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The UGC's M-221 Grant Hovertank was developed about 150 years after the end of the Atorian War from the American M-1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and the vehicle mode VHT. The hull used was that of the M-1, as was the turret;
The combination of technologies found in the M-221 have been the savior of it; Advances in technology can be matched with the tank's hull quickly, with only the simplest of tools and least effort; When dEE-htt-21 Ferrous Standardized armor was outclassed by Rendish 2/11 SLR (stealthed laser resistant) armor, replacing the armor was as simple as grinding off the old armor and welding new armor in. The use of grav pods has an advantage that neither Destroids nor infantry can have; The fact that the tanks do NOT touch the ground, they have no effective weight; Many land mines simply can't detect the tank to detonate, and those that can are radar-based. The use of radar absorbent material makes these mines effectively useless. Newer grav-wave detecting mines have been overcome (at least in part) by Appropriation 43 (the 2482 SLEP). The M-221 is a HIGHLY capable tank, and is scheduled to remain in the UGC's inventory as a screening force to Destroids and fire-support force for infantry for a great deal of time to come- In point of fact, there are plans by the UGC to develop a second generation of M-221 already dubbed the "-221a" that will incorporate more capabilities and an anti-tank variant (using the L-22 or -35 rail launcher, as well as mounting rail launchers in place of all the other weapons). All this despite already progressing plans to replace the rest of the armored corps platforms in favor of a unified model. Those vehicles equipped with Badger engineer's plow (a really big wedge used for road-building and mine-clearing) can punch through compacted rock berms up to 6 and a half feet thick (dirt berms up to 20 feet) in a single go, and with repeated strike up to 100 feet thick (250 for dirt berms). One crew dug their way through a 500 foot concrete wall by simply shoving their way through (though in reality they were sloping the tank upwards, building a ramp to escape).. Tanks crews operate differently from most military crews; A soldier is assigned to the tank upon completion of tank crew school, where they learn the basics of each position. Initial assignment is as the driver (the most protected position on the tank). Upon completion of qualification as driver, they are promoted to gunner/loader. This is the do all guy; If the driver is killed he takes over there while the commander (sergeant or above) takes over as gunner. If the commander is killed they take over command of the tank itself. The next step is commander; Once a soldier has been a tanker for a while they eventually take over command of the tank. This is often the most exposed position as the commander must occasionally stick their head out the copula to look around; The periscope limits field of view too much for some work. NOTE: RDF and earlier tanks where not designed with power armors in mind; REF tanks were also not designed to accommodate power armor (although armored personnel carriers were). The Grant MBT, on the other hand, was brainstormed (a very early development stage before a single schematic drawing is pulled up) with VR-052 power armors in mind; A minor upgrade allowed the bigger, beefier Micronian MkII Power Armor to be included. Name: Grant Main Battle Tank Model Type: Main Battle Tank Class: Military Hover Tank. Crew: 3; Pilot/commander/Gunner, Gunner/Pilot/Commander, and Commander/Gunner/Pilot. (The second and third titles are their secondary job, the first title their primary job.) Passengers: Can hold 2 passengers internally (if a little cramped) or up to 20 (or more) externally (riding on the hull). MDC By Location: | |||||
| Tank Hull- Crew Compartment- Grav Pods (16; 8 each side)- Rear Jet Thrusters (2)- Turret- | 300 200 150 each 150 each 150 | FGU-20 Auto Cannon- 25ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon- 32ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon- MM-60- SRM Launchers (2)- | 150 100 50 10 SDC 200 each | ||
| Notes: Usual penalties apply. Speed and Statistical Data: | |||||
| Speed: 100 MPH max. NOTE: Due to the use of gravity pods, there is NO physical terrain that they can't traverse sort of hills over 15 feet high and 50°; Even then, they can cover it with a running start, but this is the upper end of their limits. NOTE: High surface-water worlds (such as Terra) are known to fit out their hovertanks with out-board engines, giving some effectiveness on the water; Speed: 10 knots Range: 200 miles. The grav pods WILL work over water. Hovering Height: From 2 to 15 feet: WARNING: Higher flight causes a 02% loss of piloting control per foot (-30% at maximum 15 foot hover height). Maximum Range: 3,000 miles (483 km) Height: 9 feet, 6 inches (2.9 meters). Width: 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters). | Length: Hull: 26 feet (7.9 meters) Gun Forward: 32 feet, 1½ inches (9.8 meters). Weight: 60 tons (57.2 metric tons) Power System: HRTY-44.8A Hydrogen Fuel Cell engines; Output: 62,000 Kwh Hover System: Normal grav pods. Cargo Capacity: Crew supplies only; About 1 ton of various cargos are known to be tied onto the hull, but this is not the true purpose of the tank. Also, such cargo is subject to any environmental factors (including chemical, biological, and nuclear/Reflex weapons). Cost and Availability: Each tank costs 500,000€. Availability: Always available. Black Market Cost: 150,000€. If fitted, any extra weapons systems will add to the cost of the tank. | ||||
| Weapon Systems: | |||||
| 1. FGU-20 Auto Cannon: The FGU-20 Auto Cannon is very similar to the Type 966 PFG mechanically, but that is where similarities end; The FGU-20 is a single barreled, 52ᴍᴍ, auto cannon developed specifically for the M-221. The rate of fire and effective damage is the same, but the range is an incredible 32 THOUSAND feet (almost 5 and a half miles), are explosive, and are made of depleted uranium (despite environmentalist protests). The turret rotates 360° and the gun can elevate 75°, or declinate 47°. Operated by the gunnerfor about 200 gallons. MD: Short Burst: 4D6; Medium Burst: 1D4×10; Full Melee Burst: 2D4×10 Blast Radius: 40 feet Range: 32,000 feet; Utilizing stratospheric gravimetrics, this can be multiplied TEN TIMES, but is -1 strike every other multiple (-5 at maximized range). Rate of Fire: Short/Medium Bursts: Per gunner's attacks per melee. Full Melee Burst: Once per melee, and no other weapons can be used (unless slaved to the FGU-20, like the 25ᴍᴍ auto cannon). Payload: 40,000 rounds. 2. 25ᴍᴍ: This weapon is set co-axial to the FGU-20 Auto Cannon, and can be slaved (set to fire) with the main gun. Uses depleted uranium rounds (which spall and hyper-incinerate on impact). MD: Short Burst: 1D6; Medium Burst: 2D6; Full Melee Burst: 4D6 Blast Radius: 1½ feet Range: 3,200 feet; Utilizing stratospheric gravimetrics, this can be multiplied TEN TIMES, but is -1 strike every other multiple (-5 at maximized range). Rate of Fire: Per gunner. Payload: 40 rounds. 3. SRM Launchers (2): Triangular wing-like appendages on either side of the main body comprise the SRM launchers. They can rotate 360ยบ, but can not swivel away from the hull- The whole tank must be turned to turn the SRM launchers. This is the only weapons system controlled EXCLUSIVELY by the tank pilot. Primary Purpose: Defense/Anti-Aircraft Secondary Purpose: Offense/Anti-Armor Damage and Range: Varies by type used. Rate Of Fire: Volleys of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 18, or all 24 per launcher per pilots attacks per melee. Payload: 24 per launcher (96 total). Takes 10 minutes to fully reload per launcher (extra SRM's can be carried inside). | 4. 32ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon: This copula mounted wepon is meant as an anti-personnel weapon for the commander. NOTE: This weapon is remotely controlled. Uses an explosive shell. MD: Short Burst: 2D6; Medium Burst: 4D6; Full Melee Burst: 2D4×10 Blast Radius: 4 feet Range: 3,200 feet; Utilizing stratospheric gravimetrics, this can be multiplied TEN TIMES, but is -1 strike every other multiple (-5 at maximized range). Rate of Fire: Per commander's attacks per melee. Payload: 200 rounds per canister; Up to 4 canisters can be carried, but reloading requires the commander to climb out the copula, pull the box out, clear the empty canister, load up the gun, and cycle the gun TWICE; Takes one full melee, and removes the tanks vacuum seal and NBC protection for ten minutes. 5. M-240: This copula mounted weapon is intended for infantry harassment, effect, and most importantly for corralling POW's stripped of body armor and weapons. NOTE: This is an SD weapon, not an MD weapon. Also, it is NOT remotely operated so the commander or the gunner must climb out the copula to operate or re-load the weapon, pull the box out, clear the empty canister, load up the gun, and cycle the gun TWICE; Takes one full melee, and removes the tanks vacuum seal and NBC protection for ten minutes. The weapon is set up with a butterfly trigger grip while mounted, but a standard stock and pistol grip kit is kept on the tank in case it must be abandoned. Damage: 5D6×10 per 10-round burst (only fires bursts). Range: 3,000 feet; Utilizing stratospheric gravimetrics, this can be multiplied TEN TIMES, but is -1 strike every other multiple (-5 at maximized range). Rate of Fire: Payload: 400 rounds per canister; Up to 6 canisters can be carried, but reloading requires the commander to climb out the copula, pull the box out, clear the empty canister, load up the gun, and cycle the gun TWICE; Takes one full melee, and removes the tanks vacuum seal and NBC protection for ten minutes. | ||||
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| Features: | |||||
Effect: 01-50: Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles are all destroyed. 51-75: Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (may lock onto another target). 76-00: No effect, missile is still on target. Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind nearby heat sensors (and optically based sensors at night) for 1 melee. They will suffer the following penalties: Reduce melee attacks/actions, and combat bonuses by half. Also, a cloud of smoke approximately 25² feet wide and high by about 1 half-mile long. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds. Rate of Fire: Once per melee. Payload: 6 chaff/flares. MDC By Location: Pod: 50 Fiber Optic Cable: 10 Effect: Extends range of any sensors 10× (or defeats other penalties in a 5 mile area). MDC By Location: Pod: 50 Fiber Optic Cable: 10 Effect: Extends range of any sensors 10×. | |||||
