'AAT-AM01'
Project History
The AAT-AM01 was concieved by an Sunset Defense Force Research Group officer who was grappling with the prospective of high losses in any boarding or direct assault action. Androids had not been possible in the past due to computer size and system complexity problems but with the introduction of the new solid state Instinctive Intelligence cores the idea deserved another look.
Researched, designed, and constructed entirely on Ares the AAT-AM01 has yet to see combat except in the simulations and versus other AAT-AM01's with training weapons. When they do meet combat they are expected to do extremely well however. Their combat computer is based on a full Instinctive Intelligence that has been loaded with the vast combat experience files of instructors from nearly a dozen nations. This knowledge was gained during the training of the SDF Marines and has been refined by them and by the elite '0' Division commandos to add an extensive knowledge of Sunset equipment and weaponry.
Aside from fists, feet, knees and other sharp and blunt edges the AAT-AM01 carrys no weapons of it's own - they are instead issued medium and heavy weapons from the current SDF armory. The list of potential weapons is thus quite long: Fusion cannon, burst cannon, rocket pods, pulse rifle, rail rifles, flamers, and plasma rifles.
This large variety of weapons reflects the many missions to which an AAT-AM01 might be assigned. Currently they are used for testing of experiemental weapons, raids on armed criminal organizations, boarding operations, and nearly any situation where extreme risk is present. Plans are also in place to create a special assault force composed of AAT-AM01's to act as a planetary strike force. This force would use Menhit-Class Assault Transports and BlackLance-Class Special Operations Transports to penetrate defensive fleets and cause chaos amoung rear echelon forces.
Because the AAT-AM01's use an advanced Instinctive Intelligence core the possibility of a unit becoming sentient has been assessed at one unit per every ten thousand produced. The time required to aquire sentience has proven to be quite variable - one unit walked off the production line and began asking philosophical questions as to it's own nature. Many checks are in place to ensure that sentience is detected as soon as possible. When a unit becomes sentient it is given citizenship and given all the rights of a Sunset citizen. They can chose to leave the SDF or stay or change positions within the SDF - many chose to remain to encourage their II cousins towards sentience. As the founding principles of Sunset are Free Will and Personal Responsiblity this option is not discouraged and is in fact encouraged.
Unit Statistics:
Height: 5'6" Weight: 492 lbs
Carry Weight: 500 lbs
Move Weight: 1000 lbs
Cost Per Unit: 32,400,000 Di-Coins