Combat vehicle design challenge: the T18 Renard wheeled tank

[Black_Knyght]

Okay, here's a design challenge for anyone interested in accepting it. :)

Below are posted two picture variations of a single combat vehicle. The challenge here is to examine them both and, utilizing a single non-omni chassis, create two different variants of the designated vehicle, making each variant as effective a combat vehicle as possible.  ;)

Once done a poll will be posted allowing your peers here to decide who wins the challenge with their designs. 8)

[worktroll]

My quick take - designed for planetary militia. Yes, you can pile on XL fusion engines, superchargers, etc - but that looks like a utilitarian vehicle.

Short form: 50 tons (to fit into a light vehicle bay), ICE, 4/6 movement. 7.5 tons of standard armour spread 29/24/24/19. All versions carry 2 MGs (one turret, one hull), 1/2 ton MG ammo, and CASE.  The only differences are in the turret loadouts:

The upper version is the T-18-A "Thud" - Thumper artillery piece, with 2 tons ammunition.
The lower version is the T-18-U "Thwack" - UAC-10, 3 tons ammo, and a Guardian ECM.

Even the turret components are 85% identical between the two, for maximum commonality.

Crew of the T-18-U are advised against using the high ROF option of their autocannon unless facing imminent destruction, and to take advantage of the added range the UAC provides. The ability to (potentially) exceed the damage of a Gauss Rifle at need, though, is not to be ignored.

The cost of the Reynard - 800K Mbills for the A, 900K Mbills for the U - mean that the average planetary defense budget, or the cost-concious mercenary, can afford to purchase these in numbers, and maintain and support them in the field.

Irian is considering an even cheaper version, carrying a stock Autocannon-10 and pair of SRM-2 launchers, with plenty of space for different ammo loadouts. But that - or the "Swayback" T-18-I IFV, or the "Rhino" T-18-L fire support vehicle, are outside the scope of this particular pitch ...

W.

[Sabelkatten]

Well, introtech. The first one mounts a LL plus a small infantry/cargo bay. The second drops the PBIs for an AC/10. Fluff-wise the infantry sits under/behind the turret where the AC ammo sat, the turret is lighter since it now doeesn't need the recoil and reloading equipment and is better balanced.

Code: [Select]

Wheely LL

Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Wheeled
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-D-C-A
Production Year: 0
Cost: 521 200 C-Bills
Battle Value: 470

Power Plant:  140 I.C.E.
Cruise Speed: 43,2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64,8 km/h
Armor:  Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Large Laser
    2  Machine Guns
    1  Infantry Compartment (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      20 points                4,00
Engine:             I.C.E. Engine                140                      10,00
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             8                         8,00
Control Equipment:                                                         2,00
Lift Equipment:                                                            0,00
Power Amplifiers:                                                          0,50
Turret:                                                                    1,00
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 112                  7,00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     29       
                                          Left/Right   23/23       
                                              Turret     20       
                                                Rear     17       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machine Gun                                  FR        0         1         0,50
Machine Gun                                  T         0         1         0,50
Large Laser                                  T         8         1         5,00
Infantry Compartment (1.0 tons)              BD        0         1         1,00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              BD        -         0         0,50

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 5
4w         2       1       0       0      2     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/0)

Code: [Select]

Wheely AC

Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Wheeled
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-D-D-A
Production Year: 2750
Cost: 529 000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 503

Power Plant:  140 I.C.E.
Cruise Speed: 43,2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64,8 km/h
Armor:  Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  Autocannon/10
    2  Machine Guns
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      20 points                4,00
Engine:             I.C.E. Engine                140                      10,00
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             0                         0,00
Control Equipment:                                                         2,00
Lift Equipment:                                                            0,00
Turret:                                                                    1,50
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 112                  7,00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     29       
                                          Left/Right   23/23       
                                              Turret     20       
                                                Rear     17       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machine Gun                                  FR        0         1         0,50
Machine Gun                                  T         0         1         0,50
Autocannon/10                                T         3         1        12,00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              BD        -         0         0,50
@AC/10 (20)                                  BD        -         0         2,00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 5
4w         2       1       0       0      2     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(2/1/0, AC 1/1/0), AC 1/1/0