Australian soldiers will have a competitive advantage with the addition of a new 'exosuit'.

It may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the latest "exosuit" technology is now being used by Australian defence personnel to enhance their abilities while serving. The Apex 2, created by US company HeroWear, is a lightweight exosuit that supports the back muscles during heavy lifting, reducing fatigue and muscle strain by up to 40%. This innovative suit utilizes elastic bands that work with the body's natural muscle movements and is constructed using durable materials such as tough fabrics, polymers, and aircraft-grade aluminium.

For Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Sean Lacey, the Apex 2 is a game-changer. Having joined the service in 1985 as a young jet fighter technician, Lacey unfortunately experienced a back injury due to the lack of proper safety protocols around heavy equipment at the time. However, with the advancements in safety and the introduction of the Apex 2, Lacey can now perform his duties without the fear of further injuring himself. He explains, "It might not be as advanced as an Iron Man suit, but it's a huge improvement from what we had before."

The Apex 2 is particularly useful in situations where manual handling equipment is not available, such as in disaster relief efforts. Lacey mentions how the suit can be easily carried by deployed personnel to assist in moving heavy equipment like pallets and bags, weighing up to 1.3 kilograms. He adds, "It's a great tool to have in these situations."

However, Lacey also stresses the importance of not overestimating the capabilities of the exosuit. As one of the developers of the training program for the suit, he emphasizes the need for proper strength and endurance training to avoid any potential risks. He says, "The exosuit is not a substitute for strength and endurance training." Despite this, Lacey encourages younger defence personnel to make use of the exosuit and hopes to see it implemented throughout the Air Force during his remaining years of service.

With 470 suits on order and slowly being introduced to those who require them, it's clear that the Apex 2 is making a significant impact in the military community. The designer of the suit, US biomechanical engineer Karl Zelik, drew inspiration from his own experiences with back pain while taking care of his young children. Dissatisfied with the options available on the market, Zelik and his team at Vanderbilt University spent three years developing the prototype for the Apex suit. This was followed by the SABER device, created in collaboration with the US Army, and the final version, the Apex 2, was released in 2023.

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