Raziel
Dark Jedi Spymaster
(Ignore scale of image and imagine the size of a small crab)
Image Source: http://conceptrobots.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/concept-robot-designs-by-mark-molnar.html
Intent: To provide the ASA with an advanced mine/IED capability
Development Thread: No
Manufacturer: Haor Chall
Model: CS/EX 01 Explosive Crab Droid
Affiliation: ASA
Modularity: No
Production: Mass-production
Material: Plasteel, wiring
Classification: Four
Weight: 5kg
Height: 10cm
Width: 30cm Diameter
Movement: Quadrupedal
Armaments: Self-destruct
Misc. Equipment: EM and visual sensor, colour changing hull.
Description: The explosive crab droid is an attempt to disrupt enemy supply lines and logistics and to limit battlefield mobility in Infantry Fighting Vehicles. The droid possesses a relatively limited intelligence, to keep costs down. It is deployed to the battlefield, often by drop from drones, and will then either head to pre-designated locations or use its tactical decision engine to find a suitable place to locate itself.
Once it has found a suitable location, the droid will attempt to dig a small hole for itself using claws and a small laser on the underside of its body. It will then change the colour of its upper plating to match its surroundings as close as possible, or can cover itself if in sandy/muddy environments. It is hard to spot visually, even by dismounted infantry from a distance of 5m or more. In the urban environment, it will often hide on the roadside or under civilian vehicles and then rapidly scuttle out and attempt to destruct under military vehicles.
A visual sensor, and passive electromagnetic sensor on the upper casing will scan for approaching enemy vehicles. When an enemy vehicle passes of its location, the droid will launch its central body up out of the ground with a one-use microrepulsor and self-destruct. The central radial section of the body contains 5kg of detonite. The explosive is intended to detonate close to the under-surface of any vehicle, on the off-chance that an air-speeder is relatively high above the ground and has a particle shield that extends underneath it may prevent effective operation.
The crab is designed as an anti-armour mine only. It it likely visible to soldiers from a couple of metres away. It would still be lethal if somehow set off by infantry. However, it is not designed to cover a wide area with shrapnel, but direct most explosive fore upwards. A vehicle would need very thick, reinforced hull plating to the underside to prevent damage. This droid is designed to punch through the armour of main battle tanks.
The droid has some weaknesses. Whilst some components have EM-shielding to prevent detection, its more sensitive components are not – to reduce costs. This means the droid is susceptible to Ion pulses. Whilst effective against speeders, it obviously cannot impeded to travel of dropships.
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