockheed Martin.

"Innovative human/machine technologies like Onyx can improve human performance, decrease injury and reduce fatigue to help soldiers accomplish physically demanding tasks," Keith Maxwell, exoskeleton technologies program manager at Lockheed Martin, said in a press release.

Onyx is designed by B-TEMIA, with Lockheed Martin developing and producing the system under a license agreement for military use. The technology already has medical functions such as assisting people who are partially paralyzed in walking and other tasks.

Related Links
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Army awards Oshkosh $1.7B for 6,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles
Washington (UPI) Nov 28, 2018
The U.S. Army has awarded Oshkosh Defense $1.7 billion to exercise available options for 6,107 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and 22,166 kits of associated equipment. The new contract, announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense, is part of an Army and Marine Corps joint program to replace the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle as the primary frontline utility vehicle for the U.S. military. The JLTV is currently in low-rate initial production, with the first vehicles to be deli ... read more