Body Armor

Body armor is the protective clothing utilized by soldiers, law enforcement, mercenaries, and other entities throughout the galaxy. Body armor comes into four types: plate armor, powered armor, exoskeletal armor, and battlesuits.

Overview

Body armor is used in some form by every modern military force in the galaxy as well as by countless mercenaries, pirate bands, corporations, and anyone else capable of either producing or procuring armor. This has led to the creation of an endless myriad of armors that, while their exact design specifications vary substantially, do share a few broad traits.

Most suits of armor are comprised of a fibrous, weather-resistant undersuit and armor plating, which is typically comprised of one or more layers of metal and/or composite plates. Depending on the design, the plate layer can then have one of many attachments added unto it, such as jump jets or wrist-mounted weapons.

Categories

Body armor can be broadly divided into four categories defined by their construction, intended role, and their inclusion or lack of a central power source:

• Plate armor refers to any armor which lacks a central power source.

• Powered armor is armor with an internal power supply that provides energy to the armor's electrical compone4nts.

• Exoskeleton armor is powered armor that encases the user in an exoskeleton which enhances their strength, reflexes, and/or speed.

• Battlesuits are large suits of exoskeletal armor which are sometimes regarded as one-man tanks.

Armor can also be divided into the following sub-categories based on their intended role:

• Battle Armor generally refers to a race's baseline, standard issue armor.

• Infiltration Armor is built for concealment and mobility.

• Mobility Armor is light armor built primarily around speed and ability.

• EVA Armor is designed for the vacuum of apace.

• Breaching Armor is an up-armored suit usually designed for close-quarters engagements.

• CCRIB Armor provides enhanced protection against chemical & biological threats.

• Utility Armor is an umbrella term for armors designed primarily to support allies rather than offering protection in a confrontation.

• Flight Armor is designed for jump-jets and/or extended flight.

• Aquatic Armor is designed for use in aquatic environments.

• Medical Armor features built-in components for treating wounded personnel, and when necessary, cutting through and removing the patient's armor.

Components

Components are devices that add a new function to armor, such as an energy shield, jump jet, or life support. Components are divided into internal and auxiliary components. Internal components are built into the armor as a standard feature. Auxiliary components are optional and are added unto the armor, usually via a port connecting to a suit's power supply. Components are a crucial element of modern armor as they can drastically affect an individual's role, performance, and survivability.

Internal Components

Internal components are components which generally come as built-in features for powered, exoskeletal, and battlesuit armor. Not all suits contain all of these components, and a small few of the components can be found on plate armor.

• The Power Supply is the cornerstone of powered & exoskeletal armor, being the source of the suits' electrical power.

• Life-Support/Thermal Regulation Systems ensures that the user can survive & operate in a variety of otherwise inhospitable environments.

• Pressure locks maintain an airtight seal on the armor, preventing foreign items from getting inside.

• The Medical Interface is responsible for treating minor injuries until the soldier can receive direct medical attention. Most interfaces inject pain-relieving drugs into the bloodstream and slows or stops bleeding by filling the wound with a substance such as a medicinal foam.

• Shield Generators produce a force-field around the user. The shield's strength depends on the generator itself and how much power is dedicated to it.

• The Power Lock locks the armor in place when struck by a shock-wave or other extremely strong kinetic forces, preventing the user from moving and reducing physical trauma.

• Geiger Counters detect nearby radioactive particles.

• Stealth Generators provide temporary invisibility to the user.

• Adrenal Boosters pump adrenaline or combat-enhancing bloods into the user's bloodstream.

• The Artificial-Intelligence Module (AIM): is used to upload A.I constructs directly into the armor.

Helmet Components

Modern helmets are extremely advanced pieces of armor, providing the user with a host of tactical and sensory information.

• The Visual Relay is used in lieu of a visor in some helmets. Information is transmitted to the user via a network of tiny cameras built into the helmet.

• The Heads-Up Display (HUD) can display real-time information to the user, record their activities, switch between one of more vision forms, and/or sync with the user's weapon, assisting their aim and informing them how much ammo they have left.

• Sensory Receivers/Dampers automatically reduce harsh noises/lights to prevent sensory damage. They can also be used to pick up otherwise imperceptible sounds.

• The Vox Box projects the user's voice, allowing them to be heard over a greater distance whenever they are wearing a fully-enclosed helmet.

• The rebreather filters the air.

• The Communicator is the suit's radio communications device.

Auxiliary Components

• Enhanced Power Supplies are larger, more powerful power supply units suited for prolonged deployments. They can be used to supply allies with power in emergency situations.

• Bubble Shield Generators produce a large shield around the user, protecting them and anyone inside while allowing its occupants to fire out of it.

• Acoustic Locator Acoustic locators are a relatively common form of stealth detection which use echolocation to visualize otherwise invisible enemies.

• Jump Jets comprised of one or more rocket jets mounted on the armor's back.

• Gravity Jets are similar to jump jets except that they utilize anti-gravity to move. They are not quite as fast, but are substantially easier to control.

• Mechanical Limbs assist the user in performing various tasks such as treating injuries and repairing machinery. Limbs may also have weapons mounted on them. Mechanical limbs are controlled either remotely, by an A.I, or by a user's thought.

• Weapon attachments can vary from blades, assault rifles, shotguns, and even small missile launchers. They are typically built into the wrist, shoulders, or back.

• Claw Gauntlets are equipped with razor-sharp blades.

• Wrist Shield are solid metal or energy-based shields mounted on the user's arm. They can come in many shapes, sizes, and materials.

• Drone Dock store and charge one or more robotic drones.

• Floodlights common on suits of plate armor that lack night vision equipment.

• Magnetic Boots magnetic boots allow the wearer to attach to any magnetic surface.