US agency unveils hi-tech military underwear

By Lee Seung-joon

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has recently opened a competition to design new underwear, dubbed “Warrior Web,” for American soldiers.

The agency said the “Warrior Web” must be an adaptive, compliant, nearly transparent, quasi-active joint support suit.

It said the underwear must “lessen musculoskeletal injury caused by dynamic events while maintaining soldier performance.”

The agency is scheduled to hold an introductory meeting of potential researchers in mid-October.

According to a study of musculoskeletal conditions in 2010, 743,547 musculoskeletal injuries were reported among U.S soldiers in 2006. The musculoskeletal system provides form, support and movement to the body; injuries would expose soldiers to more dangerous situations, the study says.

In 2004, 44 percent of military casualties resulted from unintentional injuries from muscle strains, it says.

Though this is just an outline of the underwear, the agency said it is looking for experts who could get the job done.

It said it is sure that “Warrior Web” will prevent unintentional injuries and support soldier’s movement on the battlefield.

The writer is a Korea Times intern.