Editing Stealth Armor

[[File:Stealth Armor.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Stealth Armor]]
Developed in [[3063]] by the [[Capellan Confederation]]<ref name="TMp206">''TechManual'', p. 206, "Stealth Armor"</ref>, '''Stealth Armor''' is a modern day equivalent of the [[Star League era]] [[Null Signature System]]. Stealth Armor has been used on [[battle armor]] and [[Combat Vehicle|combat vehicles]] as well.

== Description == 
The finest achievement in stealth systems developed by the original [[Star League]], the Null Signature System was capable of shielding a [[BattleMech]] from electronic detection. Unfortunately like many pieces of advanced technology, the system and the 'Mechs that carried it became [[LosTech]] during the maelstrom of the early [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. All [[Successor States]] attempted to recover and rediscover the technology, but the [[Capellan Confederation]] is the closest to recreating the system. 

Discovering detailed information on the system in the archives of the reactivated Star League era [[Shengli Arms]] factory, while not yet able to produce a bolt for bolt, circuit for circuit replication, with typical Capellan ingenuity [[House Liao]] developed a stopgap solution suitable for mass-production. Integrating the heat baffles and required components directly into specially designed armor plating, when linked with a [[Guardian ECM Suite]] Stealth Armor replicates the benefits (and disadvantages) of the Null Signature System. <ref name="FM:CCp143-144">''Field Manual: Capellan Confederation'', pp. 143-144 "New Technology"</ref> Though bulkier than the Null Signature System that inspired it, Stealth Armor is still less bulky than [[Ferro-Fibrous Armor]].<ref name="TMp56">''TechManual'', p. 56, "BattleMech Armor Table"</ref>

By [[3071]], schematics for the armor had been stolen by the [[Federated Suns]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'' p. 150, "Ripper"</ref> By [[3075]], the armor was also being manufactured by the [[Lyran Alliance]], and possibly other powers as well.<ref>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 72, "''Mongoose II''"</ref>

The Guardian ECM Suite mounted on the unit does not function with the armor activated, but the 'Mech suffers as if it were in an ECM field. With the Armor disabled, the ECM will function normally.<ref name="TWp142">''Total Warfare'', p. 142, "Stealth Armor System"</ref>

== Battle Armor Stealth Armor ==
Instead of using a dedicated ECM Suite to provide the stealth capabilities, the Stealth Armor used on battle armor is essentially a scaled up version of the [[sneak suit]]s long used by special forces and intelligence agencies. Engineers were able to incorporate the small IR and ECM baffling systems directly into the armor, eliminating the need for a dedicated ECM Suite.

As it renders the user invisible to all active probes<ref name="TMp164">''TechManual'', p. 164</ref>, Stealth Armor is particularly popular with battle armor operators who are specialists in ambushing and infiltration. Only the [[Experimental Technology|experimental]] [[Bloodhound Active Probe]] can detect units using Stealth Armor.<ref name="TOp278">''Tactical Operations'', p. 278, "BattleMech And IndustrialMech Structural Costs And Availability"</ref>

There are four types of stealth armor for battle armored infantry:
;Prototype Stealth Armor : In [[3050]] the [[Federated Commonwealth]] introduced their prototype stealth armor on the ''[[Infiltrator]]''.<ref name="TMp252">''TechManual'', p. 252, "Armor"</ref> Though effective, it was heavy and bulky.
;Basic Stealth Armor : Engineers in the [[Draconis Combine]] took the prototype stealth armor and reduced its size and weight. By [[3052]] they had armor that provided as much stealth capability as the prototype ready for production.<ref name="TMp252"/> The Clans also have the technology to make this armor, but they have only done so occasionally.
;Standard Stealth Armor: After creating the basic stealth armor, the Combine engineers received several ''[[Nighthawk]]'' power armor suits. This allowed them to improve the stealth armor performance at a minor gain in weight and bulk. Entering production in [[3053]] this armor's balance of protection, weight, and size set the standard for battlesuit stealth armor across the Inner Sphere.<ref name="TMp252"/>
;Improved Stealth Armor: Introduced on the ''[[Achileus]]'' suit, Improved Stealth Armor was a joint project between the [[Free Worlds League]] and the [[Word of Blake]]. The armor began production in [[3057]]. It is even more effective than standard stealth armor, but it is much bulkier. Several rumors of this armor and its capabilities made their way to the [[Clans]], who developed their own version in 3058.

== Vehicular Stealth Armor ==
Two years after introducing their BattleMech Stealth Armor, the Capellan Confederation began experimenting with stealth armor for combat vehicles. In [[3067]] the armor reached the [[Experimental Technology|experimental]] stage.<ref name="TOp282">''Tactical Operations'', p. 282, "Vehicular Stealth Armor"</ref> Bizarrely, it has only been seen in widespread use on the Word of Blake's [[Bolla Stealth Tank]]<ref name="JHS:3076p125">''Jihad Hot Spots: 3076'', p. 125</ref>, though it can be fitted to any vehicle or AeroSpace Fighter. By [[3084]] advances in armor production for the Inner Sphere would allow this class of Stealth armor to enter limited mass-production and rerate it as [[Technology Rating|Advanced Technology]].<ref name="TRO:PROTOp2016">''Technical Readout: Prototypes'', p. 206, "Jihad Technology Advancement Table"</ref> 

== Manufacturing ==
Stealth Armor is manufactured on the following planets:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="background: #gray; text-align:center; border: 2px solid black;"
! Brand
! Planet
! Company
! Used by
! References
|-
| [[Ceres Heavy Stealth]]<!--Stealth-->
| [[Betelgeuse]]
| [[Aldis Industries]]
| ''[[Pixiu]]''
| <ref name=TRO:3145CCp20>''Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation'', p. 20, "Produced Pixiu Components"</ref>
|}
== References ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* ''[[Field Manual: Capellan Confederation]]''
* ''[[Jihad Hot Spots: 3076]]''
* ''[[Tactical Operations]]''
* ''[[TechManual]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Prototypes]]''
* ''[[Total Warfare]]''

[[Category: Armor]]
[[Category: Defensive System]]