Appendix: Explanations
This fic uses technology that is feasible in 2015 (Evangelions notwithstanding, unless 2nd impact does occur).
Since Eagle will have most of said tech, I want to add this appendix of explanations of all the gear Eagle uses. Also I really, really hate it when an author uses the writing itself to explain how technology works for the benefit of the reader. Personally, I think it shows poor writing skill, either the knowledge should be available to most people so no explanation is needed or it is so secret that the chars don't want to reveal to anyone else how the tech works.
Instead of talking about tech in my fic I'll do what Frank Herbert did for the Dune saga, write an appendix.
*Offensive equipment/technology*
Metal Storm -
Ballistics company. Their designs use the barrel itself as the ammo magazine. Each round is in a column and fired with an electric charge. Thus more than one 'barrel' of ammo can be stored and different types of rounds in each barrel. The ammo type is selected electronically, the whole gun is really a computer controlled ammo fining platform in the shape of a handgun really. Presently all metal storm guns need modified ammo but, in say 15 years they could be able to use standard cased ammo.
Eagle's MS gun has six 9mm (10 rounds each) barrels and one .45 (6 rounds) barrel.
If you saw what the 'normal' MS gun looked like it's actually limited in its payload.
The August 2001 issue of Popular Mechanics talks about MS and their work. Currently they have a massive platform that is used to test many different sizes of ammunition (its called the 'Bertha' because of its size).
TAR (Tavor Assault Rifle) Micro Commando -
Israel Military industries newest polycomposite assault rifle for extremely close confines (as opposed to the larger TAR Sharpshooter or the rifle). Fires NATO 5.75 mm rounds (30 round clips), sound suppressor option attached. This is an extremely low maintenance weapon designed to give counter insurgency forces an extremely light weapon with enough power to cut through military issue body armour. Plus the gun is only 480 mm long from end to end so it can strap to your thigh and not take up both hands to carry so its perfect as heavier firepower backup to the handgun.
www.imi.com Is the page you can look up, or just look up the TAR
Targeting Cameras -
Mounted on top of each weapon, uses a covered cable to feed the image straight to the eye screens. Wireless could be used so no wires are able to be cut. However, wireless video feeds aren't anywhere as fast as direct line connections and since you want to see what you gun is tracking right _now_, not when it refreshes in 1 second. Also since the guns are 'eyes' Eagle will end up using them as such ("better a gun cam than your head" I always say). The plugs for the cameras in the armour are all at waist level. Placement of the input plugs to the eye screen are as follows; one over the middle of waist (for the handguns camera) and one at each side (for the TAR-MC (left or right handed)).
Dunno where exactly you could see a easily viewable example of this. However, the US army has been making their soldiers 'high-tech' ever since the mid 1990's. One of these, upgrades, is a camera (rather large too) mounted over the top of the assault rifle and a helmet mounted screen that feeds the camera's video to the soldier.
Vibro Blades-
Cut through granite blocks without breaking a sweat (or using RDX, hehe). The appeal of a knife that can cut through anything short of molecularly bonded materials (only a possible when minting (building items from their basic atomic level upwards) is feasible), is incredible. Suddenly, close combat is now possible against an opponent in full heavy body armour : ).
There's a company selling them for slicing food for the food industry
Dukane is the company selling vibrating blades
http://www.dukane.com/us/products/food/foodProducts.htm
Also a drill able to drill 'square' holes now exists, the bit vibrates at an extremely high speed so it can bore a hole through solid granite with no pressure needed by the user. In fact the user only has to make sure the drill doesn't tip over since the drill can use its own weight to apply the pressure needed.
Fairbanks-Sykes Combat knife-
Designed near the end of WW II by former British Special Forces officers Fairbanks and Sykes. The knife is meant specifically for the purpose of making the job of separating a person from their life as fluid and as fast as possible. It is recognized as the 'commando' knife by many and many special forces units in the world use Fairbanks-Sykes combat knives, I doubt there will be a massive improvement to this staple of hand t hand combat.
Dimensions:
Length(s)
-278 mm (tip to pommel)
-175 mm (blade)
-100 mm (hilt to pommel)
Width(s)
-24 mm (blade at base)
-55mm (hilt)
15mm (Handle start)
21mm (Handle middle)
10 mm (Handle end, pommel start)
15mm (pommel end)
Eagle carries as many knives as he can strap to his armour, (normally 4 (one strapped to the chest, one on the back of the left forearm, one strapped to the small of the back and one on the right shin). All are solid black metal in hard plastic sheaths (black of course).
*Defensive Equipment/Technology*
Armour - Synthetic spider silk, dyed black. Spider silk is currently being synthesized using goats milk (because the way a goat (or cow) creates milk proteins is very similar to how a spider makes spider silk.
The armour has ceramic insertion plates to further beef up defense on the chest and outers of the arms and legs.
Article on the silk synthesis (the BBC's webpage)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_889000/889951.stm
Modern example of uses of silk as armour (silk armour for Thailand's security forces)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_379000/379338.stm#top
As for ceramic armour plates, well if you've never heard of using plates in pockets stitched to kevlar vests; uh well then there's really not much I can say. Except that well...its been used in favor of metal plates because it's lighter and can take more punishment, however since it is brittle (i.e. you can't drop it, but it can stop .50 rounds, weird huh?). It isn't used for general purpose military units. However with new reinforced ceramic armour plates and a decrease in expense in their production the worlds armed forces will be wearing ceramic armour in the future ("this ain't your momma's best china anymore!").
Muscle bundles-
Gelatinous bundles which when exposed to current contract (just like muscles do). Arranged around the armour like muscles on a human are and use true haptic controls (more later). Doesn't increase strength, the suit has its own limit so it doesn't multiply the user's strength rather it augments the users strength. (max lift: 230 kg (500lbs), max one leg kick: 170 kg (375lbs), max running speed 14 m/s (50.4 km/h), acceleration: .5m/s^2.
Nasa has been working on artificial muscles for an extended period of time, Time magazine (online) covers their use
(source Time Magazine MARCH 22, 1999 VOL. 153 NO. 11)
the web address:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101990322-21477,00.html
Haptic controls-
hap·tic (hptk)
adj.
Of or relating to the sense of touch; tactile.
[Greek haptikos, from haptesthai, to grasp, touch.]
Basically haptic controls are controls that follow the motion of the user, currently the most prevalent control system is an external body harness that is strapped to the controller. Very ineffective in a combat situation as, a well placed shot can snap a support strut on the control 'limbs' and cripple the user's armour.
However, there is an existing alternative. Currently there are sensors that are implantable into muscle tissue. The sensors are about the size and shape of a capsule bigger than 500mg (maybe even 1g). There is this guy in the US who has a controller in his arm and is using it as a replacement for his mouse (just move the arm and point and the cursor moves). As for the use of these in flesh sensors being used for the control for the armour its mostly an idea I had by combining the two. The sensors transmit the motion of the limb and send said data wirelessly, and since the suit needs data on the motion the limb is making they the two seem suited for each other
If anyone who reads Popular Mechanics magazine and recalls this please tell me sincei lost a lot of my mags to a leaky pipe (its hars to read solid blocks of waterlogged magazine believe you me).
BC suit - Biological Chemical defense.
Thermal regulation suit; capillaries full of coolant (the US used them during the Gulf war to combat chem WMDs (weapons of mass destruction)) and/or a heat suit (essentially an electric blanket shaped like clothing)
Air tank - suck in air, filter the oxygen out, compress it and store in a container; presto constant supply of oxygen. Just make sure the tank doesn't take a bullet, pure oxygen tends to be explosive if lit. Air tank is removable from harness for multiple reasons/purposes including: O2 (explosive) + MATCH (catalyst) = booom, air tank for personnel other than the EXAS (VIPs don't always carry gas masks), replacing a damaged or empty tank with a full one (more practical for you blowhards).
The O2 held in the tank is used for the rebreathing system on the back harness, or the flame thrower unit. Total amount of breathing time with a full tank of O2, 20 min (with rebreather system on). Flamer; range 10 m, max spread of fuel stream 1/2 m, max time at max output 5 s (yes 5 only seconds, it's a small tank sheesh)
*Miscellaneous Equipment/Technology *
Ear piece-
Audio link from MOSAIC system to EXAS unit, also used as a sound filter, sound amplifier and includes and auto sound-damper to keep the EXAS from going deaf in firefight (or a flash bang).
Since the EP is an audio link to the MOSAIC it is used as a translator (hey Eagle doesn't Japanese, realistic SI remember).
Appearance: slightly flexible yellow plug, looks a bit like a fish (Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy anyone? : ) ), uses a direct wire connection leading to back harness or can use a wireless connection (nearly never uses the wireless; to slow, EMP liability).
All EXAS wear one ear piece in each ear, only one is needed for an audio feed, however both are used to increase the number of redundant systems and also both ears need the protection provided by the auto sound-dampers.
Eye Screens-
Over-the-eye mini screens designed to feed visual data taken from the suits cameras to the EXAS.
Visual options include:
-infrared (thermal)
-UV (green and black visual)
-visible light, maps
Screen modifications:
-directional arrows on the screen to navigate the EXAS
-auto-target possible targets (red squares boxing around each target)
-text overlay (the system check in chapter one for example)
-map, navigational points (N, S, E, W) overlay
-focus 'lines' (lines pointing at specific objects that the mosaic considers important to look at, if you ever played System Shock with 'auto-help' 'on' you know what I mean, green lines pointing at objects you can pick up or switches you can throw or enemies to target)
A prof at U of Toronto has been working on a wearable computer since the 60's (and it was huge and slow and people crossed the street jst so they wouldn''t have to walk past him too!).
If you look at the Summer of 2001 issue of Azure (Design (NOT fashion) Mag) you can see the newest stuff this guy is working on; computers integrated into the clothes we wear.
Back on track, the standby of his own personal computer is a pair of shades which while looking like the shades that fit over prescription glasses are also a computer screen, the cursor is controlled by eye movement (needs a mini-cam to track the user's eye just so you know). This guy's work is pivotal part of the designs I've made for EXAS (the wearable computer part, the eye screens, onboard sensors and other things).
Speakers-
Twin thin tweeter speakers located on the cheeks on the head armour, one on the chest and a subwoofer on the back harness.
Used as the "translator's" voice or as a general psychological warfare equipment. If I can make a voice like a demon for a short period of time (it wrecks my voice if I do it for more than a few seconds though) why can't this speaker system change your voice modulation for extended periods of time.
Throat mike-
Surgically implanted mini-microphone. Used for sub-vocal speech with the MOSAIC. Powered with a lithium battery (life span 6 months). Very short range (50 m outside, 20 inside) unless linked to a back harness (unlimited range, uses E-sat for telecom). For all intents and purposes an EXAS with out a working back harness and out of sight of his MOSAIC is screwed for data feeds and intel.
Also the throat mike is used by the translator program when the EXAS cannot speak the necessary language (the EXAS can't speak the native language). This is something that is not desired, since the EXAS will end up looking like an ugly American (regardless of the EXAS's nationality, the term is a general term to all heavy-handed 'advisors' who don't bother to learn the local customs, protocols, languages etc.).
Muscle Augmentation, Limb Replacment
"How to Build a Body Part"
(Time) MARCH 1, 1999 VOL. 153 NO. 8
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101990301-20592,00.html
Also for all you bio junkies, stem cells, stem cells, stem cells. These things can be used to replace almost any type of body tissue, I'm gonna use tons of it in SOH. That means trauma, Eagle is gonna lose limbs and organs like crazy, besides its EXAS' motto "the mission or nothing" so if a lung can be replaced why not take the pain and do the job.
And that is the end of the new or unfamiliar technology that I've put in my fic.
*Final Word*
My original idea was simply cyber limbs but since they won't be remotely feasible till 2030-2050 so I won't use them in the fic, that and it's much easier to replace organics with grown limbs instead of metal thanks to stem cell research.
For anyone else who has ideas to add to my fic just mail me and tell where I could get the article, I would be grateful to anyone who wants to add to this fic.
Also the general Idea of exo combat armour is being developed by DARPA (go to www.darps.mil for more) for the US army. So even the exo armour isn't farfetched.
This fic uses technology that is feasible in 2015 (Evangelions notwithstanding, unless 2nd impact does occur).
Since Eagle will have most of said tech, I want to add this appendix of explanations of all the gear Eagle uses. Also I really, really hate it when an author uses the writing itself to explain how technology works for the benefit of the reader. Personally, I think it shows poor writing skill, either the knowledge should be available to most people so no explanation is needed or it is so secret that the chars don't want to reveal to anyone else how the tech works.
Instead of talking about tech in my fic I'll do what Frank Herbert did for the Dune saga, write an appendix.
*Offensive equipment/technology*
Metal Storm -
Ballistics company. Their designs use the barrel itself as the ammo magazine. Each round is in a column and fired with an electric charge. Thus more than one 'barrel' of ammo can be stored and different types of rounds in each barrel. The ammo type is selected electronically, the whole gun is really a computer controlled ammo fining platform in the shape of a handgun really. Presently all metal storm guns need modified ammo but, in say 15 years they could be able to use standard cased ammo.
Eagle's MS gun has six 9mm (10 rounds each) barrels and one .45 (6 rounds) barrel.
If you saw what the 'normal' MS gun looked like it's actually limited in its payload.
The August 2001 issue of Popular Mechanics talks about MS and their work. Currently they have a massive platform that is used to test many different sizes of ammunition (its called the 'Bertha' because of its size).
TAR (Tavor Assault Rifle) Micro Commando -
Israel Military industries newest polycomposite assault rifle for extremely close confines (as opposed to the larger TAR Sharpshooter or the rifle). Fires NATO 5.75 mm rounds (30 round clips), sound suppressor option attached. This is an extremely low maintenance weapon designed to give counter insurgency forces an extremely light weapon with enough power to cut through military issue body armour. Plus the gun is only 480 mm long from end to end so it can strap to your thigh and not take up both hands to carry so its perfect as heavier firepower backup to the handgun.
www.imi.com Is the page you can look up, or just look up the TAR
Targeting Cameras -
Mounted on top of each weapon, uses a covered cable to feed the image straight to the eye screens. Wireless could be used so no wires are able to be cut. However, wireless video feeds aren't anywhere as fast as direct line connections and since you want to see what you gun is tracking right _now_, not when it refreshes in 1 second. Also since the guns are 'eyes' Eagle will end up using them as such ("better a gun cam than your head" I always say). The plugs for the cameras in the armour are all at waist level. Placement of the input plugs to the eye screen are as follows; one over the middle of waist (for the handguns camera) and one at each side (for the TAR-MC (left or right handed)).
Dunno where exactly you could see a easily viewable example of this. However, the US army has been making their soldiers 'high-tech' ever since the mid 1990's. One of these, upgrades, is a camera (rather large too) mounted over the top of the assault rifle and a helmet mounted screen that feeds the camera's video to the soldier.
Vibro Blades-
Cut through granite blocks without breaking a sweat (or using RDX, hehe). The appeal of a knife that can cut through anything short of molecularly bonded materials (only a possible when minting (building items from their basic atomic level upwards) is feasible), is incredible. Suddenly, close combat is now possible against an opponent in full heavy body armour : ).
There's a company selling them for slicing food for the food industry
Dukane is the company selling vibrating blades
http://www.dukane.com/us/products/food/foodProducts.htm
Also a drill able to drill 'square' holes now exists, the bit vibrates at an extremely high speed so it can bore a hole through solid granite with no pressure needed by the user. In fact the user only has to make sure the drill doesn't tip over since the drill can use its own weight to apply the pressure needed.
Fairbanks-Sykes Combat knife-
Designed near the end of WW II by former British Special Forces officers Fairbanks and Sykes. The knife is meant specifically for the purpose of making the job of separating a person from their life as fluid and as fast as possible. It is recognized as the 'commando' knife by many and many special forces units in the world use Fairbanks-Sykes combat knives, I doubt there will be a massive improvement to this staple of hand t hand combat.
Dimensions:
Length(s)
-278 mm (tip to pommel)
-175 mm (blade)
-100 mm (hilt to pommel)
Width(s)
-24 mm (blade at base)
-55mm (hilt)
15mm (Handle start)
21mm (Handle middle)
10 mm (Handle end, pommel start)
15mm (pommel end)
Eagle carries as many knives as he can strap to his armour, (normally 4 (one strapped to the chest, one on the back of the left forearm, one strapped to the small of the back and one on the right shin). All are solid black metal in hard plastic sheaths (black of course).
*Defensive Equipment/Technology*
Armour - Synthetic spider silk, dyed black. Spider silk is currently being synthesized using goats milk (because the way a goat (or cow) creates milk proteins is very similar to how a spider makes spider silk.
The armour has ceramic insertion plates to further beef up defense on the chest and outers of the arms and legs.
Article on the silk synthesis (the BBC's webpage)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_889000/889951.stm
Modern example of uses of silk as armour (silk armour for Thailand's security forces)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_379000/379338.stm#top
As for ceramic armour plates, well if you've never heard of using plates in pockets stitched to kevlar vests; uh well then there's really not much I can say. Except that well...its been used in favor of metal plates because it's lighter and can take more punishment, however since it is brittle (i.e. you can't drop it, but it can stop .50 rounds, weird huh?). It isn't used for general purpose military units. However with new reinforced ceramic armour plates and a decrease in expense in their production the worlds armed forces will be wearing ceramic armour in the future ("this ain't your momma's best china anymore!").
Muscle bundles-
Gelatinous bundles which when exposed to current contract (just like muscles do). Arranged around the armour like muscles on a human are and use true haptic controls (more later). Doesn't increase strength, the suit has its own limit so it doesn't multiply the user's strength rather it augments the users strength. (max lift: 230 kg (500lbs), max one leg kick: 170 kg (375lbs), max running speed 14 m/s (50.4 km/h), acceleration: .5m/s^2.
Nasa has been working on artificial muscles for an extended period of time, Time magazine (online) covers their use
(source Time Magazine MARCH 22, 1999 VOL. 153 NO. 11)
the web address:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101990322-21477,00.html
Haptic controls-
hap·tic (hptk)
adj.
Of or relating to the sense of touch; tactile.
[Greek haptikos, from haptesthai, to grasp, touch.]
Basically haptic controls are controls that follow the motion of the user, currently the most prevalent control system is an external body harness that is strapped to the controller. Very ineffective in a combat situation as, a well placed shot can snap a support strut on the control 'limbs' and cripple the user's armour.
However, there is an existing alternative. Currently there are sensors that are implantable into muscle tissue. The sensors are about the size and shape of a capsule bigger than 500mg (maybe even 1g). There is this guy in the US who has a controller in his arm and is using it as a replacement for his mouse (just move the arm and point and the cursor moves). As for the use of these in flesh sensors being used for the control for the armour its mostly an idea I had by combining the two. The sensors transmit the motion of the limb and send said data wirelessly, and since the suit needs data on the motion the limb is making they the two seem suited for each other
If anyone who reads Popular Mechanics magazine and recalls this please tell me sincei lost a lot of my mags to a leaky pipe (its hars to read solid blocks of waterlogged magazine believe you me).
BC suit - Biological Chemical defense.
Thermal regulation suit; capillaries full of coolant (the US used them during the Gulf war to combat chem WMDs (weapons of mass destruction)) and/or a heat suit (essentially an electric blanket shaped like clothing)
Air tank - suck in air, filter the oxygen out, compress it and store in a container; presto constant supply of oxygen. Just make sure the tank doesn't take a bullet, pure oxygen tends to be explosive if lit. Air tank is removable from harness for multiple reasons/purposes including: O2 (explosive) + MATCH (catalyst) = booom, air tank for personnel other than the EXAS (VIPs don't always carry gas masks), replacing a damaged or empty tank with a full one (more practical for you blowhards).
The O2 held in the tank is used for the rebreathing system on the back harness, or the flame thrower unit. Total amount of breathing time with a full tank of O2, 20 min (with rebreather system on). Flamer; range 10 m, max spread of fuel stream 1/2 m, max time at max output 5 s (yes 5 only seconds, it's a small tank sheesh)
*Miscellaneous Equipment/Technology *
Ear piece-
Audio link from MOSAIC system to EXAS unit, also used as a sound filter, sound amplifier and includes and auto sound-damper to keep the EXAS from going deaf in firefight (or a flash bang).
Since the EP is an audio link to the MOSAIC it is used as a translator (hey Eagle doesn't Japanese, realistic SI remember).
Appearance: slightly flexible yellow plug, looks a bit like a fish (Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy anyone? : ) ), uses a direct wire connection leading to back harness or can use a wireless connection (nearly never uses the wireless; to slow, EMP liability).
All EXAS wear one ear piece in each ear, only one is needed for an audio feed, however both are used to increase the number of redundant systems and also both ears need the protection provided by the auto sound-dampers.
Eye Screens-
Over-the-eye mini screens designed to feed visual data taken from the suits cameras to the EXAS.
Visual options include:
-infrared (thermal)
-UV (green and black visual)
-visible light, maps
Screen modifications:
-directional arrows on the screen to navigate the EXAS
-auto-target possible targets (red squares boxing around each target)
-text overlay (the system check in chapter one for example)
-map, navigational points (N, S, E, W) overlay
-focus 'lines' (lines pointing at specific objects that the mosaic considers important to look at, if you ever played System Shock with 'auto-help' 'on' you know what I mean, green lines pointing at objects you can pick up or switches you can throw or enemies to target)
A prof at U of Toronto has been working on a wearable computer since the 60's (and it was huge and slow and people crossed the street jst so they wouldn''t have to walk past him too!).
If you look at the Summer of 2001 issue of Azure (Design (NOT fashion) Mag) you can see the newest stuff this guy is working on; computers integrated into the clothes we wear.
Back on track, the standby of his own personal computer is a pair of shades which while looking like the shades that fit over prescription glasses are also a computer screen, the cursor is controlled by eye movement (needs a mini-cam to track the user's eye just so you know). This guy's work is pivotal part of the designs I've made for EXAS (the wearable computer part, the eye screens, onboard sensors and other things).
Speakers-
Twin thin tweeter speakers located on the cheeks on the head armour, one on the chest and a subwoofer on the back harness.
Used as the "translator's" voice or as a general psychological warfare equipment. If I can make a voice like a demon for a short period of time (it wrecks my voice if I do it for more than a few seconds though) why can't this speaker system change your voice modulation for extended periods of time.
Throat mike-
Surgically implanted mini-microphone. Used for sub-vocal speech with the MOSAIC. Powered with a lithium battery (life span 6 months). Very short range (50 m outside, 20 inside) unless linked to a back harness (unlimited range, uses E-sat for telecom). For all intents and purposes an EXAS with out a working back harness and out of sight of his MOSAIC is screwed for data feeds and intel.
Also the throat mike is used by the translator program when the EXAS cannot speak the necessary language (the EXAS can't speak the native language). This is something that is not desired, since the EXAS will end up looking like an ugly American (regardless of the EXAS's nationality, the term is a general term to all heavy-handed 'advisors' who don't bother to learn the local customs, protocols, languages etc.).
Muscle Augmentation, Limb Replacment
"How to Build a Body Part"
(Time) MARCH 1, 1999 VOL. 153 NO. 8
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101990301-20592,00.html
Also for all you bio junkies, stem cells, stem cells, stem cells. These things can be used to replace almost any type of body tissue, I'm gonna use tons of it in SOH. That means trauma, Eagle is gonna lose limbs and organs like crazy, besides its EXAS' motto "the mission or nothing" so if a lung can be replaced why not take the pain and do the job.
And that is the end of the new or unfamiliar technology that I've put in my fic.
*Final Word*
My original idea was simply cyber limbs but since they won't be remotely feasible till 2030-2050 so I won't use them in the fic, that and it's much easier to replace organics with grown limbs instead of metal thanks to stem cell research.
For anyone else who has ideas to add to my fic just mail me and tell where I could get the article, I would be grateful to anyone who wants to add to this fic.
Also the general Idea of exo combat armour is being developed by DARPA (go to www.darps.mil for more) for the US army. So even the exo armour isn't farfetched.