Department of Defense:

Exo-Wars Military Database

McDonnell Douglas EX-18A Puma Scout-Recon Exo

The Puma is the very definition of speed, agility and defense; in essence it is the perfect scout-recon Exo. The Puma was designed around the most powerful engine the engineers could find, the Roles-Royce X820 high efficiency turbine engine. From the design of the power plant the engineers proceeded to create a fast, agile machine able to take full advantage of the engines abilities. The most adaptable computer system was married to the frame which housed a variety of multi-purpose sensor suites, ECM platforms and communications systems. When finished the Puma would prove to be a very powerful and versatile machine able to advance past its scout-recon beginnings and enjoy the title of light attack unit.

However all the perks of the Puma’s design did come to one very obvious disadvantage. Its compact shape and sleek design made the vehicles interior space very small. Exo pilots who command the Puma often complain about a claustrophobic atmosphere inside the command area. To help alleviate some of the discomfort only pilots of a maximum height and build are allowed to use the Puma on a regular basis. Although it can handle an average sized pilot, the room feels very small. Therefore the Alliance has determined that the best pilot candidates would be shorter males and average sized females.

This compromise was seen as a small flaw in the Puma’s design, but one that could be easily rectified. Female pilots have taken to the fast and agile Exo like a second skin. The extraordinary reflexes of the Exo mirror those of the female pilots very closely. The male pilots that command the Exo often complain that the Exo is jittery and requires more concentration then the larger Exo’s available, to date no female pilot has made this claim. 

The service record of the Puma is quite extensive, the machine has been in service for only 8 years but in that time the Puma has seen just about every terrain and form of combat. A squad of Puma’s was once caught behind enemy lines after a force of 80 enemies Exo’s broke through allied lines. The pilots of the Puma Squad quickly reacted and took precautions. They gather as much fuel, ammo and equipment that could be safely transported by their Exo’s. All the members of the squad had stowed there Drop Guns and armed themselves with General Dynamics Rapid Fire Bazooka’s and a single Heavy Bazooka carried by the squad commander. Armed with these heavier projectile weapons the squad went on a Anti-Exo killing spree. Before they managed to cross enemy lines and return to base the squad of Puma’s had managed to destroy twelve enemy Exo’s and cripple or severely damage another twenty from the force that had broken their lines. All this and they managed to all survive with only minimal damage after remaining behind enemy lines for 42 hours. The commander of the Puma squad was given special commendation for bringing his team back, all of the pilots received awards for bravery, and special commendation for disabling almost half the force that broke the allied lines.

there are  examples of Puma’s being pressed into other roles then Scout-Recon have littered the Department of Defenses offices. The versatility of this fast strike unit has caused the military to rethink its role as a dedicated reconnaissance unit. Many are lobbying to make the Puma available as a long-range fast strike unit; however currently there are several unofficial field units already equipped and acting in this role. At present the Puma will have a dedicated variant pressed into strike roles within 6-8 months. The only modification for the strike variant would be the inclusion of a larger fuel tank and the replacement of the engine with a high-powered ultra-efficient unit also manufactured by Roles-Royce.

Statistical Data
Name: Puma
Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas
Production Class: Scout Reconnaissance
Production Code: Ex-18A
Production Type: Mass Production
Crew: One pilot.

S.D.C. By Location
**Head: 130  S.D.C. x1
Shoulders: 180  S.D.C. x2
Arms: 110  S.D.C. x2
*Hands: 45  S.D.C. x2
Upper Legs: 175  S.D.C. x2
Lower Legs: 130  S.D.C. x2
Feet: 65  S.D.C. x2
Engine: 130  S.D.C. x1
Ammo Drum: 65  S.D.C. x1
***Main Body 440  S.D.C. x1
* A single asterisk indicates a small and difficult target to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot”, but even then the attacker is –4 to strike.
** Destroying the head of the power armor will eliminate all forms of optical enhancement and sensory systems. The pilot must rely on his own human vision and senses. No power armor combat bonuses to strike, parry, and dodge! The head is a small and difficult target to hit, it can only be hit when a character makes a ‘called shot’, and even then the attacker is –3 to strike.
*** Deleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut the armor down completely, making it useless. In emergency release system allows the pilot to escape the Exo if the main body is destroyed, and they survive. However most Exo’s do not have any storage area for food, armor or weapons. Therefore, unless otherwise noted, the pilot must rely on their own sidearm and any armor they were wearing when piloting the Exo.

Speed:
Running: 58.0 mph (92.8 km) maximum. Note that the act of running does not tire the operator and the Exo’s top speed can be maintained indefinitely, only the pilots own fatigue will limit the duration of the unit’s movements. The Puma walks at a more reasonable speed of 40.0 mph (64.0 km), and should be considered the units cruising speed.
Leaping: The powerful robot legs can leap up to 23.0 feet (7.5 m) high and 10 feet (3.2 m) across from a standing position. A running jump increases the distance to 46.5 feet (15.0 m) long and 10 feet (3.2 m) high.
Underwater: The Exo can swim using the same type of paddling leg and arm motion as a human at a maximum speed of roughly 4 mph (6.4 km/3.4 knots). It can also walk along the bottom of the sea at about 25% its normal running speed.
Maximum Depth: 1,000 feet (305 m)
Statistical Data:
Height: 12 feet (3.9 m) from head to toe. The additional of should and back mounted weapon systems can increase the height of the unit. Weapons such as rocket pods and mortars are common to Exo’s and will modify their height.
Width: 10.0 feet (3.2 m).
Length: 6.0 feet (1.9 m)
Weight: 2.4 tons without the addition of weapon and ammunition.
Physical Strength: Equal to a P.S. of 30.
Cargo: None.
Power Systems: Roles-Royce X820 Turbine Engine feeding a Lockheed Martin Skunk Works super conductive battery.
Range (Per tank of Fuel): The battery provides enough energy for 12 hour of regular maneuvers or 6 hours of moderate combat maneuvers. Heavy combat maneuvers will use the batters charge in 3 hours. The Turbine engine must then be activated to either recharge the battery or directly power the Exo. The 820T will provide the Exo with direct energy for 40 hours of moderate use before needing refueling. Heavy use will consume the fuel supply in 24 hours. Recharging the battery to full capacity takes 1 hour (4 hours if on the move). All Exo’s use an advanced Turbine Engine that can burn any gasoline derivative fuel, including automobile gasoline, aircraft and marine fuel and even diesel without ill effect. However all non-Exo fuel reduces the operation abilities (range, speed, duration) by 25%. Only Exo Fuel will allow the unit to function at 100% efficiency.
Construction Cost: $468,750.00 dollars for a new, undamaged, full equipped standard Puma Exo complete with all configuration type weapon systems.

Weapon Systems:
Weapon Name:

Special Notes:
Quantico Manufacturing 20mm Drop Gun    
Raytheon Company 50mm Light Rocket Pack   The normal payload of the Puma is 24 rockets. But the same launcher can handle a maximum of 32 rockets. If all 32 are loaded into the launcher reduce the Puma’s bonuses to strike, parry and dodge by –1 from the unbalanced weight of the extra rockets. Once the rocket payload has been reduced to 24 or less the penalty is removed.
Grumman & Saco Defense Light Hand Grenade   The Puma normally carries 3 Light Grenades strapped to the arm that carried the main gun. The free hand can then reach over and use the grenade without disturbing the grip on the weapon.
General Electric Vibro-Blade    
Hand To Hand Combat   Rather than use a weapon, the pilot can engage in hand to hand combat. See Basic and Elite Power Armor Combat Training for combat bonuses.
Sensor System Note:   The Puma has full optical systems, including laser targeting, telescopic, passive nightvision (light amplification), thermo-imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, and polarization. Plus all the other features common to all Exo’s.
Sensor Bonuses:  

The Puma gets a bonus of +2 to strike, and +3 to dodge and +2 to parry in addition to the power armor target bonus and Basic or Elite Power Armor Combat Training bonuses.