Power armor

Power Armor refers to enhanced armored suits and mechs either worn or piloted by Mobile Infantry troopers. It is the reason why M.I. is called "Mobile Infantry" instead of simply "Infantry". The different types of powered armor vary in shapes & sizes and are either worn over the trooper's body like a suit, or piloted like a vehicle.

Starship Troopers novel[]

Powered armors have jump jets installed into them to allow troopers to jump over obstacles and buildings with ease. According to Juan Rico, when one is suited up in the powered armor, they appear like a "steel gorilla".

A trooper's vital status can be read by pressing a button on the suit.

There are three different types of Powered Armor:

Marauder Suit - The Marauder Suit is the basic Powered Armor used by the Mobile Infantry. Each armored suit is customized to fit each individual. The Armor is designed to give a trooper many times more strength, to let them jump over buildings with ease, and to deflect enemy fire.
Scout Suit - The Scout Suit is a lightly armored variant of Powered Armor which is able to jump and travel faster than regular Powered Armor, for use in recon missions.
Command Suit - The Command Suit is a more powerful variant of Powered Armor, meant to be used by officers. The main difference in Command Armor to that of Marauder Armor is that Command Armor has much more communications equipment, and controls much more jump power and "juice" than the Marauder Armor.

Gallery[]

Starship Troopers anime[]

Ova-poweredsuit-c&m — The Commander and Soldier suits

In the Starship Troopers anime, there are three types of Powered Suits (パワードスーツ Pawādo Sūtsu, aka "P.S.") just like the novel version: Infantry Suit (歩兵タイプ Hohei Taipu), Commander Suit (指揮官タイプ Shikikan Taipu), and Area Support Suit (エリア支援タイプ Eria Shien Taipu). However, the Area Support Suit doesn't appear in the show, but only in concept arts. The Suits appearances in the anime are based on the illustration for the Japanese version of Starship Troopers novel. The Powered Suits is also known as "Enhanced Combat Suit" (強化戦闘服 Kyōka Sentōfuku).

Each soldier uses a trace system sensor to control the Powered Suit via the underwear's laser optical connectors, which give feedback to both the human body and the Powered Suit. Much like the novel version, the Powered Suit has a HUD and face plate system, controlled via the chin.

The Powered Suit in the anime has a variety of machine guns as primary armaments, while the Y-Rack on the back of the armor is on the left shoulder instead. Also, the hatch opens from front instead of back.

Also, the energy issue doesn't seem to be a problem as seen in the novel.

The Soldier Suits can carried various optional equipment, such as the Missile Launcher, the Y-Rack, and the flamethrower. In addition, the Soldier Suits have three extra variations:

P.S.Variation, Type-1: Flame and LASER unit equipment
P.S.Variation, Type-2: High gravity planet method "DEEP DIVER"
P.S.Variation, Type-3: VOLCANO-RIFLE-SYSTEM loading type

Film Universe[]

Primarily used by elite units during both the First Bug War and Second Bug War. These units were used for important missions that would be impossible for Cap troopers, as well as support for Cap troopers. After the Battle of Kwalasha the Power Suit in massive reforms completely replaced the standard non-powered armor equipment. From this point onwards Power suits were worn by all Mobile Infantry Troopers.

Designation	First used	Notes
Power Armor	First Bug War	First used in Second Battle of Klendathu
Marauder Suit	First Bug War	Single Marauder's supported Cap trooper units during Battle of Hesperus
M11 Marauder	Second Bug War
Marauder MKII	Second Bug War
Power Suit	Second Bug War	Introduced during Battle of Kwalasha, these suits eventually completely replaced Federation Body Armor.
Command Armor 1st class	First Bug War
Command Armor 2nd class	First Bug War
Command Armor 3rd class	First Bug War
Scout Armor 1st class	First Bug War
Scout Armor 2nd class	First Bug War
Scout Armor 3rd class	First Bug War
Marauder Armor 1st class	First Bug War
Marauder Armor 2nd class	First Bug War

Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles[]

The Mobile Infantry troopers wear the M-1A4 Power Suits and the M-1C8 command variants, while the Skinnies have their own Powered Armors.

Starship Troopers: The Miniatures Game[]

Starship Troopers: The Roleplaying Game[]

Merchandise[]

Bandai[]

Powered Suit (Soft vinyl kit, 1988)

This is the OVA version of the Powered Suit. It is a Soft Vinyl Kit which need to be assembled and painted.

General Products[]

The Powered Suit (Soft vinyl kit, ^{[year needed]})

This is the 1/8 scale Powered Suit from the Japanese version of the original novel.

Powered Suit (Metal kit, ^{[year needed]})

This is the 1/25 scale Powered Suit from the Japanese version of the original novel.

It is specially made for Non Space Club members.

Kaiyodo[]

Novel-poweredsuit-toy-revoltech-1 — The *Revoltech* Mobile Infantry

Mobile Infantry Powered Suit (機動歩兵 Kido Hohei, Plastic model, 2001)

This is the 1/20 scale Powered Suit from the Japanese version of the original novel.

Mobile Infantry (機動歩兵 Kido Hohei, Revoltech, 2012)
- Number: Sci-Fi Series 037
- Accessories: Hand Flamer*1, Optional right hand with an egg*1, Optional left hand*1, Pilot figure*2, Display stand*1, Name plate*1

This is the Revoltech action figure of the Powered Suit from the Japanese version of the original novel.

Novel-poweredsuit-toy-revoltech-2 — The *Revoltech* Mobile Infantry Yellow Ver.

Mobile Infantry Sand Yellow Ver. (機動歩兵サンドイエローVer. Kido Hohei Sando Yerō Ver., Revoltech, 2012)
- Number: Sci-Fi Series 037
- Accessories: Hand Flamer*1, Optional right hand with an egg*1, Optional left hand*1, Pilot figure*2, Display stand*1, Name plate*1

This is the repaint of the Revoltech Mobile Infantry in sand yellow. It was only available during Wonder Festival in summer, 2012.

Wave[]

Mobile Infantry (機動歩兵 Kido Hohei, Plastic model, 2004)

This is the 1/12 scale Powered Suit from the Japanese version of the original novel.

Mobile Infantry Phase2 (機動歩兵 Phase2 Kido Hohei Phase2, Plastic model, 2008)

This is the repaint of the 2004 plastic model in yellow.

Powered Suit (機動歩兵, Kido Hohei, Plastic model, 2020)

This is a retool of the original kit now in an 1/20 scale with snap together and redesigned parts.

Notes[]

The armor in the Starship Troopers anime and Starship Troopers: Invasion are more vulnerable than the novel version as the enemy possesses weapon powerful enough to destroy the armor with ease.
Marauder Suit and Command Module was originally planned to appear in the 1997 film Starship Troopers (1997 film)^[1], however due to the budget issue and limited CGI animation technology, the Powered Armor is replaced with the Federation Body Armor in the film.

References[]

↑ Starship Troopers Script at IMSDb

Powered Armor

Types

Marauder - Command - Scout

Weapons

Rifle - Flamethrower - Y-Rack - Rocket Launcher - Grenade