The MPL97 (AV-T) was a prototype patlabor manufactured by Shinohara Heavy Industries (SHI). The type is the direct predecessor to the AV-98 Ingram, and served as a training machine in the later years of its existence. The type appeared in the Patlabor: The Early Days OVA in episode 6: "SV2's Longest Day (Part 2)", where it was piloted, and subsequently destroyed by pilot Isao Ohta.

The MPL97 closely resembles the AV-98 Ingram with much of its armor stripped. The most striking difference between the two models is that the prototype does not have a head unit, reducing the type's sensor capabilities. Instead, the cockpit has been moved up such that the pilot's head and upper torso are entirely exposed, greatly enhancing visibility at the cost of physical protection.