Genetically engineered "dwarves" who were created to colonize a harsh mining world with 2G gravity and a rather toxic atmosphere. They are much shorter than normal humans, to reduce gravitational stress on their bodies. Their bones and muscles are much stronger, and their internal organs are reinforced with fiberous connective tissue to avoid being damaged by high-g falls and such, making them resistant to blunt and penetrating trauma. Their immune systems are highly resistant to toxins and pathogens. Because of the harsh environment of their homeworld, many become mercenaries. Their reputation is similar to the modern ghurkas.

Soldiers in light exoskeletal armor. This armor comes in two classes light and heavy. Troops are organized into squads of 10 soldiers within the platoon, with 4 soldiers in each team and the other 2 soldiers being the squad leader and assistant squad leader. The 1st and 3rd squads are heavy, while the 2nd and 4th squads are light. A section has more firepower than a traditional platoon and fills the role of a platoon in a traditional army.

 

Light armor protects against small arms fire directed at almost any part of the body except the joints, which only protect against light fragmentation effects, and pistols. The chest and head protect against heavy machingun fire. The exoskeleton connecting the head and torso is designed to compensate for rapid acceleration forces applied to the helmet by weaon fire, while allowing full movement of the head. Vision is by means of a day and night image enhancement and thermal imaging system with multiple vision sensors providing 360 degree vision. The vision sensors in the front 90 degree arc are balanced for normal refresh rate and visual accuity. The other sensors are designed to compress the remaining visual field into the remaining space. The provide no image recognition capability to the soldier but allow the recognition of movement. It can be removed, if damaged, and a visor protecting against fragmentation and pistols lid into place. Heavy armor is exactly identical to light except the head and torso protect against 40mm dp grenades and 20mm AP cannon fire. The rest of the body protects against armor piercing small arms fire. The heavy varient is less mobile, and has airbags that can deploy around their body to protect against heavy rounds such as RPGs.

 

Light teams are armed with with 3 OICWs (25mm samiautomatic grenade launchers and 7mm liquid propellant light assault rifles.) The liquid propellant mechanism allows a large propellant charge to be used for extremely high velocity long range semiautomatic fire at just over 1000 m/s, lower velocity 3-round burst fire (at 2000rpm) for CQB, and full auto suppressive fire (at 600rpm) while advancing. One soldier in each light team has a rifle that uses a 40mm grenade launcher with a 6-shot cylender instead of the 25mm grenade launcher. The squad leader and assistant squad leader are armed with OICWs. The assistant squad leader also carries a GLD.

 

Heavy troops are armed with either a combination 25mm belt fed grenade launcher and a 7mm LMG (2 per team), or a multi-role mortar/launcher based on an 81mm mortar but capable of firing a soft launch ATM as well as a variety of guided and unguided mortar rounds plus a light assault rifle (1 per team). Their assistant is also armed with the light assault rifle. For unguided fire the weapon is paired with a ballistic computer able to receive imput from a variety of target location devices, such as the standard GPS/laser rangefinder equipped binoculars. The team leaders in the heavy squad are armed with OICWs. The heavy assitant team leader carries a GLD and the platoon radio, and the team leader carries a squad internal and section internal radio.

 

The infantry usually operates in sections of 2 squads, 1st and 2nd in the first section, and 3rd and 4th in the second section. The 1st squad leader is the section leader. The section operates in squads on the assault, with the heavy teams providing heavy supporting and suppressive fire and providing security for the light squad assault. If enemy armored vehicles interfere or if the section runs into a strong point the multi-role mortar/launchers come into play. On section patrols or on the defense the secton is organized into teams with the leadership combined into a command team. Usually patrols operate in a square with the light teams in the front and the heavy teams behind providing support, and the command team in the center. Whatever team makes first contact with the enemy, the command team is nearby and the other three teams can flanking and reinforements

Mounted troops have tracked vehicles similar to the WWII German kettenkrad but designed to be ridden in a low-profile semi-prone position like a street bike. They have hybrid engines and band tracks that allow high speed movement on and off road. The vehicles also carry the troops' extra ammunition and equipment.When the troops dismount, the vehicles have AI that allows them to perform some navigation independently, or follow the troops as equipment mules These vehicles could also carry additional heavy weapons such

These vehicles could also carry additional heavy weapons such automated mortars, AGLs or heavy machinguns, and might be able to be operated under remote control as heavy weapons drones to clear out strong points and for street fighting.

automating a mortar would be fairly easy. It would probably have a 6-shot cylinder. GPS would detect the grid location and altitude of the mortar. The soldier requesting fire would provide the grid and altitude of the target and the mortar would aim itself to hit it.