At DX Korea 2016, held at the KINTEX exhibition center last September, South Korean defense companies unveiled a number of locally developed exoskeleton systems that could eventually enter service with the Korean army.
LIG Nex1 introduced the LEXO hydraulic-powered military exoskeleton that enhances operator strength and endurance. The system consists of a hydraulic arm and shoulder structure, as well as hydraulic leg restraints to improve mobility in challenging terrain and aid in heavy lifting.
The system is collapsible when not needed, both components are stored in a reinforced container for transport.
A company engineer said the LEXO exoskeleton has been in development since 2013 as part of a joint venture with the South Korean government, although he declined to name a partner organization. However, he noted that the company hopes to refine its technology with the goal of possibly starting production of exoskeletons around 2022.
Detailed specifications of the LEXO system were not disclosed, but a company spokesman said the system can support a maximum load of 90 kg and at the current level of development can last up to four hours.
“The exoskeleton will allow the soldier to carry heavy weapons, such as a portable anti-tank complex or mortars, much longer, since the owner actually does not feel the stress from the wearable load when the system is operating,” the engineer explained.
The long-term goal is to integrate exoskeleton technology with advanced soldier protection, sensors and weapon systems as part of the Advanced Soldier Combat System program, although the development timeline for it has not been announced. However, at the DX Korea exhibition, LIG Nex1 proposed one of the concepts - a "smart guided weapon" launched by a soldier, when a soldier carries a small infrared-guided missile equipped with an air blast warhead.
A rocket launched from a manual launcher, after burning fuel in the engine, flies along a ballistic trajectory, uses its infrared guidance head to identify the target and track it on the final segment of the trajectory. The warhead of an air blast serves mainly to neutralize personnel in shelters.
The South Korean army showed a mock-up of the concept of equipment for the soldier of the future, thus hinting at the prospects for its further development, but refused to comment on this system in addition to the characteristics already voiced.
Hyundai Rotem also unveiled its Hyundai Worker Exoskeleton UnPowered, although it insists the system is intended for the industrial sector to reduce the physical burden on aging workers. The development of the HWEX-UP is expected to be completed by 2018, according to a company spokesman.
The system weighs 22 kg and measures 532x226x1097 mm and is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, AL6061 aluminum and SCM440 steel alloy. The full capabilities of the exoskeleton are "revealed" at 48 volts, although it can operate with limited carrying capacity.
Hyundai Rotem also offers its 7.5kg Modular Exoskeleton Hip with a power actuator that fully complements the operator's lower limbs. The system is powered by a 14.4 volt lithium-ion battery attached to a backpack; it generates a constant torque of 42 Nm and a maximum torque of up to 120 Nm. A company spokesman said that the duration of the device can be up to 4.5 hours.
