HsMCV-08

The Predator Octopus, as illustrated in Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index Volume 8

The HsMCV-08, also known as the Predator Octopus (プレデターオクトパス, Puredetāokutopasu^?), is a mobile combat vehicle deployed by Academy City.

Appearance

The HsMCV-08 is an eight-wheeled armored vehicle with a tank gun attached on top, 10m long, 2.8 wide and 3m tall, excluding its antennae.

Principles

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Classed as a next-generation mobile combat vehicle, designed to move quickly without damaging Academy City's road while using tank-class firepower to quickly eliminate dangerous elements in the city. It is operated by a crew of four but is capable of unmanned operation, either by remote control via its antennae or autonomously as a ground-based drone.

The Predator Octopus weighs 20 tons (excluding ammunition, fuel, crew and extra armor), has a top speed of 250km/h, and can climb slopes of 60 degrees depending on conditions. It is powered by a diesel engine with electrical assistance, with 4 and 8 wheel drive modes, the front four and rear four wheels capable of turning independently.

In terms of sensors, it has a multipurpose microwave radar (anti-personnel, anti-air and anti-vehicle), optimal imaging via drones or onboard cameras with the capacity for facial recognition and object searching, infrared and audio detection, and laser range finding, as well as detection and countermeasures for the locks of the same type. Its combined base-level C4I communication capability is equivalent to a front line comms base, with multiple methods including midrange ground radio, close-to-midrange infrared laser, close range ultrasound, and high-speed satellite comms.

The Predator Octopus's weaponry includes a 120mm tank gun, capable of firing various shells as well as launching anti-ground or anti-air drones, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 40mm auto grenade launcher. Its defenses include a multipurpose smoke emitters, an anti-missile metal net launcher and a automatic attitude angling program meant to reduce damage when it is hit. A laser emitter monitors the gun barrel to detect slight deviations caused by heat distribution when firing.

Chronology

Souyaku Toaru Majutsu no Index

New Year's Arc

Main article: New Year's Arc

When martial law was declared in Academy City on January 3rd to deal with Anna Sprengel and the Bridge Builders Cabal, Predator Octopuses were among the forces deployed, with an unnamed group of them being the first to confront Anna Sprengel (with Kamijou Touma and Aradia, who were aiming to prevent a unilateral execution). Using data on Academy City's common OS stolen through R&C Occultics, Anna was able to hack one of them, which the group used as transportation throughout January 3rd and 4th.

On January 5th, Predator Octopuses were present at the second defensive line set up at School District 12 to halt the advance of "CRC". When the initial barrage failed to stop "CRC" and he broke into the defensive formation, the Predator Octopuses were self-destructed in order to hit the enemy with a high explosive blast at point-blank range, though it was ultimately ineffective.

Trivia

• Going by the patterns for Academy City's weapon naming schemes, as well as how it is described, HsMCV stands for Hard Science Mobile Combat Vehicle, with 08 possibly referring to its eight-wheel configuration.