Today class we will review the basic info about the battle suits and powered armor that has been developed over the past 20 years. We will not cover the pure robotic units or the giant mecha fighting vehicles.
First Generation USA –
Powered Infantry Armour ( LW-PA )
It is not what most people think of when the hear “powered
armour” but it is the first real fighting suit that has muscle enhancements
built into a protective frame. The suit was developed in secret by the USA in
the early 2000s, as part of the “Land Warrior” Project. Of course several other nations were testing
similar suits when WW 3 began in 2013.
The suit was used by commando teams by both sides in the
American civil war.
The main features of the suit are; Armour against all small
arms and grenades. ( DR 30 ) Strength enhancements so a full combat load of
equipment would feel like almost nothing. ( +4 ST +2 HT ) A set of sensor and
communications systems tied to a hardened in-suit computer. ( including a plug
in link to a camera on the weapon ) A life support system, to deal with NBC
war, including filters and a 30 minute air tank.
Because of the extensive combat it saw, the LW-PA v1.5 was
produced after the war with useful improvements – based on troop
recommendations. It is a very practical combat system.
First Generation – Japanese
“Mini Mecha” Powered Battle
Suit
The first “Mini Mecha Suit” it was developed by Japan before WW
3 as a rescue unit that could be sent in to extremely dangerous zones. Its
fully sealed body had armour to resist small arms and sizable explosions, ( DR
50 ) as well as fire and a water depth of 50 m. Its life support was made to
deal with NBC situations and it had 2 hours of air. Its jet pack gave it a long
hop of 40 m and a vertical jump of 20 m.
Unlike the strength enhancement used by the US Infantry
Suit, these units used a full artificial muscle-hydraulic system. ( ST 30 )
On the left shoulder is the periscope sensor suit, with both
passive and active ability. On the right shoulder is the “weapon” originally
intended to be a fire fighting 30mm glop-grenade launcher. Both systems are
integral to the jet pack assembly.
The Mini Mecha were used by Japan
against China
between 2013-15. Although it was highly effective in combat, there were many
complaints about the units. Lack of attachment points for extra equipment. Poor
manageability in tight spaces. Next to no stealth ability. No quick release for
the jet pack assembly.
Here is a 2014 MM-2 model; built along same basic line, but
with combat features integral to it. Most noticeable is the replacement of the
grenade launcher with a gun – a 25mm recoilless rifle with a 1.5 km effective
range.
German “Thumper” Powered Infantry Battle Suit
It was developed after the war in a British – German arms
agreement. From its beginning it addressed most of the problems with the US
powered infantry armour and the Japanese Mini Mecha battle suits. ( poor
manoeuvrability was a key complaint about the MMs )
The first production run of Thumpers was in 2017.
It was built mainly as a ground assault unit. A jump pack
was made, but jumping was not its core movement type. ( in this regard the MMs
with their multiple mini correction thrusters, were more agile ) However on the
ground the Thumper had the advantage because it could do real hand-to-hand
combat, including some acrobatics.
Because the thumper was expected to engage in down and dirty
fighting, it had more armour and strength that the First Generation MMs. ( DR
60, ST 40 ) It also mounted some unusual fixed arm weapons; a 3 shot mini
missile launcher on its right arm and a sword-blade on its left. A standard
heavy rifle was carried and ammo pouched for it were integral to the suit’s
waist line.
Other back mounted equipment packages were made, including
heavy weapons.
The v-1 units used almost no tech from the Macross project.
The v-2 units, those produced after 2027 did. Exact details are classified.
French “Lafayette”
Powered Infantry Battle Suit
At the same time the Thumper was being designed, the French
in partnership with Italy
built the first real stealth battle suit. The first production run of was in
2018.
Although protection was important, agility and guile were
top priorities. To this end the Lafayette
had less armour and strength than the German or Japanese units. ( DR 40, ST 20
) Its life support ability was similar, although it was not intended for deep
water use.
The advantages of the Lafayette
were its adaptive camouflage system and its superior sensor suit. The French
declined to develop the “invisibility” field that several military corporations
were working on. Instead they went with a system that could change the suit’s
colour pattern and even its texture, in addition to providing stealth against
IR and thermo graphics.
Also revolutionary to the French battle suit was the laser
rifle that was its main weapon. The rifle had both an internal power cell and a
cable, for connecting to other sources of power; like the suit itself.
In a controversial move the suit was not equipped with any
built in weapons other than a ‘switch blade’ in the left arm. Unlike the
Thumper’s sword, this was a stiletto, intended to stab-pierce enemy armour.
The v-1 units used almost no tech from the Macross project.
The v-2 units, those produced after 2024 did. Exact details are classified.
Russian “Zog” Powered Infantry Battle Suit
Most details about it are still classified; although it is
known to have a lot in common with the Thumper units. From promotional video, made
public in 2020, we know that it has a small jump ability built in, that seems
to combine jets and extra strength leg power.
The standard weapons shown here are a 4-pack missile launcher
and a under slung laser weapon. It is believed that the armour is one of the
new highly reflective types developed by the Macross project.
Rumour has it that various back mounted equipment packs have
been made, including a 30mm rail over the shoulder gun.
American “Headless”
Powered Infantry Battle
Suit
Designed in partnership with Japan in 2014, by the USA-
Federalist Faction, the first production run was not until 2018. Although the
developer argued to use some tech from the Macross project, the Government
insisted that it be a 100% human tech machine.
The Headless seeks to combine the best of the LW-PA and the
MMs. Unlike most suits that have a helmet with direct view visor, it fully
protects the user and offers a panoramic CG-Interface. Several cameras and
sensors, including a periscope unit, feed into the computer for display.
The armour value and strength are slightly higher than the
MMs ( DR 50, ST 35 ) While the built in jump ability is about half the MMs (
20m long, 10m high ) The life support abilities are similar also.
Unlike most other powered suits, the Headless only has one
hand, the left. The right arm being fully integrated into a 25mm cannon. It
also mounts an integral 9mm SMG into the left arm. To increase fire power a 3
pack of missiles is mounted over the right shoulder.
The manoeuvrability of the suit is good, although it was not
really intended for hand to hand combat. Its stealth ability is focused on
defeating radar and long range sensors typically used by attack choppers,
aircraft and tanks.
The v-2 units produced after 2024, have a 50cal machine gun
in the right arm.
Second Generation
Power Armour – UN Space Force “Main Boy”
This slim suit is in some ways closer to the old LW-PA than
to the Mini Mecha units. However it is a hybrid Human-Alien tech device from
the ground up. The first production run of the UN-Main Boy suits was in 2026.
While the suit offers limited armour ( DR 30 ), it is fully
self contained and able to function in all environments, including space. It
has a 24 hour air supply. Although a bit bulky its weight is surprisingly low
and the user hardly notices it at all thanks to the strength enhancement
ability. ( ST +8 HT +4 ) Also of importance is the integral jump system, mostly
built into the legs. ( 20m long, 10m high )
Sensor and communications systems are nothing special,
except for the rather advanced holographic display inside the helmet, which
includes a look behind your option.
The suit has no built in weapons, but does have attachment
points for them on both arms and shoulders and there is room for a back pack.
The idea of modular construction was part of the core design for the UN-MB
One back mounted unit known to exist is a winged jet pack
that offers full flight.
The weapons modules are classified, so are the stealth
abilities.
Second Generation –
Japanese “Mini Mecha” Powered Battle
Suit
This unit combines Human-Alien tech on a pattern similar to
the first MMs. The jet pack is detachable but was designed as a standard
feature of the suit. It offers full flight ability including hover mode. The
first production run for the F-MMs began in 2024.
Its ground performance is improved, while it maintains the
best jump / flight agility of any powered armour in production. It has solid (
DR 70 ) armour and a respectable strength rating ( ST 35 )
It has full life support ability and can function in space.
It has a 24 hour air supply. Its sensors and communications are slightly
improved over the old MMs. It also mounts an improved sensor periscope, seen
here attached to the left shoulder.
The unit has no integral weapons instead it uses a modular
system similar to the UN-MB. Here we see it with a laser on the right arm and a
twin 9mm SMG on the left arm.
It employs basic “reliable” stealth systems and the
advanced “not-so-reliable” invisibility field generators.
Chine’s “Wa Ping”
Powered Battle Suit
This is technically a second generation battle suit,
although China’s
first suits never made it to production. It incorporates some good ideas from
existing suits with a lot of Macross project technology. The first Wa Ping
rolled off the assembly line in 2028.
It has serious armour ( DR 60 ) and strength ( ST 40 ) with
a camouflage systems derived from the Lafayette.
Its life support is a full system able to work in space and underwater. It has
a 24 hour air supply. In addition to basic NBC protection, it has an extra
layer of radiation shielding intended to deflect solar gamma rays when in
space.
The built in jump systems offer standard performance ( 20m
long, 10m high ). The sensor and communications suit is also average in its
ability. The built in weapons include a sword blade in the right arm and a 4
pack missile launcher in the left arm.
The standard weapon, shown here, is a hand held shotgun
style; 20mm grenade launcher. Arguably not a very modern weapon, but it has
proven very durable in field tests.
The most interesting equipment add-on, which is known
about, is the back pack anti-missile system. It combines an active sensor
periscope with an auto laser.
Second Generation
American “Assault-Combat-Suit”
The ACS is a combination of ideas from the Headless suits
and Macross project. It has no hands, a fact many have criticized. But the army
claims it will be used along side normal infantry, so it does not really need
hand. Like the Headless, the user is entirely with in the suit. The head of the
unit is simply a sensor suit, and a target for snipers who like to kill pilots
with head shots. The first production run began in 2027.
It has serious armour ( DR 60 ) and average strength ( ST 30
) with both basic and advanced stealth abilities. Its life support abilities
are standard, with a built in mini-medic, that can keep the pilot going even
after he suffers serious wounds.
The built in jump systems offer good performance ( 40m long,
20m high ). The sensor and communications suit is also above average in its
ability. Rumour has it there is a anti-missile system.
The built in weapons are a 20mm Gatling gun in the right arm
and a laser in the left.
OLAS - Power Armour
“Panther” Suit
The Panther suit is a direct descendant of the LW-PA units,
a soldier augmentation system rather than a mini mecha. Although it includes
some Alien tech, it is mostly human in all its aspects. Unlike the highly
versatile, compact and expensive UN-MB units, the Panther is designed for
ground war on Earth ( in South America
specifically ). To this end it has dedicated jungle and mountain usage
features. It went into mass production in 2022.
Its life support is good for NBC situations, but not for
space or deep water. It has a 1 hour air supply. Its cooling systems are among
the best. Its sensors; all passive, are top notch and include a look behind you
feature, however its communications systems are only average.
It has a dedicated jump system ( 30m long, 15m high ) Its
armour value is good ( DR 35 ) and its strength is excellent for an
augmentation system ( +10ST, +5HT ). It has first rate adaptive camouflage,
good stealth qualities and a Mark-2 invisibility field.
The Panther is surprisingly agile and able to engage in hand
to hand combat. The bulky look it has here is because it is fully loaded with
all extra carry on equipment packs.
( None of these are my art - thanks to all the people who did the work )