Sign in Subscribe
Soldiers

Lockheed Martin's HULC Exoskeleton Undergoes Biomechanical Testing

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

For the past seven weeks, the U.S. Army has been conducting biomechanical testing of the Lockheed Martin HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) exoskeleton at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Mass. The testing aims to assess the effects of load carriage with and without the use of the HULC exoskeleton, with a focus on evaluating the device's potential to reduce metabolic cost and improve endurance for soldiers. Lockheed Martin's HULC is an innovative solution designed to improve soldier performance and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Army is conducting biomechanical testing of the Lockheed Martin HULC exoskeleton to assess its effectiveness in reducing metabolic cost and improving endurance for soldiers.
  • The testing is being conducted at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Natick, Mass. for seven weeks.
  • The HULC exoskeleton is designed to enable soldiers to carry loads up to 200 pounds for up to 20 kilometers on a single battery charge over all terrains.
  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that musculoskeletal system injuries are the most prevalent service-connected disabilities.
  • Lockheed Martin's HULC exoskeleton has the potential to improve soldier performance and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
  • The HULC exoskeleton is an innovative solution designed to meet the needs of the warfighter and has applications in industrial, medical, and military contexts.
  • Lockheed Martin is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the warfighter, including wearable situational awareness, mobility assistance systems, and power management systems.

Statistics:

  • The testing is expected to last seven weeks.
  • The HULC exoskeleton can carry loads up to 200 pounds for up to 20 kilometers on a single battery charge.
  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that musculoskeletal system injuries account for the most prevalent service-connected disabilities.
  • Lockheed Martin is a global security company with 126,000 employees worldwide.
  • The Corporation's 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Sources:

  • PRNewswire, "Biomechanical Testing of Lockheed Martin's HULC(TM) Exoskeleton Underway", dated June 30, 2011

Read more