Radiation zone assault trooper Radiation zone assault troopers , also known as radiation zone assault stormtroopers , radiation troopers or simply radtroopers , were elite members of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps . They were well equipped to operate in one of the deadliest terrain types : heavy radiation zones . While spacetrooper suits were able to provide ample protection against radiation , they were too cumbersome to operate within planetary gravities . Equipment . The distinctive silver and black battle armor of the radiation zone assault troopers was a modification of the standard plastoid stormtrooper armor and provided protection against radiation as well as biological and chemical exposure . It was stress reinforced and contained a heat and radiation reflective coating . A lead - polymer substrate that gave protection needed to withstand lethal Grade 5 radiation zone for several hours . The suit also consisted of a one - piece wrap - around backpack unit that contained a heat and radiation cooling unit with energy source and portable environment unit . Their helmets were stress reinforced with automatic polarizing lenses , an integrated comlink and breathing filters . The view plate contained macrobinoculars with blast shield and UV sensors . Under the armor the trooper was enclosed in a black two - piece temperature controlled and radiation sealed body glove . The armor was designed by Dr . Nashiak Llalik . Radiation zones above Grade 4 caused continuous malfunctions in most powered weapons . As a result radtroopers blaster carbines were more powerful than standard stormtrooper issue weapons to compensate for the effects of malfunctions . Unlike most other Imperial combat units , radtroopers also received extensive training with melee weapons which they would switch to when their blasters failed . All radtroopers were trained in the use of explosives and grenades . Typically certain members of radtrooper heavy assault units were equipped with three satchels ( each containing 10 charges ) and several additional radiation resistant timers . Thermal detonators were never used since their natural volatility was enhanced by high radiation . In addition to the standard stormtrooper utility belt , radtroopers were issued with a survival kit that included radiation pills , detoxification hypos , a water purifier , a radiation meter and a radiation tent . Radtroopers were typically issued with : History . The radiation zone assault trooper was deployed into radiation - filled zones that contained assets that the Empire wanted to acquire or defend . In some instances these areas had naturally hostile environments but in other cases the Empire purposely exposed the environment to radiation in order to pacify resistance . The Empire was known to employ neutron bomb s , which killed or maimed a large number of the local population but would critically leave the infrastructure intact . Radtroopers would enter areas after a neutron bomb attack to mop up any survivors and secure assets before the radiation subsided . Resistance was often minimal but some species in the galaxy were immune to radiation and offered significant resistance . Others were protected by wearing cumbersome spacesuits that significantly hindered their fighting ability compared to the lightweight radtrooper armor . Consequently casualties were often high for those that engaged the radtroopers in combat . Radtroopers were deployed to the planet of Qat Chrystac during the period of Grand Admiral Thrawn ' s command of the Empire . Qat Chrystac was a volcanic planet with a type IV atmosphere that required most life forms to wear an environment suit . Radioactive lava spewed from hissing crevasses in the planet ' s surface . Due to its harsh environment , a Rebel cell decided it would make an ideal place to establish a base . The radtroopers were assigned to take the Rebel base . Radtroopers , along with representatives from every specialized Stormtrooper Corps , were assigned to Darth Vader ' s personal Death Squadron . Their donning radtrooper armor also resulted in at least one victory over the Rebel Alliance , most infamously during the Battle on Immalia , where Imperial troops donned radtrooper armor and caused the rebels to call a retreat out of fear of operating in a contaminated zone when in actuality they donned the armor because that was simply what was available at the base . General Carlist Rieekan later reflected that they gave up the ground for nothing and noted as much in the " " field manual .