Militech M-88 Revised Combat Helmet

The M-88 is a brand-new, fully enclosed infantry helmet that is currently being issued to special attack and guard units for testing. It has an integral face shield and respirator and offers complete protection against all inhaled agents. The communications microphone and earphones are built in, as is a small, forward facing video camera array which not only provides input for night vision systems but can transmit images back to a rear-echelon receiver. The face shield functions as a heads-up display which is interfaced with a belt-pack accepting chipped data, such as maps. For complete navigational and informational aid the display can also be linked with a TacStac, or via cellular communications, to a rear-echelon data system.

Among the other advantages afforded by the helmet are complete infrared and low-light imaging, full glare suppression, a smartgun targeting system, and an audio compression system which boosts weak sounds and limits loud ones. The helmet is powered by a seven-day, rechargeable battery in the belt-pack. Even with no power it is still a useful piece of armor. Helmet weight is relatively heavy at .75 kilograms, but due to advanced polymer construction, much lighter than it might otherwise be. The belt-pack weighs .5 kilograms and contains the batteries, transceiver and chipware sockets. It is connected to the helmet with a 1 meter cord. Connections for interface plugs and for the TacStac are also provided, allowing the soldier to cybernetically access and control all of his equipment in a combat situation. In game terms, the helmet is 20 SP, the face shield 15 SP. The helmet has 10 SDP. Once 10 pts. of damage have gotten through the electronic functions no longer operate. Of course, by this time, the wearer may not care any longer.

It has an Encumbrance Value of-1 to the wearer's REF. It offers Low-Lite, Infrared, Anti-Dazzle, Targeting, and Amplified Hearing and Level Damping comparable to the cybernetic functions listed in Cyberpunk 2020. It also has an Image Intensifier, but it is only +1 to awareness due to the helmet's limiting of peripheral vision. The communications system is comparable to a Toshiba PRC-10 radio. Only one visual intensification system can be used at a time, but they may all be used in combination with the targeting and map. The targeting is usable only with smartguns. Essentially, the helmet duplicates cybernetic features, although it may be worn for solely protective purposes.

The helmet is currently being used only by elite Militech troops. There are a couple floating around on the black market, but the black market price is twice that. Rumor has it that underwater, spacesuit, and piloting versions of the helmet are in development, or perhaps already in use.