Type-J9 Griffon

Model number: Type-J9
Code name: Griffon
Unit type: technical experiment labor
Manufacturer: SEJ (Schaft Enterprises Japan)
Operator: SEJ
Rollout: 1999 AD
Accommodation: pilot only, in standard cockpit in torso
Dimensions: overall height 8.55 meters; overall width 4.60 meters
Weight: standard 7.15 metric tons; full 7.60 metric tons
Armor materials: fiber reinforced material; carbon fiber reinforced material
Powerplant: unknown
Maximum weight lifting capacity: 3.50 metric tons
Minimum revolving radius: 4.33 meters
Equipment and design features: sensors, range unknown; turbo jet engine; wing system; aqua unit (later modification)
Fixed armaments: none
Optional fixed armaments: none

The Type-J9 Griffon was an experimental labor developed in secret by section chief Utsumi (aka Richard Won) for Schaft Enterprises Japan. The Griffon was a high end proof of concept labor that surpassed all labors during its introduction in 1999. The Griffon, nicknamed the “Black Labor” by non-Schaft employees, was highly agile and capable of performing near human movement, something that many other labors lacked. In its original configuration, the Griffon became the first labor capable of unassisted flight, although the flight system was in its early stages and caused substantial damage after a crash landing. Its raw power allowed it to disable labors entirely by hand. The Griffon, piloted by a young boy named Bud Renard Harchand, made its debut by attacking the 1999 Tokyo International Labor Show. The Griffon easily defeated Shinohara’s new AVS-98 Economy and proved a match for even the AV-98 Ingram, its primary target for combat data.

When the management of Schaft’s Japanese division decided that Utsumi was a liability to the company, they dispatched their private security force Schaft Security Systems (3S) to deal with the Griffon. Unfortunately, 3S’ Type-M5 Abraham proved no match for the Griffon. Following a showdown with SV2 at the Babylon Project Castle Gate, the Griffon escaped. Several months later, the Griffon reappeared just before New Year’s Eve in its upgraded form. The flight system was replaced with an aqua unit that allowed it to travel at high speeds underwater. It also featured a turbo jet engine that made it possible to perform a high speed dash attack on the ground. Utsumi’s goal was to show off the Griffon’s capabilities to labor specialists and arms merchants to auction off the expertise of the development team. The Griffon easily defeated SV2 Division 1’s new AV-0 Peacemaker, leading to a rematch with SV2 pilot Noa Izumi and her Ingram. When Noa decisively defeated the Griffon, Bud was arrested and Utsumi escaped, setting off explosives that destroyed the Griffon.

Pilot: Bud Renard Harchand
First appearance: Mobile Police Patlabor
Original mechanical designer: Yutaka Izubuchi

Cockpit