Battle Suits 101

 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 )