M.A.C.S.
M.A.C.S. is a context-sensitive and somewhat trainable “dogbrain” system capable of identifying threats and, within pre-assigned rules of engagement, initiating lethal contact.
The Morozhenko Autonomous Combat System (M.A.C.S.) allows for completely uncrewed combat operations, theoretically only in extremis. However, in application, it is not unheard of for installations and vessels to hand over defense authorization to their M.A.C.S. in order to free up manpower.
The grooming of an integrated autonomous system of this nature requires an operator with specialist training. The M.A.C.S., while sophisticated, is, like all machines, very literal, has no personality, and does not “feel” anything about what it does. Without rigorous and meticulously constructed parameters, the M.A.C.S. can all too easily trip over its own logic and behave in ways that may be deleterious to its owners. The Braznov incident is illustrative of exactly this sort of mishap.
As such, the M.A.C.S. system is not commercially available and is a restricted sale to acknowledged military forces only (black markets notwithstanding).
However, recent military history contains many anecdotes in which an installation or vessel’s M.A.C.S. system has been key in saving lives, transforming defeat into victory, or dealing one final blow to the enemy after the last soldier has fallen. The presence of such a system is sometimes a deterrent to enemy forces for precisely this reason.
