Active exoskeleton could play role in Russian soldier modernisation

Russian industry is developing an active exoskeleton for the Sotnik soldier modernisation programme, even though the government is yet to issue specific requirements.

An active exoskeleton includes power sources, servomotors, electronics or sensors.

Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov confirmed on 7 December that ‘proactive’ work is underway on the exoskeleton, although the Russian MoD ‘has not yet approved the official requirements’.

With an ‘active exoskeleton’, he added, a soldier can carry up to 60kg of extra equipment while reducing fatigue from running and walking by 15%. 

In addition, musculoskeletal strain on the soldier will be halved and ‘the accuracy of firing from automatic weapons is increased to 20%’, although Chemezov declined to go into further detail. 

Rostec previously developed the family of passive (unpowered) military exoskeletons (pictured). Examples include the EO-1, which was tested under combat conditions in Syria.

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