Radiation zone assault trooper

The radiation zone assault troopers' distinctive silver and black battle armor was a modified version of the standard plastoid stormtrooper armor, designed to shield against radiation, as well as biological and chemical threats. The armor was reinforced for stress resistance and coated with a heat and radiation-reflective layer.

A lead-polymer substrate was incorporated to provide the necessary protection to endure lethal Grade 5 radiation zones for several hours. The suit also featured a single-piece, wraparound backpack containing a heat and radiation cooling system, an energy source, and a portable environmental control unit.

Their helmets featured reinforced stress points, automatic polarizing lenses, a built-in comlink, and breathing filters. The visor included macrobinoculars with a blast shield and UV sensors. Beneath the armor, troopers wore a black, two-piece, temperature-controlled, and radiation-sealed body glove.

Dr. Nashiak Llalik was the designer of the armor.

Radiation zones exceeding Grade 4 caused frequent malfunctions in most energy-based weapons. Consequently, radtroopers' blaster carbines were made more powerful than standard stormtrooper weapons to counteract these malfunctions. Unlike most Imperial combat units, radtroopers also underwent extensive training in melee combat, enabling them to switch to melee weapons when their blasters failed.

All radtroopers received training in the use of explosives and grenades. Typically, specific members of radtrooper heavy assault units carried three satchels (each containing 10 charges) along with several radiation-resistant timers. Thermal detonators were avoided due to their inherent instability being amplified by high radiation levels.

In addition to the standard stormtrooper utility belt, radtroopers received a survival kit that included radiation pills, detoxification hypos, a water purifier, a radiation meter, and a radiation tent.

Radtroopers were commonly equipped with:

• SoroSuub stormtrooper carbines x 2
• Concussion grenades x 2
• Vibroblade
• Force pike
• PLX-4 Missile Launcher
• Radtrooper armor
• Standard utility belt
• Survival kit

Radiation zone assault troopers were deployed into areas contaminated with radiation that held assets the Empire sought to seize or protect. In some instances, these zones were naturally hazardous, while in others, the Empire intentionally introduced radiation to suppress resistance. The Empire was known to utilize neutron bombs, which resulted in mass casualties among the local population while preserving infrastructure.

Following a neutron bomb attack, radtroopers would enter the affected areas to eliminate any remaining survivors and secure resources before the radiation dissipated. While resistance was often minimal, some species possessed radiation immunity and mounted significant opposition. Others relied on bulky spacesuits that severely hampered their combat effectiveness compared to the radtroopers' lightweight armor. Consequently, those who engaged radtroopers in combat often suffered heavy losses.

Radtroopers, along with representatives from every specialized Stormtrooper Corps, were assigned to Darth Vader's personal Death Squadron.

The use of radtrooper armor also contributed to at least one victory against the Rebel Alliance, most notably during the Battle of Immalia. In this instance, Imperial forces donned radtrooper armor, leading the rebels to retreat out of fear of operating in a contaminated zone. However, the Imperials had simply used the armor because it was the only available equipment at the base. General Carlist Rieekan later reflected that they needlessly abandoned the ground, a point he made in the Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide field manual.