Excaliber Powered Assault Armor

The Excaliber Powered Assault Armor System is a cutting-edge combat exoskeleton technology that has been designed to provide extraordinary enhancements to the strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and durability of elite Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers and Knight supersoldiers. It is named after the legendary sword of King Arthur from British folklore.
This advanced armor system, which is part of Project EXCALIBER, has been specifically designed to offer unparalleled performance in the field of battle. With its revolutionary technology, the suit allows its user to move faster, jump higher, and hit harder than ever before. It is also equipped with an advanced energy shield that provides protection against attacks and a sophisticated targeting system that helps to increase accuracy and precision. The Excaliber suit is made of lightweight materials that aid its user's mobility and agility. It is also designed to be modular, allowing the wearer to customize its configuration to suit their individual needs. It is powered by a cutting-edge fusion reactor, which provides the suit with the ability to operate for extended periods without requiring recharge.

Historical Overview

Armor generations

Prototype exoskeletons

MARK I EXOSKELETONS

The Mark I powered exoskeleton, developed in 2427 by OSI, was one of the earliest experiments in creating human-powered defense structures. However, due to its unwieldy and bulky design, the Mark I required a physical connection to a fusion generator for power, which significantly hindered its movement capabilities. Despite this setback, the Mark I prototype was a groundbreaking concept in the development of exosuits.
The Mark I exosuit greatly improved the strength and stamina of the wearer, allowing them to lift up to two tons and run at speeds of up to 32 km/h (19.88 mph) for extended periods of time. One of the key features of the Mark I was its cutting-edge onboard computer system, which could transmit tactical and communications information to the standard neural implant issued to a soldier. However, the suit was not equipped with AI technology.
In addition to its impressive strength and computerized capabilities, the Mark I also featured customizable components, such as motion sensors and infrared scopes. It could also be outfitted with a 45mm minigun that fired on self-targeting armatures, providing additional firepower to the wearer. Despite its limitations, the Mark I paved the way for advancements in the development of powered exosuits, leading to more modern and advanced designs in the future. Its combination of strength and technology was a significant step forward in enhancing the capabilities of soldiers on the battlefield.

MARK II EXOSKELETONS

The Mark II exoskeleton was an advanced military hardware that improved significantly upon its predecessor, the Mark I. Its slim profile made it more mobile, allowing soldiers to move freely without being hindered by the bulkiness of the suit. However, it still required the use of a tethered fusion generator, making it impractical for actual deployment in the battlefield. In an effort to mitigate the effects of explosive attacks, the Mark II was equipped with a refractive coating. This coating helped disperse the heat generated from such attacks, reducing the extent of damage that could be inflicted on the wearer. Additionally, the suit's self-sealing systems were improved to better deal with damage in a vacuum environment.
Overall, the Mark II was a significant upgrade over its predecessor, but it still suffered from some limitations that made it unsuitable for actual deployment in the field. Nevertheless, it represented another significant step forward in the development of military exoskeletons and paved the way for even more advanced designs in the future.

MARK III EXOSKELETONS

The Mark III armor prototype, introduced in 2562, was designed with a wireless power transmitter and receiver to allow for direct power transmission. Unfortunately, this design was quickly rejected due to its impracticality on the battlefield. The Mark III still had limited operational range as it needed to stay within range of a stationary generator, and if the generator was destroyed, the user would be trapped inside a non-functioning shell. The lack of mobility in power sources was a common issue across all three of the initial Mark III prototypes. Without a mobile power source, these armors were unsuitable for deployment in combat situations. However, these early prototypes laid the groundwork for the eventual development of the Mark IV armor, which addressed many of these concerns through the implementation of a more advanced power supply system.

Powered assault armor

Series-2

First generation

Mark IV

Main Article: EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV

The Mark IV Excaliber powered exoskeleton was a groundbreaking development in the field of armored warfare. After earlier attempts at creating high-powered armor proved to be impractical, the Mark IV was the first successful powered armor system to be deployed on the battlefield. Its success was due in large part to its radical redesign and the use of the latest technological advancements of its time. The brainchild of Dr. Johan Snider, the Mark IV was designed with features that were previously unavailable to earlier designs. One such feature was the use of a miniature fusion generator embedded in later versions of the armor. This development allowed the armor to generate a significant amount of power, enabling it to withstand intense battles without compromising the safety of the wearer.
The Mark IV Excaliber armor was fielded for a total of sixteen years, from August 10, 2592 to June 20, 2608. During this time, it proved to be a formidable asset on the battlefield, protecting its wearer and providing them with increased mobility and agility. Its successful deployment onto the battlefield marked a turning point in the development of advanced armor systems, setting the stage for even more advanced designs in the future.

Mark V

Main Article: EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor/Mark V

The Excaliber Mark V was a groundbreaking technological advancement in the world of military warfare. This system upgrade introduced two new features that revolutionized battlefield capabilities - energy shielding technology and soldier-AI linking functionality. The energy shielding technology is a protection mechanism that enhances the soldier's defense against heavier weapons. This state-of-the-art feature allows soldiers to remain in combat for longer periods of time, increasing their chances of mission success. The system's energy shielding capability serves as an added layer of protection, giving soldiers an edge in battle.
Another significant feature of the Excaliber Mark V is the ability to link soldiers and artificial intelligence. This pairing provides instant intel, and other functionalities that help soldiers with improved decision-making on the battlefield. The soldier-AI link provides real-time data that can be used to assess and analyze the situation on the ground and take action decisively. Aside from these ground-breaking features, the Mark V also incorporated numerous technical improvements that were not present in the Mark IV system. The fusion packs used to power the suit are half the size of their predecessors. This improvement meant that soldiers could carry more power capacity without sacrificing mobility, which is crucial in combat. Additionally, hundreds of other technical improvements that enhanced the functionality of the system were incorporated into the Mark V.
The Mark V was in active use from June 20, 2608, until December 24, 2619. During this period, the system proved to be a game-changer in military warfare, helping soldiers accomplish their mission objectives and emerge victorious in the face of the most challenging situations.

Mark VI

Main Article: EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI

The Excaliber Mark VI is an advanced system primarily designed for Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers. It serves as the third primary version of the system, offering significant technical improvements over its earlier versions. This system has introduced several advanced features, making it an ideal choice for modern combat scenarios.
The system comes with a faster recharge time on the suits' energy shield system, solving a critical issue that earlier versions faced. This feature ensures that the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers need not stay in cover for an extended time, substantially reducing their vulnerability to enemy attacks. Furthermore, the Excaliber Mark VI boasts improved synchronization between the suit and user, which can significantly enhance the users' overall combat performance. With this sophisticated technology, the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers can jump higher, run faster, and hit harder than ever before.
Such advanced features make the Excaliber Mark VI an ideal choice for modern battlefields. With its advanced features, the system ensures improved safety, increased mobility, and greater combat effectiveness for the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers. Overall, the Excaliber Mark VI is a significant technological advancement, strengthening the capabilities of the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers in modern battlegrounds.

Mark VII

Main Article: EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor/Mark VII

The Mark VII Excaliber armor, introduced in 2649, was the fourth major iteration of the Excaliber armor series. It was designed to be lighter than its predecessors, including the previous six suits, and introduced new features such as limited energy shield shaping and a nanotechnology repair suite. Despite its impressive capabilities, the Mark VII never saw widespread use in the military. It was deemed too complex and expensive for mass production, especially in comparison to the more economical and versatile GEN2 platform.
The decision to move away from the Mark VII in favor of the GEN2 platform was likely driven by the need for greater optimization for the different types of individuals serving in the military. This new platform allowed for greater customization and cost savings in production, ultimately making it a more practical choice for the military's needs. While the Mark VII may not have had the opportunity to prove itself in widespread use, its legacy carries on in the advancements and innovations it brought to the Excaliber armor series.

Second generation

Series-3

Second Generation

Main Article: EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor [GEN2]

The Third series-Second Generation Excaliber Powered Assault Armor [GEN2] marks a significant milestone in the evolution of advanced exoskeleton suits. Developed primarily for the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers and the new OSI KNIGHT Supersoldier Program, this program-wide overhaul of the system has resulted in a radical streamlining of the exoskeleton architecture. Compared to its predecessors, the GEN2 suit uses significantly fewer complex components to achieve the same level of performance efficiency.
The GEN2's design philosophy is centered around integrating the armor's vital hardware into the bodysuit or techsuit, resulting in a much simpler and more streamlined production process. This approach enables easier implementation of specialized components and faster iteration on the armor systems, thanks to a spiral-development model of production. As a result, the United Space Command and its corporate partners have been able to develop and deploy the GEN2 much more efficiently than its first-generation counterparts. However, this approach sacrifices some of the suit's efficiency, and the performance improvements over GEN1 Excaliber are minimal. Nonetheless, the GEN2 has gone through rigorous testing and has been fielded from October 1, 2695, to present. The armor is produced by half a dozen manufacturers, including both military divisions and private contractors.

Third generation

EXCALIBER [GEN3] is the third generation of the Excaliber armor, which is still in its conceptual stages. However, the [GEN3] design framework is based on lessons learned from the [GEN2] line of Excaliber armor, and it seeks to restore some of the favorable characteristics of the [GEN1] line. The EXCALIBER [GEN1] Mark VII is currently being used as a testbed for the improvements in [GEN3].
The key objective of the EXCALIBER [GEN3] armor is to be used by the newly formed KNIGHT supersoldiers program. This super-advanced armor is expected to have several advantages over its predecessors. The most significant benefit is its portable fusion generator, which will have an unlimited power supply without the need for a recharging station. The fusion generator is the crucial component of the EXCALIBER [GEN3] suit, providing an infinite power supply to the armored suit. This unlimited energy source will enable the KNIGHT supersoldiers to operate in remote and hostile environments for an extended period, without worrying about running out of power.
The [GEN3] armor design takes inspiration from the [GEN1] armor favoring its desirable characteristics. The Excaliber [GEN1] armor had been appreciated for its toughness, versatility, and resilience. Thus, the Excaliber [GEN3] aims to combine the best of both worlds by fusing the classic design with the latest technological advancements. Though in reality, the EXCALIBER [GEN3] is still in the conceptual stages. However, this super-advanced armor's potential benefits for the supersoldiers are undisputed, highlighting a bright future for their safety in hostile environments.

Armor Components

Helmet

The Excaliber powered armor helmet is a state-of-the-art piece of protective gear worn by soldiers in combat. Developed from the standard-issue helmet, the MCJ859 helmet has undergone several technological advancements to cater to the needs of its users. Made of ogrium, a durable material coated with a heat-resistant substance, the standard helmet is designed to withstand small-arms fire and small explosive attacks. Safety features include a rounded visor that can provide oxygen for up to forty minutes and a faceplate, made of a strong glass-like material that can polarize, making it bluish silver and obscuring the wearer's face from view.
The helmet's interior is lined with black padding to ensure a comfortable fit for the user. It also incorporates cutting-edge technology such as the heads-up display (HUD), which displays weapon information, ammo capacity, essential health readouts, and a targeting reticule. The HUD is also capable of interfacing with the user's standard neural interface to gather tactical information, making it easier to navigate the battlefield.
Apart from these state-of-the-art features, the helmet is fitted with thermal imaging and motion sensors, making it easier for soldiers to identify targets in low-light conditions. It also comes with external optical modules that enhance communication systems and smart-linking capabilities. Some squad leaders use specialized optical/camera modules known as TODT-CNM, which provide an expanded view of terrain features.

TODT BIOS

The TODT BIOS plays a crucial role in the functioning of TODT powered armors. It is essentially firmware that serves as the first code run by these armors upon activation. The primary function of the BIOS is to identify, test, and initialize system devices like the heads-up display and AISR. Additionally, the BIOS handles most of the armors' software functions when initiated. As technology continues to advance, newer hardware components become available. The TODT BIOS software is updated to support these new hardware components, which enables the armors to function effectively. These updates are crucial because they ensure that the armors stay ahead of their competitors and remain up-to-date with the latest technological advancements.
One convenient feature of the TODT BIOS is that users can easily view the BIOS versions through the armors' magnification system. This feature provides users with a quick way to check the current version of the BIOS without having to access the armor's internal systems.

AISR

The Artificial Intelligence System, Reconnaissance (AISR), is a cutting-edge technology used by UNF (United Nations Federation) government and military personnel for mission-critical operations. The system is integrated with the TODT helmet, which allows the user to connect with UNF infrastructure systems worldwide. However, access levels are highly regulated based on need and rating. The system facilitates secure data storage and review, provides street-level navigational data, and enables real-time mission data processing. The AISR can store up to 610GB of mission content, making it an invaluable tool for military operations.
The TODT helmet BIOS A46.758624B.09 or later, which is currently issued to all personnel, is fortified with low-light vision enhancement. This feature allows for easy recognition of hostile, friendly, and weapon units, and objects of interest, that are outlined in red, blue, green, and yellow, respectively. This enhancement has proven to be effective in reducing reaction times, making the AISR and TODT helmet combination an essential asset for military operations.

Portable Reactor

Excaliber powered armors utilizes a portable reactor that powers its functions, and unlike earlier models, the current reactor is rechargeable, which has made it convenient for soldiers to use it in battle. The reactor can hold a charge for an impressive duration of up to 78 hours, which is ample time for a typical mission. However, if the soldiers are in heavy combat, then the charging capacity lasts for a shorter duration of 34 hours. In such cases, it is wise to recharge the reactor more frequently to avoid the risk of the power source running out in the middle of a fight.
In addition, the new portable reactor is detachable, which means that if a soldier runs out of power, they can quickly switch it out for a fully charged one. This feature is particularly useful when charging stations are far away or unavailable, allowing soldiers to swap out the battery and stay in action without delay. Overall, the Excaliber powered armor's rechargeable portable reactor and detachable battery function make it a reliable companion for soldiers, ensuring that they can operate for an extended period without worrying about running out of power.

Body suit

The Excaliber powered armor body suit, or tech suit, has various layers and materials that make it an effective piece of protective gear for a Tactical Offensive Defense Trooper (TODT). The inner layer of the black-gray undersuit is constructed from Poslaydian, which offers reliable small arms fire resistance. The inner layer also includes a heating and cooling system that helps keep the wearer at the optimum temperature regardless of the surrounding conditions. This system can replicate the infrared signatures of the environment, offering low visibility in hostile regions.
The outer layer of the undersuit is coated with a heat-resistant material that helps in reducing the temperatures experienced during an orbital drop. It acts as a protective layer to safeguard the wearer against the intense heat generated due to friction between the suit and the atmosphere during the descent. Additionally, the body suit works as a pressure suit, allowing an TODT to perform extra-vehicular activities securely. The Excaliber powered armor body suit is available in two versions, one designed for men, and the other for women. The suit's design is gender-specific, featuring different size considerations and contours to ensure a proper fit, flexibility, and movement for each gender.

Armor Body

Excaliber powered assault armors provides exceptional protection to the wearer from the bottom of the clavicle to the bottom of the feet. It is made of ogrium, a highly durable and lightweight material, and metallic materials to ensure that the armor is strong and durable. The armor is equipped with an armored collar that provides additional protection to the wearer's neck, which complements the chest plate coverage. The collar is designed to offer better protection against high-impact attacks that could cause severe injuries to the wearer.
In addition to the collar, the armor features narrow, low-profile shoulder plates that are not only designed to provide additional protection but also offer the wearer more mobility and flexibility. However, special forces personnel such as snipers and combat specialists may choose not to wear these plates or opt for alternative models based on their needs. To ensure that the hands and forearms are well protected, Excaliber powered assault armor is equipped with ogrium-ceramic guards. These guards can withstand high-impact attacks, protecting the wearer's arms from injury.

Repair and Maintenance

Excaliber Powered Assault Armors, have become a popular choice for TODT and Knight personnel in modern times. These high-tech armors not only provide superior protection to soldiers, but also enhance their strength, speed, and agility. However, like any other sophisticated machinery, Excaliber Powered Assault Armor systems require regular maintenance to ensure peak performance.
Bi-weekly maintenance is essential for keeping all the electrical and computer systems of the Excaliber Powered Assault Armor functional. The maintenance routine includes testing the systems, checking for any software anomalies, replacing any worn-out parts, and keeping the armor clean and free of dust and debris. The soldiers operating the Excaliber Powered Assault Armor are trained to perform basic maintenance tasks themselves, while more complex procedures are usually carried out by technical experts.
In terms of damage repair, Excaliber Powered Assault Armor poses a unique challenge. These suits are not only costly to produce but also require specialized technical expertise for repairs. Thus, most Excaliber Powered Assault Armors can only suffer minor damage before requiring replacement. While minor repairs can be done on-site or at a specialized workshop, significant damage may lead to a total loss of the Excaliber Powered Assault Armor.

Used by

• EXCALIBER Powered Assault Armor [GEN2]

Weight

Varies

Dimensions

varies

Related Materials

• Poslaydian