Document 6: Attack Dogs

Military attack dogs. The use of Adenosine Triphosphate sapping technology in military and riot units as a non-lethal method of subduing a target.

The process of Adenosine Trisphosphate production in multicellular organisms is used to transfer energy between cells and over large distances. This system is what keeps large bodies, and therefore targets, functioning. Therefore, our company is proposing a militarily safe tool to take down a target by hijacking this system. This analysis will break down three main categories of consideration for the mass deployment of new weapons.

Effects in testing and in the field

Adenosine Triphosphate naturally depletes as the organism expends energy. The hijacking system employed in the weapon will function extremely similarly to this process. Tiring out your opponent has been a military tactic for thousands of years, but now we can artificially apply this strategy without tiring out our own forces. By using this method of “energy draining”, a small force can incapacitate a much larger and better-armed force. Due to the non-lethal nature of the process, the weapon can be deployed in civilian riots and against high-value targets to military intelligence agencies.

Recommended operation and maintenance in bases and in the field

Use of the weapon is simple and effective. Due to their marginal intelligence, they can be trained to follow commands and act in formations. Specialized training is required for the keepers of such weapons, but no special training is needed for any other members of the unit. The hierarchical structures the creatures form are based on combat prowess, so an experienced soldier can effectively wield them while an inexperienced soldier cannot. They will only take orders from a soldier who has proven themselves in combat to be greater than the weapon itself. The process the weapon uses to incapacitate its opponents is also its main source of energy. This procedure can be performed on most animals, but common livestock can be used while not deployed in the field. Maintaining large groups may be a logistical challenge for very small bases, but can be achieved with a small amount of resource shuffling. They are best kept in groups of no more than ten, as they tend to factionalize to justify their combat-based hierarchy. Specialized enclosures consist of a semi-airtight room with an airlock and a source of food for the weapons. Common livestock or small buckets of ATP solution can be used when animals are in short supply. They must be transported into battle with the specialized transport containment units provided. The recommended deployment numbers is one per unit of ten men. The deployment should be similar to the deployment policies of mortars in the field.

Operational cost

The annual operational cost per weapon for a service period of 12 months is estimated to be $3,000 Australian Dollars. This includes the cost of food, transport and containment facility maintenance. The recommended budget allotted per unit per annum is $3,500 to account for unexpected battle damage and loss or damage to the weapon. Further unforeseen costs may exceed this recommended allotment, so it is recommended that the weapon not be put into high-risk situations unless deemed acceptable or necessary by a commanding officer.