Overview of the PI-02 Raven Equiped with AUS-02 Type-02 Armor Upgrade System

In an effort to keep 1st Generation Protean Fighters viable during the Outer Sphere War, the Orion Theocratic Republic created a series of Armor Upgrade Systems (called AUS, pronounced awww-ssss) to keep the PS-01, PI-02, PA-03, and PF-04U combat worthy.

The AUS-02 was not the most widely used of the AUS packages. In fact, it saw very little combat during the Outer Sphere War of the 2187 to 2188 time period (used at the end of the War in 2188).

The AUS-02 extended the lifespan of the existing fleet of PI-02 Ravens by just over fifteen years while newer Protean Interceptor designs were being developed. The PI-02 was expected to remain in service until sometime around 2210 before being retired. However, the realities of the Ross 47 conflict and 2nd Interplanetary War of the early 2190s made it clear that the PI-02 needed to remain in service for as long as it could. Thus the AUS-02 was fitted with a Linear cannon, high-speed Ion Plasma Fusion Drives, and anti-ship cruise missiles. Unlike other AUS types for the other Protean mecha, the AUS-02 was geared towards being able to destroy medium to small sized spacecraft like the Raul Zhem Kai, V'lor Benai, Newel Kat'Var, and Quev-Leah warships.

The might and scale of Doctor Donaldson's Cosmo Dragoons pushed the Neo-Hebrews of Orion into upgraded the PI-02 with a pure anti-warship Armor Upgrade System. Even with the Industrial capacity gained by the Orion Theocratic Republic due to the Goro Dei of Chi Orionis, and the Goro Duragal of The Moon of Good Hope, production of the AUS-02 was slow at best and most of the fleets within the Galactic Free Republic forces (Orion & Prodono Android combined fleet) did not field the AUS-02. Commanders of these forces reserved the AUS-02 for special operations and anti-ship missions that required a fast, hard-hitting, interceptor.