Item #: SCP-6963
Object Class: Safe
Special Containment Procedures: SCP-6963 is to be kept in an Anomalous Vehicle Containment Bay. Routine vehicle maintenance should be carried out on a bi-weekly basis. SCP-6963 is not to be provided with fuel or ammunition except under controlled testing circumstances or when the SCP Foundation is in a severe militarily conflict. No personnel with a history of air force military service should be assigned to SCP-6963.
Description: SCP-6963 is a standard model A-10 Thunderbolt II single-seat, twin turbofan engine, straight wing jet aircraft. Records indicate it was manufactured in 19██, at ████████████ Base, Nevada, United States, and that it had a normal period of service in the United States Air Force. It exhibits wear and tear consistent with its age.
The only part of SCP-6963 which is known to exhibit anomalous properties is its main armament (presently a GAU-8 Avenger 30mm gatling gun) and turret assembly, from here designated as SCP-6963-1. However, as SCP-6963-1 has been replaced several times throughout SCP-6963's service life without any apparent effects, its anomalous properties seem to be inherent to SCP-6963.
When loaded with compatible 30mm ammunition SCP-6963-1 exhibits a limited degree of autonomy. When an entity attempts to damage SCP-6963, SCP-6963-1 will track and fire on it if it is physically possible to neutralize the threat, regardless of whether SCP-6963 is crewed. It will not respond to threats outside its range or traverse, such as other aircraft and tanks. This phenomenon only occurs if the entity possesses reasonable means to damage SCP-6963; for example, SCP-6963-1 will not fire on a person attempting to attack SCP-6963 with their fists.
SCP-6963-1 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-6963-1 will jam. Attempts to prevent jamming through maintenance or parts replacement have failed.
SCP-6963 appears to go to extra lengths to prevent injury to unarmed humans, deliberately placing shots from SCP-6963-1 to avoid collateral damage. When operated manually, SCP-6963-1 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-6963's other armaments exhibit these properties, and appear to be perfectly normal.
SCP-6963 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-6963-1, causing it to open fire with ██ casualties. The ensuing ████████ government investigation was noted by Foundation operatives, and it was thought worthwhile to take SCP-6963 into custody.
Addendum 6963-1: Due to Incident 6963-B1, SCP-6963 must not be provided with ammunition at all times unless authorized by the Administrative Department to do so.
The following audio drive file is what security systems picked up during the incident:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BG31CAaVcihzdDXxF5dAUP9rALbsTe3J/view?usp=sharing
Incident 6963-B1 synopsis: During routine testing of SCP-6963, SCP-6963-1 immediately fired upon a group of unarmed personnel in range as soon as it was loaded with ammunition, leading to the death of six D-Class personnel (D-1586, D-2194, D-9867, D-5444, D-8907, D-1080), and one Foundation officer, Agent ███████. After brutally shooting the personnel, SCP-6963 attempted to fly away but was ceased by the MTF.
Subsequent investigation showed that D-2194, one of the casualties, had attained his D-Class status following a criminal conviction for treason against America. D-2194 previously held the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E8) in the US air force, from which SCP-6963 was acquired.
No other possible links to SCP-6963 with D-2194 or the other casualties have been found at this stage. This marks the first time SCP-6963 has attacked unarmed personnel; further investigation and safety precautions are warranted.
