Designation: SCAR Environmental Armor

• Type: Hard Armor
• Year Introduced: 2023
• Weight: 15kg (typical, w/o backpack)

After the introduction of their standard battle-armors, the Southern Cross went on to design decorative armors for those armies needing environmental suits: the Tactical Space Corps, Tactical Armored Space Corps, and the Marine and Marsh Divisions of the Tactical Corps. Like the SCBA-series armor, the SCEA-series armors were distinguished by army and the pilot's gender, and the helmets by rank - officer, non-commissioned officer, and unrated enlisted. Unlike the SCBA-series, however, these armors were completely self-contained, and were capable of supporting the wearer for some time without external support. Additional support was possible through the use of backpacks, and this was necessary for long exposure to hazardous environments.

Like the SCBA-series, the SCEA-series armors fell out of use soon after the Invid occupation of Earth and the destruction of the Southern Cross.

The SCEA-series armors are composed of a plastic-ceramic composite for maximal resistance to penetration and thermic explosive damage for minimal weight. The armor stops most small arms fire and grenade and shell fragments, and provides poor to fair resistance against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round. The SCBA armor consists of separate leg, arm, torso, and helmet units, and covers the entire body.

The SCEA-series armors have the following features:

• Full temperature control, by the use of Peltier-electric cooling units in armor, conducting heat between the thermally conducting inner and outer layers of the armor. A simple reversal of the voltage can alternate the armor from heating to cooling the pilot. Between the thermally conducting layers on all these pieces, and on the inner surfaces of all other pieces of armor, is a thin insulating layer, designed to minimize non-directed heat transfer. The Peltier-electric units are powered by small batteries in the armor units that contain them, and are designed to assist pilot comfort in hot and cold climes. The units are insufficient for protection above 75 and below -55 degrees Celsius.
• Full pressure control. The suit is rated from a vacuum to a pressure of 350 kilopascals.
• Independent Oxygen supply, 60 minutes maximum.
• Heat resistant up to 500K for brief periods
• Helmet with variable-tint photochromic polarized polycarbon eyeslits.
• Radio microphone and speakers in the helmet
• Optional utility belt that mounts to the waist, and backpack mounting points on the back armor. Backpacks include two standard storage pack designs, a supplemental environmental consumables pack, and a space booster pack used by the TASC and TSC. This space booster pack is 32kg and contains reaction mass for 200 mps delta-v.
• SCEA-TASC armor is equipped with 1mps vernier-thrusters in the ankles, and the SCEA-TCMNE armor is equipped with swimming flippers on the feet. The SCEA-TCMSH armor is equipped with inflatable pontoons on the feet.
• Optional armored shield; different designs existed for the various armies and ranks. The TASC and TSC used large arm-length shields with 25mps vernier thrusters built into them. The TC-Marsh used a shield somewhat longer than the forearm. The TC-Marine did not use shields.

Additional Images of the Armors:

• Tactical Armored Space Corps, female officer
• Tactical Corps - Marine Division, male non-commissioned officer

Go to ASC Armor/Weapons Index.

Go to the Robotech Reference Guide Home Page.

Robotech (R) is the property of Harmony Gold. This document is in no way intended to infringe upon their rights.

Copyright © 1997 Robert Morgenstern, Peter Walker, Pieter Thomassen
Last Updated: Thursday, January 8, 1997 7:58 AM