Zero, M, FB, Plus, 7, 7Gin, D7, F
Spacesuits:
The Military Spacesuits That Became Essential Equipment
The existence of aliens and a space war, which had become clear with the global fall of the ASS-1, also demonstrated the necessity of space combat equipment to Earth's humankind. Due to this, the human race hastened the development of space compatible armaments, such as space combat ships and VFs, together with advancing the provisioning of military clothes for space. The spacesuits for deck personnel, labourers, VFs, and Destroids were especially indispensable.
When the ASS-1 fell in 1999, even though an intense space development competition wasn't taking place like it did during the Cold War period, there was to a certain extent an accumulation of spacesuit know-how due to space development extending over several decades. Nevertheless, spacesuits at that time had shortcomings—such as being heavy, having a reduced range of motion in the joints, and short extravehicular activity times—and it was difficult for them to be put to military use. VF pilots in particular desired the functions of a compact anti-G suit, as they would be piloting while enduring high G levels while inside a narrow cockpit.
However, while it may be true that there was the introduction of OTM, it didn't mean that they were able to produce a spacesuit that perfectly satisfied all of those items. As a result, the VF pilot suits that were completed at the time of the outbreak of the First Interstellar War were finished as light spacesuits that were compact, and had excellent movement. The pilot suits thereafter were also developed in accordance with that fundamental policy.
Illustrated by Takuya Io
Related Matter: The Pilot Suits For Special VFs
Among the spacesuits for VF pilots, models existed that were deployed only in small numbers. These were models exclusive to the VF, for special forces, for experimental types and so on, and general pilots didn't wear them.
▶ For the YF-21
The experimental pilot suit for the YF-21 supported the BDI Brainwave Control System. There are terminals and connectors for brainwave control in the helmet.
◀ For the Macross 7 Fleet Special Forces
The pilot suit that was supplied to the Macross 7 Fleet's special forces, such as Diamond Force and Emerald Force.
Caption:
• VF pilot suits, which are considered to have incorporated OTM and the technology in traditional spacesuits and anti-G suits, have spread as general equipment.
⬢ VF Pilot Spacesuits According To The Era
The spacesuits for VF pilots (pilot suits), which were implemented at the time of the First Interstellar War, continued to be developed as anti-G suits and light spacesuits even after that. In the 2050's, EX-Gear was implemented—and although EX-Gear was a spacesuit, it combined the functions of an escape mechanism, anti-G suit, and powered suit—and improved the performance of the pilot suits even more.
Caption:
• In the period of the Unification War, VF pilot spacesuits appeared to have been at an experimental production stage, and the pilots of the experimental production VFs wore within-atmosphere anti-G suits.
⊘ The Unified Forces Pilot Suit Around 2009~2011
As the model that was used during the First Interstellar War period and for several years in the postwar period, it is the earliest VF pilot spacesuit. The design was remodelled in the several years of the postwar period.
Caption:
• Although white and green models are typical, Roy Fokker, Hikaru Ichijō and others wear ones with differing colours.*
• The influence of atmospheric anti-G suits, which were used in the same period, can be strongly observed in this pilot suit.
* Translator's note: 'white' was added in the Revised Ed.
⊘ The Unified Forces Pilot Suit Around 2040
The model was also for use within the atmosphere. The helmet visor has been enlarged, and it features an especially vast field of vision overhead. An alloy tektite pad is enclosed in the forearms.
Caption:
• Although it was the general pilot suit at that time, it had an anti-G ability that enabled it to cope even with the YF-19 super-high manoeuvrability VF.
• The suit features a loose silhouette. Pads have been installed in the shoulders, elbows, and knees.
⊘ The Unified Forces Pilot Suit From The End Of the 2040's To The 2050's
The latest style pilot suit that has been identified at the present time. It also functions as EX-Gear underclothes, and was also used as the pilot suit for the VF-171EX.
Caption:
• In the closing years of the 2040's, this pilot suit was introduced in such places as the 117th Research Fleet.
• The suit features a silhouette that is slimmer than that of the 2040's pilot suit. The helmet has also been remodelled.
Related Matter: Zentrādi Spacesuits
Even though it's possible for the Zentrādi to survive even in outer space, that's only for a short time. Therefore, combat personnel, such as pilots, usually wear a spacesuit in space combat. However, the spacesuits aren't only for space, but are also often used as a combat uniform both inside and outside of the atmosphere. Also, several variations of spacesuits have also been confirmed among the suits for the Zentrādi.
Caption:
• A dedicated pilot suit furnished with connectors was provided for the Quadoran-Rō.
▶ Normal Spacesuit
As one of the standard spacesuits after the Galactic Empire Schism War, it is referred to as the 8th Kind. It was widely used even for duty within the warships, even though it was a kind of combat suit. There are several subtypes.*
* Translator's note: originally was: "There are 3 to 7 subtypes".
Caption:
• The spacesuits were used by not only the infantry, but also as space work-suits for deck personnel and so on.
▶ Armoured Spacesuit
The commander model, which was mainly used for hand-to-hand combat in Armoured Divisions, is referred to as the 6th Kind. A somewhat lightweight version was often used as pilot suits.*
* Translator's note: originally was: "There were 1 to 2 somewhat lightweight suits, and they were often used as pilot suits".
Caption:
• Even though the Armoured Spacesuits were coloured violet, just like the normal spacesuits, Kamujin wore a green one.
⬢ The Non-VF Pilot Spacesuits
Even though the spacesuits for VF pilots excel at movement and anti-G abilities, there seems to have also been a problem with their high cost. Therefore, spacesuits for various roles and general-purpose models were developed. The Destroid pilot suit also differed from the one for VF pilots.
Captions:
• The Destroid pilot suit, which was adopted at the time of the First Interstellar War, had an outer appearance close to that of the one for the VF pilots.
• Heavy spacesuits, which were able to cope with long hours of work, were also implemented for aircraft carrier deck and hangar deck workers.
◀ For Low-Atmosphere (during the First Interstellar War)
A model that was worn in places with an atmosphere that is impossible to breathe, such as Mars. It is a lightweight type that can be used even in outer space.
▶ For Deck Personnel (during 2059)
The type that hangar deck workers and catapult deck designators wear. A vest and pads for accident prevention are used at the same time.
Related Matter: con't
▶ For S.M.S. Pixie Squadron
Worn by the female members of Pixy Squadron, who were the Quadoran-Rea Squadron in S.M.S.. The spacesuit is a bodysuit type, probably to make sure that it didn't hinder the control of the Quadoran battlesuit.*
* Translator's note: originally was: "The spacesuit is a bodysuit type, probably to not hinder the control of the Quadoran battlesuit".
Caption:
• Even though it was an underclothes-like suit for the battlesuits, it was also able to be used as a spacesuit on its own.*
* Translator's note: originally was: "Even though it was underclothes-like clothes for the battlesuits, it was also able to be used as a spacesuit on its own."