ARX-7 Arbalest
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ARX-7 Arbalest is an Arm Slave, a fictional mecha from the light novel, manga, and anime series Full Metal Panic!.
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[edit] Overview
One of the latest 3rd generation Arm Slaves in the Full Metal Panic universe. Designed by Mithril's Bani Morauta[1], based upon the same chassis and system design of the M9 (Not yet receiving the name Gernsback). The Arbalest from this shares its basic human-like appearance and physical capabilties of its sister craft. All options and systems designed for the M9 are available to the ARX-7 for use. This includes deployment systems: helicopter airlift, HALO/HAHO parachute, submerged amphibious assault, XL-2 rocket booster assisted direct flight, and SLBM trans-stratospheric launch. It is the only example of its design, and operated exclusively by Mithril. Its head unit has the appearance of a ninja.[2]
Designed and developed as a personal project of Bani Morauta. As a result, the Arbalest is provided with a complex AI unit not found on standard M9 units. The prototype Arm Slave was left incomplete and AI not fully developed when Bani committed suicide. Designated Al, the computer exhibited a free speech mode, allowing it a more flexible interaction with its operator. The same AI unit refused operation by any other personnel than Sergeant Sosuke Sagara[1]. This made the ARX-7 the exclusive responsibility of the Sergeant.
The Lambda Driver is a unique system only available to Mithril the ARX-7. The Lambda Driver is a described as a refrigerator sized module. Its operation is considered a complete black box, and its construction and precise operational parameters are only known to its designer. The AI system controls its operation, but refuses to divulge details regarding the module. During operation of the unit, radiator fins deploy from the back and shoulder of the ARX-7.
This reduced payload space reduces the fuel stores of the ARX-7 in comparison to the M9E Gernsback. The operational time of the ARX-7 is 50 hours shorter, reducing its capabilities in an autonomous situation.
[edit] Variants
The ARX-7 Arbalest and M9 is based upon a common design. The M9D is based upon the ARX-7 Arbalest[2] since M9D was decided to be the second Arm Slave which will use Lambda Driver.
[edit] In Full Metal Panic!
The ARX-7 was delivered to Sergeant Sosuke Sagara via SLBM trans-stratospheric delivery in Khanka. During this initial combat, the unit exhibited the initialization and operation of the Lambda Driver system. It was successful in defeating a then unidentified Plan1056 Codarl "Venom". This incident locked the AI system to the Sergeant, refusing reinitialization or operation by different personnel. The ARX-7 became the only unit operated by Mithril capable of combat with Lambda Driver armed hostiles.
Command of the Arbalest was made a personal responsibility of Sousuke by Tessa Testarossa following the Tokyo Big Site incident. The Arbalest faced the Codarl "Venom" Arm Slave several times, each time defeating the hostile unit. This includes a mission in Afghanistan, and one conflict in the Pacific Ocean aboard the TDD-1 Tuatha De Danaan.
Sergeant Sagara's failure to operate the Lambda Driver at a mission on Berildaobu Island surfaced his frustration with the Arbalest. The vague nature of the Lambda Driver, and its unreliable operation as a prototype system conflicted strongly with the sergeant's training and expectations of weapon systems.[3]
During the events of TSR, he continued to harbor his grudge against the Arbalest, its AI and Lambda Driver. He was only able to use it fully when Kaname came to Hong Kong and helped him to channel his focus on the device, defeating a platoon of Amalgam's Codarl Arm Slaves.[4]
In the novels 'A Dancing Very Merry Christmas' and 'Continuing On My Own,' Sousuke seems to have developed a good relationship with the Arbalest's AI, who rescued him more than a few times. However, the Arbalest, as of COMO is now defunct having been destroyed by Leonard Testarossa at the helm of his Fourth Generation AS, the Belial. The Arbalest's Lambda Driver core and AL (callsign of Arbalest's AI) are then taken away by Wraith, a Mithril agent, to Anchorage in Alaska and hands it to Gavin Hunter, one of Mithril's surviving Intelligence Officers, in order to complete the construction of the ARX-8 Laevatein.
[edit] References
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[edit] External links
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