The Type 101 Armored Personnel Exoskeleton, also known as the ZTZ-101 power armor or the Iron Man armor, is one of the first successful power armor models developed by the Chinese government and used by the People's Liberation Army in various engagements before the Great War.
Background[]
Developed by the People Liberation Army's Research Division 1, the Type 101 was the first successful power armor developed by the Chinese as a response to the highly-effective T-45 power armor.
Following the successful deployment of the T-45 power armor, the Chinese government contracted a group of Chinese companies to develop a response to the T-51. The result was the Type 99 - bulky and ineffective, it was scrapped and the project effectively mothballed, with the project being taken over by the PLA's Research Division 1.
However, it would not be long until the development of Chinese power armor hastened as the Chinese government had renewed interest in the project, due to the effectiveness of power armor on the field. The first successful prototype was created in 2068, with field tests and experiments conducted on production models in Fort Xia. This prototype was then molded and revised into the Type 101, fitted with gyroscopic stabilizers as well as an advanced guiding computer to aid its user in combat.
It began mass production in 2070, and due to it being relatively inexpensive and easy to produce, it was rapidly deployed on the frontlines. It saw action in the Battle of Anchorage, the Philippine Campaign, the Gobi Campaign and the American landings in China. There, soldiers who wore the Type 101 power armor fought valiantly and effectively, proving the effectiveness of the Type 101.
Several variants were created, but the most prominent one was the Type-101G. Chinese expertise in stealth technology naturally led to the creation of a stealth exoskeleton, combining the best of both worlds - firepower, and stealth. This culminated in the creation of the Type 101-G, fitted with the same man-portable device used in stealth armor.
Design[]
The Type 101 power armor is designed to be durable and mobile. Type 101 does not require custom fitting or any type of training, allowing for its rapid and easy deployment during the Sino-American War. Those who wear the armor benefit from increased strength, comfort, and protection from chemical, biological, or radiation damage.
It is constructed with a composite material and, on some variants, a multi-layer graphene coating. It includes features such as a cooling unit, powered actuators, and a visor interface. Some variants even featured an Auto-Doc and a urine recycling system.
Variants[]
Type 101A[]
The first variant of the Type 101 deployed by the People's Liberation Army. While power armors are rarely seen throughout the Oriental Wasteland, the most common model seen is the Type 101A.
Hardened 101B[]
A pre-War variant of the Type 101 deployed by the People's Liberation Army. It featured a multi-layer graphene coating, which made the suit mostly impenetrable in the front. It also featured a back-mounted 40mm grenade launcher.
Black Ghost 101G[]
A pre-War variant of the Type 101 deployed by the People's Liberation Army. It was refitted by the Liberation Army to feature a heavier-duty version of the man-portable stealth device used in stealth armor by Hēi Guǐ operatives.