Work In Progress Eriadu Infantry BDU

[The Eriadu Authority]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: Armor for Eriadu's infantry
• Image Source: Giuseppe Caridi
• Canon Link:
• Permissions: (Please link any Marketplace purchase approvals or other permissions to use other Writer's submissions as part of the submission)
• Primary Source:

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: TarkinTech
• Affiliation: Eriadu Authority
• Market Status: Closed-Market
• Model: Eriadu Infantry BDU
• Modularity: Helmet can be fitted with sensor, communication, or visual attachments
• Production: Mass Produced
• Material: Betaplast, electronics

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Light personal armor
• Weight: Light
• Resistances:
  • Energy: High
  • Kinetic: High
  • Lightsabers: Average (none)
  • EMP/Ion: Very Low

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Helmet:
  • Multi-Frequency Targeting and Acquisition System
  • Oxygen-extracting filtration system
  • Automatic polarizing and anti-flash blinding visor
  • Tac-lights
• Body:
  • Durable rucksack
• Left Arm:
  • Bracer
• Right Arm:
  • Bracer
• Legs:
  • Magnetic thigh plate
  • Kneepads
• Other:

STRENGTHS

• Tactical Orientation: The addition of a full helmet with Heads-Up Display allows for a greater sense of tactical awareness.
• Small-Arms: The BDU provides admirable protection against the two most widespread forms of damage in the galaxy, kinetic weapons and blasters.

WEAKNESSES

• Coverage: With the exception of the knees and the thigh, wearers' legs are exposed, with the cloth fatigues offering little resistance against direct shots.
• Exotic Armaments: The armor does not offer any protection against more exotic weaponry.
• EMP: The helmet's electronics are not hardened against EMPs, and can be knocked out with one pulse.

DESCRIPTION
The next generation of armor for the Eriadu Armed Forces, this BDU is a departure from the standard Imperial Army uniform in favor of something more utilitarian. The most major change is the replacement of the AT-ST pilot-style helmet with a fully enclosed one, with a faceplate derived from Phase I clone trooper armor. This helmet features many of the same amenities as the standard stormtrooper helmet, including the Multi-Frequency Targeting and Acquisition System for vision augmentation and a heads up display that consistently displays tactical data such as the location and distance to the target. While not as robust as the systems in TarkinTech powersuits, this allows for greater tactical coordination during joint-force operations. The integrated filtration system also allows for use in hazardous environments, though an extra attachment such as that worn by clone pilots is recommended for extended use in such conditions.

The dress uniform tunic and pants of past Imperial Army and Navy Troopers have been replaced with a more rugged set of tear-resistant fatigues, and the backplate of the armor can fit a durable rucksack for longer-lasting operations, while a magnetic thigh plate allows for easy access to the wearer's sidearm without the use of a holster. The protection provided by the armored plates is admirable, able to withstand blaster bolts and smaller caliber slugthrowers, the most common weapons on most battlefields.

The reception during the testing phase was overwhelmingly positive, with many preferring the full helmet over the old multi-piece style and praising the more practical fatigues. The armor's shortcomings against exotic weaponry were deemed acceptable for standard infantry armor, and career infantrymen consider the amenities offered by the helmet to be luxuries rather than necessities.