Revision: EAC-TML2 “Sarissa”We’ve heard Quillus’
many complaints about using tactics nukes, so we shall address them. We will no longer be eliminating enemies via nuclear explosions. Like they asked.
Instead we will be killing them via nuclear-pumped lasers. We put some laser equipment and whatnot on the Sarissa warhead and use the nuclear energy to power a brief super-power laser burst before blowing apart.
Athena will be instructed accordingly - namely pointing the missile at the target and detonating early before impact. This should avoid our missiles entering PD range and even increase effective accuracy (as it just has to get vaguely close to the target then point at it rather than hitting the ground right next to the target directly.)
Remember, they asked for this.
TL;DR: Make the Sarissa a nuke-pumped laser instead of a regular nuke, for increased coolness factor, ability to detonate and hit enemies before entering PD range, better aiming (easier to get vaguely close to the target + point at them), and perhaps other stuff.
Revision: Athena ComputronicsBy revising our electronics, we can really help Athena-utilizing devices. Currently we run Athena on general-purpose computer systems - the so-called "Athena Nodes". But by using electronics dedicated to work
with Athena (at the cost of not being viable for other things), the titular "Athena Computronics", instead of very wasteful general-use stuff, we can vastly increase the "bang for your buck" of Athena Nodes in terms of both size and expense. If small/cheap enough, we integrate Athena Nodes into some more general-use military items to allow for system-wide Athena coverage; even if the most basic form isn't particularly intelligent, it can still be useful for targeting data and whatnot.
Our
ideal goals as intentional side effects of this revision are Commander-less Aegis droids, a generally smarter Athena ('cause more power = smarter), and the aforementioned system-wide coverage if the size and expense allows. But ultimately we're just shooting for getting the "more bang for your buck" in terms of Athena Nodes.
TL;DR: Revise the computing electronics used in Athena Nodes to be more purpose-built for Athena instead of general-use computers running Athena. Hopefully allowing us to get notably more "Athena power" at the same size/cost of before.
Revision: EAF-ACD2 "Aegis"The ACD2 is a more... "competent", version of the Aegis.
General refinement of the servos and weapon manipulators using experience from both the original Aegis and Alke projects allows for droids to actually be able to walk correctly and to have
much more precise aim in their weapons. They should also move in a way more recognizable to natural movement instead of a rigid
"ADVANCE FORWARD 10 METERS, AIM AT TANK, FIRE"-type style of movement. Crouching, cover, hiding, running, etc.; So they should be more like competent soldiers rather than walking
meatmetalshields.
Athena's ground combat modules are given a bit of "bookkeeping" to refine what she's learned thus far: things like "all droids coordinate fire on exact spot at Power Armor/tank and give spot in holoscopes of nearby humans", "ambushes", and more. Nothing too complex and it's not actually direct improvement of Athena. It's basically just running her through some basic sims to "apply what she's learned". Super minor focus.
Finally, each Aegis unit is given a randomized synthesized voice (just using the same/similar tech that Athena uses in Cuttlefish bridges) and random social "personality" (even though they're all controlled by Athena) to properly communicate and coordinate with
meatbags their human comrades and to be more accepted as fellow soldiers by our troops.
TL;DR: Fix the servos/manipulators in the Aegis (using Aegis+Alke experience) to make them move much more naturally + be more precise/accurate in firing. Give Athena basic/quick lessons on ground combat beyond "shoot at them", and while we're at it give them randomized voices/fake "personalities" to make them more "comrade"-y + capable of communication/coordination to/with our human soldiers.
REVISION
Space Borne Industry (0):
EAC-TML2 "Sarissa" (0):
Athena Computronics (1): Chiefwaffles
EAF-ACD2 "Aegis" (1): Chiefwaffles