While the bipedal Labor was exploring a role different from existing weapons, Shinohara Heavy Industries and Hishii Industries jointly developed it at the request of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The prototype Labor HAL-X10 is the fruition a dream, a next-generation main battle weapon that combines mobility and the characteristics of a tank. First mass production unit planned to be ready in October 2003, while it was ready for deployment as a 2005.
Design & Development[]
Mechanical Systems[]
It is clad in composite armor that is rumored to be at least as strong as a light tank, and in addition to the four legs with protractible wheels similar to a Crabman, it even has an optional hover unit that allows it to fly over short distances and at low altitudes. It's hover unit, with a maximum thrust of 25 tons at the rear of the fuselage, allows it to move at high speeds and make large jumps. The legs also house wheels for road use. The power of the aircraft itself is extremely large, and we can expect it to be useful as a "tank buster'' or "battle labor buster.''
Electronic Systems[]
In the TV version, the labor was equipped with artificial intelligence and was intended to operate unmanned in the future, but due to a glitch in the program, it lost control and went out of control. Even though it is an unmanned labor, it uses overwhelming fighting power to destroy numerous Type 97s and combat helicopters one after another and escapes from the pursuit, but the second platoon, which had just run out of ammunition after a series of battles, intercepted the labor.
Armor and Weapons[]
Combining the firepower and armor of a tank with the maneuverability and versatility of a labor, it has an assault gun- type body with a large-caliber short-barreled gun launcher on the front right side. Although it is a large machine with a volume equivalent to two Ingrams lined up one behind the other, Since it is a prototype, the sensor unit is equipped with a laser scanner that is the prototype of Type Zero, and the external shape is borrowed from ARL-99B Helldiver, but the camera is binocular. The base of the sensor unit is a hatch for the passenger.
However, it seems that the Ground Self-Defense Force has no intention of giving up on adopting this aircraft. The basis for this is a modification plan to mount a 135mm smooth cannon. So it can at least be used as an "anti-tank gun,'' so it might be possible to put it to good use, though the cost must be balanced.
Specifications[]
Empty Weigh weight: 17.41 metric tons
Maximum weight: 20.28 metric tons
Maximum lifting capacity: 43.00 metric tons (on all 4 legs)
Minimum revolving radius: 5.88 meters
Armor materials: high-tension carbon reinforced material with composite armor
Armaments[]
Standard Equipment[]
- ATM launcher x 1
- Missile launcher x 9
- Smoke discharger x 12
Optional Equipment[]
- 135mm smooth-bore cannon x 1 (replaces ATM launcher)
Gallery[]
References[1][]
Trivia[]
- The main frame of the HAL-X10 seems to take design cues from the M1126 ICV otherwise known as the Stryker an armored personnel carrier, though this can be debated as there are similar designs for armored vehicles of this type.
- Though it is classified as a Labor it shares characteristics of both Tank and Aircraft, it also shares characteristics with UAV or unmanned aerial vehicles and Drones because of its artificial intelligence and unmanned operation