Combat armor
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Combat armor is among the best forms of protection in the post-War wasteland. Although extremely expensive, the protection value of this armor and its variants is surpassed only by power armor. It was designed to sheath the human body as completely as possible with a high-durability armor.
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[edit] Background
[edit] Construction
The military-grade combat armor was designed to protect its wearer from physical damage, both from conventional and energy weapons. Key areas of the human body are protected by impact and concussive protection plates made of advanced polymers. They are worn over a flexible body suit interwoven with thermal dissipators, cells, and dissipative membranes, which also offers a degree of protection from ballistic trauma.[1][2][3]
Combined, the armor layers of a suit of adequately-maintained combat armor grant the wearer significant protection from most types of damage, including laser, plasma, ballistic (bullets, shrapnel), and blast damage - uncommon for personal armor. Furthermore, it does so without the extreme weight inherent in most battle armor systems of the 20th and 21st centuries. In summary, combat armor provides outstanding protection at comparatively low-weight but high-comfort levels.
The earliest models of the combat armor were manufactured as specific plates mounted on combat webbing, although as the technology improved, body-enclosing suits of armor were created and entered active combat duty, though in limited quantities. Most armor came with a matte-finish olive drab coloring by default, providing woodland and/or urban camouflage.[4]
[edit] Pre-War users
Prior to the Great War, combat armor was nearly exclusively the property of military forces and special police units. Currently-available historical documentation shows users only in the North American continent, but allied nations were likely to posses identical or similar systems. Combat armor was the de facto armor of the United States military, issued to all combat soldiers not in the powered armor units. Additionally, at least one Canadian partisan was caught on camera wearing a suit of combat armor.
Civilian ownership of combat armor was highly restricted. A special permit was required from the Bureau of Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Firearms and Lasers for private ownership of the combat armor (though it was marketed to US citizens without mentioning this fact).
[edit] Post-War users
After the war, it became a valuable item, especially as the number of usable suits dwindled in the centuries that followed. Only those who are either very wealthy, very well-connected, very skilled, or simply very lucky own combat armor - and even for those persons, finding a suit can be a task.
[edit] West Coast
In 2161, combat armor was rare outside large population centers. The Gun Runners that originated in the Hub owned and wore several sets, while a few merchants had a suit available for sale at extremely high costs. The armor was also used by the Hub Police. The Brotherhood Initiates used a superior variant.
In 2241, the armor became more popular, used by the Vault City Guard, New California Rangers, Hubologist guards and even some raiders, as evidence by Bishop's mercenary raider captains and Darion's elite raiders. The selling price was lower, but locating a set of the armor was still difficult. Shops in San Francisco often had a set or two in stock, but usually for $12,000 or more.
In 2281, pre-War combat armor has been largely superseded by post-War designs, especially by larger and more powerful factions. However, some mercenaries and most importantly, the Gun Runners still use combat armor, making it uncommon, but not unseen.
[edit] East Coast
In 2277, the combat armor is fairly commonplace in the Capital Wasteland, owing to density of the area. First-generation suits are used by several factions who have also recolored it to fit their profile.
[edit] First generation armor variants
The basic model of combat armor is essentially a pre-War military body suit, worn with combat webbing to which armored plates forming the combat armor are mounted. It offers decent protection (and reliability, as broken plates can be simply swapped for fresh ones), although lacks the coverage later models offer.
The helmet is a standard ballistic assembly, with a back-mounted battery that can be used to power any helmet attachments.
[edit] Basic combat armor
The standard armor is devoid of any unique markings or other distinguishing features. It comes in olive-drab coloring and is a high performance suit of armor.
[edit] US Army combat armor
US Army combat armor has a single chevron on either shoulder pad, indicating a rank of Private. The armored plates are woodland green and are worn over a brown uniform.
Additionally, the US Army combat armor has more damage threshold than normal combat armor or reinforced combat armor, with only slightly less than Mk II reinforced combat armor. It also gives a bonus to the guns and survival skill.
[edit] Winterized combat armor
This winterized version was used by the United States during the Anchorage Reclamation campaign in Alaska. The winterized combat armor includes snow goggles and protective bracers in addition to the other features already present in combat armor.
[edit] Winterized medic combat armor
A special winterized version was used by doctors and medics during the Anchorage Reclamation campaign in Alaska. It closely resembles the winterized combat armor, except it doesn't have the mask and black goggles for the helmet, and has the medical symbol on the back.
[edit] Security uniform
A weaker, civilian version of combat armor used by the Tenpenny Tower Security and Rivet City security after the War. The Tenpenny Tower version is very similar to the basic combat armor but with a desert color, while the Rivet City one has a black color and a modified combat helmet resembling a riot helmet.
[edit] Talon combat armor
A black-colored variation of the basic combat armor. The suit also bears the Talon Company logo in white on the left breast. There is also a unique version - Lag-Bolt's combat armor.
[edit] Reilly's Rangers combat armor
A version of the basic combat armor used by Reilly's Rangers. This version offers superior damage resistance and bears the Reilly's Rangers insignia while retaining the standard olive-drab camouflage with matte finish.
[edit] Van Graff combat armor
A improved basic combat armor used by the Van Graff family. It is colored matte-black for "brand recognition purposes", but has no matching black helmet. It closely resembles the Rivet City security uniform.
[edit] Sim regen armor
 | The following is based on Fallout 3 cut content and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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A version cut from the final version of the Fallout 3 add-on, Operation: Anchorage. It is identical in appearance to standard combat armor.
[edit] Second generation (reinforced) armor variants
In this more advanced and expensive pre-War model, the torso is protected by a modular primary armor assembly, including a vest enclosing the entire chest and upper abdomen, pauldrons and an armored plate covering the lower abdomen. It is typically worn over a long-sleeved bodysuit, with proper combat webbing attached by default. The lower body incorporates no hard armor, save for armored boots and kneepads.
The helmet is a ballistic assembly, designed to protect the wearer from projectile and energy weapon impacts, bladed weapons, blunt trauma, and concussion. An integrated polarized visor not only protects the user's eyes from the ordinary battlefield hazards of grit and dust, but also from laser blindness and flying fragments. The helmets also incorporate combination camera/laser rangefinder units built into the helmets' right side, just above the ear. Those suits of combat armor surviving in the wasteland still have the housing for that equipment, but no suit has been documented as having working hardware.
[edit] Reinforced combat armor mark I
Basic variant of the reinforced combat armor, typically found in dull green, offers superior protection and comfort to the 1st generation armors.
[edit] Reinforced combat armor mark II
This suit of armor is even more durable than the standard reinforced combat armor, providing modestly greater protection against all forms of damage. Some of its variants are visually nearly identical to the older model, while others feature a modified design.
[edit] Brotherhood combat armor
The Brotherhood of Steel has also developed their own improvement on the reinforced combat armor. Called, creatively, Brotherhood Armor, this version boasts significantly-improved defensive ratings in all forms of damage. However, this armor did not see widespread use as its holdings were zealously restricted to the ranks of the Brotherhood and those who had been of unique assistance to the Brotherhood. Its distinguishing marks includes pale green/grey coloring of the armor panels, blue trim on the chest armor panels, a light gray body suit, and pronounced riveting on the pauldrons.
[edit] Third generation armor variants
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The third generation armors were a new development in protective technologies before the war. They represented a modern approach to design and utilized new materials. The primary assembly is a ballistic vest of semi-rigid plates arranged on the front to provide superior protection to internal organs (unlike previous generations, the entire torso area is protected by a combination of hard and soft armor). The vest is worn with easily adjustible straps on the sides and the shoulders (the latter doubling as shoulder protection).
Accompanying the vest is a third generation combat helmet. Unlike the first and second gen headgear, this version is a fully sealed assembly, which can be opened with a lock at the base of the helmet. The helmet itself is manufactured from alloys to provide optimal protection against shrapnel and trauma, and is fitted with a combination IR/white light lamp on the right side. The second element is the mask, which includes low light optics compatible with the lamp on the helmet, a gas mask and special ear covers that do not inhibit the ability to hear, whilst maintaining the seal.
Later revisions of the armour's design, such as the riot gear common among military units deployed for crowd control to American cities, include upgrades, such as reinforced pauldrons, boots, custom made trenchcoats etc. for the primary assembly and improved gas filters, optics and communications for helmets. However, the basic pattern is similar across different models.
Many of these armours have been adapted by post-War factions and mixed with non-military elements to create new suits of armour.
[edit] NCR Veteran Ranger combat armor
Commonly referred to as the Black Armor, this outfit consists of a third generation combat armor originally used by LAPD riot squads, worn with a matching military helmet with built-in low light optics, a combinaton IR/white light lamp and gas mask.[6]
Rangers traditionally wear it with the Desert Rangers' iconic duster (with the NCR Rangers' insignia on the left flap) and a set of rodeo jeans. Its creation was based on the Desert Ranger combat armor for the NCR Veteran Rangers after the merge between the Desert Ranger and the NCR Rangers in 2271.
[edit] Desert Ranger combat armor
A military-issue armor from the same manufacturer as the LAPD riot armors, this particular type of combat suit was provided to U.S. Marines operating in China. Boasting a desert camouflage pattern, the armor provides quality protection and is typically worn with a matching military-grade helmet with built-in low light optics, a flashlight and gas mask. Owner data is printed on the collar and includes rank, name, service branch and blood type, to facilitate easy identification of wounded and dead soldiers.
The Rangers adapted this armor for their use by including a green trenchcoat and dust-colored rodeo jeans.
[edit] Riot gear
A heavy duty crowd control suit of armour, which consists not only of a high performance third generation armoured vest and matching helmet, but also a reinforced military trenchcoat. The helmet is an advanced design, developed basing off the first helmet models of the third generation combat armor.
[edit] Advanced riot gear
A more heavily armored variant of the riot gear, manufactured specifically for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The upgrades include a thoroughly upgraded trenchcoat, with a bulkier armoured vest, armored pauldrons and an advanced helmet bearing the sigil of the regiment. The helmets air-filtering system seems to be more advanced, and there is a Flashlight on the side of the helmet.
[edit] Elite riot gear
A unique version of the riot gear with different shoulder plates from advanced riot gear, and a larger amount of pouches and equipment on the vest and the trenchcoat. The helmet bears the US Army sigil, but lacks any other distinguishing marks. It also has an enhanced gas filter as well as an antenna connected to the LED on the right side of the helmet. There is also canteen attached to the belt and a bandolier that spans across the chest plate.
[edit] Other types of combat armor
The armors listed below are similar in function or design, but otherwise unrelated to the American modular combat armor.
[edit] NCR Ranger patrol armor
The NCR Ranger patrol armor is a combat armor worn by the NCR Rangers in 2281. Each model is hand crafted in the NCR[7] and features full body armor, a knife sheath on the left chest plate, a camelback style hydration pouch in the back and the Ranger insignia on both pauldrons.
[edit] Urban combat armor
 | The following is based on Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel and has not been confirmed by canon sources. |
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A recovery combat armor, crafted with Kevlar and metal plating put on a leather armor, created after the Great War and only seen in Texas.
[edit] Behind the scenes
Wes Burt (for Massive Black) developed the design. I shared your concerns, so there were a few things I requested to keep it from turning into Jin-Roh Part 53. First, I asked that he wear jeans and boots. I also requested that he should typically have a revolver or lever-action rifle with a bandoleer for bullets. Last, I asked for his jacket to be dark brown, not completely black. I wanted to pull some of the color elements toward warmer "cowboy" tones instead of strict neutrals.
Wes is a really fantastic artist and I think he did a great job.
”— J.E. Sawyer on the veteran Ranger armor's design[edit] Gallery
[edit] First generation
Adam Adamowicz's concept art
[edit] Second generation
Combat armor ad from Fallout d20
[edit] Third generation
Promotional wallpaper
Fallout: New Vegas main menu background
NCR Veteran Ranger wielding a .357 magnum revolver
NCR Veteran Ranger holding an anti-materiel rifle
NCR Veteran Ranger in the Fallout: New Vegas trailer
NCR Ranger combat armor concept art
Ranger helmet concept art
NCR Propaganda showing the Ranger helmet
Two NCR Veteran Rangers wearing the NCR Ranger combat armor can be seen in the All Roads cover, one at the end of the broken "Welcome" sign and the other to the right, near the edge of the image and the back of the pick-up truck
Pip Boy icon of the Ranger helmet
[edit] References
- ↑ Andrew's dialogue: "{214}{}{Well, according to the schematics I saw, you can graft dermal plates and thermal dissipators to a person's skeleton using the following procedure...}
{215}{}{Huh. Well, I suppose with help from the ol' Doctor I could do that operation. Course, I'd need some impact plates and dissipators first...might be able to pry some out of a suit of combat armor, if you can find one.}" - ↑ Doc Johnson's dialogue: "{281}{}{That means that we'll just have to improvise. I think I can get what I need from a set of standard combat armor. I can take the concussive protection plates and also the thermal cells from the armor.}"
- ↑ Item description: ""
- ↑ Sid's dialogue: "{127}{}{It's camouflage, you blend so well. Wait! Where'd you go?}"
- ↑ Fallout 2 Strategy Guide, p. 65
- ↑ Massive Black concept art.
- ↑ Fallout: New Vegas loading screen hints - "The distinctive black ranger combat armor consists of the Desert Rangers' traditional trench coat worn with Pre-War riot armor. Ranger patrol armor is hand-manufactured in the NCR."
