PDWS X03AD-F Iron Crab F

Height: 190-220 cm (unfolded)

Width: 128 cm

Weight: 89,000 g

Power Source: Variable hybrid system (micro gas turbine engine + superconductive battery—power source selection automatic by situation)

Armament: Extending Claw Hands (2)

2.3 mm Reflective Lasers (2) (Launch port may be set via multipurpose field)

Defense: Multipurpose field (variable)

Material: Stainless steel, plastic-based nanomaterials, metallic nanomaterials, etc.

A personal defense weapon system (PDWS) created at the behest of the national defense agency. To the bitter end, the Iron Crab was in danger of being beat out by the X-05 “Shell Person,” another PDWS concept. However, revelations of embezzlement by people involved with the PDWS competition itself, along with manifest operational-level problems at the prototyping stage, led to the indefinite suspension of the entire PDWS development program.

Records indicate that twelve prototype units were prepared including spares, to allow testing at the squadron level, the smallest operational unit.

PDWS were initially developed not as weapons for soldiers in the field, but as survival tools for civilians who might have to protect the home front in the event of total war. They were envisioned as serving users who had not received combat training.

To enable the wearer to survive even in environments where bio-contaminant weapons have been deployed, there is an airtight multipurpose field, along with a semi-autonomous AI. The PDWS may be considered a tiny, mobile shelter.

This model is designated F for female, indicating it is for use by women; the presence of biological-waste removal systems necessitated separate models for men and women. Most of the components of the two units are identical, so that in emergency mode (indicated for temporary use), a male may use an F model.

The unit is expected to be stored in a private residence, and so is designed to fold into a compact form for storage, light enough that a single person can lift it if need be. Built to be light despite apparent toughness, the construction includes extensive use of self-repairing nano-polymers.

Defensive capabilities are provided primarily by the multipurpose field, rather than by actual armor. The field does not simply provide defense, but is a support structure for the entire unit, helping to enable its movement. Hence, despite its relatively small contact surface area, the Iron Crab is both highly mobile and completely stable.

Further, to enable continued survival where procurement of supplies may be impossible, the unit is not equipped with fixed weapons utilizing consumable ammunition, but rather mounts lasers and variable-form anchor mechanisms for mid- to long-range combat.

The two “arms” conceal work manipulators that could in principle be used to operate virtually any extant weapon (based on mode selection and thought control, the arms may operate independently from wearer’s arms); however, the mechanisms are intended primarily to facilitate heavy labor for rescue or transport, and the claws themselves are recommended if the arms must be used as a weapon.