BLACK MOUNTAIN BRIGADE | RETEXTURES

HISTORY

The LCH is a steel combat helmet of the Eastern Armed Forces, Early Militia and then USRF. The helmet derives its design from the pre-Flash American PASGT, although mass produced with cheap materials as a result of supply shortages across the Eastern Union and later the Northeast Union. The helmet weighs in at around 2.8 lbs, and protects the wearer from impact shock and steel fragments (shrapnel).

HISTORY

The ELCH is a modernization of the LCH which installs an aramid fiber lining inside the helmet, as well as the addition of a night vision device mounting bracket. As a result, the mass of the helmet is increased to 3.3 lbs. The ELCH protects the wearer against impact shock and shrapnel, but also against pistol and revolver bullets.

HISTORY

The XMBAS (experimental MBAS) is an aramid-fiber helmet, and the first iteration of the MBAS system. While considered a downgrade from the IBAK system before it, the XMBAS helmet remains in service in backwater divisions as a surplus piece of equipment issued in lieu of modern MBAS variants. Though incredibly uncomfortable due to the two-point strap system it uses, the XMBAS has proven to be near impenetrable by grenade shrapnel and provides more than ample protection against impact shock and small arms fire, including some modern rifle calibers. Most XMBAS helmets in use by the Lakeside Division are units that have been removed from storage and refurbished following the Second Canadian War, resulting in the majority of them being far more worn down than contemporary helmet systems, like the ELCH, though their protective qualities have not been compromised.

HISTORY

The successor to the XMBAS helmet, the modern MBAS system comes with a proper four-point retention strap system, alongside a lower weight thanks to material updates to the helmet's aramid-fiber composite. Similar to the XMBAS system, it proves effective at protecting against impact shock, shrapnel, and small arms fire, including some rifle cartridges. The majority of helmets in use by the Lakeside Division are instances refurbished at Fort Cormier following the Second Canadian War, resulting in most of them being far more worn down than contemporary helmet systems, like the ELCH, but their protective qualities have not been compromised.

HISTORY

A simple patrol cap that has colloquially been nicknamed the "Veteran's patrol cap" by servicemembers, due to its association with the Early Militia and Thirty Year War. It is still authorized for wear, although it is primarily issued to poorly funded units and, ironically, despite the name, to conscripts and draftees. Thousands of these patrol caps are in circulation and may even be found worn by wastelanders.

HISTORY

The Robber Cap was originally issued to Early Militia units but continues to be worn by USRF soldiers to this day. It is a simple knitted beanie that can be worn under combat helmets to provide extra warmth and comfort. The Robber Cap is standard issue for all servicemembers, regardless of unit, rank or affiliation.

HISTORY

A simple cap often used by USRF servicemembers on patrol. Given to USRF units as their standard issue soft cover, its mostly common to see these used by soldiers on base, in low-risk areas of travel, or by units that may have limited numbers of helmets issued to them.

HISTORY

The Southern Hat, simply an ushanka or trapper hat (depending on who you ask), was amply named such by USRF service members due to its historical Russian significance. The Southern Hat was first issued to servicemembers in Appalachia and later became the standard issue for all (now defunct) Border Service officers. It is commonly used even to this day today and keeps the wearer plenty warm in all kinds of weather. It usually starts being worn by USRF servicemembers around Fall season.

HISTORY

The Bush Hat, otherwise known as the Boonie, is another timeless design that has made its way into the post-flash military world. It first saw use during the Thirty Year War and the Southern conflicts, but an official design was not mass produced until the outbreak of the Canada War in the 2150's. The Bush Hat comes in 5 variants: Black, Green, W62, Leaftarn and Navy Blue. It protects the wearer from the sun, rain, and also the wind.

HISTORY

An XTryx™ tactical ball cap with an adjustable hook and loop strap on the back. It is made with 100% cotton material and has a Velcro panel in the front to allow the wearer to rock a patch. The ball cap saw some use during the Southern War but was truly popularized after the invasion of Canada. The USRF has a contract with XTryx to supply these caps to most units. Most prefer wearing caps over other soft covers as they screen the wearer from the sun and makes them look cool while doing it. 

HISTORY

NEU forces have worn balaclavas to obscure their identity since the conception of the NEU, predating the now enforced Mantle Act. Even before the USRF, soldiers in the Early Militia preferred wearing face coverings in battle, as it provided protection against the elements, and in some cases, it also protected against radstorms. 

HISTORY

The M20 gas mask is a pre-war design that saw use to combat radstorms, typically in conjunction with a balaclava worn underneath for maximum effectiveness at insulation. Its reliability has seen it continuing to see use even within backwater units within the USRF by soldiers despite the design's age.

HISTORY

The Southern War era revolutionized USRF design philosophy, leading to the government procuring more comfortable solutions for common design face coverings. Knit balaclavas were largely replaced by the comfortable and much more breathable fleece balaclavas. As a bonus, these balaclavas are slightly water resistant and suitable for warm and temperate environments.

HISTORY

A small number of changes were made between the balaclavas worn during the Southern War and those that were issued to soldiers fighting in the north. The balaclavas issued to these service members have warmer materials, allowing the wearer to comfortably operate in cold and temperate environments. These balaclavas may be too uncomfortable to wear inside for a prolonged time, though.

HISTORY

XTryx™ is a premier company headquartered out of New Manhattan in the NEU. The company designs sports performance equipment and lifestyle pieces such as sunglasses, snowboard goggles, watches and shoes. In 2156 they won a contract to produce the USRF's next eye protection gear, as part of the MASS modernization program. The XTryx™-2000 anti-flash goggles work to protect the wearer's eyes from debris, foreign bodies and, like the name implies, flashes/strobes of light.

HISTORY

A pair of sunglasses commonly associated with the 50-year-old parent attending a New York Titans game. Protects the wearer's eyes from the sun's UV-rays and also keeps debris out of the eyes, but most importantly it makes you look highspeed.

HISTORY

Another pair of tactical eye pro acquisitioned by the USRF in 2157 from XTryx™. The glasses are very popular in civilian circles and have been observed in all corners of the North American continent, even seeing some use with the Southern Army.

HISTORY

The Nocturne™ NV-11 is the first night vision device to enter USRF service, designed in 2119 and fielded in the same year. Its design philosophy prioritizes functionality and affordability over aesthetics, resulting in a rugged, boxy and low-fi appearance. The NV-11 uses white phosphor tubes which provides a more natural and nuanced perception of the environment, allowing for greater visibility at the cost of a grainier image. The NV-11 is built to withstand the harsh conditions of the wasteland, with the outer casing resistant to dust, moisture and drops against hard surfaces. The device is powered by small readily available cylindrical batteries. 

HISTORY

The EIV 2.0 (Experimental Infrared Visor, Mark II) is a fully overhauled and stabilized version of the Northeastern Union’s original, dangerously flawed infrared headset. Following multiple safety failures, the original project’s lead engineer was detained for gross negligence and replaced with a newly assembled team of defense-certified optics specialists. Eliminating all radioactive materials and volatile components, the 2.0 features modern thermal sensors, radstorm-resistant architecture, and adaptive optics for improved visibility in harsh weather. Though significantly safer and more effective, it remains quite heavy and requires a bulky external battery pack for sustained use. It is, however, compatible with rifle optics, allowing operators to maintain visual clarity through scopes in complete darkness,  making it a reliable, if cumbersome, tool for NEU forces in the field.

HISTORY

Based on old-world augmented reality systems, the Phoenix is a post-flash recreation designed and produced by the Pacific Union. Though as other Unions advanced in technology, they began creating their adaptations of the old-world system, with the NEU creating their version of the ARD for military use. With the NEU's version of the ARD developed by Phoenix Technologies. An organization most known for producing the US-MK62 Shock breach for the USRF's renowned XSR-60E "Oleander". The ARD is designed for light combat, incorporating a rangefinder, ammo counter, and first-person view mode for drone operators. The ammo counter is designed to slot onto SR-57 and SR-60 platform rifles, and the XSR-60E has its internal system that can transmit battery power to the ARD, with the FPV mode able to connect to drones via radio frequency. The augmented reality display itself is very bulky, with most units issued to the Lakeside Division being very beaten up, causing some displays to lose key features like the ammo counter system and FPV mode.

HISTORY

The Yucatek M52 Goggles were designed for Crisis Corp Units dealing with Eldritch Nests in urban environments. The goggles themselves combine Night-Vision and Combat HUD technology, with the goggles having features of both but excelling in neither. The main benefit of the Yucatek Goggles comes from the enhanced situational awareness feature, which allows the user a wider field of vision. The goggles also give the user basic relevant information, mainly in the form of navigation. Due to the enhanced situational awareness feature, the goggles themselves lack in combat-enhancing features like Night-Vision. The Night-Vision capabilities of the Goggles are very poor, with the Yucatek using Red Phosphor tubes instead of the traditional green or white phosphor. When using the NVG mode, users are met with grainy and obscure images, which make long-range combat engagements impossible. The goggles themselves are only useful in close-quarters combat, hence the use of the goggles from Crisis Corp Units when dealing with Eldritch Infestations in Urban Sprawls. The Yucatek M52 Goggles are very outdated compared to other NVGs and Combat HUD technology available to the USRF. It is not uncommon to find the Goggles on the surplus market, with some wastelanders on the Isles owning a pair of these. With the Lakeside Division getting a couple of dozen pairs of these goggles from Crisis Corp Quartermasters, trying to get rid of them to make space for modern NVGs.

HISTORY

Auricular™ is a company headquartered out of Douglass in the NEU. It started as a hearing health care company that produced hearing aids and audiometric equipment but soon became a defense company producing a wide array of products, ranging from acoustic weapons to active hearing protection devices. The X-22s are the culmination of decades worth of research, protecting the wearer from loud sounds, like gunfire and explosives, while simultaneously amplifying silent sounds, such as footsteps and human speech.

HISTORY

The M2146 Buttpack is a piece of universal equipment that can be worn with any compatible vest or rig. It can hold up to 7.5 liters of equipment and is commonly issued to USRF service members across a multitude of roles and branches.

HISTORY

The M2146 Patrol Bag is a piece of universal equipment that can be worn with any compatible vest or rig. It can hold up to 25 liters of equipment and is commonly issued to USRF service members across a multitude of roles and branches.

HISTORY

The RN/PRC-130 translates to "Reclamation/Navy, Portable, Radio, Communication". It is a man-portable combat-net radio device put inside of a manpack. It is colloquially referred to as an "Uplinker" by USRF service members. The RN/PRC-130 allows USRF squads to communicate beyond the line of sight. Having a Comms Specialist is mission critical as it allows the squad to radio back to BMC during an emergency.