Logistics SystemsPutting it all together, the system flat-out saves 7 pounds via reduction in food weight by switching to freeze dried food, approximately 2 pounds by reducing the weight of the containers to hold water and food and the weight of the carrying load-out, and an additional 5 pounds or more by the reduction in the weight of ammunition by using caseless ammunition. With the reduction of 14 or more pounds is fairly considerable in it's own right, this is quickly replaced by carrying more ammunition, heavier armor and other equipment, but nonetheless allows the soldier to carry more equipment for the overall weight than usual. As well, the average soldier is expected to carry more weight than normal, which is allowed by the soldier's various biomechanical enhancements and exoskeleton, as well as better distribution of weight over the body. The low-powered exoskeleton simply spreads out the load over the entire body and takes it off of the bodies joints, as well as conserves energy by capturing waste energy from movement via motion rechargers and springs, while the high powered exoskeleton physically increases the soldiers movement and allows them to carry up to 150 additional pounds at 3-4 mph, for 3-9 days.
Other low powered biomechanic systems include performance enhancers, an artificial heart, oxygen increasing mechanisms, and a cooling suit, which helps reduce the bodies temperature which allows them to operate in a wider range of environments, as well as improves their athletic performance. The soldier can increase the amount of oxygen their body absorbs and retains by approximately 9 times the normal amount, and the artificial heart takes the strain off of the ordinary heart and pumps blood at approximately 3.5 times the rate of the resting rate, as well as improving natural heart function overall. All of this helps the soldier survive injuries better, by increasing the bodies ability to resist bleed-out, ordinary harm and reducing healing times, as well as reducing the chance of getting injuries from strenuous physical activity in the first place, particularly to the joints. The logistics system allow for longer operation in the field and an easier time surviving in the environment, by utilizing water filters which allow water to be filtered almost anywhere in the world, water reclamation systems which recycle urine and sweat, as well as lighter weight freeze dried food. Combined with the larger transport systems, and the ability to air drop in supplies via UAV drones or be supplied by additional ground UGV drones, the average soldier's combat radius, combat load, and comfort in the field is dramatically increased.
Caseless AmmunitionCaseless ammunition provides a substantial benefit to the logistic load-out of soldiers, as it substantially reduces the amount of weight needed to carry ammunition. As caseless ammunition is traditionally around half the weight for comparatively cased rounds (with a caseless 5.56mm round being 6.15 grams vs. 12.5 grams for a cased 5.56mm, or a 7.62mm x 51mm NATO being 12.5 grams vs. 25.5 grams), it either reduces the soldiers payload substantially, or allows them to carry more ammunition for the same weight. As well, caseless weapons tend to be lighter weight, smaller and have less recoil, due to the lack of the extra mass when the weapon is reciprocating, which improve the soldier's performance not only in regards to logistics, but in how they can use the weapon as well. Lighter, smaller weapons are more maneuverable, and thus more viable to be used in close quarters or more dynamic situations.
For a standard weight comparison, a soldier using an M249 machine gun (17 pounds) with 1000 rounds of ammunition (30 pounds) would have nearly 50 pounds of combat gear to carry or, roughly 100 pounds after adding the weight of the rest of their equipment, while a soldier utilizing an LSAT machine gun (10 pounds) and 1000 rounds of ammunition (15 pounds) would only be carrying 25 pounds, approximately half the weight, or 75 pounds of gear total, which would be identical in weight to the average load-out of a soldier with an assault rifle. This not only dramatically reduces the weight of the average soldier's carry load, but for better maneuverability, and allows them to etheir wear heavier body armor, carry extra equipment or even more ammunition, which dramatically improves their capabilities in the field. For the same load-out (100 pounds) a soldier could theoretically carry approximately 2,500 rounds, or could carry an additional weapon. The lighter weight weapon also allows for greater maneuverability and easier use, increasing the soldier's ability to operate under more adverse conditions.
Caseless ammunition thus decreases the required weight for a soldier to operate or increases the total payload of the soldier for the same weight, and allows for a greater versatility in the weapon's capabilities. Weapons that were traditionally too heavy or large to be used in certain roles can now fulfill those mission parameters, creating a larger mission overlap for various weapons. This also applies to grenades fired from grenade launchers as well, which can be roughly half the weight when in use. If the ammunition is accurized or has a longer range than ordinary, it is also capable of fulfilling a hybrid sniper or marksmen role regardless of the weapon platform, as well. With HEIAP or Armor piercing rounds, the versatility and capabilities against light armored targets changes as well.
Freeze Dried food and water filtersPerhaps one of the largest, and hardest to reduce weights carried by soldiers is the weight of food and water. With water being unable to be reduced in weight and food still generally being fairly heavy, the average soldier for a 3-Day combat pack with MRE's and water needs to carry approximately 30 pounds, equating to roughly 10 pounds a day to remain in operation in the field. While a soldier's combat pack reduces necessarily as they continue, thus giving them somewhat of a reprieve as they continue to tire, it substantially limits the range of infantry, and controls their logistics requirements in the field. By using lighter weight food, such as Freeze Dried food, which is approximately 3 times lighter weight than MRE's for approximately 2900-3200 calories (slightly less than the 3600 for an MRE), and utilizing water filters that allow the individual to find water virtually anywhere in the world, soldiers can survive for much longer periods of time in the field. Water reclamation, by filtering and reusing sweat and urine, can also be used to dramatically lengthen the operating distance available to a soldier, but usually is not used except in extreme circumstances or in particular operations. The average soldier's 3-Day pack is reduced by 7 pounds by switching to freeze dried food, and reduced by another pound or two by a slightly reduced weight in the containers. However provided sufficient water and food found from the environment (which does not have to be as pure or clean due to the filtration system, which can filter virtually any virus or bacteria out of it in the world), this range is potentially indefinite, or up to 4 years until the filter and it's replacement cartridge wears out.
In addition to this, drones which air drop in food and water supplies, be it by air or otherwise can be utilized, which help to increase the total output of the soldiers, without the need for the soldiers to carry the entire weight expected to be delivered on sight. When combined with the HULC exoskeleton, which gives the soldier the ability to travel at 10 mph for extended periods of time and carry a heavier payload of nearly 265 pounds in total (or 150 pounds with the other weights excluded), the soldier's ability to travel long distances is dramatically increased. Due to the lessened mobility while using the HULC exoskeleton, it is often removed right before a battle, like how soldiers drop their packs in combat, but allows soldiers to travel vastly farther distances than they would be able to ordinarily.
Hulc ExoskeletonWhile not as useful in combat due to the somewhat reduced maneuverability of the system, the HULC exoskeleton, and slightly smaller low powered exoskeleton, allows for greatly increased endurance and total carry payload. While it can theoretically be used in combat, especially in long distance engagements, it's primary objective is to outfit the soldier with a means to travel long distances on foot and over rough terrain that vehicles cannot reasonably get to. This could be up the side of a mountain, deep in to the desert, inside of a building or cave, or other locations. As infantry typically disembark from their armored vehicles eventually, this can be especially useful in getting to location, and is also useful when needing to carry extremely heavy payloads, such as with machine gun teams or rocket launcher units, or any sort of heavy weapons team. While it can be used tactically and is maneuverable enough to warrant it's general use, also given the slightly different design over the original HULC exoskeleton (which incorporates part of the armor, low-eight exoskeleton, and other parts of the design in to the suit and it has a slightly higher energy consumption due to it's reduced efficiency), it generally is not expected to be used when high maneuverability is desired. While the HULC exoskeleton allows a soldier to carry greater weights, it also allows them to move at faster speeds, or roughly at 10 mph at full payload, although realistically the top speed is approximately 3 mph, for 8-12 hours a day, for approximately 3-9 days.
The entire exoskeleton system can carry a total combined weight of 265 pounds (after the weight of the user is factored for), for an additional combat load-out of approximately 150 pounds after batteries and other weights are factored for. As part of the weight of the device is spread out over the weight of the armor which forms part of the load-bearing system, it is slightly lighter weight than a standard HULC exokseleton but, combined this is roughly the same weight due to the increased weight of the armor the soldier normally has to carry. While the HULC exoskeleton completely supports this additional 150 pounds, part of the advantage of the exoskeleton is in taking some of the load off of the soldier in combat. As the standard carry load of the soldier is typically between 75-125 pounds, the HULC exoskeleton allows them to carry an additional 150 pounds on top of that gear (for a total of 225-275 pounds of gear) as if it feels like carrying 75 to 125 pounds. As well, the greater distribution of the load-out over the entire body, the smoother transfer from the legs to the back and the reduction of stress on the joints all help to carry the significantly heavier weight, which makes it easier to carry for a soldier even without the heavily powered systems. The soldier also has access to a much lower powered exoskeleton which captures waste energy and allows the body to move in a more efficient manner. Usually however the HULC exoskeleton only has around 50-100 pounds of extra gear on it, to reduce the trouble of the average soldier's load-out. Furthermore, by being able to travel at 10 mph, vs. 2-3 mph for the average soldier, and doing so with no greater physical exertion to the user other than walking, the soldier can travel 3-5 times the distance in the same amount of time, with less fatigue, although typically the top speed is 3-4 mph. This equates to roughly 80-120 miles capable of being traveled in a single day, or 3-4 mph for 3-9 days, depending on how many hydrogen fuel cell packs the soldier is carrying. This gives a total range of approximately 150-300 miles depending on the total load-out of the soldier. This vastly increases the marching distance of the soldier, and unlike a light armored vehicle is more maneuverable and has a longer range. While potentially capable of being powered by solar panels and motion chargers, this only can store approximately 1 days worth of power at a time, and thus requires greater recovery period in travel.
Biomechanical enhancementOn top of the powered exoskeleton is a semi-powered exoskeleton, and a number of other biomechanical enhancing measures. Performance enhancers, higher oxygen levels, an artificial heart, cooling suit and an exoskeleton predominately serve as the foundation for increasing the soldier's physical capabilities utilizing low or no power systems. The semipowered exoskeleton works by taking the weight off of the soldier's joints, such as their back and hips, and redirects it throughout the device, transferring it to the ground and to the machine, thus making it easier for the soldier to move by placing the strength requirements on their muscles and off of their more sensitive bones. Furthermore the suit allows the soldiers to move more efficiently and captures some of their waste movement, via compressing springs and other systems, to increase their ability to move without wasting energy. This spreads much of the load-bearing weight over the armor as well, which is simultaneously supported by the load-bearing element, reducing the total weight needed by the system. The system consumes a very low amount of energy, at around 10 watts per second, and thus can continue to operate virtually indefinitely in the field with motion charges to power the system via waste energy, batteries, and a back-up hydrogen fuel cell. The oxygen concentrator consumes only a few watts as well, but can concentrate the oxygen from the air from 20.9% to roughly 40%, doubling the amount of oxygen the soldier receives with each breath. This not only dramatically increases the average soldier's endurance, but also their recovery time in-between exercise, promoting faster healing. For short periods, this can be increased to 90%, be it when the soldier is injured or under periods of intense exercise, but consumes more energy.
Most soldiers also have an artificial heart, which not only takes the stress off of their heart when exercising, but also pumps blood about 3.5 times faster than the standard resting rate of a person. This not only phenomenally increases the average soldier's endurance but removes the normal fatigue and physical strain that comes from over-extending the capabilities of the heart, allowing the soldiers to operate under conditions they would never be capable of before. This is combined with blood doping via EPO treatment, which increases their blood volume to approximately 70% more of a normal person, or gives them approximately 3 times the hemoglobin, which allows their body to absorb even more oxygen. Combined with the oxygen concentrator this is approximately 6 times greater oxygen absorption than normal, which increases endurance dramatically (although the body typically can only use so much of this oxygen). Finally, soldiers use a myriad of performance enhancers, both to build muscle, prevent muscle loss under continuous strain, and increase endurance. PFC's also enter the bloodstream via inhalation by the lungs, and can enter the blood intravenously via artificial blood when injured. With roughly 40 times the carrying capacity as hemoglobin for their size, PFC's not only increase the amount of oxygen capable of being carried by the blood without greatly increasing the blood viscoscity or volume, but also allow for PFC's to enter areas that traditional hemoglobin would have trouble reaching, such as tendons or bones (which traditionally have poor bloodflow), injuries in general where blood vessels are damaged, or brain injuries where swelling in general can decrease bloodflow to vital areas. This not only increases the amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in the blood and body, but also allows for oxygen to reach cells that generally are difficult to penetrate, and thus provide greater saturation of oxygen to damaged tissues or hard-to-reach tissues. This in turn increases the total amount of oxygen available to the user by approximately 9 times an ordinary person.
Among these include DHT, HMB, HGH, EPO, and creatine.
Hydroxy methylbutyrate is also used by coma patients to treat muscle wasting, and works by preventing the body from breaking down muscle protein, which not only helps with long term endurance and fatigue, but also helps to build muscle. MB produces these effects in part by stimulating myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis and inhibiting muscle protein breakdown through various mechanisms, including activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and inhibition of proteasome-mediated proteolysis in skeletal muscles. This allows it to both prevent the break down of muscles, increase muscle production, and help athletes recover from exercise faster. This is especially useful for soldiers who may find themselves under days of intense combat with little break, out in the field for months on end, without food or water, or simply under too much stress to reliably exercise and build muscle. As there are no known side effects even at extremely high dosages, it is generally considered safe to use and is even sold over the counter without a prescription. Creatine is another commonly used supplement, designed to increase the energy of the user and it has been shown to help with fatigue for those with TBI's, or traumatic brain injuries, which is a common injury for soldiers. HGH also helps to build muscle, and increase healing times of the users, although it is used to a much lesser effect than the other drugs. Taken both during combat and during exercise to increase the impact of exercise and decrease the strain of the harsh conditions of combat, it helps with muscle growth in and out of hard living conditions. While there are no "miracle drugs" that will make all soldiers operate at the level of Olympic athletes, combined with good training and recovery, it can allow soldiers to vastly outperform those who don't take such measures and training methods, and push above average soldiers to incredible physical levels, creating a wider pool of candidates available to special forces or other elite military units.
Reply
