K-Series Armours

The K-series armours & exoskeletons is a series of powered armour and exoskeleton models designed by Tachibana Aerospace between 2053 and 2113, with the first model - the K1 - coming up for consumer sale in 2062. The series is well-regarded for being relatively versatile, adaptable and multirole pieces of equipment that can be used in most settings, whether it be an industrial, military or logistical purpose - with even the specialised industrial variants seeing military use, and the military variants seeing limited industrial use, despite the many redundant systems.

Currently, only Tachibana manufactures & produces the K-series armours & exoskeletons, with spare parts and curated Tachibana modifications for said equipment still being manufactured for all models excluding the K4. The K2 and K3 models can still be purchased today, with the K1 only being obtainable through contracts created before commercial production halted, as well as third-party sources with manufacturing rights.

Basic Description
The K1 Exoskeleton was the first of the K-series armours, being designed from 2053 and becoming available for consumer purchase in 2062. The suit was, and still is, a notably cheaper design than those available by their competitors, such as those made by GLOBE, but was also relatively bulky and heavy. Regardless, the exoskeleton was fully capable of lifting around 1.7 tons without issues, making it highly adaptable. It was also surprisingly durable, being constructed from titanium - though newer models (which are still produced in limited quantities to this day) are made from steel composite metal foam, which decreases its weight significantly, with the weight of the items it lifts being counteracted by the electromagnetic clamps attached to its feet.

Advanced Description
The K1, upon its release date in 2062, was constructed from titanium due to how metal foams were still notably difficult to create and use, and because titanium was, in itself, relatively durable. It used large hydraulic systems, with pistons being visible sticking out of various parts of the exoskeleton, which gave it a seemingly industrial aesthetic. It was designed for usage in engineering & manual construction/labour, with its simple design and controls allowing for anyone to sit inside of the suit and simply move around as though it was part of their body, without issues. To function, the suit features sensors that are placed against the user's nerves and muscles, which detect electrical impulses within the muscles which are then converted into movements inside of the exoskeleton. This allows for the hydraulic servos to move with the user, essentially permitting them to use it as though it is part of their body. The K1 was, and still is, a relatively cheap design which can be bought en-masse without having a high price - which it owes to its relative lack of features and simplicity compared to other designs. As the rest of the series is, K1 is powered by dual lithium-tungsten power cells.

In 2063, various modification kits began being released for the K1 as it began to reach popularity. These included URS - the predecessor of the modern CRS eyepiece - integration, a built-in work helmet, and light-receptive reflective strips, which would change based on the light levels in the area.

Basic Description
Where the K1 failed, the K2 EWS seemed to succeed, being released for consumer purchase in 2061. The K2 is the most popular K-model exoskeleton so far, being marketed as the 'Enhanced Work Suit', and was notably smaller than the K1, trading this off for a lifting weight slightly decreased to 1.4 tons. While overshadowed by the more advanced GLOBE designs of the time, the K2 was notably cheaper, easier to repair & modify, and also lighter. It was constructed from titanium, like the previous model, but used much smaller hydraulic systems, and maintained the silhouette of a human. It took the form of small bar-like structures running down the user's body.

Advanced Description
The K2 Enhanced Work Suit's main advantage came from its size - being considered sleek for an exoskeleton of its purpose, whilst also having a sort of industrial aesthetic to it that many seemed to prefer. It was also relatively undecorated unlike its competitors, which further cut down on its cost and made it less 'spectacular ' - which would help to avoid distraction in the workplace. Like the K1 before it, this exoskeleton was designed for usage amongst engineering, construction and labour jobs, and could be used easily with little to no training - not counting the basic 'how to get in' steps. Being composed of titanium, it was heavier than it could have been, but it was a valid trade-off to make it as durable as it was, with a majority of K2s not beginning to be replaced until the mid 2070s - but, of course, it still wasn't heavy enough to counterbalance what it lifted, so it was fitted with electromagnetic feet as well - which automatically engaged as the user walked if the surface they were moving on was viable. It featured a more advanced version of the K1's muscle impulse scanning systems, with various 'nodes' being located all over the user's body which sensed electrical impulses being sent through the muscles and nerves to allow for the exoskeleton to adapt accordingly. This made it feel as though the exoskeleton was simply just an extension of the user's body, with fluid motion allowing for the also relatively simplistic design to take the market by storm - without needing a neural chip like other exoskeletons did.

New K2 models are still produced, alongside spare parts for them, with the need for variants with helmets and URS support being eliminated, as these were integrated into the baseline K2 - which could have the helmet removed with ease. Light-receptive reflective strips were also fitted. However, unlike the K1, the K2 featured a version - dubbed the K2-F - which instead allowed for a fusion power pack to be hitched onto the back of the suit, which could be removed anywhere by a supporting technician, and replaced as quickly as it was removed.

Basic Description
The K3 VWP took a page from the K2's book as the K2 did from the K1, being a unique design specifically made to be used in the more volatile sorts of workspace, being released for consumer purchase in 2065. An issue that had been encountered with the K2 was that operators were often having to wear CBRN gear such as clean suits underneath them in some of the more volatile environments, where the users are prone to inhaling gasses, some of which could potentially corrode or damage the K2. The K3 combated this by essentially cloning the K2, but integrating a CBRN defense suite and a Level A (US) / Type I (EU) NBC suit, covering the user's entire body. This partially bumped up the price, but it was considered well worth it by those who needed it. It is notable that some confuse the K3 as being a variant of the K2 EWS, however, this is not the case.

Advanced Description
Being identical to the K2 in every way except for its CBRN capabilities, the K3 VWP was made from titanium as well, but instead integrated a Level A / Type I NBC suit, alongside some minor tweaks to the exoskeleton & a corrosion-inhibiting coating being applied to the exoskeleton by default - essentially thwarting any gas' attempts to ruin the exoskeleton. What made the K3 especially effective, however, was how the NBC suit could be worn outside of the exoskeleton - in the event that the exoskeleton runs out of power during an emergency, the NBC suit can be detached from the exoskeleton and worn without it to allow the user to escape. This extra level of precaution for workers made it favourable, and various events in volatile areas such as Jupiter, irradiated sites on Earth, and Mercury have proven this as both essential and effective.

The K2.1 variant would be fitted with integrated soft body armour to prevent the NBC suit from being damaged when it snags on sharp objects, being released a few months after.

Notice
Information regarding the K4 is no longer available. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by this.

OOC NOTE: The K4 was an overly ambitious, failed design which released in 2071 but never reached enough sales to make back its production costs.

Basic Description
The K5 Standard Protective Panoply (SPP) is a dedicated military exoskeleton system with integrated armour which was released in 2079 for consumer purchase. With the apparent success of the K2 and K1 variants - which were still being sold almost as fast as they could be produced at the time of the K5's release - Tachibana shifted its interest towards the military market, recognising a demand for a cheaper alternative to most other exoskeletons. The K5 would be a throwback to the days of old with its integrated armour system, which, instead of featuring pre-installed armour, instead had pouches in each of the segments to allow consumers to install their own armour plates into the suit. While this is an old concept, it had largely been forgotten by the newer designs, and this new level of customisation and adaptability on top of that which the K series of exoskeletons (and, more recently, armours) was already well-known for led to many opting to go for the K5 over its more expensive competitors - which were still featuring integral armour plating. However, the K5 had been intended to revolutionise the exoskeleton market, but few other corporations followed suit with adding modular armour systems to their exoskeletons.

Advanced Description
The K5 SPP - Standard Protective Panoply - was, as mentioned before, a somewhat revolutionary design, featuring fully modular armour which could have plating for each limb installed individually, and have armour plates be replaced on the go - in under 12 seconds. Tachibana sold some 'recommended' armour plating for the suit, but, due to it following standardized design, it was more often than not seen with plates from other designers - though Tachibana's ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene plates were still bought and used. The specifics of the exoskeleton itself are not as different from the K2 and K3 models as one would expect, though the K5 miniaturised the hydraulics to the point that they were almost impossible to hit in combat - and the fact that they were placed underneath the plating made them even harder to damage. To supplement this, more powerful motor servos were fitted, allowing for the user to be able to lift around 1.4 tons. However, what made the K5 so different from the previous designs was its ability to exert its force in additional ways, making it highly effective at recoil control and performing melee attacks against its targets. It also featured built-in CRS compatibility like the K2 did, but for the URS. The K5's movement system was also even more efficient than that of previous designs, though used the same methods, but with improved sensory systems.

The K5.1 model/variant, which was released alongside the default K5, featured a built-in NBC protection suite - having taken a page from the K3's book. Its features were identical to that of the K3, with those from the K5 being integrated with it.

Basic Description
The K6 Enhanced Combat Panoply - abbreviated as the K6 ECP - was originally a further developed model of the K5 SPP, though was released in 2087 under separate branding due to how greatly it had diversified from the original model. Coming in 3 variants with varying levels of armoring, the K6 ECP was designed to be the ultimate combat exoskeleton & armour system, being highly adaptable on the battlefield and capable of doing various things. The K6 would be proven in battle during the Phobos Insurrection, during which some marines were deployed with the K6 ECP. It featured a highly advanced exoskeleton, the details of which remain largely hidden by Tachibana.

Advanced Description
Originally, the K6 Enhanced Combat Panoply was branded as the K5.2 ESPP, featuring an enhanced exoskeleton and built-in armour system, diverting away from the teachings of the K5, which had a modular armour system that allowed for plate inserts - in turn making the suit extremely complicated to set up in combat. Instead, the K6 featured .8" aluminum composite metal foam plating which was lined on the inside with sorbothane padding, present to assist in absorbing the shock of projectiles and blunt force, alongside a 1.5" Dyneema full-body undersuit that came with the exoskeleton. When worn, the sealed undersuit would provide a protection level on the VPAM scale of around PM 5, followed by the aluminium plating elevating this total protection level (including the Dyneema below) to PM 13. The Sorbothane padding would absorb the shock of most rounds, though it still won't quite absorb the force of a .50 BMG - which will still generally shred the user's internals. In terms of the exoskeleton, the K6 uses one that isnt too different from the K5's, with the primary difference being size and strength. Due to the additional weight and size of the suit and its internals, the exoskeleton has been enlarged slightly to match the rest of the suit in size, with the piston servos being reintroduced at a slightly larger size, as well as more developed electronic servos that serve as backups. This elevates the lifting weight back to around 1.7 tons, but the weight of the suit lowers this to around 1.6 tons instead. The K6 features more sensors than before, all of which are oriented in the same locations as before - as well as more down the spinal cord - and also features compatibility for an ESCI neural chip, though this is not mandatory and no losses are made for not using one. A key feature that is not present amongst other suits is the K6's ability to administer drugs automatically on the field. While still in experimental phases, the suit is capable of injecting various drugs and fluids, including (but not limited to) morphine, adrenaline and embryonic STEM cells into the user, allowing for them to continue fighting on the field even when injured. In fact, the STEM cells are capable of closing and repairing all forms of wounds - all the way up to brain tissue damage - over a period of time, which ultimately depends on the severity of the wound. Please note that not all wounds will be healed - for example, severed limbs cannot be recovered, but gunshot wounds can be closed. The administering of these medical drugs & fluids is automatic, and can be configured while in and out of the suit, with the option to add additional medicines being possible.

It is worth noting that the suit can be paired with a CRS by default, and all readings & features will function impeccably, with the addition of suit statistics to display damage endured by the K6 ECP. The suit's helmet also features a built-in CRS heads-up-display.

Notice
Information on the K7 ERSP is yet to be added. For the time being, please refer to its original document, and the Tachibana Aerospace Industries page.

Notice
All information regarding the K8 is, as of yet, redacted, as it is still in development.

OOC Notes
This page is currently a work in progress.

The K1, K2, K3 and K5 models can be used freely. The K4 would be unobtainable due to it having been withdrawn only a few days after release. The K6 and K7 models both require special permission to be used, which can be obtained in our discord server.