The Army’s real-life “Iron Man” is so tough, he even survived the government shutdown.
The U.S. Special Operation Command is commissioning a superhero-style suit that could one day provide soldiers amazing powers like night vision, enhanced strength and protection from gunfire, according to the tech news site The Verge.
The agency teamed up with industry, universities — including MIT — and laboratories for the project months ago. It’s still in the works, despite last week’s federal government shutdown.
The Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) features a quick-thinking computer that gives the wearer enhanced awareness and “liquid armor,” which transforms liquids to solids, according to a press release from the agency.
“Liquid [turns to] to solid in milliseconds when a magnetic field or electrical current is applied,” the press release states.
The suit would also provide heat, air, and oxygen and full-body protection that allows the wearer to survive being sprayed with dozens of bullets.
Members of U.S. Special Operation Command unveiled the in-the-works concept in May, noting the agency was inspired to take action after troop deaths in Afghanistan.
Here is a video of what the TALOS would look like in action: