The T-800 Series terminator is a type of cybernetic organism mass produced by the self-aware computer network Skynet.
Due to the ease with which the human Resistance could identify the T-600's, Skynet began production of the T-800 Series in 2026, based upon the original endoskeleton designs, test models and non-functioning prototypes constructed by Cyberdyne Systems Corporation (working under the name Cyber Research Systems at the time) in 2004. As a cybernetic organism, the T-800 Series consists of living tissue over a metal endoskeleton. The metal endoskeleton is a microprocessor controlled fully armored hyper-alloy combat chassis and is constructed with frictionless bearings in its joints, and a servo-actuated control system.
Its limbs are controlled by axial drive motors and clavicular trailing links, allowing the T-800 Series to maneuver faster than the T-600 Series, as bursts of speed of up to 22 mph no longer threaten the joint assemblies.
The living tissue grown specially for the T-800's consists of flesh, skin, hair and blood, and is capable of limited regeneration over time. As this tissue is living it is warm to the touch and hence T-800's will not show up on thermal scanners as being any different from a real human. The biological components are only grafted onto T-800's which are to be used to infiltrate Resistance bases; T-800's which are deployed straight onto the battlefield usually do not possess biological components.
In order to keep track of its battle units, Cyberdyne Systems have given each one a Series number. The Series number refers to the type of internal structure or chassis (endoskeleton). However, the T-800 Series also has different configurations of living tissue, each one giving it the appearance of a different person. The physical appearance of the living tissue (which was initially based on photographic records from Skynet's databases and laser scans of human soldiers) is therefore also given a Model number.
As part of scientific progression, mankind has unraveled the human genome and was able to identify the genes which control cell life-span and degradation. Using this information, stored within its vast databases, Skynet has been able to eliminate these unwanted genes from cells prior to industrially growing biological components for the T-800's.
This means that the skin and muscles of the T-800's, unlike the human equivalents, do not wear down, degrade or necrotize over relatively short periods of time. It also means that the T-800's biological components will not rot over long periods of time, and do not require a flow of nutrients or anti-bodies. However, if a T-800 is left on the battlefield for too great a period, it's biological components will begin to rot, and its cover will be blown.
Though it does not need nutrient or blood flow, the T-800 has a circulatory system which is controlled by a tiny pneumatic pump which maintains a constant pressure. This allows the T-800 to bleed convincingly when wounded. However, the living tissue of the T-800's is still prone to necrotizing after a period. Therefore, when not in active service, flesh covered T-800's are stored in special racks in a cryogenic vault to preserve the flesh from deteriorating.
The un-activated T-800's are housed within a large vault-like cold-storage room. Massive doors of steel, equipped with electronic locking bolts bar the entrance to this facility. The T-800's hang in steel racks from tracks mounted in the ceiling. Hundreds of flesh covered T-800's are stored like this. They are arranged in rows of ten, where each of the bodies within each row are absolutely identical (each of the same Model). Each body hangs in its own cryogenic "hybermatrix". This cryogenic storage and the vacuum sealed room ensures that the T-800's flesh will not decay or necrotize from exposure to warm, oxygenated air that may contain pathogens.
The living tissue makes it very difficult for us to identify T-800's. A significant number of these Infiltration units have therefore been able to breach our defenses and slaughter Resistance fighters. However, we have found that trained "sniffer" dogs posted at checkpoints are effective at detecting this new threat.
T-800's being deployed straight onto the battlefield as soldiers do not need to be disguised and so do not receive a biological covering. These units therefore do not need to be stored in the Cryogenic Chambers, and are therefore stored in a huge rack covered chamber when not needed. A set of massive robotic manipulator arms stationed in the center of the chamber selects battle units when they are to be used in service.
As part of its vast internal databases, the T-800 contains detailed files on human anatomy and physiology so as to make it a more efficient killer. The T-800 also contains a Neural Net Processor CPU, or "learning computer" which is contained within the endoskeleton's skull and is protected by inertial shock dampers. The CPU, developed by Cyberdyne Systems, is one of the most powerful microprocessors ever built.
Skynet controls it's battle units using direct link command. This operating mode is known as "Hive", where the battle units are hooked directly into Skynet and share a collective conscious. However, there are hundreds of autonomous Terminators that are not under Skynet's direct control. This is the second form of operating mode and is known as "Rogue". In this mode, battle units are independent of Skynet but are programmed to return and download information.
These "Rogue" T-800's have achieved this level of autonomously by having their CPU set to "read-and-write" shortly after factory production. The CPU can be manually switched (this ensures that the switch is not activated by a virus or programming glitch) from "read-only" to "read-and-write" enabling it to learn from its contact with humans, thus allowing it to conceal itself more effectively.
The T-800 is capable of running internal systems checks; calculating the distance of objects relative to itself; making detailed kinetic studies of trajectories; sampling and analyzing the atmosphere, weather patterns and wind velocity; analyzing human emotional states (in order to assess possible hostility); analyzing body language and direction of muscle contraction; calculating the force of gravity; analyzing texture and temperature of materials; and sensing radar scans. It is fitted with an internal chronometer.
The T-800 Series is also equipped with vocals which enable it to replicate any human speech pattern of which it has heard an adequate specimen. It does this by recording and storing syllables of the subjects voice which it then replays and uses to digitally synthesize their speech pattern.
The T-800's auditory sensors are located upon either side of it's head, where human ears would be. One ear records the full un-equalized range of external sounds, while the other can automatically filter signals to within a narrow range for a specific auditory signal.
The T-800's optical sensors can sample an extended range of visible frequencies, including infrared (which can allow it to see heated bodies behind walls). This information is then displayed on a 40,000 bit digitized display. The T-800's eyes are protected by concussion-proof lenses, and are capable of moving independently. When using both eyes to track two different targets moving in different directions, depth perception is created artificially by creating a computer-generated off-angle ghost image.
The T-800 is capable of motion tracking, search modes, facial identification and recognition and has extensive vision enhancement capabilities including long range "zoom" (the T-800 can snap-magnify an image by around x15), motion analysis and "night vision". The T-800's visual systems (at least) appear to be programmed in COBOL and 6502 assembly (specifically Apple +2 assembly).
The T-800's do not feel pain and they do not have nerves, but they can sense injuries. We believe that the T-800 can do this through the use of impact sensors or as part of the overall sensor "sphere" that the unit generates, approximately akin to counter battery radar. There may be various impact sensors that record localized vibrations in the armor shell and, by extrapolation, "sense" where the damage in the T-800's living tissue is. This data then allows the T-800 to conduct low level complexity self repairs.
If disabled, the T-800 is able to re-route its systems to a secondary, alternate power source, thus bypassing any severed connections, damaged circuits or internal impairment. The T-800 Series also has redundant backup hydraulic systems. Therefore it is imperative that Resistance members determine that any T-800's are totally incapacitated.
Combat situations notwithstanding, the T-800 has a functional period of 120 years on one power cell. This small compact nuclear-energy Iridium cell is located approximately where a human's heart would be and is shielded in a case-hardened subassembly inside the triple armored hyperalloy torso.
The T-800 is, however, also capable of a conservation, or economy, mode. It does this by collecting and storing excess energy in compact energy sinks. In this mode, power is cut to 40% of nominal function, optical systems are switched to infrared only, and motivation units lose 40% hydraulic pressure as pumps slow. In this state the T-800's power cell can last almost indefinitely.
The T-800 is generally issued with a Westinghouse M-27 Phased Plasma Battle Rifle in the 40 watt range or General Dynamics RBS-80 Phased Plasma Pulse Gun, however it is programmed to be able to use all military documented weaponry. The T-800 series is, for example, extremely efficient in the use of the .45 longslide automatic, the model 1887 Winchester level-action shotgun, the Franchi SPAS-12 shotgun, the Heckler & Koch MP-5s, the M-79 grenade launcher, the General Electric minigun, and the M-134/GAU-2b.