The US Army has been funding powered and unpowered exoskeletons to help soldiers lift loads and enhance performance.

In 2022, 100 soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division gave passed a soft unpowered exoskeleton system. Researchers at Vanderbilt designed SABER as a wearable device that is soft, lightweight and form fitting. This unmotorized device can be selectively engaged by the Soldier to assist lifting capabilities. More than 100 Soldiers participated in testing of the exosuit at three different bases, reporting less back strain and greater endurance while wearing SABER prototypes. Biomechanical evaluations revealed that the three-pound suit reduced stress on Soldiers' backs by more than 100 pounds while lifting. Additionally, most Soldiers increased their endurance by over 60 percent while wearing SABER. An overwhelming 90 percent of Soldiers surveyed after operational field testing in May 2022 believed the exosuit increased their ability to perform job tasks, and all of them reported that they would be likely to wear it for their job if it were developed into a product and made available to them.