The Marvel Book Expand Your Knowledge of a Vast Comics Universe by Stephen Wiacek

Futureproofing S.H.I.E.L.D.
The majority of operating systems, tech, and ordnance is provided by Stark
Enterprises and Stark Industries, initially through Howard Stark and later
his son, Tony. They work with S.H.I.E.L.D.’s huge Tech Division and its
flamboyant chief inventor Sidney “the Gaffer” Levine on signature
armaments and material such as flying and light-bending cars, Life Model
Decoy androids, Mandroid battle armor, HAWK (High Altitude Wing Kite)
harnesses, super-power inhibitor chips, and an apparently endless stream of
vehicles and weaponry. Levine succeeds Nick Fury’s trusted armorer
Desmond Boothroyd, upgrading the director’s personal arsenal of
weaponized trick cigars, impenetrable suits featuring concealed bombs and
oxygen-capsules, radio-link tie, repulsor watches, and the super-spy’s
indispensable explosive suicide ring.
S.H.I.E.L.D. constructs numerous bases around the world and supervises
the transport and containment of captured super-criminals. However, its
most impressive symbol of power is its fleet of enormous airborne bases.
Known as Helicarriers, these imposing flying fortresses house munitions,
regimental barracks, mobile weapons platforms, and intelligence-processing
centers. When S.H.I.E.L.D. is disbanded following Hydra’s brief conquest
of the United States, the organization becomes the prize that the US military
most wants to control.