Modern war is no longer played only with rifles and tanks. In China, Kestrel Defense relies on a completely different type of armament: military exoskeleton. This new equipment, recently presented on social networks, does not want to transform soldiers into giant robots, but strengthen their physical and digital capacities, in particular in units specializing in drone control, artillery and recognition.
Cut for connected war
The system, which is still at the stage of the prototype, is based on a mechanical chassis for the lower body, with reinforcements visible to the knees and linked bonds on the thighs and calves. The objective is to facilitate movements on damaged terrain and to allow soldiers to transport heavier equipment without too much effort. Kestrel seems to be in priority to troops called to spend long hours in the squatting or kneeling position, such as drone operators.
The modular backpack of the battery hides battery, control units and communication modules. The exoskeleton also incorporates a compact drone launch system: one of the clichés shows a soldier holding a quadricopter intended for close surveillance, especially in an urban environment.
Beyond the mechanical aspect, the equipment is distinguished by a strong integration of digital. The helmet is equipped with a display mounted on the head, with visor in augmented reality. This device could provide real -time video flows, tactical cards, or even a thermal or nocturnal vision. There is also talk of vocal, gestural or eye orders, allowing the soldier to interact with his drones and his sensors without using the hands.
The soldier also wears a controller integrated into the tactical vest, a wrist screen and other electronic elements. They could be used for navigation, monitoring of health or secure communication, which is necessary in situations where GPS signals can be blurred.
The soldier equipped with the Kestrel exoskeleton is not yet ready for the battlefield, but the device could, in the long term, become a real mobile command post. The soldier would thus be able to move quickly, to see far, and to coordinate actions in real time.
With this prototype, China shows that it intends to fill its technological delay on the Western armies. Comparable projects already exist in the United States, Russia or Europe, and all of them bet on the convergence between robotics, on-board IT and artificial intelligence to strengthen the efficiency of the infantryman.
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