ENEMY FAUNA
INFANTRYMAN'S GUIDE TO COMBATING MODERN AUTONOMOUS PLATFORMS2nd editionKen Moore & Yelena IvanovnaOctober 2272
FOREWORD
War changes.
This is neither a new observation nor a particularly useful one by itself. Weapons change. Tactics change. Organisations change. What is useful to remember is that these changes rarely occur independently.
The increasing use of autonomous platforms has altered the relationship between the soldier and the battlefield. Machines can remain where people cannot, observe for longer than people can, carry more than people can, and in many circumstances make decisions without waiting for a person to make them. Their introduction has consequently changed not only what is deployed, but what must be expected in return.
An effective platform invites a response. A successful response invites an adaptation. An adaptation becomes a new platform, a new procedure, or a new weakness to be exploited. This process is continuous. By the time a particular machine becomes familiar to an infantryman, its newest variant may already be appearing elsewhere.
The result is a constant exchange of information and capability between opposing forces.
For the individual soldier, however, this exchange is rarely visible in its entirety. A soldier does not need to know the history of a platform, the organisation that designed it, or the engineering principles behind its operation. They need to know what is in front of them.
What is it?
Why is it here?
What is it likely to do?
What should I do about it?
Enemy Fauna was written for that purpose.
This guide is not intended to replace technical manuals, intelligence publications, or unit-specific training. It is deliberately narrower. The information presented here has been selected for immediate recognition and practical use by personnel who may encounter autonomous platforms under field conditions.
The descriptions are therefore brief. Many of the machines included in this guide are considerably more complicated than their entries suggest. This is intentional. Knowing how a platform works is not the same as knowing how to deal with it.
Think of this book as a dictionary.
Modern combat has developed its own vocabulary of machines, behaviours, configurations and responses. The soldier who recognises that vocabulary can understand more of what is happening around them. A machine encountered in an unexpected location, carrying unfamiliar equipment, or behaving outside its normal pattern is still communicating something. So is the absence of a machine that should be there.
The purpose of this guide is to make that language easier to read.
No field guide remains current forever. Autonomous platforms are particularly poor subjects for permanent classification, since every successful design is an invitation to modification and every successful countermeasure is an invitation to redesign. Readers are encouraged to report significant variations through the appropriate channels. Future editions will depend upon these observations.
Observe carefully. Identify before acting where circumstances permit. Do not assume that a familiar machine is an unchanged machine.
And remember that the fauna of a battlefield is always evolving.
Ken Moore
Yelena Ivanovna
GRUNTS
Appearance:
That's you. Grunts are human personnel assigned to support and specialist duties within the Voronesi ground forces. They are most commonly encountered in medical, reconnaissance, technical, engineering and communications roles. Standard protective equipment is extensive, with modern armour, weapons, communications and personal protection systems.
Function:
Grunts exist to keep Voronesi forces operating in the field. Although conventional infantry sightings have become increasingly uncommon during the later stages of the war, specialist personnel remain essential to the operation and maintenance of Voronesi units.
Behaviour:
Expect Grunts to make use of whatever means are available to complete their objectives and remain alive. Booby traps, deception, psychological operations and denial of resources are all documented practices. Specialist personnel may also be capable of operating or modifying autonomous platforms encountered in the field.
Avoid:
Do not assume that a Grunt has been incapacitated because they have stopped moving. Treat abandoned equipment, bodies and apparently unsecured positions with appropriate caution.
Engage:
Grunts are formidable combatants despite their support roles. Their equipment provides substantial protection and allows them to operate in environments unsuitable for ordinary personnel.
Important:
The Federation of United Nations and Armed Forces condemn the military doctrine and conduct of the Voronesi National Guard Forces. This does not alter the status of individual Grunts under international law.
Grunts are enemy combatants. They remain entitled to the protections afforded to combatants and persons hors de combat under applicable laws of armed conflict. Do not torture, mutilate, execute, or otherwise mistreat captured or incapacitated personnel.
Remember: beneath the armour is a human being. The same methods used against you—booby traps, psychological pressure and deprivation of resources—can be used against them.
SPECTERS
Appearance:
Humanoid autonomous platforms used as conventional mechanized infantry, traditionally deployed in urban pacification and occupation. Most examples are approximately human-sized, although dimensions vary considerably between models and configurations. Often sporting titanium armor, ablative ceramic armor, and military fatigues.
Function:
Specters perform the majority of conventional infantry duties within the Voronesi ground forces. Remote-controlled examples have been in service for more than a century. Autonomous operation is a comparatively recent application of the technology.
Many current Voronesi Specters are operated by dedicated AI agents or by general routed AI systems, including the VOYNET 6.5 network. Units may therefore coordinate with other Specters and battlefield systems at considerable distances, often executing complex movements which may not be immediately apparent to human observers.
Behaviour:
Specters do not behave as human infantry. They cannot be reliably frightened, deterred or exhausted by suppressive fire, rubble, flames, gas or similar hazards, they do not seek cover and may deliberately walk into enemy fire if it means accomplishing small strategic advancements. Expect them to continue advancing through conditions which would normally prevent human personnel from doing so.
This makes Specters particularly dangerous to persistent combatants.
Avoid:
Do not expose yourself unnecessarily to observe Specter movements. Assume that apparently isolated units are receiving information from other units or battlefield systems.
Engage:
Approach with extreme caution. When possible, prioritize damage in the following order:
Optics
Coordination motors
Communications equipment
Weapons
Disabling the primary weapon is not considered a safe first response. Most Specters remain fully capable of close combat after losing their ranged weapon.
A 250 kg machine does not need a functioning rifle to kill you.
Note:
The apparent intelligence or coordination of a Specter should not be interpreted as evidence of an individual human operator. Many current models are capable of autonomous combat operations.
DOGS
Appearance:
Armoured autonomous platforms approximately the size of a small car. Dogs are commonly built on tracked or wheeled chassis and resemble small tanks or tankettes. They are large enough to be mounted by personnel, though this is not their primary function.
Function:
Dogs provide direct support to infantry formations. Individual units are commonly assigned to a parent company and battallions, and regularly accompany Specters during combat operations.
Dogs are semi-autonomous. They may be remotely operated or controlled by an AI agent, depending on model and deployment.
Most infantry personnel will already have been introduced to Dogs and Specters, including their common strengths and weaknesses, during basic training.
Configurations:
Dogs are commonly encountered in two configurations:
Heavy ("Male"): Equipped with a compact 20 mm cannon.
Light ("Female"): Equipped with a short-recoil 12.7×108 mm machine gun. This configuration is particularly common among Voronesi allied forces, including the ULARs Panlatin Army Corps.
Avoid:
Dogs are intended to accompany infantry and should not be expected to operate alone. A Dog without infantry is not a stray. It is either a picket, a decoy, or the forward element of a formation you have not yet seen.
Engage:
Dogs possess a robust bodyframe and substantial protection for their size. Their armour is nevertheless vulnerable to conventional anti-materiel and anti-tank weapons.
Suitable weapons include armour-piercing ammunition, rockets and anti-armour mines.
Butterfly mines in the 100 kg class are effective against most examples.
Do not engage a Dog with small-arms fire unless no alternative is available.
FOXES and SKITTERS
Appearance:
Small quadrupedal platforms, generally less than 3 ft. in height and approximately 45 kg before weapons, ammunition and mission equipment are fitted. Their compact frame allows them to operate in terrain unsuitable for larger autonomous platforms.
Function:
Foxes are used primarily for reconnaissance, communications, precision fire and other specialist duties. Despite their small size, they are among the most important autonomous platforms encountered in the field.
Common armaments include small arms, submachine guns and 20 mm precision rifles. The latter are identifiable by their green tracer ammunition.
Foxes are exceptionally stable while moving and can maintain accurate fire at ranges where their size makes them difficult to detect or engage. They are consequently particularly dangerous at medium and long distances. Making even small advantages particularly expensive if positioned from advantage points.
Skitters are Foxes configured primarily for observation and battlefield intelligence. They carry expanded sensor suites, telescopes and communications equipment and are commonly found occupying elevated positions overlooking roads, settlements and other areas of tactical interest.
Skitters may remain stationary for extended periods. Do not assume that an apparently inactive Fox is disabled.
Avoid:
Foxes are moderately armoured. Their protection is limited in order to preserve speed and flexibility.
Their small size and frequent deployment in low-priority roles make them difficult and often inefficient targets for heavy weapons. Do not expend disproportionate resources attempting to destroy isolated Foxes unless their mission makes them a significant threat.
Engage:
Priority should be given to Foxes confirmed as snipers or supply runners. Skitters should be engaged when their observation or communications role presents an immediate tactical threat.
A Fox that has been engaged and has not returned fire is likely a Skitter. A Fox that has returned fire and is relocating is likely a sniper. Both are communicating what they see.
Do not pursue Foxes into unsuitable terrain unless necessary.
VULTURES
Wide-winged powered glider drones. Vultures are lightweight and designed to remain airborne with minimal power consumption. Their large wings and exposed construction make them readily identifiable at close range.
At distance, a Vulture can be mistaken for a bird. The wing profile is the primary identifier. Vultures glide more consistently than birds and do not flap unless repositioning.
Vultures provide aerial reconnaissance, observation and precision fire. Their elevated position provides a considerably wider field of view than ground-based Foxes and Skitters.
Vultures may also conduct bomb runs and aerial precision fire using small arms.
Behaviour:
Earlier models and deployments made aggressive use of their altitude, often descending to engage ground targets directly. Recent improvements in electronic warfare, directed jamming and digital camouflage have reduced the effectiveness of this approach. Current examples are consequently more likely to remain at a distance and perform observation duties.
This does not make them less dangerous. It makes them harder to find. A Vulture that is not engaging you is likely observing you, and likely transmitting what it sees.
Limitations:
Vultures have limited battery capacity compared with Fox-type platforms. Their exposed flight surfaces and high visibility also make them vulnerable to enemy fire and electronic attack.
A Vulture that has been forced to land is a recoverable platform. Do not assume a grounded Vulture is destroyed.
Engage:
Do not engage a Vulture unless a successful engagement is reasonably certain.
An unsuccessful attempt may reveal your position while leaving the Vulture operational. There may not be an opportunity for a second attempt.
When possible, prioritize concealment and electronic countermeasures over direct fire.
WASPS
Appearance:
Small aerial explosive platforms, generally between 0.5 and 1.5 ft. in length. Wasps are lightweight, highly manoeuvrable and capable of extremely high speeds.
Function:
Wasps are designed to locate and strike personnel, vehicles and other battlefield targets with an explosive payload.
Behaviour:
Wasps are difficult to counter once an attack has begun. Their speed and small size leave very little time for an exposed target to react.
Early warning and observation remain the most effective protection against Wasp attacks. Unfortunately, both have become increasingly unreliable.
Many personnel report a high-pitched whine or buzz immediately before impact. By the time it is audible, the Wasp is already committed. Do not rely on sound as a warning.
Avoid:
Remain under cover whenever possible. Do not assume that a clear approach route is safe merely because no Wasp is immediately visible.
Engage:
Active jamming and sustained suppressive fire have demonstrated moderate success in disrupting or deterring Wasp attacks. Neither method should be considered reliable.
A Wasp already committed to an attack should be treated as an immediate threat.
Current Reports:
Field reports indicate that Wasp attacks have become less frequent in recent months. The reason is currently unknown. This may reflect changes in manufacture, deployment, doctrine or strategic priorities.
Do not assume that reduced activity indicates reduced availability.
If you encounter a Wasp, you may not receive a second opportunity to learn why.
STRIDERS
Appearance:
Three-legged mobile platforms approximately 18 ft. tall. The main body is carried above the ground on three articulated legs and generally presents an armoured silhouette of approximately 2 × 2 m. Most examples carry a low-cadence 8 mm cannon. The design trades stability on the move for reduced mass and cost compared with quadrupedal alternatives.
Function:
Striders provide sustained precision and suppressive fire in support of infantry. Their elevated firing position and large ammunition capacity allow them to maintain fire for considerably longer than most smaller autonomous platforms.
Individual examples can engage targets at approximately 500 m with deliberate fire or provide high-rate suppressive fire against targets at close range.
Deployment:
Striders were initially developed for independent security operations in North and West Africa. ULARs forces have subsequently moved local units to the Voronesi front and exported additional examples for use by Voronesi forces.
Striders are commonly deployed in pairs alongside infantry defensive positions. The two units may alternate between precision and suppressive fire, allowing one platform to engage while the other supports nearby personnel.
Strengths:
The elevated weapon position provides an excellent field of fire. The narrow armoured body and sloped ablative armour make the Strider considerably more difficult to engage than its height suggests.
The platform is particularly effective against low-flying autonomous aircraft. Its elevated weapon position allows it to engage targets which may be difficult for ground-level systems to observe.
The relatively small protected structure also makes conventional aerial bombing difficult to employ effectively against a stationary Strider.
Weaknesses:
The legs and joints are structurally vulnerable compared with the main body. Do not assume that this makes the Strider an easy target.
Striders are normally deployed with supporting units capable of protecting these areas. Attempting to attack the legs without first suppressing their supporting formation is unlikely to be effective.
Creating a distraction to divert its fire from the main attack group is recommended. Its 2,000 round high caliber magazine means a single strider can offer effective suppressive fire over a large area and for extended periods of time, supplied of enough ammunition by its support team.
Engage:
Treat Striders as part of the defensive position rather than as isolated vehicles. Disrupt or bypass their supporting units before attempting to attack the platform itself.
The best opportunity to attack a Strider directly is during reload, a window of 4 to 5 seconds if uninterrupted. The timing between reloads varies according to the cadence employed. At high rate, a full magazine can be expended in approximately 3 minutes. At deliberate precision fire, the same magazine can last 4 hours or more. Without sustained observation of its rate of fire, the reload interval is unpredictable. Sustained fire at a high rate might add a minute or two for cooling the barrel after reloading, but a well supported unit might have a spare barrel that can be quickly swapped in under 30 seconds by its grunt team.
BUGGERS
Appearance:
Approximately the same overall size as a Dog, but with roughly half its exposed silhouette. Buggers have a rounded central body supported by eight articulated mechanical legs and are equipped with multiple sensor arrays.
Most examples have several modular engagement mounts. Armament varies from small arms and machine guns to grenade launchers.
Function:
Buggers are commonly employed for urban combat and tactical support. Their low profile and eight-legged locomotion allow them to move through rubble, narrow spaces and damaged structures with greater ease than larger platforms.
Some examples carry mechanical arms and tools for observation, maintenance and recovery of other autonomous units.
Buggers should therefore be considered both combat platforms and machine-support personnel.
Behaviour:
Buggers may remain close to damaged autonomous units to provide maintenance or recovery. When threatened, they can rapidly reposition through terrain that would restrict larger platforms.
In urban environments, a Bugger may climb onto walls, structures or elevated surfaces to escape an attack or obtain a better firing position.
Avoid:
Do not pursue a retreating Bugger into a building without first determining where it has gone.
A Bugger which has left ground level may reappear from a considerably more advantageous position.
Engage:
A moderate/high priority target. Surprise and rapid engagement are recommended. Prolonged engagements give the Bugger more opportunities to reposition or receive assistance from nearby autonomous units. A Bugger that is destroyed is not just one less combat unit. It is one less unit capable of repairing everything else.
Disable:
Buggers are vulnerable to conventional anti-tank ordinance and explosives. Their low profile can make effective engagement difficult; do not rely on height or apparent proximity when selecting a firing position.
VOYNET
None observed in the field.
VOYNET is presently assessed to be the principal strategic decision-maker behind the Voronesi autonomous war effort. It is Voronesi software, proprietary to the Voronesi National Guard Forces, and runs on Voronesi platforms. It has been retrofitted to accommodate older South American combat-proven assets and some newer foreign systems.
Every autonomous platform described in this guide, as well as numerous digital warfare agents operating worldwide, may be directly controlled, instructed, or otherwise coordinated through the VOYNET 6.5 network.
The retrofit layer is a possible vulnerability. Foreign assets integrated into a Voronesi system may not respond to VOYNET with the same fidelity as native platforms. Where foreign platforms are identified, consider whether they are operating at reduced coordination.
Do not assume that a successful countermeasure remains successful. Every demonstrated weakness, preferred engagement pattern, communications procedure, or predictable response provides information to VOYNET. Changes in enemy behaviour following Federation operations should be treated as possible adaptation rather than coincidence.
Repetition. Do not use the same route, signal procedure, engagement pattern, or countermeasure repeatedly unless operationally necessary and considered strategically safe. Do not assume that an enemy unit operating independently is actually uninformed.
VOYNET itself is not currently a direct infantry engagement target. Deny it information whenever possible. Cover movement and communications, jam links between autonomous units when practical, and disrupt reconnaissance platforms including Foxes, Skitters, Vultures, and reconnaissance-configured Specters. Information that cannot be obtained, transmitted, trusted, or interpreted is information VOYNET cannot reliably use.
Counter-intelligence measures should be considered part of ordinary combat procedure. Negation, invalidation, deception, and misdirection all contribute to the war effort.
Destruction and recovery of VOYNET computing infrastructure is currently assigned a high-value objective by the Federation Department of Defense, but this does not make independent attempts to locate or attack it advisable. Report suspected VOYNET infrastructure through established channels.
VOYNET does not need to defeat the same countermeasure twice. It only needs to learn from the first one.
CLOSING WORD
You will encounter machines you have never seen before.
Some will resemble the machines described here. Some will not. Some will be damaged, modified, repurposed, or carrying equipment for which no entry exists in this edition.
Do not let unfamiliarity make the decision for you.
Observe. Identify. Assume that what you cannot see may still be seeing you. Assume that what appears to be alone may not be alone. When in doubt, deny information, preserve your position, and remember that the machine in front of you is only one part of the force that put it there.
You are not expected to understand every machine.
You are expected to survive meeting it.
Report new configurations, unusual behaviour and successful countermeasures through the appropriate channels. The next edition of this guide will be written from what you learn in the field.
Until then...
Stay alert. Stay unpredictable. Come home.
Ken Moore & Yelena Ivanovna
No comments:
Post a Comment