Dark trooper armor

Dark trooper armor, also known as United Front trooper armor, was the standard armor of the dark troopers of the United Front. With the dark white teraplast composite worn over a black body glove, the armor represented the elite soldiers of the Infantry Corps and loyal defenders of the United Front.

Description
Developed by the Zygnost Department of Military Research, dark trooper armor was the standard issue armor of the United Front Infantry Corps, and was manufactured on the planet Zygnost. It was introduced sometime after the conclusion of the Union Movement, and was intended to stand out from the armor of the stormtroopers. It was made of 20 individual, overlapping teraplast composite plates and boots which allowed for mobility, while also dispersing energy, protecting the wearer from blaster bolts. A reinforced alloy plate ridge assisted the user's upper thigh, and a sniper position knee protector plate over a wearer's left knee helped improve accuracy when crouching. While most of the armor was fitted specifically for humans, other forms were manufactured to fit other near-human species. A soft click sound would inform the wearer of whether or not the armor was securely attached.

The reinforced combat helmet featured an integrated comlink, audio pick-up, two artificial air-supply hoses, and a broadband communications antenna powered by a single power cell. The helmet featured built-in filtration systems that extracted breathable atmosphere from polluted environments. The helmet's visual processor assisted the wearer in seeing in darkness, glare, and smoke, as well as improving the wearer's limited field of vision. When firing a blaster, the helmet's visor polarized against the glare. A built-in heads-up display also provided targeting diagnostics, power levels and environmental readings at the corner of the wearer's eyesight, and one could access data on various military subjects and civilian organizations on the helmets display. In addition, motion sensors alerted the wearer of any enemy the soldier might have missed. Seeking to discourage nonessential chatter, which was strictly off-limits while on-duty, dark trooper helmets recorded everything that was said by the user, sending it to monitors to review after downloading the data off of the armor's memory.

Dark trooper armor was capable of protecting the wearer in extreme environments, including deserts, forest, icy terrain, and limited exposure to the vacuum of space. The armor's torso plating featured environmental controls on it's midsection, and the body glove was vacuum-sealed and made of a smart material that could adjust to the wearer's body heat and external temperature. In addition, a rebreather pack was required for extended use in environments that lacked a breathable atmosphere or to filter potent toxins. Troops in the field were allowed additional ammunition and comprehensive survival equipment, with backpacks that could feature field communicator sets, mortar launchers, and blaster components. It was a punishable offense to utilize the armor's internal cooling options in noncritical situations due to it's power drain, however many cadets still attempted to do so. Dark troopers were also expected to remain in uniform at all times, with the rule considered essential for representing the United Front in a positive, professional manner. By wearing the dark trooper armor, the wearer represented the United Front, not the individual themselves.

To complement the armor, utility belts were equipped with a variety of features including a compact tool kit, power packs, ration packs, and a holster for the AC-12 blaster rifle. The belts also frequently featured a backup Spark-11 comlink, macrobinoculars, and a grappling hook. Troopers were also given a thermal detonator, which was placed in a survival backpack. The controls to the detonator were not labeled, to prevent enemy forces from using them. Although detonators were prohibited in ships and bases, troopers carried a full complement of such field gear to be prepared for any situation.

Higher ranks were identified with a color coded pauldron worn over the left shoulder. Standard troopers were identified as a private and were not given a pauldron. White represented the rank of sergeant, gold represented the rank of lieutenant, red represented the rank of captain, and black represented the rank of commander.