Xahian Power Armour
A staple and iconic feature in the Warrior Caste, Xahian power armour is the primary form of protection for frontline Warrior Caste combat Soldiers. At a doctrinal level, the Warrior caste does not employ large numbers of armoured vehicles, instead relying on armoured, mobile infantry, with air and orbital support. Due to the large, powerful nature of Warrior caste members, no other faction is able to field the same quality of armoured troops as the Federation of Xah; other factions do employ powered armoured soliders, but they cannot compete with the robust nature of the Warrior caste. It is the presence of these armoured suits, along with the Federation's superior space technologies, that keeps the Federation the most powerful nation in Known Space.
Although powered suits are commonplace, the Federation of Xah is able to continue to produce advanced suits with the Technical Caste consistently improving the technology, and equipping it with a wide suite of weapons, giving it an unrivalled versatility. Whilst the Federation of Xah has the manufacturing capabilities to equip all of its Warriors with power armour, in practicality, only frontline Soldiers are equipped with it on a regular basis, and even then only when the mission necessitates it. 'Standard' Warrior armour is still effective and the natural abilities of the Warrior caste give them an edge over the standard troops of other factions.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
Outer shell
Inner suit
Power Supply
The suit is powered by a micro-fusion reactor attached to the back of the suit. This reactor is fuelled by a mix of tritium and deuterium, with a time between fuelling of 6 to 9 months, depending on workload and the weapon loadout equipped. Those suits equipped with energy weapons have a tendency to need refuelling more frequently than those with ballistic weapons. The reactor is designed to be removed entirely in one piece, and a fresh fuelled-up reactor added, with refuelling taking place at a specialist facility away from the front-lines. The armour also has a battery back-up that allows operation of the suit's motor functions for around 24 hours (but no weapon fire). This allows the operator to ditch the reactor in case of excessive damage, but still allow them to retreat to a safe location for pick-up. The reactor is passively safe, and a containment breach results in instant shutdown.Weapons
Whilst weapon load-outs can be varied according to mission requirements, for the vast majority of operations, a suit will be equipped with a pair of pulsed particle beams, known as a PPB, one on each arm. The PPB fires a short pulse, about a micro-second's worth, of ionised particles that cause significant damage to a variety of armour types, with good penetration and range. The PPB is capable of rapid fire, with a rate of fire of 10 shots per second, although most operators use single shots only, to keep the heat build-up down. The micro-reactor allows for almost unlimited ammo capacity, although the heat-exchangers and barrel can become heat damaged from excessive use, if not allowed to cool properly between shots. The particle beam itself is almost invisible in daylight and too fast to perceive normally, although there is a blue flash as it exits the barrel from Cherenkov radiation. For specialist missions, one of the PPBs can be replaced with missile launchers, railguns, or lasers, depending on need. The suit also has a standard-issue side arm in a concealed compartment, should the operator have to evacuate the suit.Significance
The distinctive look of Xahian power armour has become a symbol of either Xahian military success, or unwarranted aggression, depending on whose propaganda is listened to. For Xahian citizens, it is a reminder of the righteousness of their cause, that no other faction can create its equivalent, but to non-Xahian civilians under the Federation's sphere of influence, its a constant reminder that the might of Xah brooks no dissent.
Item type
Armor
Owning Organization
Weight
620 kg
Dimensions
Height: 2.44 cm
Base Price
N/A
Raw materials & Components
<classified>
Tools
<classified>
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Nice article! I like the armour and the technical drawings that you have go really well with it :D Regarding the design, even if it use a material more solid than glass, is it not a vulnerability to have a big see-through zone like that? Or is the gain in visibility overcompensating that vs a smaller a opening? I'm wondering how the armour deals with ammunition. Is there a certain amount stored inside of it? Even so, I imagine that it needs to regularly refill and so there should be some kind of bag/box being carried around, with several armours moving together so that there are still some active while one is refilling. I like how you've think about the risk of a damaged reactor :D With the autonomy of the armour and the suit worn by the pilot, I'm guessing that they stay inside for long period of time. Is it physically tiring to be piloting those armours? Or will it be "only" mental fatigue?
Thanks for the comment :) The big see through area is the armour appearance when the front has opened up, to allow access for the operator, it's usually closed, and is as well armoured as the rest of the suit. I'll perhaps put in an image with better perspective in that regard. Ammunition is carried in big drums on the suit's back; it's a lot, but will require refilling eventually. Units of armoured troops are typically accompanied by unarmoured troops, support people and supply vehicles, so restocking can happen. A bit like a tank would. And yes, the pilots do stay in there a long time, days if necessary. It would be extremely fatiguing to most people, but Xahian Warriors are a genetically engineered caste, with heightened physical attributes, and are trained to deal with the rigours of this type of combat from their early teenage years. Reproduction in Xah is entirely in-vitro, and to contribute one's genetic material to new generations requires exceptional ability, so most Warriors would endure the uncomfortable nature of wearing the armour for long period, as to increase their chances of being 'worthy'. I shall certainly check out your own article. Thank you for your interest in mine :D