TAMPA, Fla. — When Special Operations Command set out to create what would be popularly known as the ‘Iron Man suit’ seven years ago, developers assumed that the state-of-the-art in body armor would not improve much over the next few years.

That assumption led the command down a development path that would actually make the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit resemble the comic book hero with heavy armor from head to toe and a power system and exoskeleton needed to help the operator move in the bulky suit.

However, body armor technology did improve, said Army Col. Alex MacCalman, director of SOCOM’s joint acquisition task force, the organization that developed the Iron Man suit — officially known as TALOS — and will now take it to the next level: the “hyper-enabled operator.”

While special operators are not wearing a full suit of armor, about 45 percent of their body is now covered with lighter plates using technology spun out of the TALOS program, MacCalman said May 22 at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, sponsored by the National Defense Industrial Association.

Defense officials and industry have gathered in Tampa, Florida, to discuss technology needs as Special Operations Command adapts to an era of great power competition.

The Special Operations Forces Industry Conference — which is held annually in Tampa near the command's headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base — will feature high-profile speakers such as SOCOM Commander Gen. Raymond A. Thomas, III; James Smith, SOCOM’s acquisition executive; and Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord. Program executive officers and program managers will also deliver presentations.

Nearly 12,000 attendees are expected to visit the Tampa Convention Center for this year’s conference, which is hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association. The event will feature more than 425 exhibiting companies.