Black Technology

Black Technology is a general term used to describe fictional technology in the Japanese light novel, manga and anime series Full Metal Panic!.^[1] Full Metal Panic takes places within a parallel world altered by this so called Black Technology.

Created by unusually gifted human beings collectively called the Whispered,^[2] new sources of Black Technology is certain to change the military balance of the world, and is thus heavily sought after by several groups. The origins of Black Technology are a tightly kept secret, thus most of the world is unaware of the difference of Black Technology to that of a conventionally developed one.

Most of the advances of Black Technology seem to be in the fields of Electrical engineering, Computer Science, and Material science.

Advanced AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial Intelligence in the world of Full Metal Panic is far more advanced, powerful, and reliable in comparison to that of existing technologies. The AI has been installed into vehicles such as the Arm Slave, and the TDD-1. The military use of AI computer systems shows a surprising level of maturity of the technology. Curiously, this technology has not been seen in civilian usage at the current time.

Special examples of AI systems have been observed expressing comprehension of concepts such as jokes, and whim. It is unknown if this is programmed response, or actual comprehension by the AI system. Al(AL), the ARX-7 Arbalest AI system is especially notable for its adaptive behavior, molding itself to become closer to its pilot. The relationship between Sosuke Sagara and the AI has been a source of trouble for the pilot, as the AI continues to defy the behavior of conventional AI systems in use. The relationship between the two has been likened to the relation between Sosuke and Kaname Chidori.

Arm Slaves (Armored Mobile Master-Slave System)

Main article: Arm Slave

Largely humanoid powered suits operating in a semi-master slave set up, it is a military weapons system that revolutionized the meaning of mechanized infantry. They were developed in the early 1980s under the Reagan Administration.^[3] The average Arm Slave (or AS for short) is roughly 9-10 meters tall. This places the craft smaller than most mecha in size. ^{[citation needed]}

It is one example of the culmination of achievements of many different pieces of black technology.^[2] In a way, it can be said that all other black technologies were created in this fictional universe to rationalize the existence of these humanoid combat machines.

ECS (Electronic Conceal System)

A form of active camouflage, an active ECS confers near total concealment from RADAR and related electromagnetic detection. Initial systems are said to have had limited capabilities that only masked millimeter wavelength microwaves and later, infrared signatures. More recent systems are more powerful, and is capable of masking signatures in the visual range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system works by utilizing a rapidly oscillating laser screen to project some sort of distortion around the concealed object. Specific details are not described, but has shown adaptability to sudden and violent changes in ambient conditions and the ability to see out from within the concealment, making the system suitable for combat deployment. The view from within an ECS field is washed out and tinged in violet and red.

The technology requires a significant power input and significant size, and thus deployment was limited by the power-plant of craft the ECS is to be mounted to. It is assumed that shorter wavelength (such as the visual range) is more complex and requires more power. It is noted that an ECS capable of invisible mode operation (masking visual spectrum signatures) is also capable of operating in a more limited mode, such as only masking its radar signature. Its immense power requirements make the use of the system while making combat maneuvers impossible on Arm Slaves. Human sized ECS units are also not yet possible without a suitable power source and miniaturization.

In the world of Full Metal Panic, the B-2 Bomber was never developed. Instead, the B-1 Bomber was deployed with the ECS. This is designated as the B-1C. This places the development of the ECS after 1975 and before the early 1980s. As such, passive stealth technology is a largely forgotten technology.

The ECS is not impervious. Its weaknesses include its inability to mask UV spectrum emissions. A high output ECS also ionizes the air, emitting ozone. Insects, and birds attracted to insects gather around an active ECS from the UV signature. Dogs have been observed avoiding an active ECS from its ozone smell. Additionally, it is specifically stated that the ECS is useless in rain (presumably interfering with the laser or failing to mask the water accumulating on the hull) . Recent developments in countermeasures include the ECCS (Electronic Conceal Counter System) designed to detect ECS signatures.

EMFC (Electro Magnetic Fluidics Control)

Electromagnetically controlled surface fluid dynamics of the submarine, TDD-1. Acts as secondary propulsion, but is used mainly to reduce surface turbulence and cavitation. The EMFC can propel the TDD-1 in any direction, including a lateral slide, at a maximum speed of 50 knots. This allows the immensely large TDD-1 an agility rivaling, if not superior to that of a Los Angeles class Fast Attack Submarine^{[citation needed]}. At the same time, the EMFC greatly reduces the operating noise of the TDD-1 while allowing it a much higher top speed.

Lambda Driver

Officially called the "false axis repulsive field generator system", the lambda driver is a pure Black Technology device capable of exerting mechanical force against space^[4] with no observable physical interaction. False axis refers to the lack of physical interaction, or lack of moment arm in the application of torque. This is in direct violation of Newtonian physics, particularly Newton's Third Law. However recent research showed that this law does not aply to a room that is curved by gravity, therefore using the curving of space as leverage is possible.

A select few Arm Slaves possess the device called the Lambda Driver which can manifest emotional thought patterns into raw and devastating physical power. In Full Metal Panic! (primary series), Sousuke Sagara's ARX-7 "Arbalest" has a Lambda Driver (but due to Sagara's lack of experience, it only served to aid him most minimally and improved as time progressed). All oppositions Sousuke has faced where his enemy has used the Lambda Driver also exhibited great power, especially Gauron on three counts; and were all defeated using Arbalest's Lambda Driver.

Muscle Package

A class of semi-biological EAP (Electro Active Polymers) produced as a low noise and high power source of mechanical motion. They are electrically activated artificial fibers that contract when exposed to an electrical current. (Similar to myomer in the Battletech series of games and novels) Similar technology is currently under research in reality. Black Technology fueled advances in material engineering created the revolutionary advances seen in the Full Metal Panic universe. While the concept and research is not fiction, the efficiency, durability and high power output of the material as demonstrated by the impossible agility and strength of the Arm Slaves in Full Metal Panic is purely fictional.

These artificial muscles are used as primary motivators on the fictional class of humanoid weapon systems called Arm Slaves. The artificial muscles offer the three favorable traits over alternate mechanical or hydraulic systems.

• Precision control
• Low noise
• High mechanical torque

In addition, the Polymers of the Muscle Package have high tensile strength, comparable to aramid fibres. This allows for the third generation Arm Slaves such as the M9 series to carry less armor plating, as the drive systems themselves serve as ballistic protection. These traits have given the third generation Arm Slave high survivability, high maneuverability and low observability.

Earlier forms of the Muscle Packages were underpowered, and required a secondary power system. Second generation Arm Slaves are noted by having a binary drive system, such as the RK-92 "Savage". The Savage operates its hydraulic actuators for high torque, and uses the muscle package for precision operations. The more recent muscle packages have overcome this handicap, removing the need for a heavy and bulky hydraulic system. The most advanced Muscle packages have unreal volumetric efficiency that drastically increases the power to weight ratio of the third generation Arm Slave.

In exchange, the muscle package requires a massive electrical input. Traditional power generation systems such as a gas turbine engine would be required to scale up in size, increasing mass to power a muscle package system. This increased mass would require more powerful Muscle Package in a cyclic process. It is only with the Palladium Reactor that the high power to weight ratio is realized.

The muscle package is also a technology that requires constant maintenance. The polymers that make up the muscle package experience material stress, reducing its efficiency and peak power output every time it contracts. It has been revealed that a muscle package is only capable of 70-80% of its design specifications after 10 combat missions. This aspect coupled with the high cost of the muscle package makes the third generation Arm Slave an extremely expensive weapon to upkeep. The frequency of replacement is determined by the individual organization. Elite organizations such as Mithril, SEALs, and SAS that require 100% power for all its missions will replace the muscle package after every combat operation. Most first world armed forces replace the muscle packages at the manufacturer recommended 10 times. Organizations with a relative lack of funds may only replace it when absolutely necessary. It is noted that the muscle packages that are "tired" still find use as training sets. Under lower power demands (running the systems at 75% power), these muscle packages have a vastly extended lifespan. Many of these used sets also make their way to the black market.

From these reasons, a second generation Arm Slave under conditions where replacement parts are not readily available has several advantages. A "Savage" will degrade in performance far less than a comparable M9 unit away from a supply line. While the "Savage" will slowly lose its fine motor control, its mobility will not be affected, as most of its drive mechanism is hydraulic. The rate of decay of the Muscle Package in a "Savage" is comparatively lower, as fine motor control is not a high power application.

Palladium Reactor

A form of a cold fusion reactor, the Palladium Reactor is an advanced electrical power generator with notable advantages in power output and low noise in addition to its low waste heat. It is called a cold fusion battery by characters, but the distinction between a reactor and battery is uncertain and could be arbitrary.

Its usage has revolutionized two classes of combat vehicles. One is the Arm Slave, and the second is the submarine. The near silent operation of the Palladium reactor enables both types of craft to operate impressive amounts of equipment in a nearly undetectable manner. The power output of a Palladium Reactor is unknown, but is assumed to be slightly lower than a nuclear fission reactor of a similar size. This assumption is made from the number of reactors aboard the Assault Landing Submarine, TDD-1.

The name Palladium likely refers to Palladium hydride a compound put forward as a possible means of creating cold fusion but no results have been yet produced.

Miscellaneous Technologies

Black technology has been applied to various fields, many of them absorbed into general usage. This has created minor differences in the technology present in Full Metal Panic and that of our own world. Material Sciences seems to have gained a moderate boost from black technology.

• Arm Slave Pilot Suit: The characteristic suits the AS pilots of Mithril wear exhibit excellent ballistic and thermal protection in addition to shock absorbing characteristics.^[5] The suit will stop most handgun bullets and conventional blade weaponry.^[5] In addition, an egg wrapped in the suit material is said to survive a 10 storey drop. The thermal protection of the suit will insulate the wearer from direct contact with metal heated from 120 to 200 Celsius for a limited time.

• Gas Turbine Engine: The use of advanced materials in the gas turbine engine has yielded a machine far more efficient and powerful than that of our own. The fuel consumption is comparable to piston diesel engines, making them suitable as main generators in the second generation Arm Slaves. For instance, a C-130 Hercules transport plane is shown operating with turbofan jet engines. The real life turbofan jet engine Hercules did not see mass production being powered by a lower power (more efficient in our world) turboprop engine.

• Monomolecular Cutters: Advanced materials have created mono-molecular blades, allowing unprecedented sharpness. Many of these weapons are also outfitted with a vibrational system to increase their destructive capability. both of these functions are possible from advances in Black Technology.