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	[[File:Inner_Sphere_Standard_BA_LTMEG.png|right|thumb|Inner Sphere Standard battle armor]]		[[File:Inner_Sphere_Standard_BA_LTMEG.png|right|thumb|Inner Sphere Standard battle armor]]
−	Huge efforts were made to hasten battle armor development. The first examples of Inner Sphere battle armor were successfully deployed within just one year of the beginning of the Clan Invasion. Two designs from the [[Federated Commonwealth]] (aided by the efforts of the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]]) deployed simultaneously in [[3050]], the [[Federated Suns|Suns']] [[Infiltrator Mk. I]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 14</ref><ref name=ER105>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 105</ref><ref>''MUL online dates for [[Infiltrator Mk. I]] Battle Armor [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Infiltrator+Mk.+I+Battle+Armor]''</ref> and the [[Lyran Commonwealth|Lyran]] [[Sloth]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 34</ref><ref name=ER105/><ref>''MUL online dates for [[Sloth]] Battle Armor [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Sloth+Battle+Armor]''</ref> battle armors. Salvage and capture of Clan Elemental armor also led to Inner Sphere-tech clones, better known as the [[Inner Sphere Standard (Battle Armor)|Inner Sphere Standard]]. Oddly, despite small differences, Inner Sphere Standard battle armor developed throughout the Inner Sphere were functionally identical, perhaps due to rampant corporate espionage during the desperate years of Operation REVIVAL. Precursors to Inner Sphere Standard battle armor were ready for the [[Battle of Luthien (3052)|Battle of Luthien]] in [[3051]], and further refinement improved performance in time for the [[Com Guards]] to deploy for the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]] in May, [[3052]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 26</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 6</ref>	+	Huge efforts were made to hasten battle armor development. The first examples of Inner Sphere battle armor were successfully deployed within just one year of the beginning of the Clan Invasion. Two designs from the [[Federated Commonwealth]] (aided by the efforts of the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]]) deployed simultaneously in [[3050]], the [[Federated Suns|Suns']] [[Infiltrator Mk. I]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 14</ref><ref name=ER105>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 105</ref><ref>''MUL online dates for [[Infiltrator Mk. I]] Battle Armor [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Infiltrator+Mk.+I+Battle+Armor]''</ref> and the [[Lyran Commonwealth|Lyran]] [[Sloth]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 34</ref><ref name=ER105/><ref>''MUL online dates for [[Sloth]] Battle Armor [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Sloth+Battle+Armor]''</ref> battle armors. Salvage and capture of Clan Elemental armor also led to Inner Sphere-tech clones, better known as the [[Inner Sphere Standard (Battle Armor)|Inner Sphere Standard]]. Oddly, despite small differences, Inner Sphere Standard battle armor developed throughout the Inner Sphere were functionally identical, perhaps due to rampant corporate espionage during the desperate years of Operation REVIVAL. Precursors to Inner Sphere Standard battle armor were ready for the [[Battle of Luthien (Clan Invasion)|Battle of Luthien]] in [[3051]], and further refinement improved performance in time for the [[Com Guards]] to deploy for the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]] in May, [[3052]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 26</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 6</ref>
	Though capable in select roles, early Inner Sphere battle armor was systematically less effective than Clan Elementals. Inner Sphere weapons technology was inferior, making all first generation battle armor undergunned, underprotected, or both. However, mobility was especially problematic for Inner Sphere battlesuits. Some battle armor designs completely neglected jump capability, like both the Infiltrator Mk. I and the Sloth. Even after battle armor jump jet technology was reverse engineered, Inner Sphere battle armor could not use jump jets with missile weaponry. The Inner Sphere Standard avoided this problem by forgoing missiles entirely, but later battle armor, like the [[Longinus]],<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 29</ref> mounted jettison-capable missile systems; jump jets could be used only after the missiles were detached.<ref>''TechManual'', p. 172</ref> Additionally, most Inner Sphere militaries lacked transport units like [[DropShip]]s and combat vehicles able to manage squads the size of battle armor-encased infantry. With only captured Clan OmniMechs and few trained soldiers able to mount and dismount under fire, Inner Sphere battle armor were rarely able to participate in mechanized combat. These factors conspired to relegate first generation battle armor to security, special operations, pickets, defense, and ambushes. Even when successfully maneuvered, Inner Sphere units were often too few and insufficiently trained. Considering the Clans had solved most of these issues nearly two centuries before, the effectiveness of Inner Sphere battle armor was nonetheless remarkable.<ref name=ER104/>		Though capable in select roles, early Inner Sphere battle armor was systematically less effective than Clan Elementals. Inner Sphere weapons technology was inferior, making all first generation battle armor undergunned, underprotected, or both. However, mobility was especially problematic for Inner Sphere battlesuits. Some battle armor designs completely neglected jump capability, like both the Infiltrator Mk. I and the Sloth. Even after battle armor jump jet technology was reverse engineered, Inner Sphere battle armor could not use jump jets with missile weaponry. The Inner Sphere Standard avoided this problem by forgoing missiles entirely, but later battle armor, like the [[Longinus]],<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 29</ref> mounted jettison-capable missile systems; jump jets could be used only after the missiles were detached.<ref>''TechManual'', p. 172</ref> Additionally, most Inner Sphere militaries lacked transport units like [[DropShip]]s and combat vehicles able to manage squads the size of battle armor-encased infantry. With only captured Clan OmniMechs and few trained soldiers able to mount and dismount under fire, Inner Sphere battle armor were rarely able to participate in mechanized combat. These factors conspired to relegate first generation battle armor to security, special operations, pickets, defense, and ambushes. Even when successfully maneuvered, Inner Sphere units were often too few and insufficiently trained. Considering the Clans had solved most of these issues nearly two centuries before, the effectiveness of Inner Sphere battle armor was nonetheless remarkable.<ref name=ER104/>

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[[Image:Color-battlearmor.png| A [[Clan]] [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental]] battle armor cutaway|thumb|right|300px]] '''Battle armor''', or the lighter '''power armor''' variety, are armored [[infantry]]. Battle armor's improved resilience, atmospheric containment, and firepower make it more effective than standard infantry in a variety of roles, but much more expensive. Battle armor first evolved from [[Exoskeleton]]s during the [[Star League]] in the early [[twenty-eighth century]], but did not come to prominence on the battlefield until [[Clan Wolf]] debuted the [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental]] in the mid-[[twenty-ninth century]]. [[Inner Sphere]] armies began deploying battle armor in the mid-[[thirty-first century]]. These battlesuits were based off of Clan battle armor captured or salvaged during [[Operation REVIVAL]].<ref name=TRO30508>''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 8</ref><ref name=ER2750>''Era Report: 2750'', pp. 103–104</ref><ref>''Era Report: 3052'', pp. 103–106</ref> Battle armor is sometimes referred to as ''Tactical Armor'' as well.<ref>''A Time of War'', p. 186</ref> ==Description== Battle armor varies in mass between 80 and 2,000 kg, including the mass of the occupant. The suits utilize [[Exoskeleton|exoskeletal frames]] and protective armor, which, in combination with varying amounts of [[Myomer]], can augment the strength and/or speed of the wearer. However, some classes of battle armor have just enough myomer to allow the infantryman within to carry or move the mass of the suit itself. Battle armor may be vaguely bipedal (humanoid) or quadrupedal in form. Battle armor is categorized both by mass and type of locomotion. Bipedal battlesuits are actuated through pressure sensors lining the casing holding the soldier; should the occupant move, the motion is quickly translated into myomer-based movements. Bipedal battle armor can also offer jump capability or limited flight ([[UMU]]s), increasing the maneuverability of the soldier, another distinct advantage versus conventional infantry. Alternatively, quadrupedal battlesuits hold a soldier within a cramped [[Cockpit|cockpit]], and operate similarly to a small [[combat vehicle]] or Quad [[BattleMech]]. Battle armor mount a variety of fixed and/or modular weaponry and equipment, fulfilling a variety of combat roles. Most battlesuits wield some form of anti-'Mech and/or antipersonnel weaponry. These weapon systems are mainly energy, ballistic, or missile in nature, though battle armor may wield explosives and tasers. Mounting these weapons modularly allows personalization (for instance, left-handed preference), and are especially useful for Inner Sphere battle armor; missile systems of Inner Sphere battle armor hinder jump jet function until jettisoned. Bipedal battlesuits may also mount one or two manipulators, including myomer-articulated [[Battle Claw]]s. Battlesuits possessing sufficient manipulators and massing less than 1,500 kg may deploy and fight with OmniMechs using [[Mechanized Battle Armor]] tactics. In addition, if a battlesuit possesses sufficient manipulators and masses less than 1,000 kg, it can also swarm 'Mechs and attack 'Mech actuators. Battle claws are especially useful for this tactic; the myomer articulation gives these manipulators the strength to literally rip armor and myomer from an enemy 'Mech. Battle armor life support, sensors, and stealth equipment are also common, though their exact capabilities depend on the armor in question. For example, [[Elemental (Battle Armor)|Elemental armor]] is renowned for its life-support system and intravenous combat drugs, increasing the durability and survivability of the already superhuman Elemental soldiers. In order to operate the armor and all of the equipment, battlesuits make use of large batteries. If these battle armor are able to deploy onboard an OmniMech, the suit will also have adapters to connect to communications and charge their batteries during missions. Clan battle armor are somewhat more resilient than their Inner Sphere successors not only because of their Elemental infantry, but also because they possess atmospheric sealing equipment using a hardening gel called [[HarJel]], which was discovered during the mid-twenty-ninth century.<ref name=TRO30508/><ref>''LosTech: The MechWarrior Equipment Guide'', pp. 57–58</ref><ref name=ER30521>''Era Report: 3052'', pp. 103–104</ref><ref>''TechManual'', pp. 157–173</ref><ref>''Tactical Operations'', pp. 344–346</ref> When used correctly, battle armored troops can easily outmatch their conventional brethren and even defeat vehicles and 'Mechs. Their superior armor and weaponry, coupled with their roughly human size, make them good forces for fighting in tight areas where 'Mechs and vehicles have trouble maneuvering. ==History== ===Star League Power Armor (Light)=== [[File:Nighthawk PA(L) CE.jpg|right|thumb|The Nighthawk Mk. XXI Power Armor (Light)]] In [[2703]] weapons engineers, tasked with keeping the [[Terran Hegemony]] safe from potential aggressors by an increasingly paranoid [[First Lord]] [[Jonathan Cameron]], attempted to weaponize [[Exoskeleton|Industrial Exoskeletons]] approximately seven centuries after they first appeared on [[Terra]]. The system was intended to increase the survivability of infantry, the preferred units for naval boarding actions, special operations, and stealth reconnaissance. The process was slow and difficult, requiring twenty redesigns and a large investment. Fifteen years of prototypes eventually led to the field testing of the first combat power armor, the [[Nighthawk|Nighthawk Mk. XXI]] in [[2718]]. Nighthawk PA(L) proved itself in two additional years of field testing, and secretly entered service with the Star League's [[Special Armed Services]] (also known as the "[[Blackhearts]]") in [[2720]].<ref name=TRO3075>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 12</ref><ref name=ER2750/> Nighthawks were secretly used at the forefront of Star League special operations with ruthless efficiency. Rival [[Great Houses]] all had heard rumors of new power-armored soldiers, and early prying was patiently catalogued over the first five years of deployment. The fruits of the Nighthawk surveillance paid off on St. Valentine's Day, 14 February, [[2725]]. Every accounted intelligence operative throughout the Inner Sphere prying into Nighthawk development, deployment, and technology was "liquidated", effectively ending all such attempts, and Terran rats were left on each victim's body. Just one month later, the [[War of Davion Succession]] began, pitting the [[Draconis Combine]] against the [[Federated Suns]], and once again SAS soldiers equipped with Nighthawks entered the Draconis Combine ostensibly to conduct combat testing on [[Marduk]]. In months of subsequent operations, the SAS decapitated many [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery|DCMS]] units and intelligence cells stationed throughout the Combine. Once the Star League decided to intervene, [[General]] [[Rebecca Fetladral]] ordered the SAS to conduct massive reconnaissance. All of this fieldwork was facilitated by the use of Nighthawks. In both sets of operations, Nighthawks remained anonymous. Ultimately, the Hegemony managed to keep its special operations forces a strict secret until the fall of the Star League, at which point [[Aleksandr Kerensky]] and his subordinates effectively erased the Nighthawk from whatever scant records remained.<ref name=TRO3075/><ref name=ER2750/> Nighthawk Mk. XXIs were very effective in their designed role. The Mk. XXI featured battle armor-grade [[Stealth Armor]], providing ample protection from small arms, spotting, and sensors. [[ECM|Electronic Countermeasures]] allowed detected units to interfere with hostile software within range. Soldiers were deployed with their normal preferred or mission-critical infantry weapon system, generally the [[Mauser 960]]. Despite the Nighthawk's success, power armor never entered open deployment with the [[Star League Defense Force]]. Additionally, power armor wasn't initially deployed with fixed weapon systems like later iterations. The [[Nighthawk#Variants|Nighthawk Mk. XXII]] came next, trading the ECM for a fixed grenade launcher. However, deployment with the Star League Defense Force was interrupted by the [[Amaris Coup]].<ref name=TRO3075/> ===Elementals=== Modern battle armor was developed by [[Clan Wolf]] during the mid-twenty-ninth century. In order to utilize the resource-rich deep seas of [[Dagda (Clan System)|Dagda]], [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]] introduced titanium-encased diving [[Exoskeleton]]s, nicknamed "[[Water Elemental Mining Suit|Water Elemental]]s", in [[2842]]. Impressed with their neighbor's new technology but mindful of their martial capabilities, Wolf scientists had their merchants trade 20 years of resource rights to their Dagdan ocean enclaves for the technology to produce the exoskeletons. Secretly, Wolf scientists then weaponized the system in order to improve upon Star League-era Nighthawk [[Power Armor (Light)|light Power Armor]]. Several types of specialized, mission- and environment-specific battle armor types were developed, but all-purpose "Elementals" became standard by [[2867]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 44: Clan Elemental battle armor - Wolves originally developed their combat exoskeletons from deep sea diving gear</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 104</ref><ref name=ER2750/><ref>''The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky'', pp. 16, 68</ref><ref name=ER30521/> In [[2868]], Elementals first saw combat. Two Stars of the battle armor fought in a [[Trial of Possession]] against a light Star of [[Clan Nova Cat]]'s [[Delta Galaxy (Clan Nova Cat)|Delta Galaxy]]; the battle armor won in a stunning victory, and forecast a new era in which infantry would once again be capable of offensive military action.<ref>''Field Manual: ComStar'', p. 117</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 135</ref><ref>''The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky'', p. 31</ref><ref name=ER30521/> [[File:Elemental_BA_LTMEG.png|left|thumb|Elemental battle armor]] Shortly after the Wolf-Nova Cat Trial, [[Clan Hell's Horses]] new [[Elemental|supersoldiers]] became the standard battle armor [[infantry]]. Clan Wolf's new Elementals attracted the attention of Clan Hell's Horses, despite their semi-isolation early in the [[Golden Century]]. While left alone, the Horses had developed their own novel breeding protocols and genetic legacies, creating superhuman infantry, the soon-to-be-named "Elemental" phenotype (after the armor). With their initial superhuman ''[[sibko]]s'' just years from their majority the Horses acted swiftly to ensure their infantry would be well equipped. Hell's Horses' [[Khan]] [[Eric Amirault]] preemptively ''[[batchall]]ed'' Clan Wolf's Khan [[Alexis Ward]], intending to use [[Trial of Possession|Trials of Possession]] as a means to exchange their technological advances. After a series of counteroffers, the two Khans settled on a set of three Trials, conducted on the northernmost continent of the jointly owned world [[Tiber (Clan system)|Tiber]] later in [[2868]]. Clan Wolf won two of the three Trials, while Clan Hell's Horses won one. Both Clans were satisfied they had obtained either "Elemental" bloodlines or the signature battle armor. Unfortunately for both parties, [[Clan Jade Falcon]] raided just after the Tiber Trials and took both the armor and "Elemental" phenotypes from Clan Wolf, ultimately resulting in the spread of both technologies.<ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 54: "Golden Century" - Clan Hell's Horses and Clan Wolf take part in technology-exchange Trials that lead to formulation of the modern Clan Elemental battle armor squads</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 135</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 35</ref><ref name=ER30521/> As with the [[OmniMech]] before, subsequent Trials of Possession over coveted Elemental technology were adjudicated by [[ilKhan]] [[Zenos Danforth]] until his death in [[2870]].<ref name=ED10>''Era Digest: Golden Century'', p. 10</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 41</ref> Despite the rapid spread of Elemental battle armor and Elemental warrior phenotypes, the Horses enjoyed an advantage for some time; the first of their Elemental Infantry reached adulthood in 2870.<ref name=ED10/> That same year, Clan Hell's Horses also pioneered 'Mech-based [[Mechanized Battle Armor|mechanized battle armor]] tactics. Relative to other types of infantry, Elementals have significantly more armor and firepower, but are only modestly more mobile. Without a significant improvement in mobility or range of weaponry, Elementals would be constrained to either offensives in extreme environments, or defensive duties on land. Combat Vehicles could provide some much needed mobility for Elementals, but vehicles lack in durability and maneuverability on difficult terrain. Clan Hell's Horses scientists provided another solution. As the first Elemental ''sibkos'' reached the field in 2870, Clan Hell's Horses introduced their first homegrown OmniMech, the ''[[Nova]]''. The ''Nova'' featured handholds, communications ports, and power outlets for their Elemental passengers. Deployed in units also called "[[Nova (unit)|Nova]]s", the ''Nova'' OmniMech could operate concertedly with its Elementals, a revolutionary change in twenty-ninth century infantry combat doctrines. The ''Nova''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s innovative mechanized battle armor capability became standard on all subsequent OmniMech designs.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 126</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 225</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 112</ref><ref>[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,34903.0.html BattleTech forums: "Mechanized Battle Armor with Early OmniMechs"]</ref><ref>''Total Warfare'', p. 226: "Mechanized Battle Armor"</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 12</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 10</ref> ===Modern Inner Sphere Battle Armor=== Battle armor was introduced, or rather reintroduced, to the Inner Sphere by the Clans during [[Operation REVIVAL]] in [[3050]]. The invading Clans used Elementals in their attacks, which confounded Inner Sphere defenders and caused great damage. In response the Inner Sphere's military industry attempted to reverse engineer the technology.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050'', p. 225</ref> Fortunately for the Inner Sphere, their military-industrial complexes had several factors in favor of quickly bridging this steep technological gap. [[ComStar]]'s access to [[Terra|Terran]] records, though largely purged before Aleksandr Kerensky's [[Operation EXODUS|Exodus]], hinted at secret Nighthawk Power Armor units used sparingly in special operations.<ref name=ER2750/><ref name=TRO3075/> Inspired, ComStar attempted to replicate Nighthawk armor in secret in the early [[thirtieth century]], well before the Clan Invasion, based on the limited remaining data. Their efforts produced the [[Tornado]] Power Armor (Light), and lowered the learning curve for future post-Invasion attempts. Additionally, the Inner Sphere was able to rapidly kick-start battle armor production due to their riches in resources like raw materials, laborers, and capable design teams. The numerous inhabitants of the Inner Sphere also provided enough soldiers of sufficient physical stature without the Clans' Elemental breeding and birthing protocols. Inner Sphere battle armor deployment was mainly limited to the number of trained soldiers, prompting commanders to reserve battle armor for special operations.<ref name=TRO3058U8>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 8</ref><ref name=TRO3075/><ref name=ER104>''Era Report: 3052'', pp. 104–106</ref> [[File:Inner_Sphere_Standard_BA_LTMEG.png|right|thumb|Inner Sphere Standard battle armor]] Huge efforts were made to hasten battle armor development. The first examples of Inner Sphere battle armor were successfully deployed within just one year of the beginning of the Clan Invasion. Two designs from the [[Federated Commonwealth]] (aided by the efforts of the [[New Avalon Institute of Science]]) deployed simultaneously in [[3050]], the [[Federated Suns|Suns']] [[Infiltrator Mk. I]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 14</ref><ref name=ER105>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 105</ref><ref>''MUL online dates for [[Infiltrator Mk. I]] Battle Armor [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Infiltrator+Mk.+I+Battle+Armor]''</ref> and the [[Lyran Commonwealth|Lyran]] [[Sloth]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 34</ref><ref name=ER105/><ref>''MUL online dates for [[Sloth]] Battle Armor [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Filter?Name=Sloth+Battle+Armor]''</ref> battle armors. Salvage and capture of Clan Elemental armor also led to Inner Sphere-tech clones, better known as the [[Inner Sphere Standard (Battle Armor)|Inner Sphere Standard]]. Oddly, despite small differences, Inner Sphere Standard battle armor developed throughout the Inner Sphere were functionally identical, perhaps due to rampant corporate espionage during the desperate years of Operation REVIVAL. Precursors to Inner Sphere Standard battle armor were ready for the [[Battle of Luthien (Clan Invasion)|Battle of Luthien]] in [[3051]], and further refinement improved performance in time for the [[Com Guards]] to deploy for the [[Battle of Tukayyid (3052)|Battle of Tukayyid]] in May, [[3052]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 26</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 6</ref> Though capable in select roles, early Inner Sphere battle armor was systematically less effective than Clan Elementals. Inner Sphere weapons technology was inferior, making all first generation battle armor undergunned, underprotected, or both. However, mobility was especially problematic for Inner Sphere battlesuits. Some battle armor designs completely neglected jump capability, like both the Infiltrator Mk. I and the Sloth. Even after battle armor jump jet technology was reverse engineered, Inner Sphere battle armor could not use jump jets with missile weaponry. The Inner Sphere Standard avoided this problem by forgoing missiles entirely, but later battle armor, like the [[Longinus]],<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', p. 29</ref> mounted jettison-capable missile systems; jump jets could be used only after the missiles were detached.<ref>''TechManual'', p. 172</ref> Additionally, most Inner Sphere militaries lacked transport units like [[DropShip]]s and combat vehicles able to manage squads the size of battle armor-encased infantry. With only captured Clan OmniMechs and few trained soldiers able to mount and dismount under fire, Inner Sphere battle armor were rarely able to participate in mechanized combat. These factors conspired to relegate first generation battle armor to security, special operations, pickets, defense, and ambushes. Even when successfully maneuvered, Inner Sphere units were often too few and insufficiently trained. Considering the Clans had solved most of these issues nearly two centuries before, the effectiveness of Inner Sphere battle armor was nonetheless remarkable.<ref name=ER104/> ===Diversification=== With a surplus of materials and a short window of time available after the [[Truce of Tukayyid]], Inner Sphere armies began producing great quantities of battle armor. Though [[Cavalier]] and [[Raiden]] battle armor changed the look of Inner Sphere Standard battle armor, their changes were cosmetic.<ref>''Era Report: 3052'', p. 106</ref> However, drastic changes to battle armor roles and capabilities soon became common. Battle armor production soon outstripped demand, due primarily to a lack of trained personnel. This resulted in armies reserving their precious soldiers for missions away from the main battle, changing the role of battle armor entirely. Perhaps inspired by the Infiltrator Mk. I's small sensor profile and ease of infiltration, or Sloth's firepower and mines, designers throughout the Inner Sphere revisited the capabilities of their new battle armor for roles like reconnaissance, minefield preparation, spotting, headhunting, or inexpensive static defense. Enhancing alternative battlefield roles became a priority, and a battle armor weapons race began, with each new battlesuit requiring a counterdevelopment. The success of these newer varieties of Inner Sphere battle armor even prompted some [[Home Clans]] to put aside nearly two centuries of complacency and begin a crash course developing their own specialized battle armor. By mid-[[3062]] each [[Great House]], several Clans, and even some mercenaries had adapted battle armor to a variety of diverse mission profiles.<ref>''Day of Heroes'', pp. 25–29</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', pp. 154–157</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', pp. 136–137</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 134</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', pp. 181–184</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', pp. 186–189</ref><ref>''Field Manual: ComStar'', pp. 147–149</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', pp. 142–143</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', pp. 144–146</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', pp. 156–158</ref><ref>''Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade'', pp. 6–8</ref> ==Deployment== Battle armor are widely deployed in a variety of roles depending upon their mobility, armor, and available weaponry. Core units of battle armor infantry most often consist of four soldiers ([[Inner Sphere]], [[Periphery]], and [[Mercenary]] [[Squad]]s),<ref>''Field Manual: Draconis Combine'', p. 19</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Free Worlds League'', p. 20</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Mercenaries'', p. 28</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 35</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Lyran Alliance'', p. 27</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Federated Suns'', p. 23</ref><ref>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 16</ref> five soldiers ([[Clans|Clan]] [[Point]]s and the [[Marian Hegemony Armed Forces]]' [[Marian Hegemony Armed Forces#BattleMech & Vehicle Formations|''Contubernii'']]),<ref name=FMCCd>''Field Manual: Crusader Clans'', p. 9</ref><ref name=FMWCd>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 11</ref><ref name=FMNCd>''Field Manual: ComStar'', p. 8</ref><ref>[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,36976.0.html BattleTech forums: "(Answered) Marian Hegemony Battle Armor"]</ref> or six soldiers (Com Guard and [[Word of Blake Militia]] [[Level I]]s). Larger units are composed of multiple core units, for instance [[platoon]]s (3-5 [[squad]]s) and [[Star]]s (5 [[point]]s).<ref>''Total Warfare'', p. 214: "Battle Armor Organization/Weight Table"</ref><ref>''TechManual'', p. 172: "Recommended Battle Armor Formations Table"</ref><ref name=ER105/><ref name=ER105/> Battle armor is often fielded in mixed formations with other types of units. Their emergent capabilities surpass those of two separate formations working together. Clan battle armor points are frequently deployed in mixed [[Binary|Binaries]] of [[OmniMech]]s and battle armor, called "[[Nova (unit)|Novas]]", with each point drilled in cooperation with a single [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]]. Should all of the Stars of an OmniMech Binary or [[Trinary]] be replaced with Novas, the units are referred to as "[[Supernova (unit)|Supernova]]".<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050'', pp. 224–225</ref><ref name=FMCCd/><ref name=FMWCd/><ref name=FMNCd/><ref name=ER30521/> The [[Capellan Confederation]] fields several types of mixed units called "[[Augmented Lance]]s", of which two include battle armor. The (Secondary) Augmented 'Mech Lance consists of a mix of four BattleMechs and two squads of battle armor. The (Secondary) Augmented Vehicle Lance, consists of four combat vehicles and four squads of battle armor.<ref>''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', p. 36</ref> The Com Guards also field mixed units, though their formations are not standardized and their unit types are classified by their rough proportion to unit types.<ref>''Field Manual: ComStar'', pp. 8–9</ref> In addition, battle armor is also utilized by wealthier private security and police forces. ==Notes== * This article refers to a common object and addresses the object as a common noun. The preferred term is "battle armor" (except on section titles & table headings, where "Battle Armor" is favored). ==See Also== * [[:Category:Battle Armor|Types of battle armor]] * [[:Category:Battle Armor Equipment|Battle armor equipment]] * [[:Category:Battle Armor Weapons|Battle armor weaponry]] * [[Inner Sphere Battle Armor Organization|Inner Sphere battle armor organization]] * [[Infantry]] * [[ProtoMech]] ==References== <references/> ==Bibliography== <div class="desktop-3-col"> * ''[[The Clans: Warriors of Kerensky]]'' * ''[[Day of Heroes]]'' * ''[[Era Report: 3052]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Capellan Confederation]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: ComStar]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Crusader Clans]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Draconis Combine]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Federated Suns]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Free Worlds League]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Lyran Alliance]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Mercenaries]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]'' * ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]'' * ''[[TechManual]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]'' * ''[[Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade]]'' * ''[[Total Warfare]]'' </div> [[Category:Technology]]

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