Author Topic: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor  (Read 5606 times)

Challenger

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Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« on: 28 November 2015, 18:20:54 »
So I've been thinking, IMHO conventional infantry is becoming less and less viable, I think its finally reached the point where the phrase 'hopelessly obsolete' might be appropriate. Given that, I'd say its time for conventional infantry to be consigned to the history books along with all other forms of obsolete infantry and make way for the infantry of the future, aka Battle Armor.

But what form would that Battle Armor take? The current suits don't really scream general issue, I can't see them being handed out to second line troops on a regular basis.

So the challenge is this, if a power decided that all 'fighting' infanteers were to be equipped with Battle Armor, if they wanted a suit that could be issued as widely as rifles are in a modern military, what would that suit look like?

Challenger

Daryk

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #1 on: 28 November 2015, 20:02:30 »
Almost certainly PA(L) with two points of standard armor and armored gloves.  I would think anything else would be beyond "standard issue".

Liam's Ghost

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #2 on: 28 November 2015, 20:40:09 »
Are we assuming that the rules will be massaged to better accommodate battle armor as conventional infantry? There are some quirks that give conventional troops some neat tricks.

Though even so, I'd have to agree with the PAL, it doesn't have the same limitations of battle armor when doing grunt work. Easier to get through tight quarters, won't fall through the floor or stairwell due to mass, that sort of thing.

(please note that I don't actually think that non-powered infantry will ever be completely obsolete, but I'll stick with the spirit of the exercise)
Good news is the lab boys say the symptoms of asbestos poisoning show an immediate latency of 44.6 years. So if you're thirty or over you're laughing. Worst case scenario you miss out on a few rounds of canasta, plus you've forwarded the cause of science by three centuries. I punch those numbers into my calculator, it makes a happy face.

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Liam's Ghost

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #3 on: 28 November 2015, 20:46:44 »
Putting random thoughts into practice:

Kalashnikov General Purpose Infantry Armor
IS TW non-box set

BV: 150
Cost: 3,000,000 C-bills

Movement: 3/3/3

Internal: 6
Armor: 12
                     Internal    Armor
--------------------------------------
Trooper 1                   1        2
Trooper 2                   1        2
Trooper 3                   1        2
Trooper 4                   1        2
Trooper 5                   1        2
Trooper 6                   1        2

Weapon                         Loc  Heat
----------------------------------------
Light Machine Gun (Right arm)  Squad     0
Swarm Mek                      Squad     0
Attack Swarmed Mek             Squad     0
Stop Swarm Attack              Squad     0
Leg Attack                     Squad     0

Equipment                      Loc
----------------------------------
Armored Glove (Left arm)       Squad
Armored Glove (Right arm)      Squad
BA Stealth (Body)              Squad
BA Stealth (Body)              Squad
BA Stealth (Left arm)          Squad
BA Stealth (Right arm)         Squad

The intent is to maximize all the advantages of being in a battlesuit over being naked, thus stealth armor, maximized mobility (jumping and ground), and a heavy weapon.
Good news is the lab boys say the symptoms of asbestos poisoning show an immediate latency of 44.6 years. So if you're thirty or over you're laughing. Worst case scenario you miss out on a few rounds of canasta, plus you've forwarded the cause of science by three centuries. I punch those numbers into my calculator, it makes a happy face.

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WeaponX

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #4 on: 28 November 2015, 22:06:17 »
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Grunt Combat Suit
               
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere Mixed / 3085 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L) (81 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  32.4 km/h
Jump Capacity: 60 meters
Armor Type:    Standard
R&D Start Date:  3093
Prototype Design and Production:  3095
Standard Production:  3097

==Overview:==
Utilizing mixed technology, the Escorpion Imperio built the Grunt Combat Suit using an Inner Sphere type PA(L) chassis protected by Clan grade standard armor plating.  It is equipped with two Modular Weapon Mounts, located one in each arm and can mount up to 150kgs of weapons or equipment ranging from 75kg weapons like Light Machine Guns and Micro Grenade Launchers to 150kg weapons like a Heavy Machine Gun or ER Micro Laser.  Decades of Imperio Watch infiltration of Lyran border worlds also gave them access to Inner Sphere technology, one of which was the Firedrake Support Needler, which the Imperio found a use for in one of its Grunt configurations.

Code: [Select]
==================================================================
Type/Model:    Grunt Combat Suit
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (3 MP)                 0        50
               Jump Movement   (2 MP)                 0        50
Armor Type:    2 pts Standard (C)                     0        50

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Armored Glove                          0         0
  Right Arm:   Armored Glove                          0         0

Fixed Weapons & Equipment            Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Modular Weapon Mount                 LA               1        10
  - A) Light Machine Gun             LA/MWM    50     1        75
  - B) Micro Grenade Launcher        LA/MWM    20     1        75
  - C) Light Machine Gun             LA/MWM    50     1        75
  - D) Light Machine Gun             LA/MWM   150     1        85
  - E) Micro Grenade Launcher        LA/MWM    60     1        85
  - F) Light Machine Gun             LA/MWM    50     1        75
  - G) Machine Gun                   LA/MWM   200     1       115
  - H) Heavy Machine Gun             LA/MWM    50     1       150
  - I) Machine Gun                   LA/MWM    50     1       100
  - J) ER Micro Laser                LA/MWM    30     1       150
Modular Weapon Mount                 RA               1        10
  - A) Light Machine Gun             RA/MWM    50     1        75
  - B) Micro Grenade Launcher        RA/MWM    20     1        75
  - C) Micro Grenade Launcher        RA/MWM    20     1        75
  - D) Improved Sensors              RA/MWM           1        65
  - E) Improved Sensors              RA/MWM           1        65
  - F) ECM SUite (C)                 RA/MWM           1        75
  - G) Light TAG                     RA/MWM    60     1        35
  - H) None                          RA/MWM           -         0
  - I) Firedrake Support Needler     RA/MWM    30     1        50
  - J) None                          RA/MWM           -         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               2       400
Slots & Mass Available for Configurations:            4         0
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Sabelkatten

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #5 on: 29 November 2015, 05:14:11 »
The thing that really "ends" PBI are AE weapons - and those take care of BA just as well...

The canon reason for PBI in Battletech is that people are plentiful, AFVs aren't. The only time BA makes sense as a replacement for PBI is when you don't have heaps of warm bodies to throw around - and then you'll probably want the best BA you can afford!

An extreme budget "BA" would be a PA(L); 3 ground MP, 2 standard armor, LMG and OS-SRM2.

Step up is either a fancy PA(L); 3/3 move, 2 improved stealth armor, LMG
or a budget light BA; 3 ground MP, 6 standard armor, LRR, SRM1(4)

After that you're getting to "real" stuff like Liam's Ghosts design.

Daryk

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #6 on: 29 November 2015, 06:40:57 »
I'll amend my initial thought with two modular weapon mounts to even out the math.  Jump jets are definitely not something I'd consider "general issue".  This thread reminds me of Edge of Tomorrow more than anything else.
« Last Edit: 29 November 2015, 11:08:35 by Daryk »

Sharpnel

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #7 on: 29 November 2015, 07:50:46 »
Almost certainly PA(L) with two points of standard armor and armored gloves.  I would think anything else would be beyond "standard issue".
Agreed. A Nighthawk or Tornado suit or perhaps something new with an advanced type of armor (be it reflective or ablative). I'll give this a shot when I get off work this AM (couple of hours from now)
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Sharpnel

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #8 on: 29 November 2015, 12:57:35 »
A couple of designs

Gropo Combat Armor
: Standard issue suit with a larger power pack than the Assault suit that follows. This suit is modular.

Code: [Select]
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Gropo Combat Armor
               (4 Configurations)
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L)/Exoskeleton (0 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  21.6 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

==================================================================
Configuration: [Base]
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (2 MP)                 0        25
Armor Type:    2 Points Standard                      0       100

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    None                                   0         0
  Right Arm:   Basic Manipulator                      0         0

Fixed Weapons & Equipment            Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Missile-Capable Modular Weapon Mount LA               1        10
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               4       250
Slots & Mass Available for Configurations:            2       150

==================================================================
Configuration: Flamer

Config Weapons & Equipment           Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamer                               LA/MWM-M  10     1       150
Sub-Machine Gun                      RA/APWM  100     0         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               5       400
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1         0

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     260,590 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   9 (36 for 4)  Weapon Value: 2 (Ratio=.22)
Cost per BV:    12,287.78 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 2   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +1,  Running: +2,  Sprinting: +3
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

==================================================================
Configuration: MG

Config Weapons & Equipment           Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Machine Gun                          LA/MWM-M  50     1       100
Shotgun, Automatic                   RA/APWM   24     0         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               5       350
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        50

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     259,204 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   9 (36 for 4)  Weapon Value: 2 (Ratio=.22)
Cost per BV:    12,133.78 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 2   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +1,  Running: +2,  Sprinting: +3
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

==================================================================
Configuration: Gauss

Config Weapons & Equipment           Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
David Lt Gauss Rifle                 LA/MWM-M  20     1       100
Blazer Rifle                         RA/APWM          0         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               5       350
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        50

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     277,940 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   10 (40 for 4)  Weapon Value: 2 (Ratio=.20)
Cost per BV:    12,794.0 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 2   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +1,  Running: +2,  Sprinting: +3
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

==================================================================
Configuration: Grenadier

Config Weapons & Equipment           Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Grenade Launcher                     LA/MWM-M  20     1       100
  (with High-Explosive Ammo)
Laser Rifle                          RA/APWM          0         0
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               5       350
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        50

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     257,650 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   7 (28 for 4)  Weapon Value: 1 (Ratio=.14)
Cost per BV:    15,378.57 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 0   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 2   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: +1,  Running: +2,  Sprinting: +3
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor

Gropo Assault Armor: This moves slower to free weight for heavier weapons. This suit is not modular as each one is specifically built.

Gauss/Needler

Code: [Select]
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor Gauss
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L)/Exoskeleton (0 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor Gauss
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
Armor Type:    2 Points Standard                      0       100

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   None                                   0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
David Lt Gauss Rifle                 RA        20     1       100
Firedrake Support Needler            LA        30     1        50
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               5       365
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1        35

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     251,350 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   10 (40 for 4)  Weapon Value: 3 (Ratio=.30)
Cost per BV:    10,135.0 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 1   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: 0,  Running: 0,  Sprinting: 0
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor

Light Recoilless
Code: [Select]
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor Recoilless
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L)/Exoskeleton (0 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor Recoilless
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
Armor Type:    2 Points Standard                      0       100

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   None                                   0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Light Recoilless Rifle               RA        20     2       175
  (with High-Explosive Ammo)
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               6       395
Slots & Mass Left:                                    0         5

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     228,900 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   12 (48 for 4)  Weapon Value: 4 (Ratio=.33)
Cost per BV:    6,575.0 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 1   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: 0,  Running: 0,  Sprinting: 0
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor

Flamer/Light TAG

Code: [Select]
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor Flamer
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L)/Exoskeleton (0 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor Flamer
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
Armor Type:    2 Points Standard                      0       100

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   None                                   0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamer                               RA        10     1       150
Light TAG                            LA        60     1        35
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               5       400
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1         0

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     274,500 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   9 (36 for 4)  Weapon Value: 2 (Ratio=.22)
Cost per BV:    13,833.33 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 1   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: tag, car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: 0,  Running: 0,  Sprinting: 0
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor

SRM

Code: [Select]
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor SRM
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L)/Exoskeleton (0 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor SRM
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
Armor Type:    2 Points Standard                      0       100

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   None                                   0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
SRM 1                                RA         4     2       100
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               6       320
Slots & Mass Left:                                    0        80

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     233,580 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   14 (56 for 4)  Weapon Value: 5 (Ratio=.36)
Cost per BV:    5,970.0 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 2   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 1   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 1    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: -1,  Running: -2,  Sprinting: -3
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor

MRM

Code: [Select]
        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor MRM
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  PA(L)/Exoskeleton (0 - 400 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Armor Type:    Standard

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Gropo Assault Armor MRM
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  PA(L) Class Humanoid                   0        80
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
Armor Type:    2 Points Standard                      0       100

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Basic Manipulator                      0         0
  Right Arm:   None                                   0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
MRM 1                                RA         4     2        80
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 (Anti-Personnel Weapon Space)       LA               0         0
Searchlight                          Body             1         5
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               6       300
Slots & Mass Left:                                    0       100

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     232,584 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   11 (44 for 4)  Weapon Value: 4 (Ratio=.36)
Cost per BV:    7,507.64 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 1   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Cannot travel on any 'Mechs or Vehicles
Attacks:        Can not perform Swarm or Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 1   Armor/Structure: 1 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 0    Specials: car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 4/5/6/5    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 1,  Target Size Modifier: 0
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: -1,  Running: -2,  Sprinting: -3
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: 0,  DEX: -1,  RFL: 0
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor
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idea weenie

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #9 on: 29 November 2015, 17:04:42 »
The GROPO Combat armor looks like something I'd want to armor an infantry platoon with; very nice job.  Not the speed of Mechanized or the flexibility of Jump, but taking an infantry unit, giving it a speed of 2, adding 2 extra armor points, plus giving each trooper a spare missile launcher plus weaponry is a nice deal.  Of course, equipping a full platoon of 28 means you will be spending ~7.8 million C-Bill (of which 4,2 million is training costs).


The speed 1 Assault Armors will need to be carried into battle (and during it too).  I'd tend to use those as more of a defensive force, or just for clearing out the levels of a building.

The Gauss/Needler Assault suit can be a modular weapon system for the basic Combat armor.

For the Flamer/TAG I'd want to drop the Flamer to give it more movement (preferably Jump).  Nothing like a zippy little TAG unit behind your lines spotting for missiles.

The following suits should be upgraded to speed 2, as they have the kilogrammage to do so:
Gauss/Needler, SRM, and MRM.

Daryk

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #10 on: 29 November 2015, 17:57:44 »
I think the searchlight and extra power pack just might pass muster with the bean counters (with the modular weapon mounts being givens).  I'm not sure about the extra speed, though...  That might be viewed as a "storm trooper" upgrade.

Now that I'm back with my books (I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving, for those who celebrated it), I'm looking at costs.

I'm fairly certain any accountant worth their degree would cost shift the training to the personnel account (i.e. off the books of the acquisition side of the universe).  That said, it looks like we're dealing with:

PA(L) chassis: 50,000 C-Bills
1 MP minimum: 25,000 C-Bills (Jump Jets are cool, but twice the cost)
2 Armored Gloves: 5,000 C-Bills (again, Modular Equipment Adapters would be cool, but are four times the cost)
2 points Standard Armor: 20,000 C-Bills

That's 100,000 C-Bills before even adding the modular weapon mounts, which are fortunately cheap:
1,000 C-Bills per Standard Modular Weapon Mount
500 C-Bills per Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount

Given that, I'd probably stick with one Standard Modular Weapon Mount and two Anti-Personnel mounts on the base design (for a total of 102,000 C-Bills and 200kg (out of 400) per suit).  Everything else (extra power pack, searchlight, etc.) would be special mission equipment issued as necessary.  Again, I'm reminded of Edge of Tomorrow, specifically where Cruise says "did you just take my battery?".  We're shooting for AK-47 level here, not M16 or M4 (though the Picatinny rail system is similar to the modular weapon mounts).

Daryk

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #11 on: 14 January 2016, 06:57:05 »
One correction: I noticed the note at the bottom of the table in Tech Manual says not to include the free MP provided by the chassis, so the total cost of the above would be 77,000 vice 102,00.  Working through this has also given me an idea which I'll post in a new thread shortly.

Korzon77

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #12 on: 14 January 2016, 17:18:52 »
So how would you adopt the rules to allow infantry PA in the sense of using it as part of a platoon?  Would you just redefine any infantry platoon as 4 BA squads?

Daryk

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #13 on: 14 January 2016, 17:41:48 »
I proposed (in another thread) using exoskeletons to negate the movement penalty for support weapons (up to 2 crew at least).  As for using BA for an entire platoon, I'd just use squad deployment.  Conventional infantry squads can vary anywhere up to 10, and there are already rules for BA squads up to 6.  It shouldn't be hard to extend that, or just use smaller squads.  The Taurians are the easiest to do this way, since they have 30 troopers per platoon.

Fireangel

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #14 on: 19 March 2016, 22:55:52 »
No matter how sophisticated, BA will never fully replace conventional infantry; any PA(L) basic enough to become standard issue will still be defeatable by PBIs.

Look at the clans; they have come as close as humanly possible to eliminating PBIs from the battlefield with their Elemental BA, yet all clans still maintain a small force of conventional infantry for security and other basic military functions.

PBI squads/platoons can be designed to take on BA on a near-equal footing.

That being said; a dedicated anti-infantry PA(L) like the Alexandrian Urban Combat PA(L) would go a long way to reducing the numbers of poorly trained, lightly armed bullet-catchers.

Daryk

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #15 on: 20 March 2016, 06:00:42 »
Nice... all that thing needs is a spotlight for clearing basements, and it conveniently has 5kg left.  :)

Fireangel

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Re: Design Challenge: The AK-47 of Battle Armor
« Reply #16 on: 20 March 2016, 13:19:02 »
Nice... all that thing needs is a spotlight for clearing basements, and it conveniently has 5kg left.  :)

Ain't that convenient?  >:D