The US Army is working on a new uniform which will be called the RBU. This acronym stands for Robotic Battlefield Uniform. This uniform is essentially an exoskeleton which will utilize mechanical hydraulics, and computer electronics to give the individual soldier the ability to carry hundreds of pounds of equipment as though it were nothing. This would certainly enhance the capabilities of every small infantry type unit in the military.

This new development will essentially turn every soldier into a superhero. I have seen the picture of the prototype but it is still in development and there are two different companies working on it so the finished product may not look like the prototype at all. This will be one of the greatest technological achievements of all time for our military in my opinion. The reason that I say this is because the most important feature of any Army is its ground troops. Air power and Naval power are both good but you cant win a war without ground soldiers to do the dirty work.

You might have heard of light forces using the term "Having to hump equipment." Think about how light forces have to carry all of their food, water, ammunition, first aid, weapons, specialized equipment, and spare clothing with them on the battlefield. Now think about how they may have to do so in extreme weather and terrain. Imagine what it is like having to walk through desert sand, or climb mountainous rocky terrain in 130 degree heat loaded down with stuff that you need to do your job. Now imagine doing this while wearing a helmet and flak vest and carrying a machine gun. You just have to do it a few times to really get an appreciation of it. Once you do you will intimately appreciate every piece of equipment that I have just mentioned. The biggest limit on ground forces is the fact that they can only use what they can carry into combat. Each soldier equipped with this uniform could conceivably carry a heavy machine gun into battle along with a massive supply of ammunition for it. Forces now can only carry one medium machine gun per small unit. If there is a tripod two people are required to carry that piece of equipment and the ammunition which is required to operate it.

I can see how this will greatly benefit our Special Operators who have to perform long range reconnaissance missions. They have to know how to live off of the land because they just can't always carry all of the food and equipment that they need.

They may be required to move quickly over long distances in order to accomplish their mission. The RBU would certainly give them an immeasurable advantage over any enemy that they would have to face. They would be able to easily conduct devastating raids in the enemys rear areas and move long distances away undetected very quickly and easily so that they would be able to strike again.

There is a giant what if in this scenario. What would troops do in case of equipment failure, and how well will the uniform work after it has been used for a while? Equipment failure far behind enemy lines would certainly present a major problem for the troop who would be equipped with this uniform. The heavy load would have to be used immediately or left behind. The mission would be hindered because the equipment would be altered. Units would have to plan for that type of scenario when this uniform is used. I will keep an eye on the development of this new uniform and notify you of all new information that I obtain in the future. Military Ring Express