Armored Neural Tracer

Armored Neural Tracer, or ANT as they are colloquially referred to, are light mechanized combat vehicles that are considered the predecessors of the modern Battle Suit.
The ANT progenitor can be traced all the way back to the Early Grain Wars where Heavy HALO Insertion Armor were used to flank entrenched hardpoints. While these were the earliest recorded combat-capable mechs, the initial models were nothing more than construction vehicles retrofitted with autocannons and heavy machine guns. Despite their relatively light weaponry, their rapid reaction and surprising degree of articulation made them a decisive tactical weapon that quickly usurped the more sluggish tanks.
By the time of the First Solar War, the modern ANT had become the backbone of most ground forces in the Solar System. Though gravely restricted in exoatmospheric operation, the orbitally deployed varient, or MOSF, has proven to be a capable rapid-response force. MOSF variants will generally lack the durability of their standard forces counterpart in favor of optimizing their dexterity and target profile.
An ANT's ideal battlespace is heavily urbanized with infantry and air support. Due to the effects of the Laniakea Reactor on civilian infastructure, Battle Suits rarely deploy in these urban environments, eliminating the ANT's most potent threat. While they lack Battle Suits' high mobility and firepower, they excel in coordinated combined forces in dense population centers such as colonies and cities.

Power Generation

Fusion/Fission Reactor: ANTS are often less than half the size of most Battle Suits, meaning even the smallest Laniakea Reactor wouldn't even fit in an oversized heavy model. Thus, the venerable Fusion/Fission nuclear reactors serve as the primary power generator. To this end, propulsion and weapon systems are designed to accomodate the antique reactors, resulting in a minor plateau of system performance.

Propulsion

Seraph Thrusters: The most common nuclear thrust vector engines, Seraph thrusters are high-jerk, low-endurance boosters. It's poor energy efficiency prevents it from sustained use, relegating all ANT models to bipedal locomotion as their main propulsion method. However, skilled pilots can utilize its uncompromising burst thrust to avoid projectiles.

Weapons & Armament

Though there have been countless weapons used by ANT's since their initial inception as a High-Altitude Armor Insertion, the standard weapons used by Feather Corps are listed below.

• TN-40-B: 70mm Slug Cannon
• EX-225: 40mm Battle Rifle
  • EX-225-A: 40mm Gatling Cannon
• EX-180: 30mm Submachine Gun
• T-09: Thermite Thrower
• Polaris Missile Launcher
• SC-19: Long-Range Autocannon

Due to their limited range of operation, ANT weapon systems have been heavily standardized. Feather Corps research and development have been focused on specialized Battle Suit weapon systems for some time.

Armor and defense

In order to minimize manufacturing costs, Nanoweave armor only protects critical areas including the cockpit and nuclear reactor. Medium and Heavyweight models will receive additional Nanoweave plating on the factory floor while veteran pilots may customize their ANT's defensive scheme, going so far as to include Nanoweave shields in their standard loadout. That being said, Battle Suits rarely experience difficulty in eliminating even the sturdiest of ANT models. Not only do their superior mobility make it difficult for ANTs to even target an enemy Battle Suit, but the caliber of macroweaponry can easily destroy one with a couple of well place shots.

Communication Tools & Systems

As ANTs deployments generally avoid dense Laniakea Fields, traditional communication systems like radio and laser communication are not only viable but highly effective. Unlike Battle Suit combat where individual pilot ability is the determining factor, coordinated ANT squads working in tandem with other combined forces can claim victory over overwhelming odds.

Additional & auxiliary systems

Proto-Neural Association (Neural Tracer): Unlike the Bio-Integration systems of Battle Suits, the connection between an ANT and its pilot is extremely rudimentary. The inclusion of such a system somewhat improves the articulation and movement of a mech but poses little risk and no chronic ailments with extended use. No augmentation or additional equipment is required to sustain this connection, making the ANT an intuitive vehicle to pilot for rookies with minimal piloting experience.

Nickname

ANT, Mechanized Orbital Shock Fighter

Height

6-8 meters

Weight

20-48 metric tons

Complement / Crew

1 pilot