Second-generation patlabors are the patlabors produced roughly between 1997 and 2000. This generation was defined by the shift to labors with a more humanoid form than typical construction types and would also be the first generation of patlabors to be equipped with projectile weaponry. The second generation was the generation that saw the most varied selection of patlabor models, with three notable manufacturers vying to become the dominant patlabor manufacturer.
History[]
It became almost immediately apparent that the first generation of patlabors were merely stopgap attempts at fighting labor crime. Where first generation models were oftentimes nothing more than construction models with a fresh coat of paint, second generation models were bespoke, clean-sheet designs created solely for combat purposes.
Early Second Generation Models[]
The first notable second-generation patlabor to see active service was Manabe Heavy Industries' (MHI) MPL-97S Python. which debuted in 1997. The Python, although state-of-the-art at its time, would quickly become outclassed by rapidly advancing construction units, a situation worsened by the labor's limited weapons arsenal. Despite this, the Python would remain in frontline service until 1999, at the onset of the third generation.
Late Second Generation Models[]
The second generation hit its stride in 1998, with the debut of Shinohara Heavy Industries' (SHI) iconic AV-98 Ingram. The Ingram far surpassed the Python in overall performance, but its high cost prevented it from reaching true mass production. Nonetheless, the Ingram set a new standard for patlabors going forward, and every subsequent patlabor would be designed with the intention of competing with it.
Toyohata Models (TV Timeline)[]
Schaft Industries would be the next company to produce a second-generation patlabor. Officially, the SRX-70 was produced as a joint venture between Toyohata Auto and Hishii Heavy Industries. However, this was merely a front for Schaft Enterprises Japan, which was really in charge of the SRX-70 project. A notable element of this model's design was its heavy firepower. It was equipped with a 42mm Revolver Cannon, a high-caliber weapon for the time, and a shoulder-mounted 20mm cannon. Assigned to replace Division 1's Pythons, the SRX-70 performed well, and was well-liked by its pilots. However, it was soon discovered that the SRX-70 was being used to obtain operational data from the police for Schaft to use in developing its military labors, so the type was retired from police service.
Shortly following the SRX-70's stint with the police, Toyohata, again acting as a front for Schaft, would debut the SR-70 Saturn. The Saturn was a streamlined version of the SRX-70 which also saw its 20mm shoulder cannon replaced by a combat knife as well as the installation of an arm shield with provisions to rack a stun stick. Although first marketed to the police, the Saturn found a market in the private security industry, with several firms placing orders.
Shinohara Models (TV Timeline)[]
SHI was not complacent with merely setting a benchmark, however. Seeking to capitalize on the police's highly positive reception of the Ingram, SHI began work on a less expensive version of their newest patlabor in order to secure further contracts. Thus, the AVS-98 Economy Ingram was born. However, when Ingram pilots arrived at the 1999 Tokyo International Labor Show to test the model, not only did they comment on how cheap the model felt, but also on how poorly it handled. These remarks alone would've hurt the AVS-98's chances of widespread adoption, but when the unit was hastily deployed to combat the Type J-9 Griffon, its easy defeat made its weaknesses all the more clear.
Following the humiliating showing at the 1999 Labor Show, SHI's engineers went back to the drawing board and reworked the Economy Ingram. The result was the AVS-98 Economy Ingram Mk.II. Although visually similar to the original economy model, the Mk.II Economy Ingram saw a whole host of internal improvements. Ingram pilots were invited to test the new model, and while they agreed that it was a better patlabor, it still wasn't up to the standard of the original Ingram.
The End of the Second Generation[]
Almost as soon as the second generation saw its heyday, it was rendered obsolete. Advancements in labor technology rapidly caught up to the standard of the second generation patlabor, and police departments once again desired new models. By this point, Manabe and Schaft had abandoned further patlabor development, leaving Shinohara as the sole manufacturer of patlabors at the turn of the 21st century. In the Television Timeline, the fate of the Ingram is unknown, however, in the Original Animated Timeline, the Ingram was entirely replaced in frontline service by 2003.