The Rise of the Third-Generation AS
SPECIAL REPORT: THE STATE OF THIRD-GENERATION AS DEVELOPMENT
Report on the Official Testing of the M9 Gernsback
The machine getting the most attention in the AS world right now is the M9 Gernsback, a third-generation AS. Its extremely complex and flexible structure allows it to move very much like humans move. This machine is so innovative it makes all previous AS machines look like antiques.
So, what are the features of this third-generation AS, the M9? Roughly speaking, there are three kinds of features. First, it has an entirely electronic drive system using an improved high-output electromagnetic musculature. The second-generation AS has a binary drive system, which used both an electromagnetic musculature and fluid couplings, but development of the new electromagnetic musculature made the support of the fluid couplings unnecessary. This also resulted in a tremendous reduction in weight and increase in maneuverability.
Incidentally, the electromagnetic musculature has a few special features. The biggest of these in the relationship between the weight of the musculature and its cross-sectional area. Voltage passes through electrically conductive shape-memory polymer fibers, causing a contraction, which is then converted into movement. The weight of this electromagnetic musculature increase in proportion to the square of its cross-sectional area. Consequently, if the output per fiber is the same, in order to double the power, you’d have to increase the weight four times. On the other hand, if you double the power per fiber, you can get the same output at one-quarter the weight. Per-fiber output was successfully increased in the new high-output electromagnetic musculature developed for use in the M9. If this new electromagnetic musculature were put into the existing M6 series, we’d probably see a substantial increase in actual fighting capability.
The second important feature of the M9 is the increased duration of its sustainable time in battle and its incredibly quiet operation, both due to its use of the Palladium reactor. As you know, the electrodes of the Palladium reactor use the rare metal palladium, and the reactor itself makes use of the piezo-nuclear fusion reaction, which is triggered when you electrolyze deuterium and tritium. The deuterium and tritium that split from the oxygen during electrolysis are accelerated by a voltage passed through the electrodes. They then collide against each other in on the surface of the electrodes, and nuclear fusion occurs. Of course, since the Palladium reactor doesn’t make noise like a gas turbine, its operation is incredibly silent. Since it’s nuclear, it’s highly efficient at converting energy. In theory, it can run for months without having to refuel. Because of the overwhelmingly large output, it still has plenty of extra power, well above and beyond the amount needed to expand and contract the new electromagnetic musculature. This made it possible to improve and expand the sensors, as well as install the ECS (Electromagnetic Camouflage System), a revolutionary system that was put into use starting with the M6A1.
Incidentally, the ECS is very difficult to detect by radar or infrared. Operating in the same way that deception jamming does, the ECS emits inverse weaves of the same amplitude as the radar and infrared waves, thus canceling them out. The technology has already advanced further, and research is currently underway to camouflage against the spectrum of visible light. It’s thought that researchers are only one short step away from bringing this into real practical use. In the next generation ECS, a laser hologram will be deployed around the machine, making it undetectable by sight.
The third important feature of the M9 is its control system, which incorporates true AI technology. Fundamentally, tactical and control support systems in a master/slave system rely on the pilot, but are difficult for the pilot to operate. However, the introduction of an AI could greatly reduce the burden on the pilot. The linkage of the AI to a new tactical information system and high-speed large-capacity computer could make possible very efficient processing of data obtained from the advanced sensor array. In other words, the AI in the M9 could probably replace the WSO (Weapon Systems Officer) in the AS. If that should becomes the case, one might predict dramatic increases in flexibility and responsiveness for the M9 in average situations.
The knuckle attachment protects the delicate fingertips in battle; the hatch is in the back of the neck. A huge case attached to its right hip is for storing the assault rifle and other weapons.
With these new innovations in place, the M9 is currently undergoing official testing by the United States Army. The M9 has two chain guns fitted on the sides of its head. This weapon is equipped for use in hand-to-hand combat against humans or for close defense purposes. There are two hard points on its back. Compared to the M6 series, the M9 has a more human appearance, but its maneuverability far surpasses that of human.
VARIOUS EQUIPMENT FOR THE M9, AND THE SUPERIOURITY OF THIS THIRD-GENERATION AS
You could say that another feature of the M9 is its sheer number of options. Pay particular attention to the rapid-deployment booster. Until now, AS deployment from the air relied on transport helicopters. Ever since this booster was introduced, it’s become possible to conduct high-speed infiltration/deployment from offshore aircraft carriers or amphibious assault vessels. Because a strong requirement for the M9 was the ability to come onto land under its own power, an underwater propulsion system was also added. Using this underwater propulsion, it’s possible to deploy an AS from a submerged submarine, making it easier to conduct tactical surprise missions.
Surprise attacks are crucial on the battlefield – be they tactical, strategic or technological. In a strategic surprise attack, the attack is launched before the enemy can prepare for war. In a tactical surprise attack, the enemy is forced into war when it can’t possibly fight back. A technological surprise attack is the advance creation of weapons impossible to defend against.
The rapid-deployment rocket booster allows the AS to fly short distances and accommodates the M9’s backpack for storing ammunition. With the flaps open, you can see cameral-like things inside. This is the projection equipment for the next-generation ECS. This next-generation ECS, which blocks detection not only by radar and infrared, but also the naked eye, can be seen as a prime example of a technological surprise attack. If the enemy can’t see you, it completely undermines the enemy’s ability to fight back. So you could also say that the M9 combines tactical and technological surprise attacks.
M9 WEAPONS CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT
The M9 is still undergoing official testing, but with actual deployment, but with actual deployment just on the horizon, various types of equipment are still being developed. Of course, the M9 can also use the same weaponry used by the pervious M6 series.
The standard 40mm assault rifle is the GEC-B, manufactured by Oerlikon Contraves. Considering it’s ease of procurement, its reliability and power when it was in use for the M6 series, it’s most likely the best choice for the M9. For the 57mm smooth bore gun (which could be considered a “sniper gun” for the AS), the ASG-96b manufactured by Bofors Defence was used. There’s no mistaking that this is a superior piece of artillery, as we would expect from a company like Bofors Defence, with its high level of technology and established reputation for tank cannons. There’s also the Boxer, a 57mm shot cannon manufactured by Oto Melara, a company that has a good reputation for its medium-caliber rapid-fire guns. In addition to these weapons, the M9 can also make use of large-caliber guns (which we might call an “anti-material sniper gun” for the AS).
For the anti-tank dagger they used the M10 manufactured by Royal Ordinance. It’s a fairly expensive weapon, but has a high armor-piercing capacity. The monomolecular cutter (which is designed for close fighting) is the GRAW-2, manufactured by Geotron Electronics. Geotron Electronics leads the pack in the development of small, high-output ultrasonic motors of the kind that rotate the cutter’s blade at high speed. The GRAW-2 is being used by the wealthiest Western countries.
You might be interested to know that there’s also a special version of the GRAW-2. Since emphasis was place don making the monomolecular cutter easy to draw, it’s usually shaped like a short knife, but this special version has a long blade like a sword. Such a long blade is a drawback in close fighting, but it could prove to be dramatically more powerful than the normal version.
The M9 can also carry a missile launcher capable of firing many types of missiles, such as the multi-purpose Versile II developed by Hughes and the HELLFIRE and LOSAT missiles.
M9 VARIATIONS… ARE THEY ALREADY UPON US?
Here, we give you an additional report on the M9 with the specially shaped head that we spotted while we were out gathering information. Our reporters happened to be on board a certain advanced submarine where the M9 was undergoing top secret testing. We note here that the captain of that submarine was kind enough to grant us permission to print this article.
The front part of the head of this M9 sticks out more than the normal M9, and the back of the head has something that resembles a huge blade antenna. You can tell from just one look that the communication system has been strengthened. Perhaps they might have had a command role in mind for this one, adding suitable functionality.
This machine is intended for deployment in actual war, but of course since it’s in the testing stage there are some minor differences in the specifications. These minor differences are due to the fact that this M9 is currently undergoing all kinds of rigorous testing by the US Army, and they are searching for the most effective combat configuration of sensors, computer, AI program, electromagnetic musculature and so on. The advanced submarine we mentioned before has five M9s on board, but just like the machines being tested by the US Army, there may be differences in the outfitting of each individual machine.
In fact, the M9 is so highly maneuverable that it can’t be used in conjunction with the pervious M6 series, so it’s only natural that a front-line command type be developed based on the M9. And you can tell from the refined shape of the head that the design is already quite mature. On the battlefield of the future, an M9 unit with this kind of head configuration will probably be seen commanding AS troops.
THE EAST HAS A THIRD-GENERATION AS TOO?
Weapons technology is constantly moving forward. In a previous article, we noted that the M9 is a combination of features, which together form a technological surprise attack. However, with some information being released about the M9, there’s no reason for the East to just sit there and do nothing. As a matter of fact, there have been longstanding rumors that the Soviets are currently developing their own third-generation AS.
In fact, this time a certain source offered us some important information. Clearly an AS with a very humanoid shape, obviously different from the Rk-92 series.
It’s said that this machine was photographed years ago in the Middle Eastern region of Hermajistan, which was thrown into civil war because of Soviet interference. We were also offered other pictures of this machine carrying weapons, in which it seemed that the machine had seen battle. It looks as if it could hold its own against the M9.
Putting together al the information we have on this machine, it was developed by the Soviet-based Zeya Design Bureau, its Western model number is Zy-98, and it seems to be called by the code name “Shadow.” As you can tell by looking at the model number, this machine began being deployed in 1998. So it’s one step ahead of the M9, which is still undergoing testing. There’s almost no doubt that it’s equipped with a new high-output electromagnetic musculature and a Palladium reactor, so its hardware is about at the same level as the M9.
However, as you know, the technological level of computers and other electronics that he Soviets have is comparatively low, so there are still some doubts about whether or not this machine has an AI to support the operator, as the M9 does. It probably does not have the same kind of next-generation ECS currently being developed by the US Army. An ECS can make the machine undetectable not only to radar and infrared, but also to the naked eye.
As to the question of how robust and easy to requisition this unit is I’m sure there’s no need to mention the Soviet Union’s previous success with the Rk-92. Soviet-built weaponry is also top-notch. The Xy-98 was spotted in Hermajistan, a dry desert area where there is an extremely large difference between day and night temperatures. The location for the sighting gives testament to the fact that the Xy-98 is a very robust machine.
The weaponry that the sharp-looking, elegantly armored Zy-98 is equipped with boasts of muscular strength with an astonishingly high degree of firepower. Hard points on its hip and knees have damper-like components to absorb shocks. A monomolecular cutter is attached to the under part of its left arm and it has been seen with a large Gatling gun attached directly to the lower region of its right arm. The Gatling gun can fire off a large number of rounds very quickly, and it’s comparatively easy to make a large-caliber version. However, having multiple barrels requires a motor to rotate them, increasing the size and bulk of the weapon. This is one disadvantage of the Gatling gun. Another disadvantage comes from the fact that it can fire a large number of rounds per unit time, making the large amount of ammunition required a liability. In the end, the Gatling gun packs a lot of power, but it’s hard to wield and hard to transport.
In order for the AS to be mobile enough to doge attacks, it needs to avoid any increases in weight. Also, anything attached to its right arm would throw it dangerously off balance. The Zy-98 has been seen with the Gatling gun on its right arm, and what’s more, it was seen in actual battle conditions in Hermajistan. This probably means that the Zy-98 has a higher output electromagnetic musculature and stronger frame construction than the M9. We eagerly await more detailed reports.
