GTA-14 “Spartan” Ground Power Armor (Wolfen / CAF):

The Wolfen “Spartan” power armor fills a similar role to the Human Alliance “Steel Grunt” and Consortium “Ground Pounder” designs. Developed before the Wolfen jointed the Consortium, it was the chief power armor of the Wolfen military forces. Even now, the armor is considered the main power armor design operated by the Wolfen military.

While the Human Alliance “Steel Grunt” was adopted by the Consortium after its formation, the Spartan was not adopted. As a result, it was never produced in the numbers of the Human Alliance armor with there likely more “Steel Grunts” produced than any other power design in the Three Galaxies. Still, the armor was operated in limited numbers by the Consortium to make up for initial numbers of the Human Alliance design.

Even now, many Wolfen troopers prefer the “Spartan” over the “Ground Pounder.” Some argue that the Consortium armor design is uncomfortable. There are versions of the Consortium and Human Alliance designs modified for a Wolfen operator. Interestingly, there are even versions of the “Spartan” modified for the use of a human operator.

In addition to many Wolfen in the Consortium preferring the “Spartan,” the Wolfen military has no real plans to replace their power armor design although the military leader is looking towards various upgrades to the armor. Upgrades being discussed for the power armor include additional armor, greater weapon including additional mini-missile launchers, and even the addition of a force field.

Because the armor has been operated for some time, a fair number have found their way into the hands of others including both independent military forces and mercenary units. This included the Free Worlds Council and it has been suggested that the Wolfen military is offering covert aid. There are a number of different modifications to these armors in independent service.

The design philosophy behind the “Spartan” is quite different than the Human Alliance or Consortium designs. One is that the Wolfen design is lighter armored, massing around five hundred kilograms. A second is that the power armor features jump thrusters that, while not allowing for full flight, allow for jumping over terrain. A third is that the armor does not feature an internal energy weapon but instead relies on handheld weapons. In appearance, the head of the armor is reminiscent of an ancient suit of armor.

In comparison to the main Human Alliance design, the “Spartan” is faster with a top speed of one hundred and sixty kilometers per hour. The jump thrusters enables the power armor to leap distances up to twenty meters straight. The same jump thrusters also allow for better operation in space, especially aboard disabled starships. It enables acceleration of around ten percent of a G although limited to ten minutes of total fuel. As a results, they are usually used in small spirts of maneuvering purposes.

For weaponry, the Spartan can use most normal handheld weapon systems. Standard issues is a weapon known as an energy lance. The particle beam weapon has some similarities to the Kittani weapon system with a longer ranged low powered shot and a more powerful but short range beam. On the shorter ranged beam, the particle beam is overloaded which cause the beam to defuse at a shorter range. Many troops today supplement the energy lance with GR-15AR gravity assault rifle especially if dealing with targets that are supernatural or are impervious to energy weapons.

In the shoulders of the power armor are a pair of mini-missile launchers. Each one has four mini-missiles for a total of eight mini-missiles. The power armor has been often criticized for a low mini-missile payload although the “Spartan” has the same capacity as the newer Consortium armor and a greater payload than the contemporary Human Alliance design.

Model Type: GTA-14.

Class: Ground Infantry Assault Exo-Skeleton.

Crew: One.

M.D.C. by Location:

	Shoulder Mini-Missile Launchers (2):	40 each.
	“Energy Lance” Particle Beam (Handheld):	50.
	Arms (2):	100 each.
	Legs (2):	120 each.
	[1] Head:	80.
	[2] Main Body:	280.

Notes:

[1] Note that the Head is -4 in addition to normal called shot penalties to hit. Destroying the head will expose the pilot’s head, leaving only the pilot’s body armor helmet as its only protection. Note: The head is a small and difficult target to hit. Thus, it can only be hit when a character makes a called shot and even then the attacker is -4 to strike.

[2] Depleting the Main Body M.D.C. will shut the Spartan down making it useless.

Speed:

Running: 99.42 mph (160 kph) maximum unloaded. Note that the act of running does tire out its operator, but at a fatigue rare of 10% of normal thanks to the robot exo-skeleton.

Leaping: Not using thrusters, the powerful robot legs can leap up to 16.4 feet (5.0 meters) high or across if the armor is unloaded. Add 9.84 feet (3 meters) with a running start. Using jump thrusters, the power armor can leap up to 65.62 (20 meters) high or across.

Note that leaping height and distance on the moon and micro gravity is vastly increased.

Space: While the power armor is limited to long distance leaps in an atmosphere, the jump thrusters can be used in space and micro-gravity. The jump thrusters provide 0.1 G of acceleration but are limited to ten minutes of fuel.

Underwater: The armor can also walk along the bottom of the sea at about 25% of its normal running speed with a maximum depth of 1,000 feet (310 m).

Range: The power armor’s range is virtually unlimited although limited by pilot endurance. In addition, the jump thrusters only have ten minutes of total fuel.

Statistical Data:

Height: 8.69 feet (2.65 meters).

Width: 4.27 feet (1.30 meters).

Length: 3.94 feet (1.20 meters).

Mass/Weight: 1102.3 lbs (500 kg) without any additional equipment.

Physical Attributes of Note: Equal to a PS 36.

Cargo: None but can carry small equipment.

Power System: Advanced Fusion; Average energy life is 8 years.

Market Cost: A standard suit costs around 2.25 million credits. An older reconditioned suit (subtract 1D6x10+10 M.D.C. from main body) can cost 500,000 to 1.5 million depending on condition. Various upgraded models can costs several times more.

Weapons Systems:

One (1) “Energy Lance” Particle Beam: The power armor’s main weapon is a handheld particle beam weapon in the shape of a lance. Has two different setting, one a lower powered but longer ranged and the second a more powerful but shorter ranged blast. Effectively in the shorter ranged shot, the weapon is overloaded which causes the beam to defuse quicker. Weapon pulls its power from the power armor’s fusion reactor.

Maximum Effective Range: Standard Blast: 6,000 feet (1828 meters.) Overload Blast: 3,000 feet (915 meters.) Range is eight times normal when used in space.

Mega-Damage: Standard Blast: 3D6+6 per blast. Overload Blast: 6D6+12 per blast.

Rate of Fire: Equal to number of combined hand to hand attacks of pilot (usually 4-6).

Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
Two (2) Shoulder Mini-Missile Launchers: In each shoulder of the armor are four mini-missile launchers with the ability to fire up to six mini-missiles as a single volley. A shield comes down to protect the launchers when not being fired. Missile has a top speed of Mach 10 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 2% of light per turn (slightly faster than any starship except if it is exceeding it maximum safe acceleration). Three Galaxy Mini-Missiles are normally guided.

Maximum Effective Range: Mini-Missile range is 2 miles (3.2 km) in an atmosphere and 100 miles (161 km) in space.

Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)

Rate of Fire: Can fire mini-missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), three (3), four (4), or eight (8) mini-missiles.

Payload: Four (4) in each launcher for eight (8) total.
Energy Rifles, Rail Guns, and other hand-held weapons can be substituted in an emergency or used as a back-up weapon. Space limitations and the bulk of the armor limit additional weapons to one rifle and one pistol. The most common rifle is the GR-15AR Gravity Rail Gun.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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