For centuries, the Abwehran Star Empire has been relying on standard projectile resistant vests and flak jackets for their light infantry. It wasn't until the Khorsovaroloran Incident in the later half of AF 259 that a need for better Infantry Armor became a need. So in AF 260 (YE 32), Kaiserlich F&E designed a brand new defensive armor on behalf of the Abwehran Armed Forces. Set to be manufactured by Kaiserlich Waffenerbauer, the Light Infantry Armor is probably the most advanced unpowered armor in Abwehran history.
The main component of the Light Infantry Armor is the armor, which is designed to be durable yet light enough for infantry to be mobile. The Light Infantry Armor is meant to be worn over a proper NBC1) Protection Suit or a Abwehran Skinsuit Mk II, but it can be worn over the standard Field Uniform in times of emergency.
The body sheath is a jumpsuit designed to slide over what the person is wearing. The majority of the sheaths construction is using synthetic spider silk woven into two, 2mm think layers. The protection the body sheath provides actually comes from a layer of flexible, carbon-fiber, chain mesh sandwiched between the two layers of spider silk.
Made from the thick hides of the Tyrani, the gloves of the Light Infantry Armor contain durable fiber-optic circuitry with triple-redundancy in the finger tips which allow a direct link connection to touch-based data-links. This is mainly used to allow a soldier to view from a weapons camera sights. A small plate of solid carbon-fibers is sewn onto the back of the gloves to provide some manner of protection.
The helmet of the Light Infantry armor is a rounded, solid carbon-fiber shell with a thick, bullet-resistant, clear plastic visor with a holographic projection capability. This allows a soldier to view data transmitted to them by command or even use the camera view mode of weapon sights like the MDR-06 Field Rifle's scope. The helmet includes a protective carbon-fiber faceplate with a built in connection to the armor's Life Support Systems as well as a mic for the communications system and a nipple for the water bladder.
Attached to the Body Sheath, the Armor's plating is dual-layer protection composed of a upper shell of solid carbon-fiber and an under layer of titanium. While the titanium makes it heavier than just using carbon-fiber only, it provides an extra measure of protection against enemy fire. Some plating contains clip-on points for attachable equipment.
The Light Infantry Armor uses a small CU-23 Computer System with no KIOS to manage all of its systems.
A small Nuclear Battery of 2“ x 1” x 1/2“ (50mm x 25mm x 12mm) dimensions located on the back armor under the Backpack is used to power the Light Infantry Armor. It can be hot-swapped easily with help from a buddy and is rechargeable3).
edited 01/29/2012 Underneath the Body Sheath of the Light Infantry Armor, a NBC Protective Suit is used as a soldier's life support system. In Spaceship and Boarding Operations, a Abwehran Skinsuit Mk II is used instead of the NBC Protective Suit and an individual will use the Life Support Systems of that. In case of emergencies when the Light Infantry Armor is worn over an Abwehran Field Uniform, these features will not be available.
To protect a soldier from the harmful elements of toxic atmospheres and deadly elements of war, the Light Infantry Armor's faceplate comes equipped with an air filtration system. This allows the infantryman to operate in areas that have environmental toxicities and pollutants as well as chemical and biological agents. In areas where a soldier is required to be submerged, the armor automatically shuts the faceplate vents and goes to an internal air supply that lasts 3 hours. This air supply is replenished while the vents are open.
A simple water-based system using hundreds of thin tubing throughout the NBC suit is used to manage the internal temperature of the Light Infantry Armor. In hot climates, chilled water is circulated through the tubing to draw the body heat from the soldier and vent it into the atmosphere. In cold climates, a small heater is used to heat the water to keep the soldier warm. Usage of a Cold Weather Uniform maybe used on top of the Light Infantry Armor to provide insulation in much harsher climates.
A fancy name for what is really just a bladder located underneath the chest armor, this container can hold 4 kilos of water.
Another fancy name for a rather simplistic system, the Waste Disposal System is merely a catheter and a durable, plastic bag that can hold a days worth before needing to be emptied. In cases of hazardous environments, the storage bag has an disposal tube so wastes can be dumped outside.
A thick, plastic shell of 12” x 20“ x 6” (30cm x 50cm x 15cm) Dimensions and a volume of 1440 cubic inches (23,597 cubic centimeters) is used to store and infantryman's supplies. Using a pair of pressure clamps located on the Light Infantry Armor's back armor plate, it can be detached easily with a flip of a switch (which is located on the side of the chest armor.
A high-definition camera used to record the wearer's situation and send it through an armor's communication system back to the command center on a separate channel. The only time this accessory is not used is during stealth operations, where the signal could probably be traced.
Specifically designed for use with the AAF Light Infantry Armor, these binoculars can wirelessly link to the armor's visor system to increase visual magnification from five times to twenty times. The Binoculars also have a built-in laser-ranger finder to aid a Marksman's Spotter, which can also work as a laser-designator so infantry can 'paint' targets for close-air support and orbital support.\
A simple tool used for a infiltrating enemy computer system or just connecting to a friendly computer system with a wired connection. The Computer tool comes with a thin, fiber optic cable that extends to a maximum reach of 1 meter and holds a number of small connection adapters in a small storage module built-in the device. The device can be operated either a flip, double-screen monitor on the device or via the helmet's display. A small memory cube slot is located on the device to install/download programs and information.
While it's main usage is against computer systems, the Computer Tool can also work as a substitute for a Medic's Palm Computer for reading an allies vitals.
A simple pouch used for holding the magazines of carried weapons. The size of the pouch is dependent upon the size of the magazine and the pouch only carries Sidearm and Rifle Magazines.
A simple holster made from tyrani leather that can hold any pistol sidearm used by the Abwehran Armed Forces (AAF). This includes the MDP-04 Service Pistol and the Standard Energy Pistol II, though it could hold pistols of similar size.