Why Do Stormtroopers Have These Small Plates With 0ll on Their Back?

Stormtroopers are often humorously known for their tendency to miss shots, but that’s not the focus of this article. 

As a Star Wars fan myself, I’ve always been intrigued by a particular feature of the Stormtrooper armor – the ‘OII’ plates on their backs. 

Their purpose wasn’t immediately clear, which only added to my curiosity. After some research, I’ve uncovered the exact function of these ‘0II’ plates on every Stormtrooper armor.

So without further ado… 

The Purpose of the ‘OII’ Plates

By now, you might be wondering about the ‘0II’ plates on the back of every Stormtrooper, right? Let’s dive straight into it. 

These plates house a power pack and a small air supply. This detail is confirmed in Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, a reference book by David West Reynolds, first published by DK Publishing on October 5, 1998.

Within the book, you’ll come across detailed information about Stormtroopers, including a data file that reveals: “A power pack and pressurized gas system in the stormtrooper armor backplate allows a trooper to survive even in the vacuum of space for limited periods. For extended exposure to open space, troopers wear space backpacks with extended life-support capacity.”

So with that information, I have researched a little further.

The power pack or power cells were used to create blaster bolts, while the air supply supports the helmet’s air filter feature.

And according to starwars.fandom.com, Stormtrooper armor is equipped with air filters and is fully sealed to protect against chemical and biological attacks. It can even shield the wearer in a vacuum for a short period. 

A tank mounted on the back holds an emergency oxygen supply that lasts for 20 minutes, and the body glove offers some thermal protection.

If a mission extends beyond 20 minutes, the air supply comes into play. This additional air supply allows a Stormtrooper to survive for up to another 20 minutes. 

The Components for Stormtrooper Armor

In addition to the power pack and air supply housed in the ‘0II’ plates, the Stormtrooper armor incorporates various other components, each with a specific function and location.

The Stormtrooper armor and equipment are crafted to the Empire’s exacting standards, ensuring exceptional durability.

Gloves: These can be energized during close combat to deliver stun shocks, an optional feature that can give Stormtroopers an edge.

Stomach Armor: This section houses a Manual Suit Seal and environmental controls, crucial for survival in diverse conditions.

Thigh Armor: This part features a reinforced alloy plate ridge, adding an extra layer of protection.

Lower Right Leg Segment: This segment contains the suit’s auxiliary power cells.

Left Upper Side of the Shin Armor: This includes a knee-protector plate, designed for comfort when adopting a kneeling firing position.

IFF Circuitry: Located at the back of the suit, this circuitry is used for identification and command purposes.

Resonator: This device, used to open secure doors, is another key feature of the armor.

Personal Energy Shield: Issued specifically to high-value Stormtrooper commanders, this shield provides an additional layer of protection during combat.

These are the features of different parts of the Stormtrooper armor. 

In addition to the armor itself, every Stormtrooper is equipped with a utility belt and a backpack for certain missions

The utility belt includes:

• A high-tension wire
• Two grappling hooks
• Four spare E-11 blaster rifle power packs
• Three ion flares
• Energy rations
• A spare C1 military comlink hardwired against jamming
• Three water packs
• Two medpacs
• Two blast energy sinks
• A thermal detonator
• Combat de-ionizer
• wrist binders for capturing prisoners
• Electronic lock scrambler/descrambler

As for the backpack, if you recall from the data file I mentioned earlier, it attaches to the backplate of the Stormtrooper. Inside this backpack, you’ll find:

• An extended air supply that allows a Stormtrooper to survive up to twenty minutes in a vacuum
• Additional communications gear
• Cooling systems
• Mortar launchers
• A heater (contained in the Snowtrooper backpack)
• Additional rations
• An encrypted telemetry transmitter, a small embedded disc that allows troopers to identify friend from foe amidst identically armored Stormtroopers
• Rechargeable cells that power the armor’s electronic components for up to 240 hours on a standard charge