The US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) has always wanted a real life version of Iron Man's suit for soldiers. It looks like it's getting very real now.

"The goal is to have a contract in place by next fall and have suits ready for full field testing in about four years."

The suit, won't be dubbed mk1 or whatever number attached to it. Its official name is Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS). It won't fly and launch tiny missiles, but it has an impressive feature list.

RDECOM wants TALOS to have ballistic and shock protection. Its armor will be capable of repelling ammo when applying an electric current. Did we mention it can withstand fire too? Basically, the whole suit is to make soldiers seriously more badass. And to prevent injuries too of course.

The suit will come equipped with integrated communications, body and external sensors and a heads-up display that will give the wearer information in real time. There will be night vision, and it is capable of attaching an exoskeleton that will provide hydraulic mechanisms to improve strength and speed.



And four years to this isn't at all unachievable. In fact, some of the technology already exists: