NationStates Jolt Archive

At Brettonian Military Industries, we acknowledge that, while leaps and bounds have been made in the area of armor protection for main battle tanks and other combat vehicles, the average infantryman has been left with little protection over the decades. While many attempts at solving this problem have been made, few have had much success. We believe that our final product on this matter will finally give the infantryman the protection he'd like to enjoy:

Lineart (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/lineart-notex.jpg)
Recruitment poster featuring Stahlkörpe unit (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/Poster3.jpg)

Model number: AS-004J
Code name: Stahlkörpe
Unit type: arm-slave heavyweight armored suit
Manufacturer: Bretton
Operator: Bretton, Rolatia, Asgarnieu, Lewrockwellia, Gejigrad, Axis Nova, Allanea
Dimensions: total height 3.9 meters
Dry weight: 2.2 tons
Maximum weight: 6.32 tons
Construction: titanium/ceramic composite with depleted uranium rods, various specialized armor materials; electric/reactive armor subsystem
Powerplant: 6 x ultra-high capacity battery
Crew: 1
Performance: maximum ground running speed 130 km/h; 180-degree turn time 1.2 seconds
Equipment and design features: master-slave arm tracing system; advanced electronic warfare suites, including infrared, sonic, night vision, etc; active camouflage system utilising organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), provides limited optical stealth, includes electrostatic field generator to prevent dust particles from sticking to armor
Weapon systems: hand-held 20mm machine cannon, 30 round double column detachable box magazine, spare magazines stored in thigh armor, includes integral underbarrel 75mm grenade launcher, pump action, tube magazine, 5 round capacity, spare grenades stored in underarm cavity; 2 x 2-barrel 40mm grenade launcher, mounted in head; 2 x recoilless impact knuckle, mounted in hands of slave arms, pneumatically fired, spare warheads stored in shoulder armor

Description:

Project KOTUS, Brettonian Military Industries’ three-year program to establish a functional and effective heavy combat armor system, has evolved to a middle ground between personal combat armor and a light armored vehicle.

The AS-004J Stahlkörpe armored infantry assault suit represents the highest degree of protection for frontline combat troops. Unilaterally adopted by the Brettonian Army, it provides an impressive degree of mobility, firepower, and defense to its operator.

Armament: The Stahlkörpe’s primary armament is a hand-held 20mm machine cannon with a three-point flash hider and an integral grenade launcher. It is operated rather like an automatic rifle; despite the more correct nomenclature to describe it as a 'cannon' we will use the term 'rifle' from here on to ensure ease of comprehension as to the weapon's use. The original Mod.A rifle, chambered for 14.5mm, has recently become the object of much criticism for its low stopping power against well-armored targets, such as large infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and other foreign powered armors, thus the birth of the current Mod.B rifle in 20mm was necessitated. The rifle feeds from a thirty-round double-stacked box magazine, loaded from the top of the receiver, and features an internal disintegrating belt feed. The powerful 20x180mm cartridge achieves a muzzle velocity of over 1200 meters per second, delivering a 100 gram bullet with far greater muzzle velocity and energy than a traditional 12.7mm (.50-caliber) cartridge. Various ammunition types exist, including traditional full metal jackets (FMJ), high-explosive armor-piercing (HEAP), armor-piercing discarding-sabot (APDS), high-explosive incendiary (HEI), armor-piercing incendiary (API), and most recently, semi armor-piercing high-explosive incendiary (SAPHEI) shells. The rifle has a relatively low cyclic rate of 400 rounds-per-minute, but sacrifices made in the area of suppression translate to better controllability. It is a select-fire weapon, capable of single shots, 4-round burst fire, and full automatic. The assault rifle has an effective kill range of up to 2800 meters, and is easily capable of taking out infantry, grounded aircraft, and "non-main battle tank" (N-MBT) armored vehicles. In order to deal with enemy armor, cleaning out bunkers, etc, the assault rifle features an integral underbarrel 75mm grenade launcher, which feeds from a tube magazine directly in front of the trigger. The launcher is a pump-action affair, giving it the appearance of a high-powered shotgun. The caseless grenades’ operation looks similar to a rocket launcher, however, this is purely aesthetic in nature. Much as with the rifle component, various ammunitions are available, including high-explosive antipersonnel rounds, shaped charges for dismantling armor, enormous sound-assault canisters (flashbangs), and so forth. The grenade launcher has its own trigger, which is mounted directly under that of the rifle’s, allowing a quick change in firepower. Four grenade launchers are built into the top of the Stahlkörpe’s head. These can be used as smoke dischargers and other countermeasure effects as well as to deploy antipersonnel flechette grenades. Lastly, the Stahlkörpe features a most unusual armament for close-quarters combat. Given the sudden and phenomenal resurgence in the popularity of powered armor suits in worldwide militaries, we cannot rule out the possibility of a Stahlkörpe facing one in a combat situation. Despite its impeccable capabilities at ranged combat and surviving damage, it is a bit vulnerable close up against other units featuring close combat capabilities. Enter the recoilless impact knuckle. Built into both hands of the slave arms is a pneumatic ram that separates the internal skeleton of the lower arm from the external armor plating. When going into melee combat, a compressor fills the ram with air, and arms the three explosive charges on the hand intending to be used. The Stahlkörpe pilot throws a punch at the target; on contact, the ram fires, nearly doubling the kinetic impact force of the punch. Finally, all three charges explode, adding the energy of their shaped charges to the massive blow. The result is predictable: massive collateral damage from the impact of the arm, with severe penetration and spalling from the warheads. Each slave arm is provided with this system; spare warheads are stored in a special compartment in the shoulders so the arm can be re-equipped for hand-to-hand combat when time permits. When not in use, the system locks down, keeping the internal skeleton fixed to the rest of the arm to ensure no excess rattling will affect firing of the rifle.

Armor: As with most BMI manufactures, defense is a top priority. Stahlkörpe, German for “steel body,” (more correctly, it should be worded "Stahlkörper" but we have chosen to omit the 'R' for ease of use in conversation) is a physical embodiment of this principle. The Stahlkörpe is protected by several tons of steel-encased depleted uranium rods with a titanium/ceramic composite exterior, giving it ridiculous protective ability against kinetic penetrative rounds. Even hypervelocity fin-stabilized armor piercing ammunition is only capable of denting the Stahlkörpe’s body. Suffice to say regular small arms have virtually no chance of breaking through. A combination of electric reactive armor panels and streamlined, sloped armor also render shaped charges virtually useless. The Stahlkörpe splits open directly behind the master shoulders (more on this below) and hinges forward at the waist, allowing the operator to slip inside. The operator’s arms fit into armored gauntlets that fully encase the hands, arms, and shoulders. In addition to themselves being power-assisted, these “master arms” serve as tracing systems for the much larger “slave arms” that the Stahlkörpe utilizes to fire its rifle as well as general manipulation of objects. Of course, the master arms themselves can be used to manipulate much smaller, finer objects that the heavily armored slave arms might damage. This is discussed in detail in the next section. The operator’s legs fit into the Stahlkörpe’s thighs; the operator’s leg movement is also mimicked by the Stahlkörpe, albeit at a much greater scale; more below. An offshoot of the original electric reactive armor concept, the Stahlkörpe can also electrify its body, allowing it to defeat interlopers that may try to attack a Stahlkörpe at point-blank range, or by attempting to simply jam a satchel charge or claymore mine in its joints. A Stahlkörpe can be safely dropped from a helicopter or other airborne platform up to 45 meters, and provided it lands on its legs, the impressive shock absorption system will take care of the rest.

Tracing System: One of the more unique features of the Stahlkörpe’s design, and indeed, one of the elements that sets it above and beyond most powered armor designs, is its highly-sophisticated tracing system, which enables superior mobility and reaction time. The tracing system consists of two main components. Firstly, the Stahlkörpe’s arms are controlled by the operator via the armored “master” arms. The much larger “slave” arms then mimic the movement of the master arms. Force feedback is provided to the master arms, giving the operator an adequate representation of what the slave arms are interacting with. For example, while the slave arms are holding the assault rifle, the master arms provide appropriate feedback to the operator as if the operator was actually holding the rifle himself. The operator’s lower extremities and torso are contained in a spongy material that not only provides excellent impact protection, but also alleviates pressure that would normally be associated with standing up for prolonged periods of time. Stahlkörpe operators describe the act of operating one to be comparable to being “suspended” as opposed to “seated” or anything else. The Stahlkörpe spreads the operator’s weight all over his body, giving a feeling comparable to low gravity. Of course, the Stahlkörpe itself is capable of greater ranges of motion than its human operator; consequently, limiters are installed in each joint that prevents the Stahlkörpe’s limbs from moving too far and injuring its operator. With the exception of maximum degrees of motion, the operator encounters no resistance. Every movement he makes is mimicked by the Stahlkörpe. To walk, the operator simply moves his legs as if he were on foot. The Stahlkörpe responds accordingly, mimicking the operator’s movements to achieve mobility. As the operator’s legs move forward, contained in the oversized thigh armor, the Stahlkörpe follows through accordingly. Owing to the unusual knee articulation, designed to give maximum protection to the otherwise vulnerable knee joint, a Stahlkörpe in motion seems to move at an almost disjointed pace. The lower legs are much skinnier than the thighs on account of they do not contain any part of the operator’s body; consequently they are simply composed of armor and frame. Again owing to the unique knee articulation, the lower leg composes significantly more of the suit's total height than would a human's. The heel joint is independently balanced via a gyroscope. To kneel, the operator simply brings his knee to a 90-degree angle, and the Stahlkörpe responds accordingly. In a crouching position, the Stahlkörpe’ looks vaguely as if it is sitting in a traditional Japanese style as opposed to anything else.

Logistics and Operation: In addition to providing superior protection and firepower, the Stahlkörpe is designed to keep the operator in a battle-ready condition for prolonged periods of time. Fully NBC-proofed, the Stahlkörpe can act as a personal shelter for its operator for substantial periods of time. Firstly, the spongy shock-absorbing and tracing material inside the Stahlkörpe’s innards also serve as a climate control apparatus, fully insulating the operator from harsh external conditions, either hot or cold. By spreading out the operator’s weight evenly over his entire body, the operator can remain in a standing position for hours on end, perhaps even sleep, without becoming fatigued. Stahlkörpes are fully waterproofed, and can operate normally even if fully submerged. This allows for both amphibious operations as well as negating bodies of water as a hazard or obstacle. Optionally, the operator can also have equipment installed that will allow him to be nourished intravenously, as well as have his bodily wastes disposed of in a similar fashion to a space suit. Combining the standard and optional features, the operator can remain inside his Stahlkörpe, safely and comfortably, for virtually as long as he desires. Six ultra-high capacity batteries power the Stahlkörpe’s electronics, including the servo motors that allow it to move. These are stored in the yellow ridges on the Stahlkörpe’s back. These cells provide the Stahlkörpe with enough power to operate for almost two weeks at maximum output before needing to be replaced. The operational life is significantly longer under lower output conditions. The batteries are designed to be simple and quick to swap out during combat situations, ensuring that specialized combat support crews are not necessary to keep Stahlkörpes running. The Stahlkörpe is equipped with a highly sophisticated targeting system, giving its operator a fully comprehensive view of the field around him. As it is heavily reliant on electronics, the AS-004J is shielded from electromagnetic pulsing, common with the detonation of nuclear armaments. The operator’s head is fully contained within that of the Stahlkörpe. To view the outside world, the operator has both a visor and a holographic array. The visor, composed of 6-inch-thick transparent alumina, provides a 180-degree viewable area around the operator’s head. A layer of electronic film on the inside of the visor allows for high-speed tinting, such as in the case of a concussion (flash bang) grenade being utilized against it. Situated between the visor and the operator’s head is a holographic display. This complements and overlaps the visor, generating a Heads-Up Display (HUD) for the operator to utilize in tracking targets. The holographic display can also darken and completely obscure the visor, useful for alternate spectrum viewing, such as night vision or infrared. The holographic display extends around 270-degrees of the operator’s head; viewing directly to the rear is accomplished by sections of the holographic display being diverted to the rear-facing camera array, acting as a virtual “rear-view mirror” as it were. The Stahlkörpe has cameras all over its body, including the knees, thighs, shoulders, back, head, wrists, feet, and so forth. Which leads us to our next point…

Active Camouflage: Between the outer armor and the transparent alumina laminate on the exterior is a layer of OLED arrays fully encompassing the Stahlkörpe’s entire form; even its assault rifle features this array. On command from the operator, the Stahlkörpe displays a reversed image of what its various external cameras take in. For example, when viewing from the front, the OLED array will display an image from the rear camera. At a glance, one would only see what was actually behind the Stahlkörpe. Of course, close observation would reveal the deviations in the camouflage, such as the edges not perfectly meshing with the actual background. Nonetheless, while it is an imperfect system, it does make the Stahlkörpe harder to spot and target by the naked eye, especially in a heated combat situation. It also gives the Stahlkörpe quite an edge in its secondary role as a police unit (for designation purposes, military units are painted black whilst police units are painted off-white). Though it provides protection from small arms fire, heavier munitions can blast the alumina laminate and the OLED array off the Stahlkörpe’s armor, so they often need to be replaced after a heated combat engagement. A low-power electrostatic field generator prevents dust particles and other such environmental elemtents from sticking to the alumina laminate, helping keep the active camouflage effective for longer periods of time.

Visual Gallery:

1. Prototype unit's tracing system being tested (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0001.jpg)

2. Prototype unit's tracing system again (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0002.jpg)

3. Prototype unit's active camouflage in operation (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0003.jpg)

4. Firing the rifle. The active camouflage is not perfect, but remains an asset (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0004.jpg)

5. Preparing to deactive active camouflage system (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0005.jpg)

6. Prototype inserting a new magazine into its rifle (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0006.jpg)

7. Ready to fire. Note the visable fire selector (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0007.jpg)

8. Firing one-handed. This provides a better firing arc without moving the main body, although some accuracy is compromised (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0008.jpg)

9. Mugshot (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0009.jpg)

10. Most small-arms fire is utterly ineffective (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0010.jpg)

11. More ineffectivity (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0011.jpg)

12. "Why hello there!" Prototype standing at full height (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0012.jpg)

13. Taking a bead on someone (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0013.jpg)

14. Preparing to fire grenade launcher (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0014.jpg)

15A. Bang! Grenade has been fired (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-gl0.jpg)

15B. The grenade firing... (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-gl1.jpg)

15C. ...produces quite an impressive muzzle blast... (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-gl2.jpg)

15D. ...and leaves a thick smoke trail (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-gl3.jpg)

16A. Apprehending a miscreant (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0015.jpg)

16B. Miscreant apprehended! (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0016.jpg)

17. Stomping a miscreant. "Police brutality!" (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0017.jpg)

18A. Another mugshot. The prototype is about to be hit... (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0018.jpg)

18B. ...by a high-velocity antitank round (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0019.jpg)

19A. You weren't thinking of attacking it from behind, right? (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-back.jpg)

19B. Closeup of one of the camera arrays. The units feature them on the back, thighs, knees, shoulders, head, and wrists (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-eyes.jpg)

19C. Aforementioned thigh camera arrays (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-thigh-eyes.jpg)

20. Nevertheless, the prototype shrugs off the antitank attack! (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0020.jpg)

21. Production model Stahlkörpes being dropped by heavy lift helicopters (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0021.jpg)

22. A Stahlkörpe squad landing on a rooftop helicopter pad (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0022.jpg)

23. Two units advancing under cover of smoke screen (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0023.jpg)

24. Side profile of the same units (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0024.jpg)

25. Taking a position (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0025.jpg)

26. Stahlkörpes under fire. Their active camouflage makes them harder to target with precision weapons (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0026.jpg)

27. Stahlkörpes shielding themselves with their heavily armored slave arms (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0027.jpg)

28. Two units slogging through heavy fire (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0028.jpg)

29. Stahlkörpes returning fire with their assault rifles (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0029.jpg)

30. Checking out a door (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0030.jpg)

31. Two Stahlkörpes shielding their unit commander from an explosive device (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0031.jpg)

32. Examining a corpse (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0032.jpg)

33. Stahlkörpe guarding a stairway (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0033.jpg)

34. Firing from the shoulder (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0034.jpg)

35. Marching into a private residence (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0035.jpg)

36. Letting someone have it (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0036.jpg)

37. Searching for a target (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0037.jpg)

38. A hand grenade is thrown at a Stahlkörpe with limited effect (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0038.jpg)

39. The Stahlkörpe returns with its own artillery (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0039.jpg)

40. Investigating its handiwork. The brackets on the top of the unit's shoulders allow cables to be attached for recovery work or to be dropped from helicopters (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0040.jpg)

41. Operator preparing to egress (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0041.jpg)

42. Torso hatch open. The shock absorption material contracts into the inner walls of the Stahlkörpe's body, allowing the operator to exit. The large belts secure the hatch to the rest of the body and also winch it back into place (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0042.jpg)

43. Operator egressed. The operator wears a tight-fitting suit with some additional padding over areas most likely to recieve maximum impact. This is not necessary, but does slightly improve reaction time and provides an extra modicum of protection (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0043.jpg)

44. View through a Stahlkörpe's holigraphic display. This particular display is currently in nightvision mode, and in addition to the targeting recitule has also called up additional information on the target and surrounding area (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0044.jpg)

45. Stahlkörpe running as viewed from the trees. The Stahlkörpe's unique leg articulation can be seen here in full effect (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0045.jpg)

46. Inside the Stahlkörpe. The small purple screens on either side of the operator's head allow viewing to other angles when the holographic display is not enabled. Microphones around the operator's jaw enable the operator to utilize external speakers for voice communication to other people, as well as for use by onboard radio and satellite uplinks (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0046.jpg)

47. Another holographic targeting view, this time of a detained miscreant. Various information is displayed next to the targeting reticule, as well as suggested areas to fire (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0047.jpg)

48. Closeup of the assault rifle's dual trigger arrangement. The upper trigger controls the rifle itself while the lower trigger controls the grenade launcher. The rifle's pistol grip allows for the grenade launcher to be fired by the Stahlkörpe's middle finger while still achieving grip on the rifle trigger (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0048.jpg)

49. A Stahlkörpe knocked over but not disabled. A Stahlkörpe can right itself from a supine position utilizing its slave arms, but is also still fully capable of firing from such a position (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0049.jpg)

50. Another holographic view (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0050.jpg)

51. Stahlkörpe viewed from behind. The battery removal/recharge vents and rear-view camera array can be seen, as well as the master and slave arms acting in conjunction with each other (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0051.jpg)

52. Operating the grenade launcher's pump. One of the wrist camera arrays can be seen (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0052.jpg)

53. A Stahlkörpe leaps out from behind cover to unleash a grenade on the enemy (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0053.jpg)

54. A caseless grenade on its way to the target (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0054.jpg)

55. Another rear view; this time, a Stahlkörpe is reloading its assault rifle with a fresh magazine (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0055.jpg)

56. Stahlkörpe laying down suppression fire while on the move. This displays a good view of the oddly shaped feet as well as showing a destroyed target in the background (http://malikcarr.250free.com/assaultsuit/MSDF303-0056.jpg)

The final combat test of the prototype was conducted three months ago with extremely pleasing results. Twenty hardened criminals, all serving life sentences in various high-security penal facilities, were offered a complete pardon if they agreed to take part in the final combat test. Naturally, all agreed. The test was conducted at a closed firing range which had not been utilized since production of the A1 Admiral tank series had ceased. The convicts were allowed to utilize as any weapons as they liked from an arsenal consisting of small (.223 caliber) and large (.308 caliber) assault rifles, .30 and .50 caliber machineguns and antitank/antimaterial rifles, as well as various infrared and wire-guided rocket launchers. They were also alotted two hours to fortify a test range designed to represent several blocks of war-torn city. Upon completion of this, the prototype Stahlkörpe was sent in to "clean" the area. O-2 Grant Lucius voluneered to operate the Stahlkörpe with much enthusiasm. The Stahlkörpe was equipped with the then-standard Mod.A rifle.

Due to its active camouflage, the Stahlkörpe was able to close within 500 meters of the target range's city representation. At 424 meter mark the Stahlkörpe triggered an improvised explosive device consisting of multiple RPG-7 warheads with a jerry-rigged detonator. The IED did little damage to the Stahlkörpe itself but the explosion did alert the convicts to the Stahlkörpe's presence. A fullisade of missiles and rocket-propelled grenades were immediately levelled at the Stahlkörpe's position. The active camouflage had not been knocked out by the IED's detonation, but the settling blast from it gave a fairly decent idea of the Stahlkörpe's general location. 92% of the artillery barrage missed the Stahlkörpe either due to the lack of targeting accuracy or quick footwork on the part of O-2 Lucius; exact numbers will likely never be known. A single missile from an FIM-92 "Stinger" antiaircraft system composed the 8% of successful hits, and was attributed to the system's infrared tracking ability. The Stahlkörpe's armor was able to absorb most of the kinetic impact damage as well as the detonation of the HE warhead, but it did render the Stahlkörpe visable by knocking out a sizeable portion of the OLED array utilized to maintain the active camouflage. O-2 Lucius decided that the active camouflage would, at this point, be moot to continue discharging battery power on the camouflage and deactivated it. Promptly, the Stahlkörpe was struck by a battery of small arms fire. O-2 Lucius responded by delivering three grenades into the two outermost buildings, silencing most of the fire coming from within. The remaining small arms fire quickly petered off as the test subjects fell back to other locations. O-2 Luicus proceeded into the test range, detonating another IED but with similar results to the first. Upon entering the firing range's urban fascimilie, he came under small arms fire from Test Subjects #4, 16, and 19, as well as another rocket attack from #9. TS #4, 16, and 19 were positioned on the balcony of a four-story building, while #9 attacked from a curbside storm drain; we assume he used the sewer tunnels behind him as a backwash vent for his RPG-7. #9's attack was defeated as the RPG became ineffective by the reactive/eletric armoring subsystem. O-2 Lucius performed a 180-degree in-place turn and saturated the balcony with his assault rifle, killing or incapcitating TS #4, 16, and 19. Satisfied with his work, he then proceeded to fire another grenade into the storm drain used by TS #9; later inspection revealed that the explosion of the grenade itself also triggered a small stockpile of additional rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) that #9 had gathered inside the storm drain. The explosive force was great enough to heave the .5 ton manhole cover 30 meters into the air. From this point, O-2 Lucius made a perimeter around the fascimilie city's five blocks. A single shot from a 12.7mm AT rifle struck him in the back with minimal effect; O-2 Lucius returned fire with his assault rifle, but could not confirm a kill. Concluding the perimeter of the fascimilie, O-2 Lucius proceeded into the central hub of the fascimilie. One block from the "town square" as we've named it TS #1, 2, 5 and 8 began bombarding the Stahlkörpe with numerous incendiary hand grenades from the second and third floor windows of buildings on both sides of the road. O-2 Lucius quickly switched off the Stahlkörpe's external cameras as the heat from the thermate mixture's combustion. Forced to rely on visual targeting alone, O-2 Lucius unloaded his entire magazine into the surrounding walls of the buildings. In addition to structurally weakening the buildings themselves, he hoped it would also cause the test subjects to evacuate the buildings where they would be easier pickings. This, however, was not the case. Reloading his assault rifle with a fresh magazine, O-2 Lucius proceeded to ram the Stahlkörpe through the doorway of the building to his right as the incendiary attack ran out of fuel. Upon entering the building he came under fire again by small arms from holes in the ceiling of the first floor. O-2 Lucius returned fire, again expending his magazine despite the fact that the return fire had ceased almost as soon as it began. When his magazine became depleted TS #1 and 8 opened fire from the first floor doorway of the opposite building. O-2 Lucius delt with the remaining two test subjects with his last grenade. The grenade missed TS #8 but struck the edge of the doorframe, and the indirect blast was enough to neutralize both test subjects. At this point, O-2 Lucius radioed to our command center that Test Subjects #1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, and 19 had been neutralized, and that he would proceed to neutralize the remaining subjects, or confirm that the earlier grenade attack had delt with them accordingly. As it turns out, TS #7, 14, 15, 18, and 20 had survived the grenade fullisade that the Stahlkörpe had sent towards the outlying structures while #6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, and 20 had been taken out. As we would later find out, #3 had fired the AT rifle at O-2 Lucius' back earlier. O-2 Lucius' return fire wounded #3, but was not completely neutralized him. However, he succumbed to his injuries before our assessment team arrived roughly half an hour after the test was completed.

TS #7, 14, 15, 18, and 20 had holed up in a facade grocery store. Apparently they intended to take cover in the large coolers in the back of the store; the thick walls of the coolers would provide a modicum of protection from ballistic fire, and also shield the test subjects from infrared detection. However, there were two flaws to this plan. 1). The higher ceilings of the grocery store would enable the Stahlkörpe to stand at its full height and move at its maximum speed, and 2). they had not yet successfully made it from the front of the store to the coolers in the back when O-2 Lucius slammed through the front doors. A burst of rifle fire immediately dispatched #7 and 18 as they had not yet rounded an aisle corner to retreat from view. O-2 Lucius broke into a flat run, clearing the edge of the aisle a moment later. #15 and 20 immediately opened fire on him with automatic fire as they took cover behind an aisle. O-2 Lucius let off another round of suppression fire, taking out #15 outright and forcing 20 to flee down the aisle. Utilizing his sonic tracking system, O-2 Lucius plastered the aisle with his assault rifle, neutralizing #20 as he ran; obviously, the aisle offered little ballistic protection. While this was occurring, the last remaining subject, #14, rolled a concussion grenade out from his position. The grenade detonated at the Stahlkörpe's feet, incapacitating O-2 Lucius for several seconds as his monitors blocked out the blast and began returning to normal configuration. #14 then fired an M72 LAW from close range (roughly 15 meters), impacting the Stahlkörpe from behind just above its left knee joint. Again, the electric charge successfully rendered the rocket harmless, but the force of impact was enough to push the Stahlkörpe off balance. O-2 Lucius quickly recovered and shot at #14, who was preparing a second M72. However, O-2 Lucius had not adhered to one of the first rules of being a soldier in that one should mind one's ammunition, and there were only two rounds in his magazine when he opened fire. The second round clipped #14's leg, effectively immobilizing him. O-2 Lucius discarded his assault rifle and closed with the remaining test subject. #14, though rather badly injured, drew a 5.7mm sidearm and began firing at the Stahlkörpe with predictably zero effect. O-2 Lucius neutralized the remaining subject by pulverizing his cranium into the concrete floor with one of the Stahlkörpe's slave arm's fists. The entire exercise was completed in exactly sixty-two minutes and twenty-nine seconds, ending with the neutralization of all twenty test subjects. The prototype Stahlkörpe recieved three confirmed hits by rocket and missile weapons, seven from antitank/antimaterial large caliber rounds, and over two hundred and forty six from normal small arms fire. Though its armor was noticeably pitted and dented in various locations and sported dozens upon dozens of scuffs from shrapnel and smaller-caliber bullets, as well as its OLED camouflage becoming almost completely disabled, the Stahlkörpe was still in fully operable condition and, even more important, O-2 Lucius was unharmed and reported that, over the course of the engagement, he had not "even broke a sweat" thanks to the climate controlled interior.

We have made two improvements thanks to this final field test: Firstly, the ammunition capacity has been greatly increased to a total of ten magazines, or 500 rounds (300 rounds of 20mm for the Mod.B rifle). Ammunition capacity has been upgraded from three magazines to five per ammunition bay, and the grenade launcher magazines were moved from the right hip to a second bay under and behind the left armpit (for referencing purposes, that would be the master arm), allowing that bay to also be utilized for rifle magazines, thus achieving the total of ten. Secondly, we had originally thought that, as always, the soldier would be trusted to keep count of his weapon's ammunition. However, in the past, while we would normally be content to just assume this, history has taught us otherwise. Additionally, what with displaying virtually all other forms of information via holographic display, why shouldn't such a vital piece of information recieve its own digital readout? Consequently, a digital shot counter was added to the display, tracking, how much ammunition remains in the magazine, as well as how many magazines remain. The grenade launcher was also given this treatment.

The prototype and early production models had an off-white paint scheme with yellow trim over the battery housings. While this looked quite nice for display purposes to command personnell, it was just a little too obvious on the battlefield. Therefore, the final production type which has been adopted by the Brettonian Army has a jet black scheme but retains the yellow trim.

Project KOTUS Final Programme Cost: J$4,100,000,000 (four-point-one billion jions)
AS-004J Stahlkörpe Unit Production Cost: J$2,200,000 (two-point-two million jions)
AS-004J Stahlkörpe Unit Maintenence Cost, Annual: J$40,000 (forty thousand jions)
AS-004J Stahlkörpe Unit Export Price, Total: J$2,500,000 (two-point-five million jions)

As with all of the Technology of Peace™, we are fully open to export to any interested parties. Weapons demonstrations will be offered to potential buyers at agreed-upon locations. Please contact us with any inquiries.

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This stretches PMT to its illogical limit, especially at the price you've listed. And active camoflage like that you have mentioned, in addition to having been repeatedly destroyed by logical debate anytime the subject is brought up, quite easily places this into good, solid FT. Especially when you look at the pictures of the camo system in use.

As I mentioned above, your price is rediculous. If we add in the cost of it being a mechit would cost at least, and I'm being unrealisticly low here, twice as much as you're charging per unit.

Take into consideration that the listed prices are in my national currency, as designated by the "J$" symbol. Currently, my exchange rate is listed at J$1 = $1.45 USD. Feel free to look it up here (http://nstracker.retrogade.com/).

So, with that in mind, the actual unit cost would be around 3.2 million in USD. Please read more carefully next time.

Additionally, I'm not sure if I've stated this often enough, but I believe the concept of active camouflage utilized to create true optical stealth is a pipe dream at best. Perhaps other people have insisted that such technology is possible, but as far as my units are concerned, their active camouflage serves only to make them more difficult to target by the unaided eye, especially at range.

I must admit to confuzzlement. Is this per suit or unit?


(OOC: You know, your pictures remind me alot of Appleseed.)

This stretches PMT to its illogical limit, especially at the price you've listed.


How so?


And active camoflage like that you have mentioned, in addition to having been repeatedly destroyed by logical debate anytime the subject is brought up, quite easily places this into good, solid FT. Especially when you look at the pictures of the camo system in use.


Go read up on OLEDs on Wikipedia. OLED Camo is actually very easy to do and is hardly FT-- it could even be done in MT, though it would be more expensive.


As I mentioned above, your price is rediculous. If we add in the cost of it being a mechit would cost at least, and I'm being unrealisticly low here, twice as much as you're charging per unit.

Better production techniques in PMT = lower production costs. Also please note that Bretton listed the price in his own currency, which is worth more than a US dollar. It works out to about 3.2 million a suit overall.


Axis Nova will take 250 to form a test unit.

OOC:

Templa - The listed unit price is for each assault suit. You weren't under the impression that "unit" indicated a squad or group of them, were you?

Additionally, your look at Appleseed is semi-correct. Unlike my A7V Peacemaker (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9649096) super heavyweight multi-legged battle tank, which is from the new Appleseed movie, this assault suit is from the new Ghost in the Shell series. Similarities obviously exist between that assualt suit and the Guges Landmate from Appleseed, namely because both Ghost in the Shell and Appleseed are brainchildren of Masamune Shirow (a true genius in anime if there ever was one). While the assault suits look similar to the Landmates, they are of a much lower technological construction due to Ghost in the Shell's chronology. For instance, they can neither fly nor are capable of being ferried around by Osprey-like aircraft. On the positive side, the assault suits are designed to abrosb much more offensive firepower than the highly-mobile but fragile by comparison Landmates. Hope this clears that up.

IC:

Brettonian Military Industries will always be pleased to do business with a fellow C.I.N. member. The total for this transaction will be J$550,000,000 (five hundred and fifty million jions). As a bonus for such an esteemed trade parter, we will also include a full ammunition loadout of 500 rounds of 14.5x115mm ammunition and twenty 75mm HE grenades per unit. Aditionally, please specify whether you'd prefer the early production colors or final military production colors when you wire payment. Thanks again for your interest in The Technology of Peace(tm).

FEARLESS LEADER IS TRUTH!!
- Brettonian Military Industries
The Technology of Peace(tm)

OOC: Excellent machine, and nice pics from 'AppleSeed'. I liked it a lot, and its nice to see a player make use of the PMT technology used in the movie. I congradulate you.

Greetings,
The Rolatian military, despite iits budget beiing extremely low at current, are highly interested in this suit for its absolute best soldiers. We are so interested we are putting in an order for 100 of the suits. We have wired US$366,025,000 to your account to pay for the suits. We thank you for your co-operation, and are highly interested in seeing how the first highly modern offensive technology in our military performs
Dr J Edwards
Prime Minister of Rolatia

OK, let's look at this.
1) With this unit, the difference between 2.2 million USD and 3.3 million USD doesn't really metter. If I were trying to make this a realistic PMT unit (even without active camo), and especially if I were trying to turn any sort of a profit, a suit or armor such as this (with all the specs he has given) it would have a minimum cost for each individual suit of 7 million USD. If someone wanted to have a basic active camo system on his suits, I would charge 9 million (the pictures provided are of an unrealisticly effective system without FT).

2) Now we have the armor systems. First, the user's arms are hardly armored at all. That's not a realism problem until we look at what the suit is supposed to do (in addition to all the opther problems with what its armor can do). I would like to commend Bretton for not claiming that the OLED system can survive attacks- and this should be reinforced: any strike to the display surface on the exterior of the unit will result in a decrease in performance. This includes shrapnel, dust, tree limbs, and battlefield debris. But to stay on topic, let's discuss the claimed armor capabilities.
In the first 'action' paragraph this unit survived an artillary barrage, two missile hits (one admittably from an AA missile), and small arms fire. I am ignoring the small-arms fire, since 12.7mm would hardly classify as AT and I'm willing to concede ithe armor's ability to stop that. So first we have the artillary, which was supposedly dodged, which I find highly unlikely. This unit would admittably be faster in a striat line than an infantryman due to its longer legs, but it is certinaly less able to dodge artillary, unless of course we're talking about FT powered armor. Then we have the AA missile. Now a large threat, as aircraft are pretty fragile, but it is still suprising that there was no damage apart from that to the OLED system. particularily since the data mentions KE, so it was't a proximity-fused warhead, which would have increased the beleiveability of the claim. We also hear of a hit by a RPG-7, which will be handled alongside the LAW in a moment.
The next paragraph contains more small arms fire, a grenade, and a LAW. Well, a grenade is an anti-infantry weapon, and I can see how its shrapnel would fail to peirce armor. But I would have expected it to throw the unit off balance and do something moderately more impressive than blind it for a split second. The LAW is really my biggest problem with the armor claims (the artillary being the second). Apparantly, the M72 is capable of penetrating a foot of armor (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m72.htm). Now I find it strange that an anti-tank rocket capable of penetrating a foot of armor was only able to knock this mech off balance.

3. The Logisitics and Operation section presented its own unige set of difficulties. My main complaints are its supposed ability to operate underwater and its battery life. I have no problem with it being able to ford deep water, or being waterproof against inclement weather. But total operation underwater (and especially if you even attempt to claim it can swim) is being silly. Also, from a purely personal standpoint, I wouldn't claim more than a twenty-four hour battery life at maximum operation, and not more than a week at standard. But that's just fairness and RP standards kicking in.

At its current state, I would place this heavy powered armor/mech at around 2100 tech, minium. But you could majorly tone down the active camo system, and make it very vulnerable to AT rockets, and it could pass as late 2030s to mid 2040s. I would treat those pictures (at the very least the ones of the active camo system) as doctored PR shots, and the test scenario as faked, or at least having not used real AT missiles. If you combine that with a more realistic price you've got yourself a fine peice of PMT machinery. One that I wouldn't mind having in my FT army. ;)

(OOC: Wonderful recruitment poster. "We kill for peace" lol, ain't that the truth? :D )

Ghost in a shell, It is a pretty good machian but I dont like the design. It leaves the pilots real arms exposed.

well class, can anyone tell me how you know when sombody has too much free time?

Greetings,
The Rolatian military, despite iits budget beiing extremely low at current, are highly interested in this suit for its absolute best soldiers. We are so interested we are putting in an order for 100 of the suits. We have wired US$366,025,000 to your account to pay for the suits. We thank you for your co-operation, and are highly interested in seeing how the first highly modern offensive technology in our military performs
Dr J Edwards
Prime Minister of Rolatia

Brettonian Militatry Industries is always pleased to do business with parties interested in the dessimination of The Technology of Peace(tm). As with our earlier orders, we will be including a full ammunition loadout at no charge to you as an "early bird special" for discerning customers. That being said, as your payment has been recieved, the units will be shipped out via heavy lift transport within 48 hours. Thanks for your interest in The Technology of Peace(tm), and we look forward to hearing favorable results.

FEARLESS LEADER IS TRUTH!!
- Brettonian Military Industries
The Technology of Peace(tm)

OK, let's look at this.
1) With this unit, the difference between 2.2 million USD and 3.3 million USD doesn't really metter. If I were trying to make this a realistic PMT unit (even without active camo), and especially if I were trying to turn any sort of a profit, a suit or armor such as this (with all the specs he has given) it would have a minimum cost for each individual suit of 7 million USD. If someone wanted to have a basic active camo system on his suits, I would charge 9 million (the pictures provided are of an unrealisticly effective system without FT).

2) Now we have the armor systems. First, the user's arms are hardly armored at all. That's not a realism problem until we look at what the suit is supposed to do (in addition to all the opther problems with what its armor can do). I would like to commend Bretton for not claiming that the OLED system can survive attacks- and this should be reinforced: any strike to the display surface on the exterior of the unit will result in a decrease in performance. This includes shrapnel, dust, tree limbs, and battlefield debris. But to stay on topic, let's discuss the claimed armor capabilities.
In the first 'action' paragraph this unit survived an artillary barrage, two missile hits (one admittably from an AA missile), and small arms fire. I am ignoring the small-arms fire, since 12.7mm would hardly classify as AT and I'm willing to concede ithe armor's ability to stop that. So first we have the artillary, which was supposedly dodged, which I find highly unlikely. This unit would admittably be faster in a striat line than an infantryman due to its longer legs, but it is certinaly less able to dodge artillary, unless of course we're talking about FT powered armor. Then we have the AA missile. Now a large threat, as aircraft are pretty fragile, but it is still suprising that there was no damage apart from that to the OLED system. particularily since the data mentions KE, so it was't a proximity-fused warhead, which would have increased the beleiveability of the claim. We also hear of a hit by a RPG-7, which will be handled alongside the LAW in a moment.
The next paragraph contains more small arms fire, a grenade, and a LAW. Well, a grenade is an anti-infantry weapon, and I can see how its shrapnel would fail to peirce armor. But I would have expected it to throw the unit off balance and do something moderately more impressive than blind it for a split second. The LAW is really my biggest problem with the armor claims (the artillary being the second). Apparantly, the M72 is capable of penetrating a foot of armor (http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m72.htm). Now I find it strange that an anti-tank rocket capable of penetrating a foot of armor was only able to knock this mech off balance.

3. The Logisitics and Operation section presented its own unige set of difficulties. My main complaints are its supposed ability to operate underwater and its battery life. I have no problem with it being able to ford deep water, or being waterproof against inclement weather. But total operation underwater (and especially if you even attempt to claim it can swim) is being silly. Also, from a purely personal standpoint, I wouldn't claim more than a twenty-four hour battery life at maximum operation, and not more than a week at standard. But that's just fairness and RP standards kicking in.

At its current state, I would place this heavy powered armor/mech at around 2100 tech, minium. But you could majorly tone down the active camo system, and make it very vulnerable to AT rockets, and it could pass as late 2030s to mid 2040s. I would treat those pictures (at the very least the ones of the active camo system) as doctored PR shots, and the test scenario as faked, or at least having not used real AT missiles. If you combine that with a more realistic price you've got yourself a fine peice of PMT machinery. One that I wouldn't mind having in my FT army. ;)

On the issue of active camouflage:

OLED arrays are, at present time, marginally more costly than solid LCD arrays. Seeing as many entertainment system producers have hailed OLED arrays as the screens of the future, I'd like to imagine that by 2030-2045, which is, from my best experience, a settled timeframe for much PM technology, OLED arrays will be relatively inexpensive. Again, I'm not sure how many times I'll have to state this, but my active camouflage utilising OLED arrays never has been and never will be a stab at optical stealth, but rather simply provides a somewhat-believable image of the surroundings. At distance, it would make the assault suit harder to spot by the unaided eye. Closer in, the obvious distortions of the spectrum are clearly visible, but only the outline of the assault suit can be made out. Consequently, it makes directly targeting weak points, such as the visor, or the joints of the master arms, much more difficult. I'd also like to thank you for taking time to fully read the active camouflage's discription where I point out its inefficiency and inability to survive heavy attacks. Just to be clear, I have stated that the OLED emitters are protected by several inches of transparent alumina, which boosts their combat lifespan, although it also further distorts the image displayed, which is one of the reasons why the active camouflage loses efficiency. Axis Nova has suggested utilising a low-power electrostatic field generator to make dust fall off, which would be one of the main things to worry about in the field. Conversely, I think I'll follow his suggestion.

On the issue of armor:

The Stahlkörpe's primary goal is to consolidate an infantry squad worth of firepower into a single heavily armored unit, thereby reducing the number of personnell you need to have in the field at any given time, as well as reducing the number of casualties by providing the soldier with a repugnant degree of protection.

Firstly, the power-assisted master arms still provide the user with nearly two inches of composite titanium/ceramic steel between him and the outside world (this is an average; armor on the fingers is slightly thinner, while the armor around the vambraces, coutets, and shoulders is much thicker). This is more than sufficient to stop small arms fire, and any discerning soldier expecting to go up against hypervelocity antitank rounds would be wise to keep the master and slave arms imposed on each other, as they have done in some of the above visual gallery. This allows the much more heavily armored slave arms to absorb kinetic-kill attacks levied against it. Additionally, the master arms are also protected by the reactive/electric armoring subsystem, which brings us to our next point...

I discussed the electric/reactive armor subsystem in great detail, but it seems to keep getting skipped over, so I'll restate. Virtually every HEAT round, which is utilized in most antitank rockets and grenades, including the LAW, RPG-7 and -8, and Javelin, defeats armor by shooting a jet of copper into the tank, which, as you stated, can penetrate up to a foot of homogenous steel.

Reactive/electric armor tested on an M113 APC (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/08/19/boffins_invent_grenade_vaporising_electric/)

Effectively, when the jet of copper reaches the inner armor plate, the capacitor discharges, completing a circuit and vaporizing the copper jet. This leaves a small chunk of the outer armor removed, as well as some minor impact damage from the warhead itself. Otherwise, the HEAT shell is rendered almost useless. Of course, this subsystem is useless against HEAP and kinetic-kill rounds, such as the M1 Abrams' APFSDS main gun, but then again, a discerning commander won't send Stahlkörpes against MBTs in the first place, because the MBT will win.

Oh, and as to your discontentment to the grenade, perhaps you were not aware of this, but a concussion grenade is the proper military term for "flashbang." E.g. it simply makes a very loud noise and emits a bright light, intending to temporarily disable enemy combatants.

As to cost, what cost millions in the 80's costs thousands today. Conversely, what costs millions today will cost less in twenty or thirty years, which is how I've come to this basis. As to your comments about making profit, my nation is not concerned with reaping huge profits from its arms trade. The worldwide dissemination of The Technology of Peace(tm), and thus the cessation of war, is our ultimate goal, so we can afford to sell at prices that cover expense and make a small profit on the side.

To operation:

I never claimed it can swim. Simply, it can walk underwater. Obviously, it will move at a reduced speed, and crushing deep water pressure would defeat it if you got low enough. The idea is that you can drop off a number of these from a large helicopter offshore (from a major continental body; obviously this couldn't be utilized to invade island nations such as Hawaii due to the depth of the ocean off the coast) and have them slog ashore. Take a moment to allow the water to evaporate, activate the camouflage, and begin operations.

Battery life has dramatically increased in the last ten years. Who's not to say that in another thirty it won't increase at the same pace, or even faster than that? I believe that some of the argument has been weighed down by the proximity of MT and PMT to each other. I'd -never- argue such a weapons platform would be possible today.

I hope this clears up any misconceptions that may exist.

Admiral Thrawn II: It's from Ghost in the Shell, dammit! x_x

Crossman: I'm glad you approve. It's a pretty neat motto, isn't it?

Raven corps: I explained this in my above post.

Eastern Serbia: ...what the hell is that supposed to mean? -_O

((It looks like the battlesuit that this one guy wears in Ghost in the Shell, the TV series.))

Because it's from Ghost in the Shell... He's stated that many times...

Because it's from Ghost in the Shell... He's stated that many times...

((So it fits into PMT then.))

SkyCapt: You are my hero! If you're up for it I'd love to send you a unit for being apparently the first to realise this fact. x_x

That has the sigil of Anatoray! Do you happen to know what Last Exile is?

Of course. What, you think I actually don't steal everything I see from anime or something? ^_^ It's been my national flag for years.

Yes, thank you. That clears things up a lot. I would appreciate it if you would remove those misleading pictures of the active camo system. They make it out to be more effective than it apparantly really is.

I also realize that you never claimed it to be able to swim- I was just pre-empting any morons who thought otherwise. I had never heard ot elctro-reactive armor before- I was under the impression it was being pulled out of your ass, or even out of a TV show's ass. Sorry about that.
Though perhaps less of a direct reliance on the action as seen in a TV show and more a focus on direct realism would improve the unit.

Hopefully you understand what I mean. I have no intention to offend you.

SkyCapt: You are my hero! If you're up for it I'd love to send you a unit for being apparently the first to realise this fact. x_x
Uh, ok. We'll take it, maybe our soon-to-come clone armies can use these...

Yes, thank you. That clears things up a lot. I would appreciate it if you would remove those misleading pictures of the active camo system. They make it out to be more effective than it apparantly really is.

I also realize that you never claimed it to be able to swim- I was just pre-empting any morons who thought otherwise. I had never heard ot elctro-reactive armor before- I was under the impression it was being pulled out of your ass, or even out of a TV show's ass. Sorry about that.
Though perhaps less of a direct reliance on the action as seen in a TV show and more a focus on direct realism would improve the unit.

Hopefully you understand what I mean. I have no intention to offend you.

Glad we could come to terms with this. Yes, Ghost in the Shell's "thermoptic camouflage" is a step above anything I could argue for PMT simply because it's never really explained how well it works. I keep the images around as supplementary visual aid; I was hoping that people would rely on the text for the majority of the unit's description. After all, the images are simply used to give you a visualization of the unit in action, and one should still use the text for any hard scrutiny.

As to electric/reactive armor, I really can't blame you for not knowing about it. It is a relatively new technology that I do hope sees more dissemination in the future.

So, now that we've cleared our differences... care to pick up any? ^_^

Of course. What, you think I actually don't steal everything I see from anime or something? ^_^ It's been my national flag for years.
You know what Last Exile is...that makes you my HERO!
:fluffle:
2nd fluffle EVAR! :D
You are :cool: in my book.

TO: Maker of AS-004H
FROM: Armed Forces of The Holy Empire of Asgarnieu
SUBJECT: Purchase


Dear Sir,


The Mobile Battle Infantry of The Holy Empire of Asgarnieu would like to purchase 150 AS-004H "Stahlkörpe" Assault Suits. We are unsure of the price, but we will pay whatever it takes. Thank You.

Also, we do not require any ammunition for the suit, as we have similar rounds of the same calibers. Thanks Again.


Respectfully,

General Gregory B. Kimber
Commander of The Mobile Battle Infantry of The Holy Empire of Asgarnieu

Brettonian Military Industries would be happy to fill your contract.

150 AS-004H Stahlkörpe units will come to a total of J$330,000,000, or $478,500,000 in USD if you prefer. The units are being boxed up as we speak and will be shipped out to your defense ministry upon reciept of payment.

Seeing as you would prefer not to take advantage of a full ammunition loadout, we will also include two additional Stahlkörpes free of charge.

Brettonian Military Industries appreciates your business and your interest in The Technology of Peace(tm). We look forward to hearing your personal experiences with The Technology of Peace(tm) in the field.

FEARLESS LEADER IS TRUTH!!
- Brettonian Military Industries
The Technology of Peace(tm)

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SORRY! *bows over and over* Made the mistake before I saw the previous post. But it does look a lot like Apple Seed. Just sayin...

Of course it does, Shirow did both Ghost in the Shell and Appleseed, and he's obviously quite fond of the concept.

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bump again

OOC:

Those Images are from "Ghost in the Shell", and were involved in an Episode as such when I watched it on Adult Swim. Love to have it, I'll think about it.

OOC: Glad to have another interested party. Refer back here once you've made a decision.

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How well would anti armor Gauss cannons work against these things, both infantry and MBT mounted? Know thy enemy. :D

Uhhh... well, that all depends on how much muzzle velocity you're pulling.

The Stahlkörpe was designed to be able to survive virtually any man-portable weapon, including those of the kinetic kill and shaped charge variety. Normal antimaterial rifles, even those in the 20-30mm hypersonic range, pose little threat to its armor. But, for an electromagnetic gun... who knows.

Anyway. I wouldn't expect them to survive a direct hit from any tank gun, especially a railgun, so that's your answer on the tank front.

Remeber, the Stahlkörpe is not built to take on tanks.

Oh, and as to your discontentment to the grenade, perhaps you were not aware of this, but a concussion grenade is the proper military term for "flashbang." E.g. it simply makes a very loud noise and emits a bright light, intending to temporarily disable enemy combatants.

I hate to be a picky bugger but Concussion grenades and flash bangs are 2 very different beasts. A concussion grenade is basically a grenade that consits almsot entirely of explosive with a very thin container which is designed to kill by means of the explosive effect. In the open a conc grenade has a much smaller leathal radius than a frag but in an enclosed space it is much more leathal, a stunning capability is possesed but its a secoandary capability.

Is that so?

In that case, what is the proper term for a flashbang?

Definitely Future Tech.

Camoflage Adaptability is not Invisibility

The camoflage system cannot be made to realistically get rid of problems of depth perception. In other words, what is it showing a picture of, and from which angle?

If it is making a picture of what is 180º behind it, it will look wrong to someone at 30º angle off. Even 5º angle off you will notice a shift.

It would like exactly like a glowing television screen molded over a mobile mecha suit. It will not be transparent.

While there are plans to have adaptive coating for aircraft or armoured fighting vehicles, they are to give general planes of color -- blue sky from blue sky, white clouds passing clouds.

There are also issues of light sources and shadows falling on the suit itself which are in addition to whatever it itself is projecting. You cannot pretend that you can control all environmental light sources. This is why they are generally applied for outdoors environments where you are simply trying to adopt to one source -- the sun. And distances of detection you are trying to fool are at least dozens of meters, if not kilometers. Indoors light conditions are nearly impossible to hide at short distance observation.

While you can do some chameleon-skinning with PMT, "invisibility"-type masking is soundly FT.

It is an Armoured Suit, not Superman

Electrical Armor (http://www.copybook.com/publications/article.asp?pubID=15&catID=232&artID=451) defenses work against a certain type of armor penetration, which does not help one whit against high density penetrators, armored piercing rounds, concussion, etc.

Electric armor is not a reactive armor system. It needs to be pre-charged and needs to remain charged for it to work. It also does not prevent armor from being penetrated. In fact, it only works if the armor is penetrated. Then, it disrupts the penetrating super-heated jet. Again, it does not protect against the concussive force of explosions, nor the penetration of other armored-piercing shot. It's only to stop an RPG-7 or other similar shaped charge round.

Such defense requires that the rest of the armor could withstand being penetrated directly or staved in by blasts.

I have no doubt you could stop small arms fire. I bet you could actually prevent most damage from a grenade. But this is not a tank, and it can be penetrated. I'd give a 12.7mm MG a fair shot against it. Especially if it could hit the face plate or joints.

You speak about reactive armor, but none of the picture show the typical bulk necessary for common reactive armor systems, plus they do not show any blasts, fragments (heavy reactive) or chaff (light reactive) that are commonly associated with reactive armor systems.

Weight and Bulk

You have a suit that weighs between 2.2 and 6.32 tons. Yet you show it walking into a private home. If it was putting all that weight on one foot while walking or even two when standing -- why is it not bursting through the floor? That gives a point load of between 1.1 and 3.16 tons even if it was stationary on two feet. On one foot, walking, it is putting all that on one or at most two floor beams.

Yes, conveniently this home seems to be made of stone, or at least the stairs are. It also conveniently had floor-to-ceiling windows to be shot out.

Otherwise, your typical family home, while being quite a target for its gunfire, would present a movement obstacle. I also wonder if it would fit through standard doors.

Also remember that if it moves faster, the more pressure it will exert on the floor below it. If it makes even a small vertical jump it can cause significantly more force to press down below it.

Are you sure it's not leaving divots in the floor? Or busting through to the floor below?

Either this system is lighter than you purport, thus less armoured. Or it is heavier than you purport, thus less maneuverable.

The suit looks like it has its human operator arms spread too far apart for most of humanity. It would require them dislocating their shoulders to fit into the arms. Most PMT suits presume that the arms are operated like "waldos" or with joysticks from within the main suit. If you are actually sticking the soldier's arms into external armoured arms, you have created a point of weakness in overall defense.

Power

Most PMT mecha use compact engines you'd find in a ground vehicle.

Definitely it needs something different than an efficient diesel or gas turbine engine. Whatever battery system is powering it (which is not shown) needs to be able to be responsive and flexible, which implies quite a system of batteries and capacitors with densities not seen before.

Have you figured the actual power consumption to move it at the speeds you indicate and how such power would be stored? Where the fuel storage is?

How about exhaust systems?

You know, they do not advise troops to get too close to Abrams tanks (http://www.g2mil.com/abramsdiesel.htm) because they give off tons of heat.

I'd like to know where your power and fuel system is hiding, and what you are doing with waste heat and other exhaust.

Is that so?

In that case, what is the proper term for a flashbang?

Since Flash bangs are generally restricted to usage by special forces or paramilitary forces, there isn't generally speaking a standard term, the inventors (the SAS) i belive reffer to them simpley as flash bangs but they are also known by other names such as thunder flash (which actually is more of a training pyrotechnic), flashs, bangers, and stun grenades. In operational use they are generally reffered to as "flashs" (based on games like Rainbow 6, and black hawk down) ie : "flash out!" or "I need a flash".

Concussion grenades are also more commonly known as "Offensive grenades"

"I'll buy 100 of 'em for $250,000,000."

President Rothbard

Lewrockwellia: Fabulous! We'll have the units prepared for shipping and sent to your defense ministry at once. May the Technology of Peace(tm) serve you as well as it has served us.

Strathdonia: There's really no proper term for them? Huh... I feel silly now. -_-

Listeneisse: How much of the profile did you actually read? I pointed out almost everything you have, with the exception of the issue of weight, in the profile itself.

Weight is, of course, an issue. A ricketey third-world house would by no means support an armored suit that weighs as much as a large truck. Hell, unless it was made of bricks and had a sound foundation, even a first-world house would be hard pressed.

However, I am not willing to compromise defensive protection against the ability to stick themselves inside shacks. The entire purpose of the Stahlkörpe is to provide an infantryman with superior protection, firepower, and mobility on the battlefield, not necessarily in special circumstances, such as door-to-door clearing operations.

As far as the placement of the master arms, I really don't see what you're talking about... they seem properly placed to me. Remember, the ball joints completely encapsulate the wearer's shoulders, which provides superior protection as well as arm rotation.

Please read the entire profile, and then refer back with any more refined questions that were not already answered.

From the Desk of The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

The Gejigradian Military would be interested in purchasing one hundred units, and would also like to know if they would accomodate a humanoid figure, and not a strictly human one. If this is not currently possible, how much would it cost to modify them?

Well, that would entirely depend upon the nature of the intended occupant. Assuming the dimensions match those of a human's without too much deviation, some resizing of the master arms, and possibly the thights, should accomodate your operators. Please contact us with further information regarding the specific dimensions you seek to accomodate, and we'll see if we can't work something out.

The figure in question would be about two meters in height, with a digitgrade foot structure and varying lengths and sizes of tails, the longest of which would be around half a meter long and a third as wide. The skull, however, has little differentiation, and is a larger model of a canine's.

I suppose we could make some modifications to the design. It will cause a marginal increase in the unit price, but we should be able to suit your needs.

Of course, it will be necessary to examine a specimin firsthand before we can begin creating the humanoid variant.

Be in touch.

Of course. The People's Republic is prepared to accept that increase in cost, provided it does not go beyond the bounds of reason. Citizen General Nathan Jackson, the Chief of Air Force Operations, is willing to submit himself to your study, along with a cervidine, Citizen Second Lieutenant Samantha Canton, Citizen Sergeant-Major Carter Young, an ursine, and Citizen Sergeant Amanda Compton, an phocidine, to evaluate possible integration of their body types into the Stahlkörpe model. They will be in one of our private government jets, a Raytheon Hawker 800XP, with the tail number VC-92.

[ Cervidine: Deer-ish family. Elk, moose, reindeer.
Ursine: Bear family.
Phocidine: Non-eared seal family (eared seals are not present in Gejigrad, as they appear only in southern waters).

There are avians, as well, but I'm not so evil as to make you put wings on these things. :P ]

I'm certain our research-and-development staff would breathe a collective sigh of relief on that note.

With that in mind, we shall commence customization and re-outfitting for the humanoid skeletal/muscle frame and structure posthaste.

A tentative estimate thus far is a 9% markup over the original figures. We shall keep your men posted of any changes in this aspect.

That is fine.

[ Would you like me to RP them coming over, or do you just want to say they're there? ]

That is fine.

[ Would you like me to RP them coming over, or do you just want to say they're there? ]

I RP wars and diplomatic affairs in great detail, but a simple exchange of technology isn't really deserving of it, I don't think.

---

Our research-and-development staff has recieved your test subjects and has begun formulating embryonic customizations based upon their dimensions and unique frames. We'll be in touch with further progress.

SkyCapt: You are my hero! If you're up for it I'd love to send you a unit for being apparently the first to realise this fact. x_x

Actually I was....

[ Erm....Since I'd like this to not taper off into nothingness, are my suits to be considered done by now?

Or...what? ]

OOC: Oh, dear, I seem to have completely forgotten about this...

---

You'll have to forgive us for the delay; growing conflicts with Union Canada have stalled our efforts. In any case, production is completed. We'll have the units shipped out posthaste.

Pleasure doing business with you. As always, we at Brettonian Military Indutries are eager to distribute The Technology of Peace™ to all interested parties. Refer your friends to us as well!

Thank you. As you will find, the money has been wired to an offshore account. We hope that this is only the beginning of a fruitful relationship.

bump; haven't seen any takers lately, maybe some new blood will come around and take a look

Stahlkörpe Unit Testing, somewhere on Allanea’s borders

“This is an emergency alert. We have border infiltration on sector 4454-A, requesting assistance. The immigrants are escorted by a group of professional ‘soldiers’, armed with battle rifles. They have Sheriff Brown and his deputy pinned down with rifle fire…”

The heavy transport helicopters closed in on their target, and already in front of them two old buses could be seen, filled with huddling ‘migrants’. There were several small jeeps and men on foot, shooting rapidly at a rock behind which Sheriff Brown seemed to be hiding, only popping out to take a shot or two with his S&W Model 29. Several of the men were already lying on the ground, but the Sheriff’s deputy was injured too, bleeding from his right hand.

Warning, warning, this is Border Patrol Unit Valkyrie. You are heavily outgunned. Cease fire now. I repeat, you are heavily outgunned.

One of the helicopter lowered itself to the ground between the Sheriff and his assailant, repeating the message. The response was only several rifle and pistol rounds, hitting hard against the wall of the craft. Then, the door nearest to the assailants opened and they screamed in horror, as Sergeant Charlie N. Bronson jumped out of it.

The reason for their horror was simple: he was wearing a brand-new Stahlkörpe suit. He laughed maniacally as their rounds just plain bounced off him and brought his 20mm automatic rifle to bear on them. Behind him, two other agents ran off to pick up the injured sheriff’s deputy and carry him towards the helicopter. He didn’t care – he could deal with it himself.

He fired several rounds, still laughing as the bodies of the ‘coyotes’ were ripped apart with casual ease by munitions meant to stop armored personnel carriers.

“Didn’t I say you guys were outgunned?”

Suddenly, he noticed that one of the men was hauling a bigger weapon out of a bus’ cargo compartment. An anti-tank launcher of some form…

Click

The selector switch of the rifle went down.

“Say goodbye, asshole.”

The bus was entirely flipped to the side as a long burst of cannon fire was heard, and a chain of explosions tore into the vehicle. Cries of anguish and pain were heard from the vehicle as the people inside begged the Allaneans for mercy. Then, a spark must have gotten to the fuel tank, and there was no more screaming.

“Boom.” – Charlie smiled. And then, he noticed he was out of ammo. Before he got to change magazines, he heard the weak, helpless tap-tap-tap of AK-47 rounds against his armor. With a single leap, he covered the distance between himself and the ‘coyote’, grabbed his arm and leg with the hand of the suit, and pulled.

“Oh boy, this is just so much fun!”

The door of the other bus opened, and there was a man there, pointing what appeared to be a shotgun at the suit. But then, it could just as well be a grenade launcher, or carrying grenade ammo. Speaking of grenade ammo…

The 75mm grenade and the rain of 40mm grenades hit the front of the bus at once before the shotgunner had a chance to fire.

Now, the entire vehicle was aflame, figures of survivors tearing through windows, their entire bodies burning.

Charlie reloaded the 20mm rifle and fired it again, continuing until the last figure stopped moving.

Mission Successful
Enemy Casualties: Estimated 137 dead.
Friendly Casualties: 0 dead, 1 injured

For the Allanean Department of Justice, it was a good reason to order 10,000 Stahlkorpe suits.

For Charlie, it was yet another day at work, protecting Allanea’s border.

To: Brettonian Military Industries

Subject: The Allied State of Shinjutsu Defence ministry request:
purchase of AS-004H "Stahlkörpe" assault suits

---

Greetings from the Allied states of Shinjutsu.

As of now, I would like to register my country's interest in your product the AS-004H "Stahlkörpe" assault suit.

Finances will be arranged for, upon review of the "Stahlkörpe" suit. The quantity in demand will be roughly 200 - 500 Stahlkörpe units, all with the MOD B style 20mm cannon design. We are requesting that all of the units will be in the Black Military specification 'paint job', preferrably without the yellow trim.

At this point in time the order is speculative, and as said before the finances will be arranged on review of the systems. After the purchase of the "Stahlkörpe" systems, depending on their performance and adaptability, there is a possibility that my country's defence ministry will look into purchasing additional units.

the 200 - 500 units adressed will be used for test purposes, Not for aggrevated military conduct. the specific number of units we would like to purchase will be decided on a later date.

We will try to keep in touch.

The Allied States of Shinjutsu

The Dersconi Amaranthine Imperium would like to purchase fifty thousand Stahlkorper units to be paid for in equal installments over ten years. An extra two hundred million Xelmarks - one million per Stahlkorper - will be added to the final payment for delivery of the SK units immediately. Also, we would be interested in purchasing production rights.

signed
General Korash Dalrvrogardov
Quartermaster General
Ministry of Defence
The Dersconi Amaranthine Imperium