The AL-97B Samson is a military labor designed by Hishii Heavy Industries. It was used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force before it was replaced by the updated AL-97B-var Hannibal.
Design & Development[]
Hishii AL-97 Atlas
The AL-97B is an overhauled version of Hishii's earlier AL-97 Atlas military labor. The key structural elements remained virtually untouched, but the armor, weaponry, and electronics systems were entirely redesigned. Ultimately, these upgrades made the Samson a much more capable and versatile labor than the Atlas.
Armor upgrades[]
The Samson features armor that covers much more than the original Atlas. The shoulder, knee, and elbow joints are now almost entirely enclosed by armor plating. In addition to more sturdy joint protection, the revised cockpit's glass canopy was replaced with a thick armored hatch. Much of the armor around the labor's torso was also redesigned, now appearing bulkier and more angular than that of the Atlas. The additional weight of the new armor causes the Samson to have lower speed and mobility than its predecessor, but is justified by the greatly improved survivability of the machine.
Weapon Upgrades[]
The weapons loadout of the Samson is entirely different to that of the Atlas. While the Atlas mounted a 20mm gatling gun on its right shoulder, the Samson carries a 90mm minigun in a forearm compartment. This makes the weapon easier to handle and aim, while reducing imbalance caused by recoil when firing the weapon. Hardpoints on the Samson allow the installation of various mission-specific weapons, such as a cannon or a missile launcher unit. Additionally, the Samson is fitted with several smoke dischargers located at various points around its body, which can be activated to conceal the labor's location and movements.
Electronics Upgrades[]
The Samson labor includes several electronics upgrades that make it more effective in combat. The electronics upgrades found in the Samson reduce the workload on the pilot, so the second pilot seat found in the Atlas has been removed, making the type a single-crew machine. On its right shoulder, an infrared searchlight has been installed for nighttime operations.
Specifications[]
Empty Weight: 7.63 tons
Maximum Operating Weight: 8.31 tons
Maximum Lifting Capacity: 4.00 tons
Minimum Revolving Radius: 4.10 meters
Armor Material: High tensile steel
Armaments[]
- 90mm mini gun
- 35mm vulcan gun
- dischargers
Gallery[]
.png "Samsonimg (1).png (1.22 MB)")
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.png "Samsonimg (2).png (1.03 MB)")
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.png "Samsonimg (9).png (1.16 MB)")
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.png "Samsonimg (13).png (881 KB)")
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.png "Samsonimg (17).png (1.58 MB)")
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.png "Samsonimg (18).png (1.35 MB)")
.png "Samsonimg (20).png (1.32 MB)")
.png "Samsonimg (16).png (1.34 MB)")
.png "Samsonimg (11).png (803 KB)")
References[1][]
