President Obama Says U.S. Army Is Building A For-Real Iron Man

Tony Stark must be furious, after all that work he did to keep the government from seizing his designs.

In a speech at a manufacturing innovation event at the White House Tuesday, President Barack Obama said, "Basically we're building Iron Man." He laughed it off as a joke, then said, "Not really. Maybe. It's classified." But it's a real thing, and the first prototypes are going to be ready in June, according to Sploid. They could be deployed by August 2018.

The suits, which are called Tactical Assault Light Operator Suits, or TALOS, won't fly or have repulsors, but they will be effectively bulletproof (they could even deflect bullets when there's an electric current running through them), have integrated communications systems, and heads-up displays. Also? Hydraulic mechanisms that boost strength and speed.ALSO? The suits could "store and release energy to prevent injuries and increase performance."

That sure does sound like something straight out of a Marvel comic. Let's all just hope that the 56 corporations, 16 government agencies, 13 universities and 10 national laboratories that are working together to make real-life Iron Man a reality have more Tony Starks and Jim Rhodes and fewer Norman Osborns.

[Via ScreenCrush]