Imperial Military uniforms and body armour (FT)

Various uniforms and body armour are worn by troops of the Imperial Military, the military forces of the New Greater Empire. Uniforms in the Imperial Military are governed by the Imperial Army Uniform Code and the Imperial Navy Code of Conduct Uniform Section. With some exceptions, both the Imperial Army and Imperial Navy use standardised uniforms shared between the branches.

Body armour and powered combat suits in the Empire often represent the cutting edge in such technology in the Human Sphere. The Empire places great importance on the survivability of its troops, as each and every soldier is an important servant of the Empress and the Empire.

Imperial Formal Uniform
Kimono Gang. The cream kataginu is a badge of office, worn only by staff officers. They don't have rank insignia on this uniform because everyone is supposed to remember their rank by protocol. Everyone else has ranks displayed on shoulderboards.

The maximum level of formal wear for parades and such also includes freakin' full-scale samurai armour for officers and ashigaru armour for enlisted. Full-formal for staff officers doesn't include armour. Generally they don't really wear the armour of course. Mid-level officers are prone to wearing this onto the battlefield, strapping on the Keisotsu chestplate and helmet, and sometimes the boots, over their kimonos.

Standardised Working Uniform
Yes, I will have a whole section dedicated to the Imperial Jumpsuit. Comes in black, grey, and light grey variants. Vehicle crews also typically wear this. FT developments have made flame retardant materials lightweight and comfy.

Standardised Combat Uniform
If a soldier is not in any of the above then they will be in this. It's a 20th century pants and jacket style combat uniform and is worn by most support staff and troops other than infantry, i.e. artillery personnel or logisticians. It has various digital camouflage patterns covering a myriad of environments. Infantrymen off-duty or at ease will typically be wearing this too when they're not in their combat armours.

Standardised Exoatmospheric Flight Suit
TIE fighter pilot jumpsuit but worn by every single combat pilot. Larger ships' pilots may wear the combat uniform instead.

General uniform items
PT kits, admin kits, etc.

Special Uniforms
Stuff like stealth suits and HAZMAT suits.

Type-Ho
""This is your Keisotsu armour. You will get used to living it it, you will eat, you will sleep, you will shit in it. And you will maintain it to the best of your ability, and then some more, such that when the time comes, you will not die in it.""

- Senior Sergeant Oda Washio, Camp Ayataka, Shin Minori Basic Training Centre

The Type-Ho Keisotsu-class Infantry Combat Armour is the standard light infantry body armour system used by the Imperial Army and its auxiliaries. Developed by the Imperial Army Office of Research and Development and produced by Matenrou Infantry Systems, the Keisotsu class armour has become representative of the Imperial Army soldier and is one of the iconic symbols of the modern Empire. Aesthetically, the Keisotsu armour is intended to evoke the appearance of the ancient Ashigaru troops used by the Yashiman states which the Empire claims lineage to.

Designed for basic full-body protection against ballistic weapons, energy weapons, shrapnel, and concussive blasts, the Keisotsu armour is also able to protect the user in hostile and toxic environments to a small extent. The suit consists of eighteen armour parts and a reactive fibre body suit, and is designed to fit the shape of the human body, avoiding bulk to improve soldiers' mobility.

The Keisotsu armour is powered by two solar-rechargeable battery cells mounted on the back of the suit. When powered, micro-servos in the arms and legs work together with the reactive fibre body suit to provide additional strength and support to the soldier, allowing them to carry heavier loads and walk longer distances. A tactical computer built into the gauntlets also provides the soldier with numerous functions ranging from section coordination to communications and navigations. A basic cooling and heating system is also in place, consisting of liquid coolant 'arteries' that circulate throughout the reactive fibre suit and provide basic environmental control, capable of maintaining a soldier's body temperature at normal states in environments of up to negative 20 degrees to 60 degrees. Despite all the included technology, Keisotsu armour is still light enough to be worn and used in a de-powered state.

Eighteen pieces of lightweight titanium and carbon nanotube composite armour plating are strategically placed and shaped to protect the entire body, particularly the vital organs. There is no specific helmet designed for the Keisotsu armour, and Imperial Army troops typically use basic ballistic helmets. The Keisotsu armour cannot be pressurised or sealed, and thus cannot be used in low-atmosphere or overly hostile environments. While it is resistant to toxic environments it is not recommended for troops to remain in such areas for long.

Operations doctrine regarding the Keisotsu armour system recognises three levels of armour protection for different levels of combat operations. Level 1 Armour State refers to a soldier being equipped with the entire suit of armour in a fully powered state, allowing the soldier to operate in all levels of fighting. Level 2 Armour State refers to a soldier being equipped with the entire suit of armour in an unpowered state, and is less recommended. Level 3 Armour State is a catch-all term for personnel wearing only parts of the armour system, such as only the torso armour, load bearing belt, and helmet, commonly worn by non-combat personnel visiting the front lines such as dignitaries or high-ranking officers. Additional official and unofficial levels of armour protection exist catering to different environments; for example, Level 1-Fuyu level refers to a fully armoured soldier with cold-weather modifications such as external jackets and ice-spiked boots, while the informal "Hakama Level", typically seen while troops are at ease, refers to a soldier stripping down to their pants, fastening the ankles of their pants just under the knees, and without their boots.

Imperial troops first received the Keisotsu armour system in 195, with the system receiving its trial by fire during the Empire-Alvium War of 197. Since them, the Keisotsu armour has continued to be the main armour system of the Imperial Army and other Imperial ground troops acting in a light infantry role, with the armour system or parts of the armour system additionally also finding use amongst VIPs, combat zone reporters, and others. The armour has become such an iconic symbol of the Imperial Army that the word "Keisotsu" (勁卒), meaning "excellent soldier", has also become a by-word to refer to Imperial Army troopers.

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Type-Ho Kai
""The Kaizoku armour does not hold up to the heat of orbital reentry. The name isn't literal, come on.""

- Scribbled footnote on a discarded Orbital Diver Handbook found in Sotomori City, Hourai

The Type-Ho Kai “Kaizoku” Class Advanced Infantry Combat Armour is an upgraded version of the Keisotsu armour primarily used by Imperial special forces units, in particular the Orbital Divers. Built upon the basic eighteen-piece armour plate system of the Keisotsu armour, the Kaizoku armour incorporates more advanced technologies and capabilities to the point of being only superficially similar to the Keisotsu armour.

Incorporated into the Kaizoku system is Mogami Nanotechnology Industries' revolutionary TETSUKAWA nano-fibre muscle suit. This suit able to intelligently contract and relax to act as a secondary layer of muscles for the user, allowing for increased strength, speed, and endurance. It is also is capable of self-repair, and can harden upon impact to protect the user from blunt force and projectile attacks. Carbon nanotubes are also woven amongst the nano-fibres to increase the armour protection provided by the suit. Full environmental control is also afforded by the TETSUKAWA suit, which is able to efficiently heat up or cool down to regulate the temperature of the soldier within.

Used alonside the TETSUKAWA suit are a modified version of the Keisotsu armour's eighteen armoured plates, manufactured out of the same titanium-carbon armour blend and re-designed to complement the protection afforded by the TETSUKAWA suit. The Kaizoku suit has a specialised full-head protective helmet which provides full NBC shielding and oxygen supply for exo-atmospheric, low-atmospheric, and even aquatic operations. This helmet interfaces with the suit and provides the user with a full heads-up-display providing them with tactical and terrain information, unit communications options, as well as different visual spectrums including infrared and low-light.

Due to the vastly increased power requirements of the Kaizoku system compared to the base Keisotsu system, the Kaizoku system is powered by a miniaturised cold-fusion cell mounted on a backpack unit. The Kaizoku system is fully compatible with optical camouflage systems, and is able to provide power for these additional systems.

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Type-Ri
""Didn't expect me to come through the wall, eh? Everyone get down, the cavalry's here. Laying suppressive fire, standby.""

- Corporal Uemura Tetsuo, 227th Infantry Battalion, 229 Fujimoto Insurrection

The Type-Ri “Domaru” Class Heavy Infantry Combat Suit is the Empire's primary heavy infantry powered amour suit. Manufactured by Tsugunaga Robotics, the Domaru suits serve as the backbone of the Imperial Army's heavy infantry corps.

In the codified Imperial infantry doctrine, heavy infantry holds an important role as both support and vanguard forces. Every light infantry section can be supported by a single heavy infantry soldier, who uses his enhanced strength and armour to support his section in a variety of ways, from providing heavy fire support to assaulting enemy positions. Alternatively, the heavy infantry platoon of each infantry battalion can operate as a single heavy infantry force, acting as an armoured vanguard or immovable front line. Experiments are undergoing in certain infantry battalions to look into the effectiveness of increased amounts of heavy infantry troops, with the main drawback being a decrease in strategic mobility.

The Domaru suit reflects the flexible yet uncompromising battlefield role of heavy infantry. Fully enclosed and pressurised, the Domaru powered armour suit can protect the trooper from hostile environments, ranging from toxic environments to outer space. Lightweight for powered armour, the Domaru armour is surprisingly agile and can be air-transported, though not in large numbers.

Type-Nu
""And flanking Her Imperial Highness's legchair were two of those stoic Imperial Royal Guards. Clad in advanced, full-body powered armour, aesthetically designed to be as intimidating as they were regal and traditional, the two crimson figures were very poetic representations of the Empire, and what kind of state it was.""

- The Heart of the Empire Revisited, Anastasia Makarov, 232

Type-Nu “Haramaki” Class Heavy Infantry Combat Suit

Type-Ru
""Naturally the technical specifications are classified, but you've already witnessed that the Dengekitai possesses unbeatable power. They are a force of nature, the very incarnation of Imperial courage and willpower. Everyone, we have just won the powered armour arms race.""

- Niigaki Momochi, Mitsuhishi team chief designer, unveiling ceremony of the Dengekitai Class Super Heavy Infantry Combat Suit, 1 Hachigatsu 234

The Type-Ru “Dengekitai” Class Super Heavy Infantry Combat Suit is one of the most powerful powered armour suits in the Human Sphere to this day. An unprecedented collaboration between Mitsuhishi Heavy Engineering, Tsugunaga Robotics, and Matenrou Infantry Systems, no expense was spared in the development and manufacture of the Dengekitai powered armour. An imposing suit of powered armour made with the latest in bleeding-edge military technology, the Dengekitai is a new force to be reckoned with, being issued out to the Imperial Army to act as a new kind of utterly devastating heavy infantry.

Plates of a highly classified composite armour blend of titanium, ceramic, carbon nanotubes and potentially tesseum provide the outer protection, strategically placed on the arms, front of the torso, waist, and legs. This armour is strong enough to withstand all types of small arms fire up to 50mm armour-piercing rounds, and in tests was also able to shrug off direct rocket impacts, albeit with heavy surface damage. These plates are entirely modular and easily replaceable, and can be even further modified with reactive armour bricks. It should be assumed that anti-laser polymer coating is applied as a standard.

Beneath the armour plates, intermeshing carbon nanotube tubing encases the servos and other critical components of the Dengekitai, reinforced by additional plating where required. Beneath these layers of protection, the suit's occupant is fully enclosed in a lightweight titanium exoskeleton with kinetic gel-foam padding that protects the pilot from the blunt impacts to the exterior of the suit. The trooper himself wears a flame-retardant bodysuit that also interfaces with the armour's systems, allowing the armour to monitor its occupant's vital signs.

The fully-enclosed helmet is equipped with full-spectrum vision capabilities, with night vision, infrared vision, and more available to the operator. A fully holographic heads-up-display provides the operator with tactical and terrain information as well as information on suit integrity and his own vital signs. Each Dengekitai is equipped with a powerful communications suite also capable of boosting signals from other squad members. The Dengekitai is also fully sealed and pressurised, allowing for use in space or hostile environments.

A single cold-fusion cell in the well-protected abdomen area powers the Dengekitai. Heavy-duty servos provide the suit with formidable raw strength and speed, controlled by the operator through a haptic feedback interface. The Dengekitai is strong enough to punch through armour, concrete walls and other obstacles, while well-trained operators can operate the Dengakitai with enough precision to pick up eggs. Taking advantage of the suit's strength, Dengekitai operators often carry heavy weapons typically mounted on light vehicles, including 20mm chainguns, multiple rocket launchers, and more. Like most other Imperial troops, Dengekitai heavy infantry troopers also often carry swords into battle, appropriately scaled for the powered armour.

Operators of the Dengekitai undergo a rigorous six month conversion course to qualify to operate the Empire's premier powered armour. Dengekitai troops often form their own independent platoon within an Imperial Army infantry battalion, with individual Dengekitai units often attached to sections to provide heavy infantry support or with the entire Dengekitai platoon acting as the vanguard and centre force. Increasingly, experimental 'heavy infantry platoons' are being trialled by various frontline units, comprising of a section of Domaru suit troopers supported by a Dengekitai, providing unprecedented firepower and staying power at the expense of tactical mobility.

A trooper in the Dengekitai armour stands almost half a metre taller than the average person. Well-trained operators can enter the suit within 30 seconds.

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