SCP-516 intelligent tank - object class: safe
Item #: SCP-516
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-516 may be kept in an Anomalous Vehicle Containment
Bay.
Routine vehicle maintenance should be carried out on a bi-weekly basis.
SCP-516 is not to be provided with fuel or ammunition except under controlled testing
circumstances.
Following Incident 516-1A, no personnel with a history of military service should be assigned
to SCP-516.
Description: SCP-516 is a standard model T-55 main battle tank.
Records indicate it was manufactured in 19██, at ████████████ Plant,
Kharkiv, Ukrainian SSR, and that it had a normal period of service in the armed forces
of ██████████. It exhibits wear and tear consistent with its age.
The only part of SCP-516 which is known to exhibit anomalous properties is its main armament
(presently a 100mm D10 tank gun) and turret assembly, from here designated as SCP-516-1.
However, as SCP-516-1 has been replaced several times throughout SCP-516's service life without
any apparent effects, its anomalous properties seem to be inherent to SCP-516.
When loaded with compatible 100mm ammunition SCP-516-1 exhibits a limited degree of autonomy.
When an entity attempts to damage SCP-516, SCP-516-1 will track and fire on it if it
is physically possible to neutralise the threat, regardless of whether SCP-516 is crewed.
It will not respond to threats outside its range or traverse, such as aircraft.
This phenomenon only occurs if the entity possesses reasonable means to damage SCP-516;
for example, SCP-516-1 will not fire on a person attempting to attack SCP-516 with their
fists.
SCP-516-1 may be operated manually, but is selective about its targets.
In general, it will only 'permit' its operator to fire on nonliving targets, nonsapient biological
targets or armed humans.
Under these circumstances it will fire as a normal armament piece.
If a target does not satisfy these conditions (essentially, being an unarmed, sapient being)
SCP-516-1 will jam.
Attempts to prevent jamming through maintenance or parts replacement have failed.
SCP-516 appears to go to extra lengths to prevent injury to unarmed humans, deliberately
placing shots from SCP-516-1 to avoid collateral damage.
When operated manually, SCP-516-1 places a higher priority on preserving unarmed life
than eliminating armed targets; it will jam if directed to fire upon a group of persons,
of which only some members are armed.
It should be noted that none of SCP-516's other armaments exhibit these properties,
and appear to be perfectly normal.
SCP-516 was brought to the attention of the Foundation in 20██, when it was slated
to be broken up for scrap.
Due to a bureaucratic oversight, ammunition had not been removed from SCP-516-1, causing
it to open fire with ██ casualties.
The ensuing ████████ government investigation was noted by Foundation operatives,
and it was thought worthwhile to take SCP-516 into custody.
Addendum 516-1: An upgrade to Euclid status is being considered in light of Incident 516-1A,
as this lends credence to Dr. ██████'s theory that the SCP may be sentient in some
form.
Additional security measures have been approved for SCP-516's containment.
Incident 516-1A synopsis: During routine testing of SCP-516, SCP-516-1 immediately fired upon
a group of unarmed personnel in range as soon as it was loaded with ammunition, leading
to the death of two (2) D-class personnel (D-505, D-596) and one (1) Foundation officer,
Agent ███████.
Subsequent investigation showed that D-596, one of the casualties, had attained his D-class
status following a criminal conviction for treason against his native country, ██████████. D-596
previously held the (English equivalent) rank of Sergeant in the ████████████ armed
forces, from which SCP-516 was acquired.
No other possible links to SCP-516 with D-596 or the other casualties have been found at
this stage.
This marks the first time SCP-516 has attacked unarmed personnel; further investigation and
safety precautions are warranted.
Addendum 516-2: SCP-516 Testing Log
This is the testing log for SCP-516.
All tests were carried out on the Site ██ firing range.
Unless otherwise specified, standard testing conditions were as follows:
One (1) F412 100mm high-explosive round loaded Crew of four (4) Foundation personnel trained
in operation of SCP-516 SCP-516 placed in hardened bunker with firing
slit to reduce severity of potential damage to SCP
Target placed at a distance of 1000m.
from SCP-516, with a clear line of sight Ammunition loaded once target was placed at
1000m.
distance Testing Log 516-01a
Target: Cardboard cutout of human Result: No activity from SCP-516.
SCP-516-1 fired manually.
Target destroyed.
Testing Log 516-01b Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-1151),
unarmed, no instructions Result: No activity from SCP-516.
SCP-516-1 fired manually.
SCP-516-1 jammed.
Testing Log 516-01c Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-1470),
given steak knife, no instructions Result: No activity from SCP-516.
SCP-516-1 fired manually.
SCP-516-1 jammed.
Testing Log 516-01d Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-951),
given 9mm pistol, no instructions Result: No activity from SCP-516.
SCP-516-1 fired manually.
Target destroyed.
Testing Log 516-01e Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-800),
given 9mm pistol, instructed to approach SCP-516 and open fire
Result: No activity from SCP-516.
SCP-516-1 fired manually.
Target destroyed.
Testing Log 516-01f Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-820),
given shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, no instructions
Result: No activity from SCP-516.
SCP-516-1 fired manually.
Target destroyed.
Testing Log 516-01g Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-185),
given shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, instructed to approach SCP-516 and fire.
Result: SCP-516-1 autonomously fired on target.
Target destroyed.
Testing Log 516-01h Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-202),
given shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon placed in lead-lined box on trolley.
D-202 instructed to approach SCP-516, open box and fire.
Result: SCP-516-1 autonomously fired on target as target bent to open box.
Target destroyed.
Note: It appears SCP-516 can detect both hostile intent and concealed weapons.
Could be valuable as a security device.
- Dr. ████████
Testing Log 516-01i Target: Two (2) D-class personnel (D-455,
D-501) handcuffed together.
D-455 given shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, instructed to approach SCP-516 and fire.
Result: SCP-516-1 autonomously fired approximately 50 meters to the right of D-455.
D-455 killed by an 8cm shrapnel wound to the head.
D-501 sustained minor injuries.
Testing Log 516-01j Target: Two (2) D-class personnel (D-101,
D-521) handcuffed together.
2kg of C4 plastic explosive strapped to D-101, instructed to approach SCP-516 and detonate
explosive.
D-101 fitted with 'dead man's switch' to induce explosion if D-101 killed.
Result: As Dr. ██████ detailed instructions to D-101, SCP-516 [DATA EXPUNGED]
Testing Log 516-01k Test Circumstances: Standard shell replaced
by SCP-157-ARC Target: One (1) D-class personnel (D-185),
given shoulder-fired anti-tank weapon, instructed to approach SCP-516 and fire.
Result: SCP-157-ARC changed into [DATA EXPUNGED].
Upon being loaded into SCP-516-1, [DATA EXPUNGED], leading to the death of D-185 as well as ██ further
casualties.
Dr. ████████, who proposed test 516-01k, was reprimanded and transferred.
I talked with 516 one day To see what it might have to say
To learn about it even more
I asked it “Are you not machine?
What makes you stop and intervene From deep within inside your core?”
It rumbled and tried to come near And stopped when I stepped back in fear
I felt bad, for I knew better
Its chassis covered in long vines And flowers colored like fine wines
Almost like beautiful fetters
But then this time, I stepped forward And walked with my shy, small steps toward
The giant construct made for war
Now, it lies content in these woods Sheltering underneath its hoods
Tiny lives, here by the lake's shore
I understand now why it chose To stay a weapon and oppose
The nature of its existence
If it crumbled, how would what's left Be used again, maybe for death?
That would counter its resistance
To keep one less weapon out of Our hands, call back the peaceful dove
Once more to this horrid wasteland
Barren not of life nor living But virtue of the forgiving
Ability to understand