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The military is 2 years away from unleashing its real-life Iron Man suit

TALOS
YouTube/CNN

Stark Industries has some competition.

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The Department of Defense is two years away from unveiling an Iron Man-like suit. Known as the Tactical Light Operator Suit (Talos), it can repel bullets, help lift heavy objects, and provide lifesaving oxygen. The suit also comes with 3D audio; heating and cooling systems; and embedded computers.

It's so futuristic that President Barack Obama proclaimed last year that "we're building Iron Man."

The Department of Defense was inspired to create the suit after an American commando died after being the first to enter a room during a raid in Afghanistan, CNN reports. The suit will better protect soldiers and allow them to be more lethal when in the field.

The Talos suit is a battery-powered exoskeleton that weighs just over 13 pounds. It attaches to the back, thighs, and feet, and allows its wearer to carry an additional 33 pounds. The suit will also come with a unique form of liquid body armor that solidifies on command. The wearer triggers a magnetic or electric current to activate the armor.

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The US Special Operations Command partnered with Darpa in 2013 to engineer the suit. It's unclear how much the suit will cost, but a 2014 Defense Tech article estimated it at $80 million.

Tony Stark still one-ups Talos when it comes to flying, though.

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