Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System

The Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System (TARDS) was an early attempt by Acheron Security to create autonomous combat drones. TARDS was tested in Industrial Zone 08 of Chicago, URNA, on Earth. However, with the rise of augmentations in human soldiers, the project and its facility were deemed irrelevant. Eventually, the campus was later leveraged by the United Nations Space Command to be used as the basis of a War Games simulation.

The mother of Ava Lang was a leading engineer of Acheron Security who worked on projects for the Tactical Autonomous Robotic Defense System.

Behind the scenes
The Halo 2 multiplayer map "Foundation" takes place at the TARDS facility. Parts are stamped with the words "Abandon in Place", indicating the project's failure. The project's acronym may be a reference to the TARDIS from Doctor Who.

List of appearances

 * Halo 2