The AETOS-0 is a prototype unmanned reconnaissance and combat drone developed by the Commonwealth Institute under a Department of Defense contract. The AETOS zero measures a wingspan of five and a half feet wide and has a length of six and a half feet. It's chassis is constructed out of titanium and is kept aloft by three turbofan jet engines utilizing cutting edge noise reduction technology which allows the AETOS Zero to operate at near silent capacity, emitting only a low-pitched humming while in flight.
The AETOS Zero is armed with a pair of retractable under-carriage 7.62 NATO light machine guns that can switch on the fly between loaded ammunition ordinance. The interior magazines are capable of holding 800 rounds combined for each gun, both of which are capable of independent movement of one another.
Further armaments on the AETOS Zero include the capacity to carry six micro-missiles, of which the AETHOS has been outfitted with a variety of non-lethal weaponry, including a prototype taser-wire crowd control missile capable of sending thousands of volts of electricity into a twenty foot diameter area to disable threats.
The exterior chassis of the AETOS Zero is lightly armored and benefits from deflection design in its chassis shape, using angles in its body design likely to deflect incoming small arms fire. Heavy artillery and high caliber firearms have no problem damaging the AETOS Zero, provided that it remains stationary long enough to hit.
To combat technopathic intrusions, the AETOS Zero has been outfitted with a heuristic virus scanner capable of detecting unwanted data intrusions along its encrypted network output. If intrusions are detected, the AETOS will shut out all external communications and move into single operation mode. As a final line of defense, the AETOS is outfitted with an internal viral packet delivery system designed specifically to infect some branches of technopaths susceptible to viral infection.
Sensors built in to the AETOS Zero allow it to receive continuous GPS and tactical satellite information and serve as a data relay hub, transmitting satellite information to nearby friendly units within a ten mile radius. The AETOS contains internal infra-red and heat signature scanning technologies.
The internal computer components of the AETOS are shielded from Electromagnetic Pulses by cutting-edge technology designed by Transtector Inc. The EMP-T1E1 surge suppressor, a high-speed, high-current solid-state device designed to protect balanced AMI T1/E1 lines from EMP, EMI, electrical transients, and low-level CW noise. The EMP-T1E1 surge suppressor uses only silicon avalanche-suppression diodes (SASD). It connects to the service in a pass-through configuration.
Transtector’s EMP products are silicon-diode-based, which gives them advantages such as the nondegradable nature of silicon; as long as the surge does not exceed the energy level of an EMP shot, the silicon will never degrade
Lastly, the AETOS possesses a "Single Operation" mode, whereupon it navigates, fights and makes rudimentary decisions of its own volition. Programmed by cutting-edge robotics designers at the Commonwealth Institute, the AETOS Zero has a similar cognitive function as a dog, capable of understanding several hundred different vocal commands and pattern-recognition of voices authorized to give it orders. In Single Operation mode, the AETOS follows its last given commands to the best of its ability before returning back to its docking station.
This breakthrough AI on the AETOS Zero is expected to be the bleeding edge in robotics technology.
Significance
Based on original designs by the technological genius Hector Steel, the AETOS Zero represents innovations in Steel's mechanical designs created by Warren Ray in contract with the Commonwealth Institute. Originally designed for the Department of Evolved Affairs, the AETOS Zero was gifted to FRONTLINE after its use in quelling a riot on Roosevelt Island on November 8th, 2010.
The AETOS Zero is a prototype of what could eventually be mass-produced technological marvels designed by scientists benefitting from Evolved abilities. It is the first in a potential line of combat robots that could further police the increasingly dangerous cities of the United States.
