Southern Cross Equipment

Body Armor and Shields

Southern Cross Combat Body Armor

All Southern Cross soldiers are issued a suit of combat armor as part of their standard kit. The futuristic battle armor of the Army of the Southern Cross is made of lightweight metal alloys and advanced composite materials. Each of the fifteen Armies has their own style of armor, but all ASC body armor suits have the same basic features. The soldier's rank determines cosmetic differences in the individual suits of armor, with rank insignia on the shoulders and officers having more ornate helmets and sharper detailing on the armor itself.

Durable composite shell provides full protection from most standard infantry weapons and is capabale of repelling light anti-tank weaponry.
Full EBA (Enivronmental Battle Armor) with computer controlled life support system featuring:
- Internal temperature and humidity control
- Gas filtration/circulation and internal 6 hour oxygen supply
- Fully insulated and heat-resistant to 300° C
- Self-contained pressurized environment for underwater or space use
- Radiation shielded
Self-sealing helmet with removable faceplate, featuring:
- Directional short-range radio (6.5 km range)
- IR, UV, and passive nightvision computer-enhanced optics systems
- Tinted light-sensitive visor
Mounting points on back for a variety of backpack attachments including:
- Standard backpack (~14 kg capacity)
- Standard survival kit (~9 kg fully loaded)
- Extra oxygen tanks (provides an additonal 6 hours oxygen supply; ~13.5 kg)
- Space booster pack (maneuver pack for use in microgravity, standard issue for TASC and Cosmic Unit; ~32 kg)
- Jet Pack (capable of 100 kph flight for ~2 hour duration with a 600m ceiling, standard issue for TAF and CDFC; ~26 kg)

Southern Cross Combat Shields

The Combat Shield is an optional accessory to the Southern Cross Combat Body Armor. Combat Shields offer the Southern Cross soldier and additional defensive mechanism for combat situations. The Shields are heavily armored, offering varying degrees of protection.

Heavy Combat Shield: the largest of the shields and designed for frontline combat use, the Heavy Combat Shield can withstand the blast of most anti-tank weaponry. It is generally issued to members of the GMP, TC, ATAC, CWOS, HCOS, and CDU.
Light Combat Shield: the smallest shield available the Light Combat Shield offers only half the level (and surface area) of protection as the Heavy shield but is far less cumbersome. It is usually issued to members of the TAF, REP, and CDFC.
Space Shield: the Space Shield is slightly weaker than the Heavy Combat Shield but has a pair of small thrusters for use as maneuver jets in microgravity environments. It is issued to the TASC and Cosmic Unit.
Searchlight Shield: second lightest of the Combat Shields, the Searchlight Shield contains a high-intensity visible light/IR searchlight (55m range). It is used by the Desert and Jungle Squads.

The Mountain Offensive Squad and Sea Squad generally do not use Combat Shields as they usually require unrestricted range of movement.

Weapons

Advances in power systems miniaturization has allowed for the mass-production of portable beam weapon systems. Energy weapons are now the standard issue weapons for soldiers in the Army of the Southern Cross (though conventional firearms are also available).