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ART-1P Advanced Real Trooper Type-1 Powered
Model number: ART-1P
Thanks to its strong economic base and financiers with extremely deep pockets, Dahlgren Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (Dahlgren Weapons and Munitions Factories) has been mass-producing advanced combat mobile suits for almost fifteen years. Along with its flagship Gespenst and the Gundam-type Huckebein, DWM has also produced a dizzying array of prototype, proof-of-concept, and limited production mobile weapons; some of these unusual or forgotten suits were designed as demonstration or testbed units, while others were attempts at a new production line that never came to fruition. Perhaps more curiously, DWM suppresses records or simply does not maintain documentation of these "would-be" products, leading to considerable headaches for defense analysts when a previously unknown machine appears in private hands. After being spotted at several battles in UC 241, an example of DWM's cancelled "Advanced Real Trooper" program began raising eyebrows in the defense community. Advanced Real Trooper Type-1, or just "ART-1" for short, is likely the first purpose-built transformable mobile suit designed since the Interregnum, and while a totally modern machine, it has definite "throwback" qualities to the reconfigurable designs of Anaheim Electronics from the first Universal Century. DWM's transformation system appears to be significantly more efficient than the models that existed in previous mobile suit generations, with a minimum loss of frame durability compared to non-transforming machines of the same period. Likewise, ART-1's weapon systems are arranged in an intelligent pattern, allowing much of its armament to be employed in both transformation modes, reducing dead weight while improving combat efficiency. Curiously, the ART-1 is also provided with a psycommu system for use by Newtype pilots. While no remote weapons are equipped, the psycommu system is capable of improving the pilot's reaction time by translating brainwave activity into mobile suit subroutines and weapon control systems. Giving the relative paucity of Newtypes on Earth, the inclusion of this particular equipment is especially perplexing. The ART-1P ("Powered") is apparently a further derivative, although its origin is even more convoluted and enigmatic. The mobile suit uses a DWM-type nomenclature, but it seems unlikely that the firm had a hand in the construction of that version due to its highly unorthodox features. Along with a pair of fairly standard beam sabers and curious but effective Gundarium-bladed knives, the ART-1P features four chainsaw-like assault blades - two are positioned on the mobile suit's forearms, and a second pair is deployed out of the soles of its feet, making for an extremely versatile if highly unusual combat style. The teeth of the blades are lined with Gundarium in the style of the Tesla Leicht Institute's handheld swords, suggesting that there may be some lineage there. The mobile suit can arm most of the Huckebein's heavy weapons, while two G-revolver cannons, stored "gunslinger-style" at the mobile suit's waist, are provided for use at short range or as a backup weapon in hand-to-hand combat. A pair of quick-firing split beam cannons are installed in the clavicle region to supplement the firepower of the standard head-mounted vulcan guns; while short-ranged, the beam cannons have a fairly rapid beam diffusion, making them somewhat harder to avoid. Aside from the handheld weapons borrowed from the Huckebein, the ART-1P's only long-ranged armament is a standard beam cannon installed coaxially down the length of its shield - this positioning allows the weapon to be used in ART-Wing mode while also making for an effective surprise to enemy units that would not expect a potent ranged weapon to be hidden there. Beyond the ART-1P's standard specifications exist a further array of mysterious features and design elements that befuddle attempts to divine the mobile suit's manufacturers even more. The cockpit system is highly unusual, and likely a one-of-a-kind item. The basic design incorporates a panoramic 360-degree monitor system similar to old U.N.T. Spacy models, but the linear seat is deleted - in its place, the pilot stands in the center of the spherical cockpit and controls the mobile suit's functions and weapons via a helmet-mounted display that tracks the motion of the user's eyes. A voice activation/command feature is provided as a backup, and is also used as a biometric security feature in lieu of more conventional readers or physical "key" devices. Even more bizarrely, a "direct motion link" harness is worn by the pilot, which in addition to serving as a safety device can also be used to directly control the motion of the mobile suit itself. Realistic feedback and resistance are offered which provides the pilot with a greater degree of "physical awareness", all of which seems to culminate with a very large focus on hand-to-hand and short range combat. The direct motion link can be deactivated at the pilot's discretion, allowing for more "conventional" (e.g. computer driven) movement of the mobile suit's body for use out of combat or during long-distance movement, and the system automatically disengages when the ART-1P switches to ART-Wing mode. There is no seat or chair provided in the cockpit; however, the direct motion link harness can fully support the pilot's weight and is ergonomically designed to reduce fatigue when in standby mode, providing a sensation akin to being suspended. The entire cockpit is tri-axially stabilized and rotates automatically with relevance to the ground, ensuring the pilot will never be "upside down" during complex maneuvers or ART-Wing configured travel.
Assault blade Beam saber Cockpit Combat knife M155 G-revolver M202 linear rifle M99 beam shotrifle Rear view |
