I think that particular thing is a perfect opportunity to bing back the armor skilll reducing defence penalties. The defence penalty is reduced by -1 for each die in the armor skill (that means you don't really need a light armor skill, but I think that works thematically -- wearing a synthetic weave shouldn't require skill; wearing powered combat armor should).
That makes sense.
It means that there's no reason to have more than 3 ranks in medium armor, though. I think consolidating medium and heavy into just one armor skill would work. It remains relevant for 10 ranks that way, and you get better at wearing heavier armor as you gain ranks. Plus you can work up to the heavier armors in skill much as you do in money.