The MA-26H “Truncheon” is an outgrowth of the development of military exoskeletons. Originally intended to be a human-scale wearable machine providing ergonomic load-bearing support and augmented mobility to the individual soldier, it was continuously upscaled and up-armored during the course of development into what essentially became a bipedal main battle tank.

Although heavier and more cumbersome than traditional tracks, the Truncheon's legs allow it to traverse terrain covered with dense obstacles that would be otherwise impassable by ground vehicles (i.e. urban warfare environments) and the additional ground clearance serves to protect the crew from landmines and IEDs.