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http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a229037.pdf
This paper proposes research and development aimed at total encapsulation of an individual who fights on
foot, predicated upon integrating a powered exoskeleton into his battle dress to augment load-bearing capability, a
personal computer networked with those of fellow combatants, and full body protection against ballistic, chemical,
thermal, and directed energy threats. Fielded first would be a simulation of the eventual battle dress--termed ST,
for SuperTroop--which could give individual combatants a portal into Advanced Distributed Simulation--called
I-Port. I-Port would then be used to explore the requirements for the exoskeleton, for the personal processor, for
the integrated displays and control mechanisms, and for the protective and homeostatic subsystems. I-Port would
also produce parametric data on the man-machine interface essential to proceeding with confidence into hardware
design and construction. To test the utility of ST/I-Port, Operation JUST CAUSE in Panama is analyzed, with the
conclusion that the availability of ST/I-Port equipment might have lowered operational costs and increased force
effectiveness. A development program, with the DARPA in the lead, is described.