THE ARMY'S HELMET DESIGN COMES WITH BUILT-IN A/C

It's starting to look like the soldiers of the future could almost fight in space. The Army's latest helmet concept, specifically designed for chemical-biological protection, includes a respirator that keeps the air clean and cool, like a mini air conditioner built right into the mask. It also looks very badass.

Well, to be more specific, it looks like a real-life Halo helmet (or a motorcycle helmet). It also looks like the Army really does have a bit of a thing for Halo, since the last helmet update we saw looked equally as inspired by the game.

It seems like something out of Halo, but this new futuristic soldier helmet discovered by KitUp! is now being tested by the US Army. Called the Helmet Electronics and Display System-Upgradeable Protection, it's a modular variation of the current head gear, with face-protective 9mm plating and Heads Up Display powered by an Android phone.

Created after a four year research program at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, it will provide with much better protection and useful features than the current models. And it looks so cool too—although not as awesome and scary as the demon helmet.

I can imagine an awesome HUD too, with live targeting, GPS battle mapping, text communication from mission commanders, live video from surveillance drones and general battle status display. And since it's powered by a phone, it will be upgradable with new apps. Not to mention the possibility of integrating it with some mundane things, like listening to AC/DC's Shoot to Thrill while driving a Humvee at full speed through the desert.

But this new design is all about functionality. Respirators are awesome for helping soldiers avoid breathing poison gas, but they also tend to be bulky and heavy. The technology built into this helmet weighs less and uses less power. A hose connects a blower unit and battery to the mask, which keeps a steady stream of cool air on the soldiers face.

The Army is still perfecting this design. They'd like to build a helmet with a responsive respirator that's only on when it needs to be on, and presumably, the helmet should also feature the same functionality we've seen in previous concepts. That means a heads-up display with live targeting, GPS battle mapping, and incoming video. Because without all that, it would just be a head bucket.