M6 Revenant Heavy Combat Exosuit

The M6 Revenant Heavy Combat exosuit is a fully-enclosed, powered combat exosuit in use with the Atreus Aerospace Command, Zokesia, and the Pan-Veiidic Commonwealth.

M6 Revenant M6 Revenant Heavy Combat Exosuit
Heavy Combat Exosuit
A M6 Revenant defending a landed MV-T-63 Chariot during a training exercise. c. 2198
National Origin		Confederacy of Atreus
Production History
Designed
2193 - 2196
Produced
2197 - N/A
Designer		Arienela Dynamics
Unit Cost		24219(√)
Number Built		50+
Service History
In Service
2197 - N/A
Used By		Atreus Aerospace Command Zokesia
Characteristics
Weight		10,840
Length		(gun included) 4.8 m
Width		1.7 m
Height		2.4 m
Crew		1
Main Armament		1 M32 Anti-Tank Rifle 1 M230 Chaingun 1 Turreted M61 Vulcan Autocannon
Armor		225mm (Front) ~300mm (Side) 125mm (Rear)

Design and Development

The M6 Revenant is the primary combat exosuit in use with the Atreus Aerospace Command (AASC). The M6 is built around the central torso. Being bipedal in design, the M6 has 2 legs and two arms, with 3 fingers and opposable thumbs on each hand.

Development

Following the creation of the Atreus Aerospace Command, ship-to-shore forces were noticeably lacking in staying power and anti-tank capabilities, as heavy vehicles were limited by the cargo capacity of Auxiliaries and transport ships as well as ship-to-shore connecters such as the MV-T-63 Chariot Heavy Dropship. Not allowing this gap in capabilities to go unfilled, but unsure how to fill it, the AASC put out a notice for any potential solutions to all companies interested, with potential contracts being available given that an effective solution was developed. The proposed designs included a modular light tank from Yavor Motor Works based on previous airborne light tank designs, as well as multiple bipedal exoskeletons of various sizes submitted by Arienela Dynamics including a non-enclosed exoskeleton to assist in carrying capacity to a suit of six meters tall and 30,000 kilograms. Which was obviously rejected. After various rounds of systems were tested and evaluated, the AASC Admiralty decided on the AD/XM6 Combat Exosuit as an acceptable solution to be put into service. This decision was helped by the design of the XM6, featuring four thrust-vectoring liquid fuel engines that allowed the XM6 to achieve powered flight for long durations in low-gravity environments such as the Mun or Minmus. Additionally, the XM6 featured hands with opposable thumbs, allowing the use of tools and various weapon systems, including the AD/XM32 Anti-Material Rifle specifically developed for use on the XM6 platform.

Features

Armor

Designed to help infantry break through heavily fortified positions and combat enemy armor, the M6 is equipped to defend itself against such threats with the hull being built out of a steel alloy as well as a composite armor layout behind it similarly to modern Main Battle Tanks. The M6 also features two shoulder plates that help cover critical joints and less protected areas on the arms and sides of the hull. Both shoulder plates are built with a lightweight alloy focused on defending against small arms fire, autocannons, and artillery shrapnel.

Protection Systems

Additionally to kinetic armor, the M6 features and extensive sensor suite and soft-kill systems to protect from other threats. Some of these include the AN/MAR-37 Missile Approach Warning System alongside radar and Infra-Red countermeasures such as chaff and flares. Uniquely, the M6 also features the AN/ULW-58 Rapid Reaction Enhancement System as a upgrade for the AN/USQ-55 Neural Interface Equipment which acts as the primary control interface that allows for easy control of the M6. The M6 also features a laser warning receiver (LWS) to defend against laser-guided munitions such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or laser rangefinders such as those found on Main Battle Tank fire control systems (FCS).

Service History

Initial Service

With an initial batch ordered in 2196 for 25 units, the M6 Revenant entered production in early 2197 with the first units being delivered by late 2197 and was well received.

The system was praised for its surprising ease of use as the interface was streamlined for rapid training and adaptability rather than maximum performance, but could be tuned to difference specifications as operators became more comfortable on the suit.