 | Reconnaissance Tank. | | |||
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| General Discussion The Lancelot Reconnaissance Tank was developed in 2107 as a light tank for quick response and forward scouting. Typically used to scout inside cities and to respond to enemy attacks with a
The Lancelot has proven to be very useful over the centuries, and is consistently being updated with new technology. Even the poorest RDF's have these in service. Variations are many and varied, but generally are restricted to electronics duties, such as dedicated long-range radar setups, electronics interception, etc. A variation is the Epsilon, in which the 25ᴍᴍ is replace by 04 medium range surface-to-air missiles and a trailer carrying 2 additional batteries; The Epsilon II sub-variant replaces the standard trailer with an L-15b SRM Rail Launcher. There is also a law enforcement variant used to batter down doors and insert cs/cn/oc in high-risk situations. Operator Information The M-553 is equipped with standard grav pods, but they were specifically designed with wheeled operation as the primry motive system; Wheels leave tracks, but are much harder for other sensors to detect. As such they were never subject to App Four Three requirements (the successes of the M-533 were specifically noted in the App 43 Sub-Committee and The Joint Council Final report On FBX 21555320 with signficant praise). Although not listed as such, the M-553 can operate on the water at a slow bell (less than 5 knots) in gentle seas (less than 5 foot swells). With the hull sealed up they can safely float on the water up to 20 foot seas, though the crew will have to keep their seat belts on for safety. Weapons Systems 25ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon This copula mounted weapon is meant as an anti-personnel weapon for the commander. The commander has to actually climb out the copula to use the weapon, which removes the vehicles vacuum seal and NBC protection for ten minutes. 32ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon Mainn weapon. Provides harassment fire for enemy tanks until main forces can respond. Twin SRM Launchers The rear of the of the hull has an SRM launcher. Vertically launch only. M-240 Copula mounted weapon for infantry harassment. This is an SD not MD weapon. The weapon is set up with a butterfly trigger grip while mounted. Strategic Standing The M-553's future is uncertain; Although it's extremely useful for armored commanders the cost of the tanks is unreasonably high versus the utility. Additionally, the UGC wants to pare down the services in general and would prefer to deploy one type of system period- The M-553 simply doesn't fit that model. However the Marine in particular has been able to press the need for the M-553, even going so far as to offer to deactivate the M-221 fleet and transfer these to the Army and RDF's (a process that was completed by 2531). Marines also use them as "rolling pillboxes" to support infantry attacks where Destroids and air support is unavailable and artillery is not feasible (areas too close to civilian targets). Name: M-553 Lancelot Model Type: Tank Class: Reconnaissance Crew: 2; Pilot/Commander and Sensor Operator/Gunner. The second title are their secondary job, the First title primary. Passengers: None internally, but up to 10 externally (riding on the hull) is possible but very cramped. MDC By Location: | |||||
| Hull- Crew Compartment- Grav Pods (16; 8 each side)- | 150 150 100 each | Rear Jet Thrusters (2)- Turret- 32ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon- | 100 each 100 100 | ||
| Notes: Usual penalties apply. Speed and Statistical Data: | |||||
| Speed: 250 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 personnel carriers 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: 4 feet 4⅞ inches. Width: 4 feet 4½ inches. | Length: Hull: 10 feet, 8½ inches. Weight: 20 tons. Power System: HRTY-44.8A Hydrocell engines; Output: 62,000 Kwh. Hover System: Normal grav pods. Cargo Capacity: Crew supplies only; A few pounds 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), and should be restricted to crew or critical battlefront supplies only. Cost and Availability: Each tank costs 15,000€; Always available. Black Market Cost and Availability: Between 1,000 and 50,000€; Practically always available. | ||||
| Weapon Systems: | |||||
| 1. 25ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon: This copula mounted weapon is meant as an anti-personnel weapon for the commander. Uses depleted uranium rounds (which spall and hyper-incinerate on impact). The commander has to actually climb out the copula to use the weapon, which removes the vehicles vacuum seal and NBC protection for ten minutes. 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. 2. 32ᴍᴍ Auto Cannon: Mounted in the hull, it's meant to provide harassment fire for enemy tanks in the area while the Grant MBT responds. NOTE: This is normally the main weapon of another tank. MD: Short Burst: 2D6; Medium Burst: 4D6; Full Melee Burst: 2D4×10 Blast Radius: 4 feet Range: 3,200 feet. Rate of Fire: Per commander's attacks per melee. Payload: 200 rounds per canister; Up to 10 canisters can be carried; Takes one melee attack, and the reloading equipment is INSIDE the tank; Consequently, the tanks vacuum seal and NBC protection does not to be breached. Uses depleted uranium rounds (which spall and hyper-incinerate on impact). | 3. SRM Launchers (2): The rear of the of the hull has an SRM launcher. They can not rotate nor traverse, and fire vertically only. 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 total. Takes 10 minutes to fully reload per launcher (extra SRM's can be carried inside). 4. 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. | ||||
| 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 25 ³ 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×. | |||||
