| abstract
| - The primary component of the armour is the plate carrier vest, an all encompassing armour designed to protect the torso of the user. This consists of a fabric vest, designed to carry defensive plate inserts. The outer vest in manufactured from a high strength fibre, descended from Aramid. Lightweight and extremely flexible, this material is resistant to abrasion, resistant to heat, non-flammable and provides limited protection against glancing blows and shrapnel. It carries several dozen modular webbing grids for mounting exterior equipment, such as extra armour, or pouches. It has a number of these on the front, rear and side facing panels. The vest carries a number of internal pouches, allowing it to mount internal ceramic plating, intended to stop munitions. It carries two plates on the front, one covering the chest and one covering the stomach, two plates on the back, one covering the upper back and one covering the lower back, and a plate covering each side of the vest. Further more, the chest straps connecting the front and rear, and providing the load bearing capacity have their own plate inserts, consisting of three plates each, while the collar protecting the neck is made up of three shaped ceramic inserts. The twin plates on the front and rear, neck and shoulders are connected by a semi-flexible layer of titanium alluminde triplex weave, which is light-weight and resistant to limited amounts of fire, allowing the plating to become semi-articulated with compromising full-spectrum protection. The plates themselves consist of titanium alluminide on the the surface, acting as a structural support, giving limited ballistic resistant properties and acting as a ablative defence against energy weapons, (in that upon being damaged or destroyed by energy weapons, it starts to immediately reduce the effect of LASER and plasma weapons by causing the energy weapon to prematurely detonate or act like a rudimentary smoke screen, vaporising at great cost) underneath that is a core of consisting of a layer of AEGIS composite ceramic, bonded to a shock absorbing layer of non-newtonian fluid. The AEGIS is an incredibly tough ceramic material, developed from Forerunner materials, that acts as the primary defence of the armour, acting as an ablative defence against energy weapons and as a projectile defence, shattering or stopping solid projectiles on contact, even tungsten carbide munitions, and absorbing the impact into the non-newtonian layer that protects the user by absorbing the energy across a small area, and dispersing it safely. The internal layer is 1cm of Kevlar diamond weave which provides a last ditch protection and padding for the user, catching spalling and fragmentation from the above layers. These plates are easily replaced, and extremely lightweight, providing high-profile protection and multiple hit capability against high calibre munitions. It is secured around the waist by an adjustable belt, which can also carry additional equipment. The armour is fitted with a low profile hydrogen battery, capable of powering the armour's energy shielding and ancillary functions. This is nestled against the upper back, underneath the plating, for additional protection. It also has the necessary amount of shield emitters to project shielding across the chest. The armour also includes two fast release pulls, hidden between the shoulder guards and chest plate, which when pulled allow the armour to be quickly stripped. This is usually used to treat injuries or strip the armour in the event of fire or deep water immersion. Thanks to the design of the armour, it is naturally stealth, which is backed up by infra-red absorbing paints, giving it limited invisibility against infra-red, motion and RADAR systems. The M4A2 has five modular helmet systems that can be used in conjunction with it, which provide the 'central nervous system' of any soldier and possess the majority of the communication and combat systems of the armour. All helmets share electronic CTC and HUD systems, as well as shield emitter systems. Each of these can be worn over balaclavas and face masks with ease. The Heavy Duty Combat Helmet (HDCH) is a reinforced helmet used by the UNSC Army, as well as UNSC Marines operating exposed vehicle turrets. It features a large, rounded helmet, with a heavily sloped forward aspect, designed to deflect munitions and provide a thick, glacis plate. Unlike other contemporary helmet designs, it features two large cheek guards, protecting against munitions and fragmentation to the face. The helmet is secured by a armoured chin strap. It features the capability to be fitted with ballistic eye wear, usually in the form of orange or green lenses, though clear and sunglasses are available, and are protective against small fragments and glancing blows. It can also be fitted with a full face shield and an advance ballistic shield, protecting the face and providing a number of mciro-cameras for near-perfect vision. The helmet is made of a core of AEGIS tile inserts backed onto shock absorbing non-newtonian and diamond weave kevlar for catching spalling. This is all contained in a titanium alluminide shell. It carries a standardised accessory mount at the front, usually reserved for sensors and night vision devices, and mounting points on each side of the helmet for mounting sensors, lamps and enhanced communications gear. The helmet is engineered to provide a minimum reduction in sight, fitting well from any position, including why lying in the prone position. It can also be fitted with nape protection, which consists of an armoured plate attached to the collar, protecting from the head to the back. The Modular Lightweight Helmet (MLH) is a helmet issued to the UNSC Marines, and UNSC Army Airborne units. Lighter in design than the HDCH, it has many similar features, though lacks the hardened cheek guards. This makes it significantly lighter than the more common HDCH and grants a lower profile. It also has a number of modular features, including the standardised forward accessory mount and left/right accessory points, but also includes the ability to fit up-armoured plating as necessary and a 'snap fit' environmental mask that can be fitted securely in less than 15 seconds, which combined with the MLH's own CBRN systems, can protect a marine from environmental hazards, and with necessary supporting gear, survive more hazardous environments and dangerous radiological, biological or chemical weapons. It can also be fitted with standardised ballistic eye wear and nape protection. The Special Integrated Systems Helmet (SISH) is a specialised helmet, issued to UNSC Special Forces Command. Lighter than HDCH, it has a smaller profile, with reduced brim and collar, but maintains the majority of the protection, including the presence of cheek guards, though these are reduced in size. Its reduced profile and moderate protection make it the preferred helmet for close quarters operations by special forces. It also features the ability to equip forward and side mount points for accessories and modular fittings for environmental gear, ballistic eye wear and nape protection. The Sealed Environmental Helmet is a specialised helmet designed for long term operations in deep space. This is part of the M37 Pressure Suit and is fully compatible with existing systems. The Advanced Combat Engagement System is a variant of the MLH, utilised by Navy, Marine, Army and Air Force aviators on dropships and gunships. The helmet is environmentally sealed with an enhanced electronic package to integrate with and operate the avionics on these vehicles. The armour has integrated graves and bracers for increased protection, each of these carrying their own shielding emitters. The bracers are made of diamond weave kevlar wrapped in the same material as the vest, with its own webbing system and an integrated elbow pad. The greaves are titanium alluminide plated armour with limited AEGIS tile inserts. These have linked knee guards and integrated boot covers, protecting the feet of the operators against limited fragmentation. The armour can also be fitted with a wide range of armour modifications, allowing it to be modified for a variety of purposes. The most basic additional armour is the kevlar cover. A simple, light weight diamond kevlar sheet, this is worn over the chest and is designed to stop low calibre rounds and fragmentation. Rarely worn alone, it is instead used to support heavier armour, which often lacks it own kevlar layer for catching spalling. The most popular armour layer seen is the Integrated Plate System. This consists of a heavy duty armour plate for the chest and back. This consists of a titanium alluminide shell, AEGIS tile inserts and non-newtonian backing plates. Considered normal equipment for high-intensity conflict, urban conflicts and frontline engagements, the IPS is a heavy duty defence system, capable of warding off high strength munitions. It includes a gorget and articulated lower chest plate for protecting the stomach. The alternative to the IPS is the Lightweight Combat Armour, which is often used to support infantry deployed to mid-intensity conflicts, or engaged against enemies in open environments. It consists of a light breastplate of AEGIS tiles incased in ttianium-alluminide, over a a secondary plate, creating spaced armour. Lighter than the IPS, it is rarely deployed in high-intensity conflicts for its lack of full spectrum protection. The UNSC Marine Corps and Army also use a large line of differing pauldrons, providing differing levels of protection. Soldiers can also eschew pauldron protection for increased agility. The most common for the Army is the CB-3 'Slab'. This is a large glacis plate of titanium alluminide and AEGIS, with a non-newtonian layer for absorbing shock and a spall liner. This heavy duty plate can take several high calibre munitions before failing. As said, it is used most often by the Army for high intensity conflict, but is also used by the UNSC Marines for dangerous operations and operating vehicles, usually deploying it in a 'asymmetric' pattern of one heavy shoulder and one using a lighter plate. The UA-III is a commonly used plate for short term operations in urban areas. While note as heavy as the Slab, the UA-III consists of a curved plate protecting the shoulder to upper arm, then another plate over the top, protecting a wide area, though reduces mobility. The UA-IIIa is a modified variant, with reduced profile, vastly increasing mobility but no longer protecting the shoulder. The CB-201 'Crab' is a alternate plate designed for high mobility operations, usually for vehicle crew and weapon operators. Attached directly to the shoulder mounting point rather than the pauldron mounting point, it consists of two articulated plates that overlap, protecting the shoulder joint without harming mobility. The CB-1Z is a lightweight plate and heavily utilised. Simple and effective, it rests snug against the shoulder guard of the vest and protects the upper arm, mixing mobility and protection. The last model is the UA-XI. Commonly seen as a symbol of officers, it is a set of ceramic tiles set inside a fabric cover, made of the same material as the vest. It is roughly in a moulded L shape, conforming to the shape of the user's collar and shoulder. This is mounted directly on the shoulder, protecting their neck and shoulder. This can be used in conjunction with other variants. The UA-XIa is a slightly larger version. The wrists can be accented with either the Mk. IIIA or IVC armour, the former being a light ceramic plate, the later being more heavy duty and intended for high intensity conflicts. The thighs are usually fitted with a UA-XXI Glacis Plate or TB-5 NERA. The UAXXI GP is a angular plate, protecting the front and side aspects of the leg. Fitted with heavy duty plating, it can resist and deflect munitions. It can also carry equipment. The TB-5 Non-explosive Reactive Armour is a heavy plate that protects the side, taking out high calibre munitions that penetrate the upper armour by releasing a high power discharge, vaporising them, though is compromised after this.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)