Jovian Chronicles - Martian Exos

[Noir]

MEAL-02 Explorer
General Purpose/Scout Exo-Armor

Height: 16.4 m
Weight: 27.3 tons
Control System: Linear Frame
Armor Factor: 7

Weapon Systems
1 x JAW-03 Railgun
2 x MCJ-1 Missile Canisters
2 x GPM-3 Medium Missiles
6 x GPM-1 Light Missiles

Special Equipment
Survival Pod
MR-25 EWAC Pod
 

Overview
The Explorer was originally a Jovian Armor Work design which the JAF sold to the Martian governments in the late 2180s. It is representative of the first true exo-armors and as such is not very sophisticated.

The Explorer, original Jovian code EAL-02, was used by the JAF from its introduction in 2175 (when it replaced the EAL-01. the first EA in existence) to its gradual replacement by the more advanced EAL-04 Pathfinder. The machines still in service were gradually transferred to the Martian Free Republic army, although a few ended up as the first exo-armors of the Martian Federation (by a twist of fate - the nomads responsible for delivering them simply sold their cargo to the Federation for a higher price).

Eventually, Martian Metals, a mining and heavy equipment company, began producing a homegrown copy which was almost identical to the original Jovian design. The name was retained, but the identification code was changed to MEAL-02, the M standing for Martian.

The machine has not changed much over the years. Except for the Martian-built computers and communication systems, everything is pretty much the same as it was when the Explorer served with the JAF. The armament is still of Jovian manufacture, although a few units sport home-grown designs instead of the JAW railgun (this happens mostly with Federation exo-armors, which use the Ares RJ-3 railgun - a pale copy of the original weapon).

Variants
Since the Martians have so few exo-armors, they have been forced to adapt them to various operational duties. The most common variant is the Desert Fox, a ground version of the standard Explorer equipped with air filters and slightly larger feet for better efficiency in the desert dust. It is used as heavy support for the exo-suited troopers on the battlefield..

 

Service History
As the Explorer serves in both Martian armies, it was inevitable that a confrontation between two exo-armors of this model would occur. In 2194, a group of Federation soldiers, out on a wargame operation, "accidentally" crossed the border and found their way into the Republic's territory. As defending troops approached, the Federation's lone Explorer "mistook" them for their game adversary and opened fire. As the fight took dangerous proportions, a Republic Explorer was sent as reinforcement.

The resulting fight lasted nearly three hours as the opponents were evenly matched. The Federation pilot finally made an error and his battered machine was vaporized when its reactor went critical. As the heat of the incident died down, formal apologies were exchanged and the first and only Explorer vs Explorer confrontation was relegated to a dark corner of Martian history.

 

MEAL-02 Explorer (Standard)

Spoiler

 

MEAL-02 Explorer (Standard)

Piloting - MV: -3, Ground Move: 9, Flight Move: 18, Tonnage: 27.3

Sensors - Range: 2, Comm: 500 km, Structure: 3K, Location: Head

Hydraulics - Standard, Structure: 8K

Armor & Structure
Head --- Armor: 2K, Structure: 1K
Torso -- Armor: 1K, Structure: 4K
R. Arm - Armor: 1K, Structure: 2K
L. Arm - Armor: 1K, Structure: 2K
R. Leg - Armor: 1K, Structure: 3K
L. Leg - Armor: 1K, Structure: 3K

Additive Systems - Escape Pod, Space Protection, EWAC (Radio/Radar Antenna: Detects units in a 7 km radius, R. Arm)

Weapons

Railgun - Accuracy: 0, Range: 6, Damage: 3K, Ammo: *, Structure: 3K, Location: R. Arm

*Ammo: Railgun - Shots: 20, Location: Torso, Standard

Missile Cannister - Accuracy: -1, Range: 5, Damage: 1K, Ammo: 20, Structure: 1K, Location: R. Leg

Missile Cannister - Accuracy: -1, Range: 5, Damage: 1K, Ammo: 20, Structure: 1K, Location: L. Leg

Light Missiles - Accuracy: +2, Range: 8, Damage: 1K, Ammo: 6, Structure: 1K, Location: Torso

Medium Missiles - Accuracy: +1, Range: 8, Damage: 3K, Ammo: 2, Structure: 3K, Location: L. Arm

Right Hand - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 1K, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 1K, Location: R. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

Left Hand - Accuracy: +1,  Range: Melee, Damage: 1K, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 1K, Location: L. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

 

 

[Noir]

 

MEAM-01 Defender
General Purpose/ Trooper Exo-Armor

Height: 16.9 m
Weight: 44.5 tons
Control System: Linear Frame
Armor Factor: 24

Weapon Systems
1 x MM-324 Beam Cannon
2 x MCJ-1 Missile Canisters
6 x MPM-1 Missiles

Special Equipment
Survival Pod

 

Overview
Like the Explorer, the Defender was originally a Jovian Armor Work design sold to the Martian governments. The initial project was started at the same time as the Explorer project, which may account for the visual similarities of the two machines.

In the summer of 2173, the military asked for two new classes of exo-armor to replace the EAL-01, which was fast becoming obsolete. One would be the next "light" EA, while the other would be the first of a new "medium" class, better suited to more dangerous missions. As time went by, both engineering teams ended up borrowing a lot from each other in an attempt to speed up the design process. Thus, the planned rocket bays were replaced by Explorer-style missile canisters when a reliable loader couldn't be miniaturized enough to fit in the Defender's leg units.

The Defender is early flights proved the overall soundness of the design. It served in the JAF for the same period of time as its smaller brethren Explorer, and was also sold to the Free Republic after its tour of duty in the Jovian forces. At first, the Federation couldn't get their hands on the new unit, much to their despair, until a commando team successfully stole the plans and some test data from the Martian Metals plant in Republic territory in 2191. Soon after, Ares Corporation became the second manufacturer of the MEAM-01.

.

Variants
Like the Explorer, the Defender is the basis for several operational variants, many of them related to combat in the dust of the Martian Desert. The best known versions are the Camel and the Rifleman.

The Camel places the emphasis on desert survivability. As such, it is equipped with air filters and extra reserves, as well as a reliable and rugged massdriver. The missile canisters are replaced by disposable packs of short range rockets strapped to the side of the legs.

The Rifleman is primarily a long-range support machine. Sporting a large backpack-mounted railgun, it is not equipped with the desert protection system of its brethren's and must be carefully monitored by a nearby tech crew during a battle. This is usually only a minor annoyance since it is generally used far from the actual battlezone.

 

Service History
Like the Explorer, the Defender has been involved in a number of minor conflicts along the borders. To date, no Defender has been lost in combat by either side.

 

MEAM-01 Defender (Standard)

Spoiler

 

MEAM-01 Defender (Standard)

Piloting - MV: -5, Ground Move: 6, Flight Move: 15, Tonnage: 44.5

Sensors - Range: 4, Comm: 800 km, Structure: 4K, Location: Head

Hydraulics - Standard, Structure: 8K

Armor & Structure
Head --- Armor: 3K, Structure: 3K
Torso -- Armor: 5K, Structure: 10K
R. Arm - Armor: 3K, Structure: 4K
L. Arm - Armor: 3K, Structure: 4K
R. Leg - Armor: 5K, Structure: 6K
L. Leg - Armor: 5K, Structure: 6K

Additive Systems - Escape Pod, Space Protection

Weapons

Beam Cannon- Accuracy: +1, Range: 8, Damage: 4K, Ammo: Inf., Structure: 4K, Location: R. Arm

Missile Cannister - Accuracy: -1, Range: 5, Damage: 1K, Ammo: 20, Structure: 1K, Location: R. Leg

Missile Cannister - Accuracy: -1, Range: 5, Damage: 1K, Ammo: 20, Structure: 1K, Location: L. Leg

Light Missiles - Accuracy: +2, Range: 8, Damage: 1K, Ammo: 6, Structure: 1K, Location: Torso

Right Hand - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 1K, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 1K, Location: R. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

Left Hand - Accuracy: +1,  Range: Melee, Damage: 1K, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 1K, Location: L. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

 

[Noir]

HG-43 Sand Stalker
General Purpose/Trooper Exo-Suit

Height: 3.23 m
Weight: 4.8 tons
Control System: Linear Frame
Armor Factor: 180 H*

*Torso armor is new Ti/Al/fiber-reinforced plastic "Alpha" Armor 

 

Weapon Systems
1 x Ares Gatling Gun w/ 35 mm Grenade Launcher

Special Equipment
Desert Protection (Filters)

 

Overview
The Sand Stalker is the Martian Free Republic's best known exo-suit. Light and very agile, it is mostly used for border patrol and lightning strike.

The need for a new, more efficient exo-suit appeared in 2192, when the Federation started mass-producing the Sabertooth Tiger. Studying the known specs of the Sabertooth, the Republic's engineers discovered that the design could be much improved upon.

By using a new type of armor, composed of a sandwich of Ti/Al/fiber-reinforced plastic, the projected weight of the suit was decreased substantially. Although it was lighter, the armor plating was actually more resistant and flexible than the one used on the Saber. The overall frame was also made lighter and smaller to allow operations in urban areas. Because of the suit's new dimensions, a more ergonomic layout was chosen, leading to a design made of curved plates and flexible composite cloth which was very comfortable and easy to use.

Powerful fan thrusters are placed in the backpack. The air intakes are located in the backpack itself and on both side of the torso; a heavy dust screen protects the dual turbines from the desert dust.

 

Variants
Since the Sand Stalker is an exo-suit, it can use practically any man-sized weapon, leading to an enormous diversity of models. A common variant uses the large Ares RU-30 rifle which fires caseless, sabot-discarding rounds.

 

Service History
The Sand Stalker entered service in late 2194 at the Chryse outpost. Since then, it has seen a lot of action, being part of virtually all of the Republic's military operations.

A few have fallen in the hands of pirate bands over the years, but these are generally poorly armed and inadequately maintained.

 

HG-43 Sand Stalker (Standard)

Spoiler

 

HG-43 Sand Stalker (Standard)

Piloting - MV: -3, Ground Move: 2, Flight Move: 12, Tonnage: 4.8

Sensors - Range: 7, Comm: 100 km, Structure: 10H, Location: Head

Hydraulics - Standard, Structure: 45H

Armor & Structure
Head --- Armor: 30H, Structure: 30H
Torso -- Armor: 30H*, Structure: 100H
R. Arm - Armor: 30H, Structure: 45H
L. Arm - Armor: 30H, Structure: 45H
R. Leg - Armor: 30H, Structure: 45H
L. Leg - Armor: 30H, Structure: 45H

*Torso armor is new Ti/Al/fiber-reinforced plastic "Alpha" Armor

Additive Systems - Desert Protection

Weapons

Gatling Gun - Accuracy: +1, Range: 8, Damage: 25H, Ammo: *, Structure: 25H, Location: R. Hand, Special: Autofire, BV 3

*Ammo: Gatling - Shots: 20, Location: Torso, Standard

Grenade Launcher - Accuracy: -1, Range: 6, Damage: 75H, Ammo: *, Structure: 75H, Location: R. Hand

*Ammo: Launcher - Shots: 10, Location: Torso, Burst 1

Right Hand - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 15H, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 25H, Location: R. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

Left Hand - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 15H, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 25H, Location: R. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

 

 

[Noir]

 

MP-21 Sabertooth Tiger
General Purpose/Trooper Exo-Suit

Height: 3.83 m
Weight: 6.42 tons
Control System: Linear Frame
Armor Factor: 210 H

 

Weapon Systems
1x Tri-Barrel Gatling Gun w/ 40 mm Grenade Launcher
2 x 18 mm Laser Cutter

 

Special Equipment
Desert Protection (Filters)

Overview
The Sabertooth Tiger (commonly referred to as simply "Saber") came to be in late 2184, when the Federation felt the need to replace their aging "Hunting Tiger" exo-suits. These had been in use for nearly twenty years and, despite upgrade following upgrade, were now completely obsolete by modern battle standards. The Federation military design section worked closely with technicians from Ares Corporation to design the new unit in the least amount of time possible (Federation officials wanted the suit for the centennial of the independence). After a mere six months of designing and testing, the Sabertooth was distributed to a few elite units of the Army. The Sabertooth would not see mass-production before 2192 however, when it became the standard mechanized infantry unit of the Federation.

The Sabertooth, although smaller than its predecessor "Hunting Tiger", is still just as bulky, with big slumpy legs and arms. Its armor is especially thick on the lower legs, thighs, shoulders and torso, with angled plating to help deflect incoming projectiles. Articulated areas are protected through the use of heavy composite cloth, flexible yet tough, which also doubles as protection against sand infiltration.

 

Variants
Several specialized versions exist, the best known being the engineering suit. Most of the other variants differ from the MP-21 by their armament only, replacing the tri-barrel gatling gun with a rocket launcher or any of the modern infantry weapons. A few were also modified for crowd control.

 

Service History
The Sabertooth Tiger is routinely used as a patrol and crowd control unit by the Federation. It is also used against pirate raiders and has been involved in several military operations.

The Sabertooth has recently been sold in massive quantities to the CEGA, a clear sign of strengthening relations between the two nations.

 

MP-21 Sabertooth Tiger (Standard)

Spoiler

MP-21 Sabertooth Tiger (Standard)

Piloting - MV: -5, Ground Move: 1.2, Flight Move: 8, Tonnage: 6.42

Sensors - Range: 7, Comm: 100 km, Structure: 10H, Location: Head

Hydraulics - Standard, Structure: 45H

Armor & Structure
Head --- Armor: 30H, Structure: 30H
Torso -- Armor: 40H, Structure: 100H
R. Arm - Armor: 30H, Structure: 55H
L. Arm - Armor: 30H, Structure: 55H
R. Leg - Armor: 40H, Structure: 55H
L. Leg - Armor: 40H, Structure: 55H

Additive Systems - Desert Protection, Space Protection

Weapons

Gatling Gun - Accuracy: +1, Range: 8, Damage: 25H, Ammo: *, Structure: 25H, Location: R. Hand, Special: Machine Fire, BV 3

*Ammo Gatling Gun - Shots: 20, Location: Torso, Standard

Grenade Launcher - Accuracy: -1, Range: 6, Damage: 85H, Ammo: *, Structure: 85H, Location: R. Hand

*Ammo Grenade Launcher - Shots: 10, Location: Torso, Burst 1

Laser Cutter - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 50H, Ammo: Inf., Structure: 20H, Location: R. Arm

Laser Cutter - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 50H, Ammo: Inf., Structure: 20H, Location: L. Arm

Right Hand - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 15H, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 25H, Location: R. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy

Left Hand - Accuracy: +1, Range: Melee, Damage: 15H, Ammo: N/A, Structure: 25H, Location: R. Hand, Special: Quick, Handy