He wasn’t exactly the leading comic book character when he was developed. Even live-action and cartoon adaptations didn’t do much for the super hero throughout the decades. But everyone remembers where they were the first time Robert Downey Jr. uttered the infamous words, “...I am Iron Man.” Movies were changed for the next decade or two (or more) as Iron Man leaped into the mainstream. For now, he’s just a character beloved by many, but the Navy Iron Man suit is drawing comparisons to Tony Stark’s alter ego. Although you won’t see the Navy Iron Man up in the sky, it’s actually looking to descend into the depths of the oceans. Related read: Everything You Never Knew About Ghillie Suits

Is "Iron Man Suit" Real?

No, a real Iron Man suit as we know it is sadly still relegated to the realm of fiction. While many different prototypes and exoskeletons continue to be developed, the real deal isn’t here yet. However, there is the Navy Iron Man suit that is being developed for a much different, yet interesting purpose.

Deep Sea Expeditionary with No Decompression (DSEND)

Formally known as Deep Sea Expeditionary with No Decompression, the Iron Man Navy personnel who wear the suit will be working in a safer environment when the mission calls for an extended stay in deep waters. Additionally, Sailors will be able to operate underwater for longer periods of time. According to Paul McMurtrie, the Diving Systems Program Manager for Naval Sea Systems, “It is a hard suit that the diver crawls into. A good depiction would be an Iron Man suit for a diver underwater.” DSEND’s core objectives will be to keep Sailors safer when underwater for longer while also improving efficiency as a whole. There are several functions in which Navy Divers must be involved in operating underwater, such as salvage missions, rescues, recovery of equipment, hull maintenance, and even the disposal of explosives. Suggested read: How Military Video Games Peek Into the Future of the Armed Forces Water pressure is an immense challenge for anyone working in deep water. Particularly, decompression sickness, also known as the bends, is a potentially fatal condition that can develop. This occurs when nitrogen can’t leave someone’s blood in time because water pressure has decreased so rapidly. The proposed Navy SEAL Iron Man suit may seem like a lot, but current diving operations as they currently stand happen to involve a pretty cumbersome ordeal anyway. A diver can’t even complete half an hour of work underwater in current conditions without using a pressurized diving bell or a saturation system. It’s no surprise that the deeper the dive, the more complex these issues become. Divers have to go slow and take plenty of breaks to keep nitrogen from giving them the bends and to prevent the building pressure from causing inner ear harm. Once the job is done, divers will then spend at least an hour and a half in a decompression chamber. Even if they follow all of the protocols and precautions to the letter, they still might get sick as a result of a dive. As you can see, a real-life Iron Man suit for underwater work solves a host of practical medical concerns for individual divers. Developed by the Navy over five years, DSEND addresses the weight and logistical challenges of previous atmospheric dive suits, making it easier for divers to maneuver and complete tasks. The project involves multiple Navy entities and is still in the early stages of development. Currently, the next steps include designating the suit as a future naval capability, followed by a prototype development program. Recent demonstrations displayed the successful use of the Navy Iron Man suit by male and female divers.

Transforming Our Fleet with the Navy Iron Man Suit

The Navy's no decompression suit continues to garner attention throughout the military world and diving enthusiasts alike. The Navy Iron Man suit is poised to make plenty of the dirty work that goes unnoticed, but is vital to our fleet’s success, less of a genuine hazard to military personnel. No high-flying action scenes or universe-altering snaps here, just American engineering improving our Navy’s capabilities even at the darkest depths of our world. Read next: The Incredible Dive of the Navy’s Sunken Spiegel Grove 20 Years Later