Here’s an update on a story I posted about last month. Here’s a quick summary for those of you didn’t catch it:
“The man behind the infamous homemade bear protection suit, the creation of which was documented in Peter Lynch’s NFB film ‘Project Grizzly’, has unveiled a new project called ‘Trojan’, the “first ballistic, full exoskeleton body suit of armour.” After going bankrupt thanks to his bear suit, Troy has put in another 15,000 dollars, working out of his North Bay, Ontario home on this new idea that he hopes will gain the attention of the military and police.”
Well it looks like Troy’s ‘Trojan’ suit wasn’t the hot seller he’d hoped it would be. Troy is not only selling the full suit of body armour, but the actual rights to his ‘Shadow Armour’ invention. Here’s what the auction says:
Though the armor built specifically for the Trojan, named Shadow Armor, in not present throughout the suit, it is being sold with the suit for the buyer to reproduce at will. The Armor is a level three light/hard armor that weighs a mere 26 ounces per square foot and is a mere 2/8 of an inch thick. The successful bidder will own full rights to the formula, a sample piece, layering system and materials used. The successful bidder will have exclusive rights to the “Shadow Armor” alone, but Mr. Troy Hurtubise will retain the right to reproduce the exoskeleton of the Trojan suit itself. Meaning, if Troy Hurtubise wishes to make further Trojan suits in the future, he may do so. Mr. Troy Hurtubise will not, however, have the right to reproduce the armor called Shadow Armor or reproduce the formula bought by the successful bidder. Mr. Troy Hurtubise will have to invent an altogether new armor.
So he has to start from scratch again?? Man, this guy just doesn’t give up. He’s got the determination of a Northern Ontario white tailed fox. There is an interesting disclaimer at the end of the auction, stating that the suit is “Being sold as memorobelia and costume paraphanelia only. Mr. Troy Hurtubise accepts no liability whatsoever for injuries incurred using the Trojan Suit, shield or armour for anything other than a costume setting”. Maybe that’s why the military wasn’t interested? As I write this post there’s seven days left in the auction with an impressive 15 bids, sitting at $5,100. (Reserve not yet met) So for those of you planning on having the coolest Halloween costume next year (it even comes with a kickass shield!), or anyone interested in owning a great piece of Canadiana, start bidding! Maybe someone will pick up the suit and put together a sweet Robocop fan film. We can only hope.
Related Link: EBay: “The Trojan” full-body armor designed by Troy Hurtubise
Current bid on Feb. 9th, 2007 @ 4:30 is $30,411.00, and reserve not yet met…..
Let’s just hope whoever wins it will actually try to get this project off the ground and give Troy the credit he deserves. I would be pretty upset to hear that some paintball or cosplay enthusiast buys this and we NEVER hear from it again and end up being stuck with our bland and boring military equipment we have now. Future Warrior 2020 is ok, but is nothing compared to this, not to mention could be ready a lot sooner…
^correction:
The Trojan could be ready a lot sooner, not that Future Warrior crap. 2020 is TOO LONG of a ways away!
I’m pretty disappointed for him.
This looks & sounds like some pretty impressive stuff. Too bad he’s selling the suit & the formula… should try selling only one @ a time.
I think his big problem is attempting to sell without the backing of a company and attempting to sell in such a well established market. When I say well established I mean large government contracts that would look embarrassing if they admitted that some guy working in his own work shop produced something that was far superior to what their millions (possibly billions) of dollars could produce.
It’s a government sellout. The government gets billions from defense contractors who they get their stuff from. The M1A1 is outdated and expensive. The U.K.’s Challenger is cheaper and much much better. The US government isn’t above letting a few good men die for no reason to make a buck.
can anyone tell me how i may be able to contact troy hurtubise if so contact me a ____sandiegorunner@hotmail.com____,this would really mean alot to me, because i believe that this guy has the ideas and inventions that are greatly needed. thanks in advance
doc
Check out the latest technology. I have developed an armour which will save lives. Why doesn’t the soldier’s vehicles have this technology? Help me in the fight to protect our military
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaIyJF98i8o
I seriously doubt Mr. Hurtubise has any real combat experience. Outside of being a bulletmagnet, this suit has no practical use on a real battlefield. The future of Combined Combat Arms lies with soft armor, not hard plate. My Infantry experience, and the experience of Infantry soldiers in MOUT ops will quickly dispell the misconceptions that this armor is based on.
If you want to see the future of personal battle armor. Read IRON MAN – CRASH by Mike Saenz circa 1988. isbn 0-87135-291-5
While the technological ingredients are still in their infancy, the direction was, suprisingly, correct.
Mr. Hurtubise, If your reading this, I want to you to understand that you are heading in the right direction. Our currect level of technological progress has reached the point where we are beginning to outstrip our power supplies.
If you wish to achive the credit that I believe you deserve, begin developing a power supply that can elevate the Trojan from simple deadweight to a physical amplification exoskeleton capable of extravehicle operations.
That is where you will find the next piece of your puzzle.
I am a 19 ear Veteran of the United States Army recently converted from enlisted to commissioned officer. In my current position I am able to make key decisions which affect the lives of 100 or more soldiers. Given my Infantry background as well as my Maintenance background of 15 years and degrees in electronics, automotive and computer programming, I have interactions with individuals in many other fields of expertise. I am well versed in teh concept of armored technology and familiar with the various systems available to military personnel for protection against IED, small arms, and sonic impact. I have viewed Troy Hurtobise Trojan Technology and if the armor claims all it is cracked up to be, then he is in a perfect position already. Currently, his bet bet is to get in contact with the makers of ‘REX’ Exokeleton: Sarcos out of Utah, and join the REX project in outfitting their super strengthed exoskeleton with his armor. Currently there is no armor out there light enough for human use which does all he claims his armor can do, and the engineers at Sarcos would have to re-invent the wheel ‘so to speak’ to accomplish their intended goals of armoring their exoskeleton in order to outfit ‘REX’ Fully. Troy would save himself and Sarcos valuable time and assets, as well as recupe all his current expenses, in addition to providing himself valuable contacts and a great income. I do however have questions for Troy directly, regarding outfitting his system for convoy operations in IRAQ with a unit I know is deploying soon and interested in his armor, and has the funds and authorization to purchase.
Oh, and Troy, you can reach me at my home email at: enzino_man@yahoo.com
With proper research, anyone can see that Troy Hurtobise armor is in fact layered with a soft version of armor beneath layers of exoskeleton.
This armor weighs less than 75lbs. Can withstand small arms, frags, and IED’s, has full body protection including an Air Conditioning system in the helmet powered by solar? How is this in any way NOT superior to the garbage our armed forces are forced to wear. The full compliment of armor a Soldier has to wear (which is only torso protection) weighs over 75lbs. has no breath-ability and is somewhat useless to use since most insurgents prefer the spray and pray method of gunfire causing more harm to extremities than the armor can protect. I friggin hate the fact that our govt won’t give something new a try because it’ll take contracts away from Defense contractors who don’t want egg on their faces.
I’m interested to speak with the man who developed a suit that could prove very useful in operations across the world, both private and militarty… Please contact me at auvoice@yahoo.com