Overview
The term "Arm Slave" is the shortened form of Armored Mobile Master-Slave System. They are largely humanoid powered suits operating in a semi-master–slave system to coordinate with the pilot (aka master). Developed in the early 1980s under the Reagan Administration, the average Arm Slave (or AS for short) is roughly 8–10 meters tall. This places the craft smaller than most mecha in size. The size of the Arm Slave as shown in the anime is roughly 15–18 meters, conflicting with the figures stated in the novel.
It is one of the sum achievements of many different pieces of Black Technology. In a way, it can be said that all black technologies were created in this fictional universe to rationalize the existence of these humanoid combat machines.
In the first series, they are manufactured and used by the majority of First World nations' armed forces revolutionizing the meaning of the term "mechanized infantry". Nations confirmed as manufacturing Arm Slaves include the United States, Germany, USSR, France, and Japan. The most advanced of these units are used by the unknown terrorist organization, Amalgam, and the elite mercenary counter terrorist organization Mithril, of which the primary characters are members. Sousuke Sagara, Kurz Weber, and Melissa Mao are all Arm Slave pilots.
Read more about this topic: Arm Slave