Rk-92 Savage
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Rk-92 Savage is an Arm Slave, a fictional mecha from the light novel, manga, and anime series Full Metal Panic!. Savage is a NATO reporting name later adopted by the armed forces of the Soviet Union and the eastern bloc.
| Savage | |
| Designation | Rk-92 (Rk-91) |
| Design | Lryika Design Bureau |
| Height | 8.1m |
| Weight | 12.5t |
| Powerplant | Gas Turbine Engine Crimov or Goriki motor 1300hp (969 kW) |
| Maximum Operation Time | 230 hours |
| Top Speed | 130km/h |
| Jump Height | 20m |
| Armaments | 14.5mm machine gun×2 |
| Compatible Weapons | Loginov (Логинов) BK-540 37mm Rifle Grusin AT-16 "Spawn" Anti-Tank Anti-AS Missile Zeya (Зея) B3M "Grome" HEAT hammer |
| Notable Pilots | Sosuke Sagara Seina |
Contents |
[edit] Overview
One of the titular second generation Arm Slaves, the Savage is a mass produced unit used by the Eastern bloc. It has also been exported to other communist nations, including North Korea, and North China (In Full Metal Panic, China has split into the communist north and democratic south). Terrorist organizations such as A21 have been observed using the Savage. Given the complexity and cost of these units, the appearance of Arm Slaves including the Savage is uncommon outside of national regulars.
A savage is humanoid with a squat frog like head on an egg shaped body. The AS is simple and sturdily built. Its ease of maintenance and longetivity on the field makes it an extremely capable weapon system. While outclassed by the American M6 Bushnell and its superior electronics, the Savage is a capable front line combat unit.
[edit] Variants
The Rk-91/92 series have numerous minor variations, of which many are undocumented. For example, the Rk-91 is a different design which produced less than 300 total units before being replaced by the 92 series. From the similarity and rarity of the eariler design, NATO designation of the units were not differentiated.
The Rk-91 is powered by a Diesel Piston engine, producing 1200 hp. While the diesel engine has a lower peak power output, its advantages are not to be discounted. The slightly better fuel consumption elongates the battlefield operating time and range. The Diesel engine is quieter than the Gas Turbine of the newer unit, making it advantageous in certain conditions. A turbine engine is also hampered by the inability to quickly change its speed, allowing the Rk91 to have slightly faster power level responses. The diesel is also easier to service using civilian facilities and parts, with mechanics more readily available. The superiority of the Rk92 is undeniable, as these advantages are extremely limited and difficult to exploit.
The Rk-92, powered by a Gas Turbine engine produces 1300 hp. While using a very similar chassis as the earlier Rk-91, the internal structure and layout is significant enough to warrant the new designation. In comparison to the Rk-91, the turbine engine itself is lighter and smaller with a higher output, increasing the power to mass ratio. Its powerplant is less prone to malfunction, and requires slightly less maintenance than the diesel of the Rk-91. The increased internal space has been split between a slightly increased fuel capacity and a more powerful vetronics package. This Vetronics package with a more powerful radar, FCS and control systems make the Rk92 easier to handle, and generally more effective.
Design refinements have followed the 92 series over the decade of service. The most notable improvements have been in the Vetronics and Damage Control Systems. The earlier 91 series had a notoriously unreliable damage control system that required an experienced pilot to manage properly. This has led to a noticeable difference in the performance of the newest revision of Savages to the earlier models, but only minor differences in appearance.
[edit] In Full Metal Panic!
The Rk91/92 series "Savage" is the first Arm Slave piloted by the character Sousuke Sagara. He learned to pilot in a diesel engine powered early 91 series Savage, and continued to operate the later Gas Turbine powered 92 series. From this, he is intimately knowledgeable of the strengths and weaknesses of the Savage series.
The unit is commonly seen within the anime series, destroyed by the far superior Mithril M9s. This should be seen as a sign of superiority of the M9 over the Rk92, not any deficiency of the Savage itself. In the sequel anime series The Second Raid Amalgam forces led by Gates (Mr. K) operates autopiloted Savages in the tunnels in episode 4.
In the novel series, Fighting Boy Meets Girl depicts the Savage being operated by North Korean regulars (the anime has a fictional nation). Sousuke is shown stealing one to escape from the airport. This is destroyed in combat with Gauron's Codarl. Later, the reconnaissance force searching for Sousuke and others are destroyed in combat with the ARX-7 Arbalest.
The Running One Night Stand episode in the Full Metal Panic! anime shows the Amalgam backed Terrorist organization A21 operating a Savage when attacking the defence ministry facility in Japan.
The Ending Day by Day light novel has the Sicilian Mafia operating a number of units. (In the Anime series The Second Raid they are Amalgam units) These are destroyed by the M9D operated by Groseaux. Later, the Savage appears as front line units of the North Chinese regulars. The Savage is shown in flashbacks showing Sosuke's youth in Afghanistan as well.
The Burning One Man Force light novel shows Sousuke piloting an early model Diesel Engine Rk91 Savage in Arena Fights. This particular unit underwent significant repair and refitting, leaving it with a customized damage control system, FCS and a Rk92 series cooling system in the end. Nicknamed the "Crossbow", the Arm Slave Destroys 1 M9E Gernsback in addition to a mixed force of 10 Arm Slaves comprised of Rk92 Savage, M6 Bushnell, Cyclone, Drache, and Mistral II units. The "Crossbow" itself is disabled with all major systems destroyed at the end of the battle.
