Romulan Combat Armor

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Thank you to RC (Amarik I'Dartha) and MB (Aloysia Yvette) for their help in creating this section.

This sections details the different types of combat armor used by troops in the Romulan Star Empire.

R42C Ablative-Kinetic Personal Combat Armour

Type R42C PCA consists of a sandwich of materials molded to form a rigid shell. The outer layer consists of ultra-light Ablative alloy to provide structural strength and protection against phasers and other energy type weapons. Beneath this is a core, consisting of a layer of carbide polymers bonded to a layer of graphite composed carbon-fiber. The carbide polymer is an incredibly hard ceramic designed to also shatter a kinetic round on impact while simultaneously forming a conoid base to absorb its energy.

Beneath this, the carbon fiber layer provides extra ballistic protection at the point of penetration by delaminating across a large area, so absorbing more energy. On the inside of the armor is a woven liner made of 1500 mesh fibers. This liner dissipates the remainder of the energy by deforming in the area of impact, and is also able to catch any spalling or fragmentation from the first three layers.

However, since any kinetic or fragment round impact on the armor shell tends to compromise its integrity and ability to provide ballistic protection. It is standard practice to replace any affected areas immediately.

The armor comes in several pieces. The main component is a rigid vest, which protects the Thoracic-abdominal region front and back, between the groin and neck. This comprises a two piece clamshell secured at the sides by plastic clips. At the top of the clamshell, above each shoulder, is a rigid load-bearing arch from which hang the carbon-fiber webbing straps. These arches are padded beneath to protect the wearers shoulders when the armor is loaded with an IAP frame. Two segmented pieces attached by straps protect the front and side of the shoulders.

Inside the clamshell are remote bio monitors which measure the wearers life signs including heart rate and breathing, an optic cable connects these to the transmitter in the helmet.

On the rear left shoulder of the armor vest is a mounting bracket for a high powered lamp. This runs off a rechargeable internal battery and incorporates a carrying handle so that it may be detached and used as a hand torch. Also, on the back of the armor are three mounting brackets for the IAP (Individual Assault Pack) frame.

The IAP is a lightweight medium pack designed to carry up to 24kg; it is attached to a carbon-fiber A frame which clips onto the rear armor mount. The pack is water repellent but not waterproof. Though, waterproof liners are issued for each of the main compartments and pockets.

Below the armor vest is a separate section which covers the front abdomen and groin. This is a flexible pad of rheological ballistic armor secured by a diaper harness. A rigid armor plate is fixed to the lowest part of the pad to protect the genitals.

The R42C has replaced the two previous PCA versions which were the R42A and R42B. Type A consisted of just the vest and helmet and had minimal protection against Kinetic weapons, whereas Type B had improved ballistic protection and the addition of the greaves. This equipment, though outdated is still in use by land forces and militia on outer planets of the Shiar.

Helmet

The standard ZP496 Ballistic Helmet is piece of equipment that has stood the test of time, and it is still in heavy use throughout the Shiar forces. It incorporates a tactical camera, audio microphone, IFF transmitter and a receiver/transmitter system. In addition the helmet also mounts a passive infrared sight, which flips down over the right eye. This projects IR images from the thermal imaging facility built into the tactical camera, superimposing them over the background as in a heads up display.

Leg Armour

This consists of a pair of clamshell greaves which cover the whole of the leg from ankle to knee. The knee segments are articulated on carbon-fiber straps and are tied around the leg above and at the back.

P10A Energy Absorbing Cloth Combat Tunic

Since the introduction of the R42C Combat Armour, trials and actual combat testing revealed that, though giving the wearer a reasonable protection, it was a little cumbersome for certain combat situations. Hence the Galae Shiar Research division came up with the P10A.

The armor is a one piece tunic which slides over the wearers head and covers them from neck to just above the knee and both arms to the wrist. It is made of a heavy cloth with carbon and ablative fibers sewn throughout, and it is designed to absorb and diffuse energy weapons (such as phasers and disruptors).

When the wearer is shot the material the energy is diffused throughout the tunic, so that the energy is not concentrated in one area and therefore cannot burn through so heavily. The material also has absorbing properties as well.

The ability of this armor as a whole is limited, a high energy setting emits more energy and though the shot is diffused it could still kill the wearer though not vaporize them. Also, the more hits the armor takes the less effective it becomes, due to the amount of absorption it takes at one time.

The negative side to this armor is the fact that kinetic rounds etc can easily pierce it, as it is only a heavy cloth. The advantages were that it is lighter and allows the wearer to move more freely and attempt martial arts moves and climbing.