M1 Modular Armor System

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A full "basic" suit in matte black on the outline of a human form

The M1 Modular Armor System is an attempt to create an effective set of body armor for the whole of the Commonwealth Defense Force, and as a replacement for older armors used before the Revolution. The Armor itself is designed to be modular with different configurations that can be selected depending on branch of service, mission, or the operators own preferences. A full suit will function as a powered infantry exoskeleton. However, many soldiers, particularly those outside of the infantry branches will eschew this extra functionality for weight and bulk reduction.

Design

The "Basic" Suit

The overall design of the armor is centered around a main piece of armor that covers the torso. This armor is comprised of several overlapping lightweight composite platelets suspended in a ballistically resistant gel, encased within a spider silk textile. This body armor is designed to withstand impacts from 6.8x43mm metal jacketed ammunition at 1,560 ft/s, with multi impact performance in mind. Individual platelets are rated to withstand two impacts from such attacks, and protect against three. The base armor weighs roughly 7.1 kilograms. Additional armor can be provided by adding trauma plates (rated to withstand 7.62x51mm Metal Jacketed Ammunition at 2,780 ft/s), into slots located around vital areas. Additionally one can improve the coverage of the armor by putting on attachments, made uo of a woven spider silk Kevlar mesh, that provide additional cover to the groin area and neck to protect against fragments, and pistol caliber fire, which would increase the weight of the vest to 9.1 kg.

Another central piece in the basic suit is the helmet, which is a carbide composite helmet. It is the thickest and possibly the most protective element of the armor system. It is rated to take hits from 7.62x63mm metal jacketed and cored ammunition at 2,480 ft/s with three hit protection. The helmet is also the central hub of the net-warrior system being the hookup for the central OS, and the Heads Up Display (HUD) system via a retractable visor, as well as the location of a soldiers communications equipment. Finally, there is a ballistic face mask that attaches to the helmet, which has a re-breather system and if used in conjunction with a full suit, and a full uniform can be used to keep all but the worst chemical agents at bay. A helmet with face mask weighs roughly 3.4 kg.

The last element of the "basic" suit are the extremity covers, which are made up of a ballistically resistant gel core encased in a spider silk Kevlar weave, which is rated to withstand a blow from 5.56x45mm metal jacketed ammunition at 1,140 ft/s for two hits, protecting against three. A full suit will have elbow and knee pads as well as armor for the legs and shoulder guards, which total up to a weight of 5 kg, when all worn together.

If one is wearing the full suit it is possible to add a fairly simple power system that converts the armor into a fairly simple exoskeleton system. The whole of the system is capable of supporting the weight of the armor (18.5 kg for the whole set and the powering system), as well as providing some additional performance to enhance the wearer's abilities. When operating at full capacity a powering system can operate for thirty six hours on a single charge from a single battery.

Electronics, Awareness and Communications

The M1 Modular Armor System is a primary hub in a functioning net-warrior system. The battle computer mounting on the helmet, serves as the primary Operating System and user interface, as well as the individual soldier's link to CODNET (the Commonwealth Defense Force's information network). The user interface of the electronics suite is accessible via the retractable visor in the M1 Exoskeleton's helmet, and is operated via sub vocal commands. CODNET provides access to a map and GPS guidance system, the status of a selected friendly entities, as well as targeting data for known and tracked enemy entities, as well as programming information for any smart munitions, and the remaining ammunition count on any up-linked weapons, any of which can be shown or hidden by command. The suite broadcasts similar information to other CODNET linked devices in the local battlespace. Under ideal conditions the suite dramatically increases an individual soldier's battlefield awareness thus assisting with Observe Orient Decide Act (OODA) practice. Finally, a small radio that can receive and send sub vocal and vocal communications is installed in the helmet that can run off the operators bioelectric field.

Accessories & Alternative Layouts

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Guard Soldiers in M1 Systems advance through wreckage outside of Walsall (viewed through the HUD of an M1 operator)

The M1 Modular Armor System has several auxiliary accessories and alternative set ups that serve to make the armor work differently. Chief among these is the armor vest piece of the MOSES system. This modular net allows a soldier more space to store whatever small essentials that they deem fit, as well as serving as the central part of a full MOSES setup. Additionally, spider silk gloves are also issued with M1 Modular armor systems to fully seal (if the user is wearing a full uniform) against most chemical agents. Finally if the user does not wish to use the visor for night vision and infrared detection (which it is capable of), mounting lugs for night vision goggles exist on the front of the helmet. Two alternative helmets exist for the armor system, or independent of it, one, the "Tanker" helmet sacrifices the features and protection of the helmet for reduced weight, though with additional noise protection when working in the interior of an Armored Vehicle, and the the Pilot's helmet has almost no ballistic protection properties, but a much better and more seamless information suite, and the ability to function with a G-Suit as well as an armor set.

Deployment

The M1 Modular Armor System is in service with all branches of the Commonwealth Defense Forces, and some of the branches of the Citizen's Defense Force. In most capacities in which it serves it is the primary body armor of the service in question in some format. In the ranks of the Proletarian Guard it serves alongside the M2 Exoskeleton which will be increasingly replacing it within the infantry branch of the Guard and possibly other CODFOR branches as well. Outside of infantry services, soldiers issued the M1 system generally make use of a lighter armor package to reduce weight and bulk, and to make discharge of their duties easier.