The ARL-99 Helldiver is a military labor manufactured by Shinohara Heavy Industries (SHI), and intended for use as a paratroop/reconnaissance unit. As its name suggests, the main mission of this labor is to take control of local areas using airdrops. They were airlifted to their destination by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's C-17 transport aircraft and parachuted in front of the parachuted infantry units, immediately neutralizing enemy forces. Considering the two-legged Labor's advantages of high maneuverability within the operational area, this co-concept is very on point.
Design[]
Mechanical Systems[]
The ARL-99 Helldiver is loosely based off of the AV-98 Ingram, also manufactured by SHI. The mechanical systems have been upgraded to military spec to allow generally high performance. The leg actuators have been strengthened compared to the Ingram, and the backpack contains a rocket nozzle in the legs and feet, the unit to better survive a hard parachute landings.
Electronic Systems[]
The Helldiver's armor and electronics systems have been finely tuned based off of data gathered by the AL-X99 Airborne Labor prototype, resulting in a highly capable machine. The drive system uses Shinohara Precision, and the standards have many things in common. However, in order to enable long-duration military operations, fuel cells are used as the power source, which still has a difficult power-to-weight ratio.
Armor and Weapons[]
The Helldiver is equipped with a 40mm rapid-fire machine gun and a combat knife. Although it has inferior firepower to its predecessor, the Atlas series, it is fully capable of dealing with armored vehicles and infantry-level forces. A machine pistol-type portable firearm was developed for the Helldiver, which looks similar to an actual submachine gun, and is also capable of using spring bullets (although there is some question as to whether the labor's bullets can be called handgun bullets). A parachute pack is attached to the fuselage's torso. It emphasizes versatility than Ingram's stun stick, which is specialized in, airborne drop after landing, it purges itself with explosive bolts and moves on to operations.
Variants[]
- ARL-99 Helldiver: Basic airborne labor built for the JGSDF. A combat knife is stored on its body, and it is capable of equipping a 40mm machine gun, TOW launcher, and smoke dischargers. The Helldiver can also mount a night vision system and a parachute backpack. Its wide range of weaponry and optional equipment combined with its all-around high performance combine to give the machine superb versatility. In the TV series, command units have black visor covers and entry hatches as well as blue visors, compared to the all-green paint and red visors of the basic model. It is unclear whether this indicates a modified command unit exists or if it is simply to allow easier differentiation of units in the field
- ARL-99 Helldiver Stealth Type: A prototype military labor based on the basic Helldiver. It has a focus on night combat, and equips an enhanced night vision sensor in place of the traditional camera. It can wield any of the basic Helldiver's weapons, and is also capable of using a prototype rifle similar in form to a scaled-up Type 89 or Type 64 rifle. Rumors indicate that the type was also capable of wielding a sniper rifle. To increase the machine's stealth capabilities, a poncho-like radar-absorbing cover can be worn by the unit.
- ARL-99 Kai Helldiver Sniper Custom: A limited-production sniper labor based on the test data of the Stealth Type. It is a refined specialist model, with its parts tuned to increase precision. It incorporates a new sensor that provides the pilot excellent long-range vision, and is capable of using a long-range sniper rifle.
- ARL-99 Helldiver Desert Type: A modified variant of the Helldiver intended for desert combat. Various armor sections have been strengthened, and its head is modified with an armored visor that protects the delicate sensors inside. An environmental sensor has also been installed, and the 40mm machine gun was upgraded with the installation of a grenade launcher for extra versatility.
Specifications[]
Empty weight: 5.75 tons
Maximum Operating Weight: 6.81 tons
Maximum Lifting Capacity: 3.10 tons
Minimum Revolving Radius: 3.90 Meters
Armor Material: FRP with Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Skeleton.
Operational Units: Unknown, At least one JGSDF Company (8+ machines) seen in Patlabor 2
Two Helldivers firing their 40mm machine guns
Armaments[]
Standard Equipment[]
- Combat Knife x1
- 40 Millimeter Rapid-Fire Machine Gun x1
Optional Equipment:[]
- Parachute Backpack x1
- LLLTV night vision equipment
- Smoke Discharger x8
- TOW Anti-Tank Missile Launcher x1
- Note: One TV Series episode suggested that the Helldiver has the option to fire a weapon on an occasion when the 40mm cannon was clearly not equipped. It is unclear if this is a scripting error or intentionally refers to the capacity for an internally-stored firearm.
- Machine-Pistol SMG
Merchandise[]
Gallery[]
References[1] [2][]
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Trivia[]
- Though the Helldiver's 40mm machine gun is fictional, its barrel design takes design notes from the Browning M2, a air-cooled belt fed machine gun built during and after WW1
- The holes in the Helldiver's legs are not just a design staple of Yutaka Izubuchi. They are also influenced by Dive Brake designs on aircraft during WW2 which would reduce turbulent airflow when diving and landing. The Helldiver uses this design in unison with its Parachute backpack attachment
- The stealth type Helldiver as well as its camouflage variants are never shown in the anime however they make an appearance in the artbook for concept material. Additionally the stealth type's eye wear goggles seem to bear a resemblance to the AN/PVS-5 a pair of early night vision goggles designed by the United States Army between 1972 and 1990.
- In the Manga one of the Helldiver units is shown using an UZI, a submachinegun