- Changing Armor System

- Introduction

The Changing Armor System was a state-of-the-art design concept being developed around ZAC 2100 by the Empire. Up until this point it had been deployed on test-bed Zoids who focused on interchangeable equipment for different situations, but the final product involved completely replacing the armor outfitted to the Zoid. In this way they could allow the Zoid to fully adapt to new battle situations on the go, and with the use of mothership transporters like the Hover Cargo, the Zoid wouldn't even need to return to base to retrofit its equipment. ^[1]

Basic Technical Information

Changing Armor System チェンジングアーマーシステム

	Main Series:	Zoids New Century /ZERO Zoids Official Fan Books
	CAS Zoids:	Berserk Führer Liger Zero
	Simple CAS Zoids:	Elephander Shadow Fox
	CAS Proto Concepts:	Buster Liger Liger Zero Phantom Liger Zero Shield Proto Wolf Spino Liger
	CAS Units:	Berserk Führer Z Jagd Führer Liger Zero Jager Liger Zero Panzer Liger Zero Schneider Liger Zero X Sturm Führer

- Development History

ZAC 2100, Pre-Launch

By this time the concept of the Changing Armor System was being finalized, and the first test bed Zoid, the Elephander, was launched in defense of Nixie Base. Though this unit didn't feature a fully changing armor system, various equipment and weapons throughout the frame could be easily retrofitted for different combat situations, including such variants as the Commander, Fighter, and Scouter types. Though this was effectively a suicide mission, the Elephanders did tremendous damage to the Helic Republic in defense of their new Empire.

In this same month Nixie Base was captured by the Republic. Within its hangars they also found the two CAS prototype Zoids, Liger Zero and Berserk Führer. Though the Führer escaped, the Liger Zero became a prize of war, and continued to be developed by the Helic Republic. They discovered the basic armor schematics in data left behind by the Imperial Army. This concept was further developed into two new armors, a fighting form known as the Schneider, a high-speed combat form known as the Jager, and an artillery form known as the Panzer.

ZAC 2100 ~ ZAC 2101, Development of Republican CAS Units

In this short time span the Republic worked tirelessly to develop CAS units for the Liger Zero.

At the same time they began investigating a successor to the Command Wolf, a high-speed Zoid that could support the Ray Force against such imperial units as the Lightning Saix. After beginning development on a wolf-type Zoid that used the wild wolves of the Western Continent as a base, they made incredible strides towards success. The concept of CAS was even integrated into the design scheme of the Proto Wolf, a Zoid that would later go on to the König Wolf, and one that led to the Silver Fang developed by Dr. Baba.

They had a lot of ups and downs in this process. Eventually the notion of the Command Wolf's successor was passed on to the Shadow Fox, who would support the Ray Force as a scout. This Zoid also had a simplified CAS (referring to Zoids with equipment interchangeability without a full armor replacement) in the form of its Weapon Rack. With this tool it could equip a huge variety of weapons.

Before the launch of the Jager, Schneider, and Panzer, the Republic developed other CAS units. Dr. Tacker took over work on the newly-acquired Liger Zero, going on to develop multiple CAS concepts including the Shield Unit, Blade Unit, Buster Unit, and more. However, Dr. Tacker, who was working on this project wanted to prioritize a surprise attack unit. Unfortunately, his research somehow ended up in the hands of Professor B. from the Imperial Army, who went on to place these concepts into the first Imperial CAS unit, the X. This was a costly mistake.

Dr. Tacker changed gears and began incorporating design schemes from earlier Liger series, including aspects of the previously-mentioned CAS Units. These concepts were reimagined as CAS units for the Liger Zero, and Tacker completed the full suite of Republican CAS Units. This included the Schneider, using concepts of the Spino Liger, the Panzer, using concepts from the Shield Liger DCS-J, and the Jager, who incorporated aspects of the Blade Liger AB. ^[2]

ZAC 2101, Launch of the First CAS Units

In ZAC 2101, the CAS Units were officially put into active combat. Zeroes, Jagers, Panzers, and Schneiders fought to defend the recently-captured Nixie Base from an intrusion of Death Stinger KFD, and succeeded in defeating their enemies. In the same year the first CAS mothership Zoid, the Hover Cargo was launched in active warfare, able to retrofit the CAS units on the fly without having to return to a base. This was of vital importance in the Dark Continent landing operations. During these operations the first Imperial Army CAS armor was also launched: the base form of the Berserk Führer.

ZAC ??? ~ ZAC 2101, Development of Imperial CAS Units

While the Empire managed to complete the Berserk Führer's basic armor, they also continued to develop the Liger Zero, rebuilding the lost machine and working on their own unique designs. That is, until Professor B., who was working on the project acquired Dr. Tacker's research data. This new information was integrated into the Phantom Unit, and later the Liger Zero X. Though the X was launched in an imperfected state due to the time crunch of the war, there were plans to develop a Thunder Unit that would further improve upon the concept. Unfortunately, this unit never saw the light of day as the war continued to ramp up. ^[1]

ZAC 2101, Launch of the First Imperial CAS Units

In ZAC 2101, the Empire finally launched its first CAS Unit, the Liger Zero X. This Zoid took part in an assassination mission, aiming for Karl Licthen Schwarz, but was gunned down by the newly-developed König Wolf. In the final month of the year, the Eisen Dragoon launched their campaign against the Helic Republic, taking the Central Continent by storm with the Berserk Führer and its associated CAS, the Sturm Unit.

Though both CAS Zoids had seen crazy success in battle, by this point, the prohibitive costs of CAS were clearly seen. A single Zero with its armor sets was said to cost more than three times the amount of a Blade Liger. This was ultimately the reason behind the decision to remove the CAS concept from the König Wolf. In a similar thought, the Eisen Dragoon moved towards small high-quality but cheap to produce Zoids known as the SS Zoids. Units that could be mass produced, becoming army fillers. These small Zoids also had the potential to act as additional equipment for larger units, making them an early vision of what would become Zoids BLOX. CAS Zoids at this point were still widely used, but the change of opinion was becoming noticeable.

B-CAS Technology

BLOX Changing Armor System ブロックスチェンジングアーマーシステム

	Main Series:	Zoids Fuzors Official Fan Books EX
	B-CAS Zoids:	Decalto Dragon Gairyuki Liger Zero Falcon Liger Zero Phoenix Whitz Tiger

Gallery

History

ZAC 2106, Development of the B-CAS

ZOITEC, a corporation who, after intimidation from the Empire had chosen to side with the fallen Helic Republic in their reclamation efforts began developing BCAS. These units were BLOX Zoids that were designed to break down into component armor for CAS-compatible Zoids such as the new Gairyuki and the former Liger Zero. In battle, the BCAS could separate into independent units.

This method of combat had become popular over the last few years, using unmanned machines to fill out armies. This method of cheap mass-produced Zoids was ideal for the war, which dragged on and on. Even so, the former CAS Zoids were a force to be reckoned with, and combining the two concepts resulted in some interesting units.

- Combined CAS Units

Gallery

Introduction

In Zoids Official Fan Book 3 we got our first look at the potential of combining different armor units. Typically a pilot would want their Zoid to be one cohesive unit, able to confidently know that the armor and weapons were all balanced to work cohesively.

In dire situations, however, the Zoid can equip parts from whatever CAS units are in hand, such as during the Ray Force's battle against the Bloody Demon. The image to the right is the CAS that Ray Gregg managed to cobble together, even as the Hover Cargo was on fire. This strange unit proceeded to defeat the Bloody Demon.

- Anime Depiction

Gallery

Introduction

In the Zoids New Century /ZERO anime, CAS units were featured as a key feature of the Liger Zero, which used them throughout the series. Though its final rival, the Berserk Führer, only used the base armor. In this story, Steve Toros, who runs the Blitz Team, used Bit's prize money to develop the CAS units specifically for the Liger. ^[3]

There were some key differences from the Battle Story version. For example, the Jager was substantially faster for more visual impact. The Panzer was so heavy that the Liger couldn't run, or even walk. The Schneider and Panzer both were also prone to randomly shutting down in combat, with the Panzer experiencing severe overheating.