Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Orlando, Fla., won a $1.1 million contract from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center for test and evaluation of its next-generation HULC advanced robotic exoskeleton, designed to augment soldiers' strength and endurance, as well as reduce load carriage injuries. Under this contract, the U.S. Army will test Lockheed Martin's advanced ruggedized HULC design. The upgraded HULC system includes optimized control software, extended battery life, and human factors improvements for quicker and easier sizing to each user. Lockheed Martin is also exploring exoskeleton designs to support industrial and medical applications. Dismounted soldiers often carry heavy combat loads that increase stress on the body, leading to injuries and exhaustion. Researchers at Natick Soldier Center will evaluate how the HULC affects soldiers' performance. Additionally, biomechanical testing will measure the energy expended by a soldier when using the HULC. The laboratory testing will also assess how quickly users learn to use the HULC system when carrying various loads and moving at various speeds. The contract includes options for field trials to test the system's utility in operational environments.

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