Pretoriani: a machine-human concept in the drone age

Modern conflicts, primarily the Ukraine War, are revealing the importance of uncrewed vehicles and the space in which they operate: the air littoral. Mastery of this new dimension is challenging the strategic concepts of recent decades. In this context, human combatants can play an important role. This article introduces “the Pretoriani”: a speculative concept of infantry unit equipped with ergonomic exoskeletons and portable personal air mobility systems (PPAMS), designed to move in the air littoral. Using a conceptual and scenario-based methodology, the article explores the feasibility, potential, and critical issues of the Pretoriani on the battlefield. This article will consult the literature on exoskeletons, jetpacks, human-machine teaming, and swarming to try to bridge the gap between technological innovation and operational capacity. By exposing opportunities and issues, this article aims to contribute to the broader debate on the future of warfare by proposing a new configuration for the infantryman.