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Ketsurui Fleet Yards Ke-M5-1A "Harpy" Armor

Doshii Jun

Perpetual player
Retired Staff
Things to especially consider --

Propulsion. What's a system that's compact, light on energy use, and will provide the listed speed, or something similar?

Sensors. What is safe and effective for planetary use, light-medium on energy use, and can be placed on an armor?

Everyone was a huge help on the LASR -- it's a rifle that we all designed together; no one person can take credit for it. This armor is the same deal -- it belongs to all of us, in a way, and the more we put into it, the better it will be.

________________________________________

Ketsurui Fleet Yards Ke-M5-1A
High-Agility Reconnaissance Power armor, Yamataian (Harpy)


History and Background

The Ke-M5 "Harpy" is the fifth LAMIA (Light Advanced Mechanized Infantry Armor) unit designed by Ketsurui Zaibatsu, designed for Yamataians in the field. In the same vein as the Ke-M4 Sylph, the Harpy is a light armor, but is instead focused more on ground and atmospheric combat instead of aboard-ship combat. The armor has three assets that set it apart from the Sylph -- its dual flight/propulsion systems, which allow it to cover great distances much faster than the Harpy with less energy cost; Xiulurium coating for stealth purposes; and a complex, back-mounted sensor suite for recon work.

About the Harpy M5

What the Sylph does for NH-29, the Harpy does for Yamataian. However, because the Yamataian was not designed for infantry work, the Harpy is meant to be an indirect combat armor. It acts as the forward eyes and ears for Sylph squadrons with its superior speed, stealth and sensory capabilites. It loses out on defense, as its armor is light to allow it higher mobility and reduce the drain on its capacitors.

Any Yamataian pilot can operate the Harpy by sliding herself into the smooth, soft synthetic interior, which will open for entry and exit. The control system is similar to that of the M3 Kylie, which detects brain patterns to discern specific actions. Appropriately sized humans, including Geshrin, can pilot this armor, though it functions best with the computerized brain of an Yamataian.

The Harpy is more expensive than its counterpart because of its more complex systems, and therefore is not produced in the same numbers (a ratio of about seven Sylphs for every Harpy, or roughly two per Sylph squadron).

General data

Government: Yamatai Star Empire
Organization: Star Army of Yamatai
Type: Synthetic-Core Light Power Armor
Class: Light Advanced Mechanized Infantry Armor: Series 5, Model A (Type 29)

Designer: Star Army Research Administration

Manufacturers:
  • Ketsurui Fleet Yards
    Star Army of Yamatai (Aboard starships)

Pilot Information: Requires one Yamataian pilot in good physical shape to operate. Pregnant Yamataian women may NOT safely pilot the Harpy M5. Other humans can pilot the Harpy, but not with the same level of effectiveness. Pilot must be between 153 cm (~5') to 208 cm (~5' 10") tall. An average Yamataian is 160cm (5' 3") tall.

Height: 185 cm (72.8 in) with a 160 cm (5' 3") Yamataian inside. Pilot may be 5' to 5' 10", with maximum height being 224 cm (~88.6 in)
Width: 62 cm (20.41 in) normal; 438 cm (172.4 in) with retractable gliding wings extended.
Mass: 79 kg (174.17 lbs).

Speeds:
  • Light Fusion Thruster Pack, atmospheric/STL: 400 km/h (~248.55 mph)
    Glider, atmospheric: 100 km/h (~62.14 mph)
    Anti-gravity drive, land/underwater: 112.65 km/h (70 mph)
Note: While the M5 Harpy is capable of making low-orbit atmospheric entries, it is not designed for space travel and thus is not considered useful for transatmospheric operations. It is capable of performing both in atmospheric and in vacuum adequately despite a lack of reasonable STL/FTL movement. It can hover and set foot in mid-air.

Systems Listings:
  • Ke-M5-E2901 Armor Integrated Electronics System
    Ke-M5-E2902 Conformal Psionic Signal Control Device
    Ke-M5-F2901 Titanium Alloy Endoskeletal Frame
    Ke-M5-F2906 Synthetic insert
    Ke-M5-F2903 Outer Armor with Thermoptic Camouflage (Andrium chainmail/plates/Yarvex)
    Ke-M5-F2903 Xiulurium armor coating
    Ke-M5-G2901 Capacitor System
    Ke-M5-R2901 Repulsor Drive System
    Ke-M5-R2902 Light Fusion Thruster Pack
Weapons:

Ketsurui Fleet Yards Ke-M4-W2901 Mk.II "Light Armor Sniper Rifle": A variant of the Mk.I Light Armor Service Rifle, the Mk.II gives M5-suited soldiers a sniper weapon that does not have the of the restrictions of the M3-W2708 Shoulder-Fired 50mm Railgun, yet retains some long-distance killing power. While the weapon is effective against infantry and light armored vehicles, it is considered fairly ineffective against targets bigger than mecha. Combined field systems or external kinetic dampeners can dull its damage. The M4-2901 Mk.II is standard issue for the Harpy power armor, but is considered unsuitable for space armors. This does not, however, restrict its usage in space.
  • Purpose: Anti-personnel, anti-armor
    Damage: Medium, Light
    Range: Up to 13,000 m (max 45,000 m in atmosphere)
    Rate of Fire: Semi-automatic only

    Payload: 100 round magazine (or 200 round large magazine). Rounds may be ball (common), hollow-point (less common), armor piercing (less common), tracers, or dummy rounds for training.
Hand to Hand Combat: The Harpy M5 Power Armor is as agile as a Nekovalkyrja, far more agile than any human. Sharing the abilities of the Nekovalkyrja in order to maximize the ease of use, the Harpy has extremely flexible joints and nearly as much physical strength as the M2 Mindy (which is still quite a bit). With the armor's gravity-controlling abilities, the force, speed, and particularly the mobility of the armor is substantial, and the movement can be made as erratic and unpredictable as the pilot can think. However, its armor is weaker, so punching through metal doors and such is ill advised.

Additional Weaponry: The Harpy's weapon load out is lighter than even the Sylph, as it lacks the extra racks on its back to carry spare arms. Sidearms, such as an NSP or a Type 28 SMG, are often taped to the thighs or calves of the armor by their pilots. There are NO weapon mounts on its back, as its primary drive system is stored there and could damage the weapon. It can fit a CFWEP Package on top of the backpack. It theoretically can use any hand-held weapon it can pick up.

Systems Layout:

Defensive/External Systems:

Outer Armor: In order to be a highly mobile and very light armor, the Harpy has thin Andrium plates on its thighs and torso area, and a Andrium chainmail mesh covering its torso. The lower legs and arms are made of titanium alloy that provides less protection. It still uses a flexible titanium-based alloy frame similar to the Sylph's, and has Yarvex protecting its joints. The Harpy can still function without its limbs, so long as the core and engine is intact, although this would mean loss of limbs for the pilot. The Ke-M5-R2901 vector-projection can protect the Harpy from scalar attacks.

Note that the helmet is removable (and is removed before entering or exiting the armor) and is necessary to operate the armor.

Active Camouflage: Can place the image of what is on one side of the craft onto the other, creating the effect of invisibility. The Harpy power armor can also use this system to project holograms.

Stealth Armor: For stealth concealment, the armor plating is coated with Xiulurium. Xiulurium is a "stealth" armor that lacks protective value and is used to generate a stealth field around the armor. This stealth field also masks the armor's presence to scalar wave and quintessence differentialometer type sensors. Xiulurium is similar to Zanarium in composition, but this alloy is more flexible, requires less energy (to use its stealth), and has only negligible protective value. Xiulurium bonds to both the Andrium and the titanium sections of the Harpy.

Conformal PSC Device: The Ke-M5-E2902 PSC (Psionic Signal Controller) is a form of psionic and telepathic protection, capable of nullifying all such activity. The device can selectively allow channels to permit secure telepathic operation and to maintain communication even under psionic attack. The PSC devices also negate 'magical' attacks and effects. This PSC is safe enough to remain active at all times, unlike older "ADN" devices. The field generated by the PSC engulfs and protects the Harpy entirely, extending out two inches outward of the power armor to prevent the appearance of obvious psionic "dead zones".

Internal Systems:

Interior: The Harpy's warm insides are composed of soft, smooth synthetics that mold themselves to the pilot's body to fit like a glove. The organic components provide shock absorption as well as augmented strength to the pilot. The interior is mildly shielded from heat, to differ the effects of energy weapons. Like the Sylph and Kylie, much of the piloting is done via nerve signals sent to muscles.

Life Support: The core of the Harpy houses the life support systems, which include a rebreather system, an oxygen supply, and a nutrient-enriched (sterile) water supply. The Harpy can support a pilot for up to 7 days before replenishment is needed, or up to 4 years in stasis. If needed, the Harpy can filter outside air to replenish its supply (not usually done until absolutely necessary, though). The Harpy's interior includes a catheter organ that wriggles its way into the pilot's urethra and bladder, keeping the pilots from having to exit the suit to urinate. The interior synthetics also will massage the pilot's body from time to time to encourage blood flow and provide increased comfort.

Control Systems: Actual operation of the armor is simple -- signals sent to muscles are monitored by the armor, which responds in kind. Brain waves and eye movements are monitored to aid in other, usually more complex tasks.

Self-Destruct: The M5 Harpy lacks a dedicated self-destruct system, but can be triggered to self-terminate so that its technology will not fall in enemy hands. This process can be initiated by the pilot (or AIES, if the pilot is dead). The electrical system on the armor overloads its circuits, causing the capacitor to explode and destroy the armor, but not before all electronics within the armor are slagged.

Armor Integrated Electronics System: The Ke-M5-E2901 system, based on the same concept as the MEGAMI quantum computer, is a network of sensors, communications, and fire control all built around a small centralized computer system. AIES is a subordinate system; it is designed to (but certainly not required to) operate as part of a larger command hierarchy of computers. Above AIES is CIES (for escort ships - frigates, corvettes, and gunboats), EIES (for cruisers, destroyers, and escort carriers), WIES (Warship Integrated Electronics System, for battleships, assault ships, and carriers), MEGAMI, and/or KAMI). Using this system, mother ships receive complete data of the battle.

The heart of the integrated electronics suite is a tiny, but advanced, quantum computer, capable of performing super-high-speed data-churning and possessing untold memory. Quantum computers, unlike old computers which could only process 1 and 0, can process an effectively infinite range of digits, making them awesomely powerful. In addition, the system's sub-particle memory system allows for truly magical storage and access speeds. Kessaku Anri and her company, Kessaku Electronics Systems Corporation, designed the system.

The Armor Integrated Electronics System is part of the PANTHEON (Projected Access Nodal Transuniversal Heuristic Electronic Operations Network) command and control system. The AIES also interfaces directly with the pilot's mind for seamless data flow and operation of the Harpy reconnaissance power armor.

Fire Control: The AIES does not use an independent Fire Control System per se, but operates a sub-system of itself dedicated to fire control operations. AIES compensates for all movement of the armor and of target ships, and can track upwards of 25,000 targets ranging from pebble-sized shrapnel to planets. AIES-FCS is a balanced system, and works for the armor's defense, as well as offense. Weapons under AIES's control automatically: target sensitive areas of enemy ships; identify friendly assets; optimize range; guide missiles and torpedoes, assign (and reassign, when necessary) targets in real-time; and control ECM, and ECCM functions. AIES-FCS usually controls all indirect weapons systems. The pilot fires, and AIES takes over tracking the target, creating a "fire and forget" system.

Communication systems:

The AIES comes equipped with a multi-channel wide-band array that gives both security and versatility. Among the types of communication supported are radio, laser, subspace, and hyperspace. Communications can be secured using Quantum Encryption technology, which (due to the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle) allows the system to detect any monitoring attempts and counter them. Communications Systems of the AIES include:

  • Radio: Full spectrum, dual-modulation; range theoretically unlimited except by interference. Practical range is short, since the waves only travel at light-speed. Frequency-hop and multi-channel capable. In order to use the secure modes of communication, correct variables must be loaded prior to battle. Such codes are changed on a frequent basis. The Harpy has an extendable antenna from its backpack that gives the radio a boost.

    Laser: For close-range transmissions, it is more difficult for the enemy to intercept, because they have to be in the area of the beam. Also limited to light-speed. Text only. Range: 321.9 km in atmosphere (200 mi); 32,186.9 km in space (20,000 mi).

    Tachyon: The Harpy includes a short-range tachyon communication system for planet-to-ship transmissions. Range: 160,934.5 km (100,000 mi). This unit is actually attached to the Harpy's helmet in the form of a long, relatively thin "ear" on the left side.

    External Audio: The Harpy power armor now includes an external microphone and a speaker to allow the pilot to communicate more easily with nearby persons.

    Homing Device: Normally inactive, this beacon has an independent backup power supply that can keep it transmitting for up to five years, even if the main power system is nonfunctional. If main power is available, the beacon will transmit constantly. If not, the beacon will put out a short distress message twice every two hours (five minutes between).
Sensor Systems (AIES):

  • Wide-Band Variable Optical Imaging Array (head): The majority of the sensor systems are located in the head, including a high-resolution variable optical system capable of monitoring a very wide spectrum. By default, the system displays visual and infrared data. There is also a night-vision and ultra-violet mode. The power armor has a gyroscopically-stabilized view of up to 300x magnification. (Remember, the Mk.II's scope range is limited to 30x.) There's a spotlight on the armor's head which helps at night.

    Optical Tracking System (skin): Much like the NH-29S neko, the M5 Harpy can see through its Active Camouflage sensors, giving it a view of its entire surroundings at all times.

    Time-Modulated Ultra-Wide Band Radar: Signals transmitted by UWB radars are pulses generated pseudo-randomly in time. They are only 0.75 nanoseconds in duration. The energy content in any conventional frequency band is below the noise, making TM-UWB transmission highly covert. TM-UWB has no carrier frequency or conversion, and because of the low frequency content of TM-UWB signals, they are capable of seeing through foliage and nonmetallic objects better than regular radar can. Ideal for atmospheric operations and nebulae. Range of about 400 km.

    Hyperwave spherical pulse-Doppler radar: Borrowing from the Phalanx series of armors, the radar allows a Harpy to detect targets beyond the atmosphere of a planet up to about 400,000 km (248,548 mi).
Miscellanious systems:

Glider Array: As both a power saving and a stealth measure, the Harpy has thin, extending fold-out wings in its backpack unit. They measure five meters in total wingspan. These wings are designed to be used at altitudes up to 2,000 meters and are made of aluminum. Essentially, the Harpy pilot turns off its primary propulsion system and, with some help from AIES, glides along within an atmosphere toward a destination or target.

Light Fusion Thruster Pack: This protrusion looks like a built-in backpack on the Harpy's back. It houses the Glider Array on top of the fusion thrusters, which look like two nozzles paralell from each other when looking at the bottom of the pack. The nozzles can be moved via AIES just enough to allow the armor to hover if absolutely necessary, and throttle control is between 5 and 105 percent. The thrusters take a lot of power from the Harpy, so they are used in place of the repulsor drive only when necessary.

Capacitor System: While lacking an aether generator of its own, the Harpy does possess an array of highly reliable capacitors (Ke-M5-G2901) that can store enough power to guarantee the suit running to it's full capacity for up to 2 weeks of continuous exertion after which the armor will power down. The armor itself can be maintained in a 'sleep mode' while it's user is under stasis or when the armor is simply not being used, and can function with it's life support properties only for up to 5 years before power is entirely depleted. The amount of power left in sleep-mode is proportional to the amount of power left in active mode, meaning that if the suit was running actively for the equivalent of 7 days, only 2.5 years will remain for when the Harpy is in sleep mode.

Edits:
Formatted and rearranged system locations.
Modified height to allow for slightly taller folks.
Added necessary links.
Edited out NH-22C.
Modified width of armor.
Added Light Fusion Thruster Pack.
Fixed heights and added maximum height.
Fixed heights again *sticks tongue out at Fred*.
Added line about physical shape of pilot.
 
I'd like text formating tabs to be included for a more attractive presentation if you can. Furthermore, there are a few 'Sylphs' still showing up in there, as well as a misplaced 'Harpy' that should read as 'Sylph'.

I'm not sure Wes will like the reference to the NH-22Cs, as those are supposed to be known as Yamataians.

Also, I'll bring up an issue Wes brought up with me when I designed the Sylph: would any of the Harpy's components be from the Sylph rather than a totally new piece of equipment? The Ke-M5-E2902, Ke-M5-G2901 and even Ke-M5-R2901 might be replaced by the Sylph's components (which would be practical if you consider the number of parts needed to be designed). For example, the Mindy and Sylph interior flesh inserts should be the same (note to Wes: They are! Give them the right nomenclature, M2 or M4... it doesn't matter!).
 
It can hover, shift its inertia as needed, stop nearly instantly, increase and decrease its weight as needed and can can effectively ignore gravity, performing feats like walking up walls, ceilings, across water, and set foot in mid-air.
How's it do this without a CFS? I see it has repulsors, but that wouldn't nullify inertia, just give it anti-grav.
I'm not sure Wes will like the reference to the NH-22Cs, as those are supposed to be known as Yamataians.
I can always run a quick find-and-replace when I add it to the website.
They are! Give them the right nomenclature, M2 or M4... it doesn't matter!
Like the one in the Sylph, the Mindy's Ke-M2-F2900 Flesh and Hemosynthetic Interior Insert, NH-29 Type (SPINE) is an updated version of the older Mindy Ke-M2-F2702 (SLICS); however, it is a little beefier than the Sylph's Ke-M4-F2902, I thought.
 
Wes said:
How's it do this without a CFS? I see it has repulsors, but that wouldn't nullify inertia, just give it anti-grav.
Go for the IDS, Doshii! XD

Wes said:
Like the one in the Sylph, the Mindy's Ke-M2-F2900 Flesh and Hemosynthetic Interior Insert, NH-29 Type (SPINE) is an updated version of the older Mindy Ke-M2-F2702 (SLICS); however, it is a little beefier than the Sylph's Ke-M4-F2902, I thought.
On checking, it does seem that the Mindy power armor's life support function last longer, which likely would be directly linked to it's flesh core. Upon further reflection, I do concede defeat on this point. Having them be interchangeable would seem more efficient in the long run... but given how there are nodal systems and such, my concerns might not even be valid (I'm thinking spare part availability here... but that might be a tad outdated).
 
Formatting will be applied tonight, never fear. I just wanted to get it up first.

I'll also hunt down those spare Sylphs. I saw one at the bottom.

I assume the components are similar for both the Sylph and the Harpy, but would be renamed for the Harpy. I can change that, if Wes wants, but again, I imagine that they'd be similar, not exactly alike.

I just used NH-22C out of habit. I can replace them with Yamataians.

I forgot to fix the whole walking/shifting/weight increasing and decreasing thing when I switched from IDS. Something tells me standard anti-grav would be more of a power saver, leaving more energy for sensors and what not.
 
There are still some issues regarding heights, one part says pilots between 5' tall and 5' 6", another says between 5' and 5' 8". Secondly was the part about average Yamataian a result of editing the Sylph description? I know the Yamataian description doesn't clearly state this fact, clarification anyone?

(Not that it really has a direct effect on me to which height value is correct, Tasuku isn't going to be piloting one soon he is a few cm too tall, but we don't want to confuse people.)
 
The thing is, its the blah blah blah Yamataian. I figured Nepleslians and Geshrin can pilot it, but not as well. That's why I stipulated that in the armor. I figured a Kylie could be afforded to those folks.
 
Kylie stats said:
Crew: 1 Pilot; Must be 5' to 5' 10" (1.52 to 1.78 m) and in good physical shape. Can be male or female.

Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
Width: 20 inches (50.8 cm)
Mass: 200 lbs. (90.72 kg)
Harpy's stats said:
Pilot Information: Requires one Yamataian pilot to operate. Pregnant Yamataian women may NOT safely pilot the Harpy M5. Other humans can pilot the Harpy, but not with the same level of effectiveness. Pilot must be between 153cm (~5') to 204cm (~5' 8") tall. An average Yamataian is 160cm (5' 3") tall.

Height: 185 cm (72.8 in) with a 160 cm (5' 3") Yamataian inside. Pilot may be 5' to 5' 8", with maximum height being 220 cm (~86.6 in)
Width: 62 cm (20.41 in) normal; 438 cm (172.4 in) with retractable gliding wings extended.
Mass: 79 kg (174.17 lbs)

I find the size differential a tad inefficient. Firstly, it seems a bit silly to me that KFY would create a stealth suit that pilots other than nekovalkyrja would be able to operate... and not make it for all the people capable of piloting Kylie power armors. It wouldn't take that much more material to make it work for all the Kylie pilots (and keep Miles and Tasuku from complaining).

Also, seeing that the operating interface would be the same as the Kylie, why wouldn't it work just as well with human operators too? I mean, the Yamataians don't have SPINE or SLICS: their thoughts are retrieved the same way a Geshrin or Nepleslian should (arguably, geshrins should have no business being around seeing that they are supposed to be yamataians, but this still stands for the Nepleslians still serving in the Star Army of Yamatai).

The Kylie needs a pilot in good physical shape. Hopefully the lighter Harpy will be able to function without as much of that prerequisite.
 
*is stabbed by the Chujo*

The rationale I followed is thus -- Nepleslians and Geshrins are supposed to be a much, much smaller population. Hence, for Yamataians instead. Note that it will fit most Nepleslians -- just not freakishly tall ones such as Rufus. However ... I get that point. I'll fix it.

However! The pilot effiency I don't want to cave on. Reasoning -- Yamataians are supposed to have computerized brains, as they are Nekovalkyrja variants. This means their ability to process data of all types is superior to that of a Nepleslian or a Geshrin (assuming Geshrin, as NH-1, have inferior computing power). In a recon armor, such processing power could be harnessed -- I'm not entirely sure how, but the speed alone should be sufficient. I figured that it would operate best with a Yamataian, but a Nepleslian or Geshrin could still operate it well enough.
 
Doshii Jun said:
Note that it will fit most Nepleslians -- just not freakishly tall ones such as Rufus.
177.8cm (5' 10") is not freakishly tall.
 
I'm 5' 6". Everything above that is freakishly tall. FREAK!

I admit, I had mixed up the Kylie with the Phalanx. Which I really shouldn't have, considering I've helped 5th characters with armor selection. Der.
 
Kotori said:
(arguably, geshrins should have no business being around seeing that they are supposed to be yamataians, but this still stands for the Nepleslians still serving in the Star Army of Yamatai)

Tasuku: "Damnit! How many times have I told you conniving Neko's to keep your damned ST machine away from me!"


Yeah thats why we have Geshrins.
 
I told Wes I was going to do the HTML, so he's probably waiting on that.

Though ... if you want an editor for life, you can do it. HTML loses.
 
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