Batman suit gives soldiers cutting edge

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Amazing technology at Wright Patterson Air Force Base is giving our soldiers a fighting chance in the war on terror.

"They have a pretty daring job. They jump behind enemy lines setting-up air force bases or airports, landing strips, or landing zones," said Reggie Daniels, the Batman program engineer.

Their lives depend on powerful, high-tech equipment whose weight of 150 lbs. or more can slow them down and jeopardize their mission.

To lighten their load, the team has developed the Batman suit, which is an acronym for Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided Knowledge.

The suit holds new fuel cell batteries that are 25% lighter, and brings the whole package together.

"The components that he keeps on his chest are components that are keeping him alive or components he's going to kill somebody with," said Mike Sedillo, the integration coordinator.

A miniature computer snaps into place for monitoring troop movements and virtually eliminating the risk of friendly fire.

"With this newer generation that has grown up texting, this is a very comfortable way to interface with computer using their thumbs and typing as if they were texting," said Sedillo.

If batteries fail in the field, the Bat Hook can harvest power by attaching to available power lines, developed locally by Dayton Research Associates.

The suit also features something called a KECO switch. It allows troops to communicate on ground and to aircraft above with the flip of a switch.