M21 Battle Armor

The M21 Battle Armor was the standard battle armor of the Royal Manticoran Marine Corps around the early 1900s PD. 
== Description ==
The M21 Battle Armor originated from the damage control hardsuits of the Royal Manticoran Navy, suits that were designed to work onboard ship while crews repaired battle damage. These suits were designed to work on board ship while tacking battle damage and had augmented strength and armor. The damage control suits were also known as construction suits. (JIR1) 
The suit were bulky and had an exo-muscular design to augument strength and armor to ten times a Marine's normal abilities. It provided better protection than the Marine Skinsuit and better speed. () 
== Components ==
* Single piece suit, stored standing and locked into place. There is a back hatch to get into the suit. To protect the hatch the armored power supply is attached over it.
**A bodysuit on the inside.
**A selectively rigid sleeve in the middle.
**An armored shell on the outside.
**Gloves are a part of the suit and are the same as that of the skinsuit, used for operating standard weapons.
*Internal Emergency Power Supply can sustain the life-support for up to 20min.
*Gauntlets (powered gloves) can be attached to the suit over the standard gloves for when operating heavy weapons providing direct data and power input to these weapons.
*A backpack containing the power supply. This backpack can be jettisoned by reversing the maglocks during an emergency.
*Thrusters are mounted in the footgear and backpack.
*Jump gear can be used in null G and on planet.
**Burst mode countergrav and anti-inertial units
**Footgear-mounted thrusters for lift
**Backpack-mounted thrusters.
*Countergrav is used at high altitudes and requires fine control. (JIR1)
== Movement ==
* Top Speed: 100km/h while using the jump gear for a limited duration in 1 G. (JIR1)
* Top Hight: 7 meters vertical leap while using jump gear. (JIR1)
* Average speed 60km/h. ()
== Defenses ==
=== Active Defenses ===
* Onboard ECM for disrupting battlefield missile systems
*External systems: battlefield jamming and decoys.
=== Passive Defenses ===
* Stealth materials that reduce radar cross-section
*Thermal management system to control waste heat
*Active camouflage system. 
== Armor Composition ==
* Selectively rigid sleeve middle layer: Small arms proof and resistant to large arms. This layer is exposed at critical joints and is flexible.
*Armored shell outer layer: Large arms proof and plasma resistant. Electric armor for dispersing plasma blasts and disrupting shape charge effects. It lowers the effect from a plasma hit in the chest from instantly dead to alert to a threat. (JIR1)
== Endurance ==
The endurance differs depending on the loadout of the suit. Also, in colder climates, the endurance is a bit better because the suit can manage waste heat better. When plasma cannons or reactive camouflage is not needed it can be disabled to extend life support and mobility.
* Recon Configuration: up to 50 hours with only the M32A1/A5 pulse rifle and extra power packs onboard.
* Normal Strike Configuration: 6-10 hours with light crew served weapons and tribarrels using suit power.
* Assault Configuration: around 4 hours of combat using plasma cannon and heavy tribarrels using suit power again.
For extended operations, extra power packs can be dropped along the line of attack. Fusion or solar-powered ground stations can be set up for long-term and high-intensity operations for suit charging and additional support gear. When the suits are racked in a pinnace or assault shuttle the pallet contains a power hookup to the craft’s reactor and some extra support gear. (JIR1)
== Usage ==
The M21 Battle Armor is used in battle conditions alongside the Mark 7 skinsuit in situations where more armor, speed and support is needed.
Category:Royal Manticoran Marine Corps