Cuirassier

Specifications
Use	Strike Gear
Production Code	PD-04TR-S
Manufacturer	Neil Motorworks / Javelin Systems / PADI
Height	4.6 meters

Originally conceived as the Humanist Alliance’s answer to the Territorial Arms Black Mamba, the Cuirassier began its life at the HAPF’s White Rock facility in Spring of TN1920. In the post-War of the Alliance rearmament period, several Black Mambas were procured by the Humanist Alliance after repeated reports of how well the unit performed. While the Black Mamba suffered from a number of design deficiencies, most notably the fatally weak armor on the back, Humanist preceptors found that the Black Mamba to be a solidly engineered Gear. The retro engineering of the Black Mamba was called the Xiphos project and was initiated as part of the secretive long term defense protocols.

A few early prototype models of the Xiphos were produced under great secrecy by White Rock engineers and deployed to HAPF regiments in limited numbers as Black Mambas. While externally the Xiphos appeared to be a Black Mamba, the internal components of the Xiphos were significantly more advanced. The chassis frame was constructed of a lighter composite metal, which was just as durable as the Mamba’s heavier chassis. The lighter frame allowed thicker rear armor to be installed. The v-engine’s performance was incrementally increased over time. These prototypes performed incredibly well, but the project was hampered by the secrecy of the project. On three separate occasions, MILICIA regiments fielded in concert with HAPF forces noted how well the disguised Xiphos performed in the field. Protectors had to quickly exchange the units with Black Mamba’s and explain the performance as better training.

In TN1932, the Xiphos Project’s information was included in the knowledge sharing treaty engineered by Gavin Hypolite and Colonel Arthur in Port Arthur. When the combined PAK, NuCoal SDF, and HAPF militaries looked at producing a unified munitions and manufacturing alliance, the high performance designs integrated into the Xiphos project created the basis for the Gallic Series of vehicles and Gears. The very first Gear to enter into service from this cooperative effort was the Cuirassier Gear. Internally, the Cuirassier shares most of the common components found in the Xiphos, but externally the Cuirassier’s armor is a mixed composite and high density alloy used in most Gallic designs. In addition to the mixed armor, the Cuirassier shares a number of components with other Gears in the Gallic series. The PAK model in particular has a traditional CEF cockpit module to accommodate Minerva pilots. Some of the NuCoal SDF Cuirassier also feature this design element.

One variant of the Cuirassier that was tested in the late thirties was a hover enabled version. The complexities of adapting a hover system into the already technologically superior Cuirassier proved too cumbersome. While three prototype models were produced, the manufacturing resources needed to implement the design were beyond the means of the allied groups at the time. The final version of the Cuirassier is a technological marvel, but still within the means of the manufacturing capabilities of NuCoal and Port Arthur.

Usage

The Cuirassier has seen widespread deployment since TN1937. The Gear served in the HAPF during the Interpolar War. Port Arthur and Fort Neil’s factories produced the Gear in large quantities to secretly equip the beleaguered HAPF forces late in the war. Within the HAPF, the Cuirassier is called the Xiphos still, and is well loved by the elite units in their Gear regiments.

PAK forces generally only have Cuirassier in their best Gear companies and many pilots using the Cuirassier are Terra Novan soldiers trained at the Arthurian Korps Academy. The more prolific use of the Cuirassier is in NuCoal SDF regiments, where the Gear is a popular alternative to the Chasseur MKII. Many of the Gear’s pilots are older pilots not used to the complexities of handling a hover enabled Gear like the Chasseur MKII. The traditional SMS on the Cuirassier and the advanced handling make the Gear commonly seen in veteran sections within the regiments.

Gallery

• 
•