AL-X99 Helldiver Prototype

Model number: AL-X99
Code name: Helldiver Prototype
Unit type: prototype airborne assault labor
Manufacturer: Shinohara Heavy Industries
Operator: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department
Rollout: N/A
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 9.04 meters; overall width 5.31 meters
Weight: standard 5.27 metric tons; full 6.04 metric tons
Armor materials: carbon fiber reinforced material; fiber reinforced material
Powerplant: unknown
Maximum weight lifting capacity: unknown
Minimum revolving radius: unknown
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown
Fixed armaments: none
Optional hand armaments: 12 x smoke discharger

Although labors were most commonly used for construction projects, labor manufacturers also developed labors for military use. One such unit was the AL-X99 Helldiver Prototype developed by Shinohara Heavy Industries. Based on research collected from the police-use AV-98 Ingram, the Helldiver Prototype was intended to serve as a paratrooper (as well as Shinohara’s entry into the military labor market). The Helldiver Prototype was somewhat different from other labors in that its cockpit featured clear glass, rather than an a closed area with monitors. Although designed as a paratrooper, the Helldiver Prototype could also launch from an American submarine. The prototype unit was first used during an attempted coup d’état by elements of the Japan Self-Defense Forces led by Kai Kiyoteru. To thwart Kai’s plan to launch a ship-based nuclear missile, Shinohara lent the Helldiver to the Tokyo police’s Special Vehicles Section 2. Because of the high G-forces from a submarine launch, Officer Hiromi Yamazaki was selected as the Helldiver’s pilot. After launching from an American submarine, Hiromi landed on one of Kai’s ships and disabled the nuclear missile launcher. The Helldiver Prototype was later refined into a production design, the ARL-99 Helldiver.

Pilot: Hiromi Yamazaki
First appearance: Mobile Police Patlabor: Early Days
Original mechanical designer: Yutaka Izubuchi

Rear view