What is DARPA thinking here?

[iluvtheocean]

Saw this on DVICE DARPA wants tech to turn Navy divers into underwater superheroes | DVICE - which links to http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2013/01/divers/
Here's what DARPA wants to be possible in an "extreme combat dive profile:"

• Insertion via military free fall from 35,000 feet altitude.
• Combat dive down to 200 feet for at least 120 minutes.
• Surface and immediately begin a second dive of variable, increasing depth to 200 feet for at least 20 minutes without needing to decompress.
• Extraction in an unpressurized aircraft to 14,000 feet altitude.

Is it just me or does this sound insane at least at 1st glance? I haven't received any technical training yet but i'm not even sure if it's even possible. I did notice the article didn't mention anything about any particular mixes.

 

[fjpatrum]

Sounds like body armor a la "mech warfare" to me. Keep 1 ATM inside the suit... no need to decompress.

No practical way to get there with less than 1000 pounds or so of gear, I suspect, but if they don't ask for something they certainly aren't going to get it.

 

[DCBC]

An AtmP suit would make sense if this was the goal. Normally developments like this are mission specific (what is to be accomplished), but if weight isn't a factor, why not?

 

[BDSC]

It's entirely possible. I saw it done on a video game.

 

[rlynch]

Inject small amounts of nitric oxide? To counter bubble formation?

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

DARPA funds lots of long shot ideas. They dream big and have cash. Most crash and burn, but a few gems emerge. One could argue we would not be posting on the internet but for ARPANET (I believe the first packet switched network) and a few other whacky ideas. The communication channels we use everyday were pure science fiction at the beginning of my career.

 

[mikeycanuk]

DARPA makes science fiction real (in some cases). Read a book a few years back and damm that is some cool stuff.