Post Disaster Technology

This is list of technologies from the Post Disaster timeline featured in Mobile Suit Gundam IRON-BLOODED ORPHANS.

General

 * Alaya-Vijnana System (阿頼耶識システム（アラヤシキシステム）)
 * An organic device system, it is an old type of man-machine interface. Apparently, the system was developed during the Calamity War to maximize the abilities of mobile suits, hence most mobile suits from that era, like the Gundam Frames which require the system to operate at full potential, are compatible with it. It is possible to modify these mobile suits so that they can be operated without the use of the system. As it is part of the excessive mechanization that was thought to be the cause of the Calamity War, Gjallarhorn abandoned the system after the war's conclusion. To prevent leakage of the system's technology, Gjallarhorn destroyed the cockpits of the Gundam Frame machines that were not or could not be recovered. A taboo on mechanical implants in the human body was also started to prevent wide spread use of the system. However as the system's performance is too great, Gjallarhorn continued researching it in secret. Aside from mobile suits, the system can also be used with mobile workers and ships.


 * The Alaya-Vijnana system consisted of two parts: one part is installed in the mobile weapon, and the other part is implanted into the pilot's spine. After the implantation, the person has an interface on the back for physical connection to the Alaya-Vijnana system connector in the mobile weapon's cockpit. The Alaya-Vijnana System creates a pseudo-brain lobe in the pilot's body using nanomachines, allowing the pilot's brain to directly process mobile suit data fed through the physical connection. As the pseudo-brain lobe also governs spatial awareness, the pilot's spatial awareness is enhanced. The more implants a pilot has, the higher the information transfer rate through the system. The system also allows the pilot (even illiterate ones) to operate the mobile weapon without requiring instructions or reading a manual.


 * As the system works by linking the pilot's senses with the mobile weapon, it would become more effective if the mobile weapon is designed to be as close to a human as possible. For this reason, mobile suits like the Gundam Frames and the Graze Ein were designed with such emphasis in mind. At the request of the pilot, the system can improve his linkage with the mobile weapon, and although this enhances the mobile weapon's performance, it comes at a cost of losing some bodily function such as loss of sight in an eye, loss of use of an arm, etc. However, these lost functions would return when the pilot reconnects with the system.


 * In the Gundam Frame, the Alaya-Vijnana system has a safety mode that automatically activates when the mobile suit is too close to a mobile armor. This protects the pilot from being overloaded by too much data feedback, but it also caused the Gundam Frame to stall. The pilot can override this safety mode, unleashing more of Gundam Frame's capabilities, but again it comes at the cost of losing some bodily function. These adverse side effects occur as the Alaya-Vijnana system was originally designed for surpassing human limitations to fight against the mobile armor, and as a result, it exceeds the limits of the human body and causes great strain on the brain.


 * During the Calamity War, the implantation surgery for the pilot had no age restriction, but as technical capabilities fell 300 years after the war, the age at which surgery is possible and the success rate both decreased. Furthermore, the Alaya-Vijnana system technology often used in the current era in the Outer Sphere areas (such as Mars and Jupiter) is a leaked, incomplete version. Thus, the implant surgery can currently only be done at a young age to let implant fuse as they grow. The surgery is also dangerous and should it fail, there maybe extremely grotesque cell growth around the implantation area, as well as loss of other bodily functions, such as being unable to move one's legs, and even death. In the Outer Sphere, those with the implants are sometimes derogatorily called "Rats", and the Alaya-Vijnana system interface on their back is informally referred to as "Whiskers". In P.D. 325, Gjallarhorn's McGillis Fareed managed to recreate the original Alaya-Vijnana system after conducting research and tests using the Graze Ein and its pilot, Ein Dalton. Thus, although an adult, McGillis was able to successfully undergo the implantation surgery and use the system.


 * Alaya-Vijnana Type E
 * A pseudo Alaya-Vijnana System developed around P.D. 325, and used by Gaelio Bauduin and his mobile suits, the ASW-G-XX Gundam Vidar and the ASW-G-66 Gundam Kimaris Vidar. Like the original, the Alaya-Vijnana Type E has two parts, one in Gaelio, and the other in the mobile suit. The mobile suit's part contains the remaining brain of Ein Dalton, a user of the Alaya-Vijnana System who had passed away, and his Alaya-Vijnana is also installed as a support system. When the Alaya-Vijnana Type E is used during combat, cables connect to an interface on the back of Gaelio's neck and the system takes over his body and controls the mobile suit in his stead.


 * In this manner, it has the same strength as the true Alaya-Vijnana system, with Gaelio still in charge of picking the target. Thanks to Ein's brain in the Alaya-Vijnana Type E, Gaelio can use his Gundam to its full potential without endangering his own body. Due to injuries Gaelio suffered in P.D. 323, he has difficulties walking, and part of the Alaya-Vijnana Type E system implanted in him has a function that assisted him in walking. After defeating McGillis Fareed, the device is removed as Gaelio is determined not to pilot MS anymore.


 * Ariadne
 * A large network of relays that serve as a navigation assist system pointing ships to the correct direction to their destination, and it can also facilitate long range communications. Each relay in the network is known as a "Cocoon" and is given its own four digit identification number. The relays have also been casually referred to as "transponders". Each cocoon is equipped with an Ahab Reactor, and they are akin to autonomous space floating lighthouses. They are place at around 1 million kilometer intervals and an interlocking devices uses them as signposts. As the cocoon is always generating a specific wavelength of the Ahab Wave, a travelling ship would always be able to sense the Ahab Wave and knows the specific location of the cocoon.


 * At the same time, each cocoon can also sense the positioning of neighboring cocoons from their Ahab Waves, and know their own coordinates. If there is a deviation for some reason, it would be able to adjust its positioning using its Ahab Thrusters. In addition, by utilizing the mechanism that the cocoons use to relay their position, it can also be used as relay points for communications. Via cocoons, by using continuous/multiple short distance communications, long distance communications is possible. Because of the jamming effects of Ahab Waves, it is impossible to communicate at long distances without the Ariadne.


 * The Ariadne was originally made with technology prior to the Calamity War, but the routes decreased due to the battles of that event. After the war, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Gjallarhorn, and continued to function thanks to continuous repairs and maintenance. The Ariadne routes are available by paying a predetermined toll fee. By using the Ariadne's outer circumference route that was abandoned after the war, and where Gjallarhorn's surveillance is limited, pirates and illegal merchant ships can use the cocoons for navigation. An outsider with the correct expertise can also infiltrate and use the network for their own purposes.


 * LCS/WCS
 * Laser Communication System (LCS) is a short distance communication system that is frequently used to facilitate direct audio and video communications between multiple parties. It works by using a light wavelength that is close to visible light, as visible light can't be easily disrupted by Ahab Waves. However if something gets in between it and the communication target, the line will disappear. It can be said to be akin to a yarn phone, and by using Ariadne, long range communication is possible. Its communication range can also be extended with the use of LCS drones. LCS can be disrupted by Nano Mirror Chaff. A variant/similar system called WCS is also sometimes used, but is not seen as often.


 * Nano Mirror Chaff
 * An ancient type of chaff that can be used to disrupt communications and sensors including LCS and optical sight. It is actually a powdered form of the nanolaminate armor, and is always released mixed with pink smoke. While effective in a narrow manner, especially around Ahab Reactor-equipped MS and battleships, it is thought to be too impractical for use in actual combat and can be easily erased by using missiles.  Some communication methods such as light signals are unaffected and can be used to coordinate a quick counterattack to re-enable normal communications.


 * Quantum Cryptography Communication System (QCCS)
 * A quantum encryption communications protocol. Much like LCS, it has been used to facilitate real time video conversations as well as to send messages. Aside from from the fact that the QCCS is known to make use of quantum encryption methods, any other specific differences between the two protocols as well as their strength and weaknesses is not known. It has been observed that QCCS seems to be preferred for long distance telecommunications.


 * Artificial Gravity
 * Ships like the Isaribi as well as stations like the Ares have been seen to possess some type of artificial gravity mechanism. When entering combat, they can be turned off in order to preserve power. It is generated by Ahab Particles created within the Ahab Reactors, and may even remain active even after a ship's destruction. In addition to generating artificial gravity, the Ahab Particles can also used to reduce G-forces within mobile suit cockpits. In addition, Artificial Gravity technology is advanced enough to control the inertia of objects and passengers inside ships and Mobile Suits to a reasonable extent.


 * Improved Life Expectancy
 * Advanced medical technology have produced medicine that makes it possible for humans to live up to 200 years. However this is only accessible to the wealthy as the average lifespan for people of the lower classes is only around 50 to 60 years old.


 * Medical Nanomachine
 * An advanced piece of medical technology, it consists of a semi-enclosed sarcophagus to hold a patient inside. The patient seems to be naked and is exposed to a liquid or gel contained within the sacrophagus that enables nanomachines to repair the wounds/injuries. The machine also comes with a life support display to show the patient's condition along with an oxygen mask. Unfortunately, not all wounds/injuries can be treated with the device if they are too severe (e.g. necrosis has set in on major organ systems). The device is also portable to enable patients to be treated behind the front lines.

Mobile Weapons

 * Ahab Reactors
 * High output reactors invented by a scientist named Ahab Balaena and named after him, they are commonly used as power-plants in mobile suits and ships. They are constructed on a plant near a fixed star, and generates enormous energy via transforming artificially generated vacuum elements. They are thought to have been the cause of the Calamity War, but are still being widely used in spite of that. Since they're physically indestructible, once one is manufactured it will continue to produce energy forever. Thus, reactors that were made during the Calamity War are still active and functioning. They possess a sleep mode that will cease their power production and will require a manual rebooting for it to become operational.


 * The reactors also generate a special type of particle called Ahab Particles when a phase transition occurs inside the vacuum device. In addition, the Ahab Waves are generated/emitted from the Ahab Particles. The Ahab Particles are used for artificial gravity and inertial control, while Ahab Waves are able to disrupt radio waves, communications and guided weapons. Thus, machines using Ahab Reactors are not allowed to be operated in cities, as they can disrupt the city's infrastructure (such as traffic lights). Even though they are mass-produced, each Ahab Reactor is a unique item and contains unique properties despite having the same structure. Particularly, the Ahab Waves produced by each reactor possess their own unique natural frequencies and this is used by sensors to identify machines.  In space, gravitational effects of the Ahab Particles from the operational reactors in damaged mobile suits and military ships from the Calamity War can attract other debris, leading to the formation of high density debris belts.  As these reactors are still active, it is possible to use them, but recovery in the debris belt is very dangerous.


 * Currently, the technology has been monopolized by Gjallarhorn and as a result, other factions like Teiwaz have to resort to other means to acquire them, such as recovering old pre-Post Disaster reactors or salvaging reactors from other mobile suits that have been disabled. This monopolization is to restrict the number of new Ahab Reactors constructed, helping to suppress the disruptions caused by the Ahab Waves and to limit the number of new mobile suits. The restriction is also promoted by how the Half Metal, which could resist the reactor's negative effects, had became precious after the war. Thus, it is not possible to have the reactors being used in various infrastructures as with before the Calamity War.


 * Ahab Particles
 * Particles produced within the Ahab reactor, it is also used as anti-G system in mobile suits and as a pseudo gravity generator in ships. These particles are harmless to the human body. Its period of existence is really short, as it collapses in less than one millionth of a second after its occurrence and then it changes into elementary particles like neutrinos, mu particles, etc and diffuses as an Ahab Wave. As it exists only in the core of the Ahab Reactor, decrease or increase of the gravity generated can be done based on the reactor output. However for the small reactors in mobile suits, it is a level that is not noticeable. Within a spacecraft carrying a large reactor, the shipboard environment can be arranged by controlling the direction of the microgravity inside the ship by circulating the liquid metal inside the reactor containing the Ahab Particles around/within the ship.


 * Ahab Waves
 * When the Ahab Particles collapses into a myriad of elementary particles, a type of ultra high speed magnetic storm is generated during the scattering of these particles. Influence of this Ahab Wave extends to a maximum radius of tens of kilometers. For that reason, in the vicinity where the Ahab Reactor is operating, there is lots of interference with elementary particles, and wireless communications (such as radio communication) and radar are disrupted by this wave and become difficult to use. Due to these effects, bringing in Ahab Reactors into urban areas is prohibited. Ahab wave also affects guided weapons like missiles and remote control of drones is also impossible. Thus, it is also one of the reasons why melee combat by mobile suits at visible distance is the main method of battling. Normally, detector displays the Ahab Waves' numerical values in color or the likes. Among the crew members of spacecrafts, it is said to be like a wave of the sea: high, low, calm, etc. Although nearly all of these spacefarers have never seen the seas of the Earth. Almost no Ahab Wave is generated when the Ahab Reactor is in standby mode.


 * Ahab Thrusters
 * Thrusters that generate propulsion by discharging with direction some of the elementary particles that constitutes the Ahab Waves. Although it is not possible to obtain a higher output than the thermal phase transition thrusters, it is very energy efficient and doesn't require propellants. It is mainly used for inertial flight in space and attitude control.


 * Thermal Phase Transition Thrusters
 * Mobile suits' high powered propulsion system. By utilizing the ultra high heat generated within the Ahab Reactors, thrust can be achieved by ejecting the heated and expanded hydrogen from the nozzle. Aside from mobile suits, these are also used as the main propulsion of a large ship. Since hydrogen is used as the catalyst of the propellant, a propellant tank is needed.


 * Nanolaminate Armor
 * A defensive, metallic paint with a multi-layered molecular arrangement that is vacuum deposited on the armor of mobile suits, mobile armors and ships. At first glance the armor seems hard, but in principle it's like a very thin cushion with several layers. It was one of the technologies developed as a countermeasure against the mobile armors, and is capable of rendering mobile armors' beam weaponry ineffective by diffusing and deflecting the fired beam, minimizing the damage done.  However, the nanolaminate armor does not absorb the beam's energy or weaken it. Although developed to be used against them, mobile armors eventually acquired the technology, possibly via leaked information.


 * The nanolaminate armor is also effective against physical projectiles, where its energy bearing molecules can absorb the impact from live ammunitions and explosive charges, thereby protecting the machine's body from damage. It is so effective to the point where ranged firearms can not score decisive hits against them and may only shave off small pieces of it unless at close range. Because of its strength and widespread usage, anti-mobile suit weapons are usually in the form of melee weapons as they are best at dealing damage to the armor.  It is also known that continuous hits from Napalm can melt the armor altogether.


 * The armor's strength is positively influenced by Ahab Particles/Waves, and the gravitational field generated has an effect on the armor's multi-layered molecular arrangement. Thus if the Ahab Reactor shuts down, the armor's capability will also drop. However as the foundation is strong, the drop is minimal. It is also possible for the nanolaminate armor from one part of a mobile suit to be taken and painted over another section or even be mixed together with nanolaminate armor of another color to create a different color. As the paint is deposited on the armor's surface, impacts during battle can lead to damage and peeling. When that happens, it is necessary to apply a new coat of nanolaminate armor on the damaged part.


 * Among the different colors available, white is the cheapest while blue, green and purple are the most expensive.  There is no discernible performance gap between the color types, and prices are determined mainly by visibility on the battlefield, with white being generally considered to be more disadvantageous.


 * Mobile Suits
 * Large humanoid-shaped mobile weapons that are around 18 meters tall, they were first developed as a counter against the mobile armors during the Calamity War. The foundation of humanoid weaponry was established during the early to middle stages of the war. Even in the middle stage, mobile suits still had difficulty fighting on equal terms with the mobile armors. It was only in the late stage that mobile suits became more effective against the mobile armors. Since then, mobile suits have been the most powerful weapons available to mankind. Mobile Suits are usually equipped with Ahab Reactors and nanolaminate armor, which are the main reasons as to why they are powerful machines.


 * However, they are also expensive due to their high construction and maintenance costs. Because of this, they are rarely seen or used in the current era except by the larger military factions and even for them, having or building them in great numbers is prohibitive. They usually make use of a humanoid shape frame system, in which parts and systems are installed on top of it. This mobile suit frame is made out of a rare type of metal that is really strong and also used to construct mobile suit-class melee weapons. In addition, mobile suit frames are extremely durable and can endure centuries of exposure to the environment while still remaining operational once the frame is refurbished. A single frame type can be used for multiple mobile suit designs, and mobile suits can be grouped according to the frame types.


 * Currently, the development of new mobile suits is primarily dominated by Gjallarhorn, which had monopolized mobile suit development technologies as it is fearful that mobile suits in the wrong hands would became the roots of rebellion. Gjallarhorn achieved this through monopolizing Ahab Reactor technology, and closely guarding the secrets of the precision technology needed to process the high hardness rare metal alloy used in mobile suit frames. However, in the Outer Sphere areas (such as Mars and Jupiter) that are outside of Gjallarhorn's surveillance, factions such as Teiwaz had overcame these huddles and acquired mobile suit development capability.


 * Mobile Workers
 * Small mobile weapons that can be used for combat, transporting materials or other daily work. Their sizes are much smaller than that of mobile suits and the performance in general is far inferior but at the same time they are also much cheaper and more common, and due to a lack of Ahab Reactors, can be used within City Limits without violating rules of engagement. Their weaponry are usually unable to do much damage to mobile suits as they possess nanolaminate armor. They are usually powered by hydrogen engines.


 * Mobile Armors
 * A series of terrifying large non-humanoid mobile weapons, larger then even mobile suits and forbidden due to the sheer terror they caused during the Calamity War. These are controlled by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and consequentially, were capable of unrestrained violence due to a lack of ethics from a human pilot. Heavily employed during Calamity War, the Mobile Armors self-evolved thanks to their AI, becoming better, stronger and gaining the ability to self-propagate. They were infamously known to have wiped out cities, and were ultimately responsible for wiping out a quarter of the world's population. They were eventually eradicated by the founder of Gjallarhorn, Agnika Kaeiru, and the ancestors of the Seven Stars. It is said that Mobile Suits were developed to defeat them and that they are essentially arch-enemies. Other technologies developed as a countermeasure to the Mobile Armors include nanolaminate armor, Dainsleif, etc. However, Mobile Armors managed to acquire nanolaminate armor technology, possibly via leaked information during the war. After the Calamity War ended, knowledge of their existence was eventually erased from the general populace's knowledge.


 * Unmanned Weapons
 * Weapons that function by themselves via Artificial Intelligence (AI) without the need for human input. Prior to the outbreak of the war between mobile armors and humans, the automation of machinery was considered to be a symbol of wealth for the people. In their pursuit of efficiency, humanity promoted the automation of warfare which led to the creation of mobile armors. However, the mobile armors eventually evolved into excessive weapons of destruction that could not be controlled by humanity. A major factor for this is because their AI somehow expanded their targets from enemy soldiers to all mankind. After the end of the war under the newly created Gjallarhorn, a new climate called for the end of unmanned weapons as well as the contraindication of mechanization. This has gone to the point that the very idea of mobile weapons that could operate themselves is practically unheard off and ludicrous in the present era. Known examples of unmanned weapons that has appeared so far include mobile armors and Plumas.


 * Reactive Armor
 * A special type of expendable armor, it was born from the philosophy of "losing a battle in order to win the war". The armor is designed to absorb an enemy's attack (including fatal melee ones) once, and is purged immediately after. This not only render the attack useless, but also make the enemy vulnerable to a counterattack.


 * Railgun
 * A type of gun typically used for super long distance shooting. It functions by using electromagnetism to accelerate projectiles to extreme speeds by harnessing power from the Ahab Reactors. The railgun's barrels can wear out with extended use, rendering them unusable. Some railguns can fire special projectiles made from the rare alloy used on mobile suit frames due to the use of superior mechanism, and during the Calamity War, they were heavily used as weapons that could even pierce nanolaminate armor and were developed as a countermeasure against Mobile Armor.


 * Such railguns are known as 'Dáinsleif', and under Gjallahorn after the war, they were considered to be inhuman and thus ban. Interestingly, if the Dáinsleif is used with conventional warhead, it is then in the gray areas in term of the ban. The Dáinsleif and its projectile can come in various shape and sizes. Although powerful, it had numerous drawbacks. One, it is mot a guided or homing, thus a single shot will not hit the highly mobile Mobile Armor. Two, a decoy is needed to stop the Mobile Armor's movements, and preparing a large numbers of projectiles and targeting a large area is necessary. However, it is still possible for the attack to miss. Three, if the firing point is specific, the attack is very likely to be evaded. Lastly, it deals serious damage to the surface, and in situations where reconstruction is considered, attack on the surface might be limited. However this is not the case during an emergency situation. The heavy damage to the moon is caused by the reckless usage of the Dáinsleif during the Calamity War.


 * Beam Weapon
 * An ancient but highly destructive direct energy weapon, it was once the main armament of mobile weapons, but this changed after the invention of the nanolaminate armor. Mobile armors still used it as part of their destructive armaments for slaughtering humans. Beam weapon is not normally used against mobile suits and mobile armors, as their nanolaminate armor are capable of diffusing and refracting beam weapons, minimizing the damage done. However, the nanolaminate armor does not absorb the beam weapon's energy or weaken it. While the unit with the nanolaminate armor may not take much direct damage when hit, the deflected beams can still cause serious damage to the area around the unit.


 * Mars' Half-Metal
 * A special type of material that is widely used on electronics aboard mobile suits and ships that use Ahab Reactors. It has the ability to resist the negative effects of the reactors, and large amounts of it can prevent Ahab Reactors from being detected as well.


 * High Hardness Rare Alloy
 * A metallic substance with high strength, it is used in mobile suit frames, armor and weapons. It can resist corrosion and does not weaken even over hundred of years. It is thanks to this material that mobile suits can have a lifespan of hundred of years.


 * Rare Metal
 * A material with higher strength than the high hardness rare alloy, it can thus destroy objects made from the latter. This material is not very common due to its rarity and as it is difficult to process. Despite its strength, it can still be destroyed by stronger attacks or damage accumulated over time.

Trivia

 * Alaya-Vijnana is Sanskrit for "All-encompassing foundation consciousness," which is taken from the Buddhist philosophy of the Eight Consciousnesses.
 * The jamming of communications by Ahab Waves generated by the Ahab Reactors is similar to how Minovsky particles and GN particles (both generated by the reactors of space ships and mobile suits), jam wireless communication and radars in the Universal Century and Anno Domini timelines respectively.
 * There is a slight conflict in regards to what influenced the nanolaminate armor's strength. Sources such as the Great Mechanics G Spring 2016 mentioned that it reacts with Ahab Waves, while the High Resolution Gundam Barbatos manual claims that it reacts with Ahab Particles instead.
 * Unlike most other Gundam series, beam weapons are heavily downplayed in Iron Blooded Orphans. Initially, Naohiro Washio (Barbatos' designer) has stated that they will not appear in the future. This statement was likely meant for Season 1 as they eventually debuted in Episode 35, in which they were shown to be largely ineffective against mobile suits.