Chapter 181, Gene Seed Implant Surgery

Powered exoskeletons are a different beast from powered armor.

Even if you welded armor plates onto the exoskeleton to make them look somewhat similar, or even fashioned the steel plates after the Interstellar Warrior Powered Armor for a cosplay, the reality is far from comparable.

Essentially, powered exoskeletons simply provide soldiers with additional load-bearing capacity, making it easier for them to carry heavier loads with less effort, and at most, a few steel plates may be welded on for bulletproofing.

Systems like the life support, electronic muscle bundles, tactical systems, and assisted firing systems contained in the Interstellar Warrior Powered Armor... None of that is included, and it's unlikely to have the same level of protection.

But with such a set of equipment, trained elite mortal soldiers can handle bomb guns that would otherwise be difficult to bear due to recoil.

Or they could continue to use laser guns or electromagnetic rifles.