Powered armor technology was originally developed by the military to be used for combat applications. The military wanted to increase the combat capabilities of individual soldiers by increasing their mobility, firepower and protection to levels previously attainable only through heavily armored vehicles.
The super-powers poured untold millions into research: new armor, deadlier weapons, exoskeletal servos, and more. Perhaps unfortunately, they succeeded. They had managed to produce weapons that were orders of magnitudes more powerful than any previously created.
However,
the new technology was not only suitable for war. After several years,
the new technology began to filter down to other areas and became more
widely available around world.
Construction companies could use relatively small exoskeletal suits in places and conditions where normal construction devices would be very difficult to use. Police forces began acquiring scaled down suits to equip riot control or SWAT teams. Space agencies such as NASA and the ESA (European Space Agency) designed powered or servo-assisted suits for their astronauts. These environmentally sealed and powered suits were perfect to be used during EVA missions on the orbiting space stations. In fact, the United States' Apollo 22 mission to the moon used powered and armored space suits exclusively.
In approximately 91 P.A., Archangel Heavy Industries (AHI) technicians unearthed specifications for one of these pre cataclysm space suits in a database system. After examining the specifications and design, the technicians and other scientists and engineers concluded that a slightly modified version of the suit would also be well suited for earth-side use. They, too, realized that a non-combat power armor suit could be very useful for police, construction and other purposes. By 98 P.A. nearly finalized versions of the design had been completed and AHI was just about ready to begin producing them.
The only problem lay in the fact that, while AHI was capable of designing robotic systems, it did not posses the ability to actually manufacture the most complicated of those systems. The management decided that instead of investing in the incredibly costly infrastructure required to actually build advanced robotic systems, it would be better to join together with an already established robotics producer to create the necessary systems.
The first, and most obvious choice was Northern Gun (NG). NG had the experience, technical expertise, and manufacturing capability and power to produce the parts. AHI officials quickly hammered out a deal with NG executives.
Northern Gun would manufacture all of the advanced robotic systems (and sell them at a very substantial discount to AHI) while AHI was responsible for the other areas (and thus sold them to NG). Both companies would have full technological data and schematics on the design, and both companies would be free to market their own version of the suit as they wanted. This was agreeable to both companies and the final design was quickly formalized. Both companies do, however, still possess the rights to alter the design slightly for specific purposes as long as the core systems (robotics, sensors, life-support, etc) are the same and can thus be used by either company.
Both companies now sell their own models of the suit. In almost all general respects, the two suits are identical. The only real differences lie in the specialized systems used for different production versions. Both companies produce versions intended for construction work, civil police use, and adventuring.
However, one of the most interesting versions is AHI's Emergency Response Suit (ERS), which NG has recently copied. This version is designed to be used in emergency rescues, fire fighting and other similar situations. To accomplish this, the suit is equipped with two fire retardent sprays, a cutting torch, emergency medical supplies and breathing equipment, grappling hooks, and more. These enable the suit to enter blazing infernos to retrieve people or equipment, make their way through destroyed buildings, and provide emergency medical services with vital assistance among other things.
Note: This article will only cover the game stats specific for the ERS variant of the suit. Other versions of the suit retain the same MDC, speed, statistical data, and sensors; only the cargo and special systems may vary. GMs may feel free to create special systems for other variants such as for construction or police use. Keep in mind that this suit is in no way intended, nor suitable, for combat.
Model Type:
Class: Emergency/Construction Powered Suit
Crew: One
M.D.C. by Location:
[1] Head - 50
Shoulders/Upper Arms (2) - 90 each
Forearms (2) - 80
Legs (2) - 120 each
[2] Main Body - 180
Notes
1. The head is a small and difficult target to
hit. Thus, it can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and
even then the attacker is -3 to hit.
2. Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut
the armor down completely, rendering it useless.
Speed:
Running: 20 mph (32.2 kph) normally. It is possible to run up
to 40 mph (64.4 kph), but anything over 20 mph requires a successful piloting
roll to keep control.
Leaping: The ERS is not very suited for jumping. The robot legs
can only leap up to 5 feet (1.5 m) high or across. Add 5 feet (1.5 m) with
a running start.
Flying: Not Possible.
Statistical Data:
Height: 11 feet (3.4 m)
Width: 6 feet (1.8 m)
Length: 6 feet (1.8 m)
Weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
Physical Strength: Normally equal to a robotic P.S. of 25. Emergency
power can be used to increase the strength to a robotic P.S. of 60 for
2D4 melees (30 seconds to 2 minutes). However, anything longer than that
will risk irreparably damaging the suit itself.
Cargo:
Internal: Space for a survival
kit, 8-gallon water cooler, 3-week ration supply, handgun, and other
small items.
External: There are several external compartments. The outside of
each leg has a storage compartment that holds a first aid kit, RMK, IRMSS
(or NMESS for AHI models), and emergency
breathing equipment. A portable tool kit as well as 4 electro-adhesive
pads are stored in a compartment in the bottom of the suit's "backpack".
Power System: Nuclear; average energy life is 10 years.
Black Market Cost:
Special Systems:
- Fire Retardent Spray (2): Each suit has a small supply of fire retardent foam. It is designed more for suppressing a blaze than for extinguishing it. Spray nozzles are retracted on the outside of each wrist. These are usually used when entering a fire to retrieve equipment or people. The foam is stored in tanks on the back of the suit. The foam can be diverted from one spray nozzle to the other as needed.
- Cutting Torch: A powerful cutting torch is housed in the palm of the right hand. It is often used to cut through steel supports or other structures in order to get past or gain entrance.
- Grappling Hooks (2): The suit is equipped with a pair of powerful grappling hooks. These are each capable of independently supporting over twice the weight of the suit (1500 lb or 680 kg each). The grappling hooks are housed on the underside of each forearm and are retracted out of the way when not in use. They are often used to repel down into areas below, but can also be fired from the integral launcher. The tip of each grappling hook is a specialized device capable of latching onto nearly any surface or material given that it is strong enough to support the suit.
- Sensors and Systems: The armor has different sensors and systems in place of or in addition to those found on other standard power armor suits.
- Radar: A small radar can identify and track up to 10 targets simultaneously at a range of 5 miles (8 km).
- Radio Communication: Short range, directional communication system with an effective range of about 50 miles (80.5 km) as well as a built-in loudspeaker; 100 decibels.
- Laser Communication: Short range laser communicator with an effective range of about 2 miles (3.2 km).
- External Audio Pickup: A sound amplification listening system that can pick up a whisper at 300 ft (91.5 m).
- Spotlights: 2 powerful spotlights are mounted on the shoulders. Range is about 600 ft (182 m).
- Low-Light Imaging System: A passive system that amplifies existing light to provide an enhanced visual picture. Will work in anything up to total darkness.
- Thermal Imaging System: A special optical heat sensor that allows the infrared radiation of warm objects to be converted into a visible image. Enables pilot to see in the dark, in the shadows, and through smoke. Range: 2000 ft (610 m)
- Infrared and Ultraviolet Optics: This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye. The infrared beam enables the pilot to see in the dark and to see other infrared beams. The ultraviolet system enables the pilot to see into the ultraviolet spectrum of light. Note: Smoke impairs the infrared beam making it impossible to see.
- Infrared Searchlights: The two spotlights can also project infrared beams. The lights can be used to scan an area at night or in darkness. Range: 500 ft (152 m).
- Dosimeter: Measures ambient radiation levels. Range: 100 ft (30.5 m).
- Motion Sensors: Sensors placed on the armor can detect motion and pinpoint the location. However, this requires that the suit remain motionless for 2 melees while the system takes readings before it will display anything. Any movement by the suit will immediately stop readings. Range: 80 ft (24.4 m).
- Complete Environmental Sealing: Suitable for use in all hostile environments, including water (600 ft - 182 m depth) and space.
- Computer controlled life support system
- Internal cooling and temperature control.
- Artificial air circulation systems, gas filtration, humidifier/dehumidifier automatically engages when needed. Can recirculate breathable air for up to one week before getting too stale to breath.
- Computer controlled, independent oxygen supply and purge system that automatically engages in low oxygen or contaminated air environments. 24 hour oxygen supply.
- Insulated, high temperature resistant shielding for up to 1000 degrees Centigrade. Normal fires do no damage. Nuclear, plasma, and magic fires do full damage.
- Radiation shielded.
- Polarized and light sensitive/adjusting tinted window.
Mega-Damage: None.
Rate of Fire: Single or simultaneous.
Range: The spray can reach up to 25 ft (7.62m).
Area of Effect: Each use will cover approximately 50 ft2
(4.6 m2)
Payload: 10 uses each.
Mega-Damage: 5D6
Rate of Fire: Single shot.
Range: 7 feet (2.13 m).
Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Mega-Damage: 1D6 if intentionally fired into something to cause
damage.
Rate of Fire: Single shot.
Range: 150 feet (45.7 m).
Payload: 2 grappling hooks; reusable.