Did Vault-Tec Use Any Kind of Power Armor?

Considering Vault-Tec's connections with groups such as the Enclave and leading manufacturers of the world, it stands to reason that they might have had some form of power armor stashed away for their board members. While this is not explicitly depicted in the games, the logical conclusion is that a group with such resources and ambition would have at least possessed a few power armors.

Elements of Power Armor in the Fallout Universe

Power armors like the T51 and T45 are depicted as being widely used, with the T45 being the most common due to its longevity and reliability. The T51 would have been more sophisticated and advanced but still within the reach of the general populace. The rarely seen X01-3 armor would have been in the early stages of development, thus only being used for field testing.

Evidence from In-Universe Sources

In Fallout 4, we see that external vault security is managed by military forces in military-issued power armor. Various instances of internal security within the vaults, such as armored vests, visored helmets, sidearms, and nightsticks, suggest a much more limited form of protection. However, the presence of Vault-Tec branded paint jobs for power armor in the workshops indicates that such modifications might indeed have taken place.

Potential Uses of Power Armor

The use of power armors by Vault-Tec appears to be more in line with publicity stunts and marketing efforts for the Vault program. Given Vault-Tec's primary goal was to create a safe haven for its members, possessing some form of advanced combat armor would not have been out of the question. However, it is more likely that these armors were custom-painted or modified to represent Vault-Tec's branding and image.

Conclusion

In summary, while not explicitly shown, it is reasonable to speculate that Vault-Tec possessed some form of power armor. These armors were likely used for publicity, marketing, and potentially some internal security purposes. The absence of power armor in the core games might be explained by the selection of game story and environmental factors over showing every detail of vault infrastructure.

By delving into the intricacies of the Fallout universe, fans and scholars can piece together the multifaceted world of Vault-Tec, its technology, and its ambitions.