Fuel-Cell vehicles

[acksed]

In its short lifetime, this modification of the Majesty M&M Heavy LRM Carrier has inspired nicknames like, "Hell's Organ", "Mage's Trick" and "Anti-Missile System System". Thirteen Lightspeed Smasher T5 launchers in a single turret overwhelm just about any defence, with its massed barrage and 10-ton ammo bin reiterating the axiom that led to the creation of the LRM in the first place: 'there's no substitute for Rate of Fire'.

Armour was also upgraded, with 7 tons of StarSlab II providing barely adequate protection. The CASE was added at the same time, in part to protect the fuel-cell engine from ammunition explosions.

Code: [Select]

Heavy LRM Carrier (T5)

Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-E
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 2,716,800 C-Bills
Total Cost: 3,216,800 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,070

Power Plant:  160 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 21.6 km/h
Flanking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Armor:  Standard Armor
Armament:
    13  Thunderbolt-5s
    1 Unknown CASE
Manufacturer: Majesty Metals & Manufacturing
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      40 points                8.00
Engine:             Fuel-Cell Engine             160                       7.50
    Cruise MP:  2
    Flank MP:   3
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             1                         0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         4.00
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    4.00
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 112                  7.00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     26       
                                          Left/Right   22/22       
                                              Turret     22       
                                                Rear     20       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 Thunderbolt-5s                            T         39        13       39.00
CASE                                         BD        -         1         0.50
@Thunderbolt-5 (120)                         BD        -         0        10.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 11
2t         3       5       5       0      4     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: CASE, EE, TUR(3/5/5, IF 3/5/5), IF 5


[acksed]

The Predator was an obscure tank destroyer that appeared in the latter half of the Second Succession Wars. While unsuccessful, the idea of a fast, hard-striking tracked combat vehicle must have been appealing, as in the mid-3010s, the SRM variant appeared. It shares little except the tracks and base chassis, carrying four Shannon Six-Shooter SRM6 packs in the brand-new turret, with a Shannon Shotgun SRM2 as a secondary weapon. Three tons of salvos for the main launchers and a single ton of SRM2, often fragmentation or inferno, gives it lacklustre endurance, but this was deemed acceptable, as this is not a vehicle for the open field. Recognising that it was liable to be caught in the open anyway, it was given 7.5 tons of StarSlab/3 armour, distributed much more evenly than its predecessor but with equivalent protection on the front glacis.

Code: [Select]

Predator (SRM)

Mass: 45 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-C
Production Year: 3015
Dry Cost: 1,387,650 C-Bills
Total Cost: 1,482,150 C-Bills
Battle Value: 811

Power Plant: AH 225 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: StarSlab 3 Standard Armor
Armament:
    4 Shannon Six-Shooter SRM-6s
    1 Shannon Shotgun SRM-2
Manufacturer: Ceres Metals Industries
    Primary Factory:
Communications System: Magna-VOX KS2525
Targeting and Tracking System: Magna-VOX TTS4000M

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      25 points                4.50
Engine:             Fuel-Cell Engine             225                      12.00
    Cruise MP:  5
    Flank MP:   8
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             1                         0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         2.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    1.50
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 120                  7.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     30       
                                          Left/Right   23/23       
                                              Turret     23       
                                                Rear     21       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SRM-6s                                     T         16        4        12.00
SRM-2                                        T         2         1         1.00
@SRM-6 (45)                                  BD        -         0         3.00
@SRM-2 (Inferno) (50)                        BD        -         0         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 8
5t         4       4       0       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(4/4/0, SRM 3/3/0), SRM 3/3/0[code]

[David CGB]

Great idea

[acksed]

Revisiting the "S tank" semi-mobile AA concept, this leveraged a lightweight FCE and the re-introduced LB 10-X autocannon to create a much more potent tank. From a distance it looked similar to the classic Partisan, with only the outsize turret cluing in distant observers. As they grew closer the expanded size, larger-calibre quad cannon and greater ground clearance would make itself apparent. Then it and its lance-mates would open fire in concert, Kallon having finally solved the tracking problems and retained the co-ordinated automated attack system they were known for.

The armour, while lighter than normal for a tank this size, is still sufficient protection against strafers. What mass was saved was turned over to ammo; a cavernous 10-ton bin ensures it can feed its four Ultraflak LB 10-X for minutes of sustained fire. The option of loading slug ammo allows this to also fend off attacks on the ground.

Despite its lethality to aircraft, and a favourable review in the May 3046 edition of UCWS Today, it did not see widespread adoption in the numbers Kallon would have liked. Often they were being bought singly or in pairs to buffer existing AA defences, when a four- or five-element lance would have scrapped anything that dared to approach.

Code: [Select]

Partisan "XS model"

Mass: 90 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-F-D-C
Production Year: 3045
Dry Cost: 5,140,450 C-Bills
Total Cost: 5,292,450 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,124

Power Plant: AH 180 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 21.6 km/h
Flanking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Armor: Defiance Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    4 Ultraflak LB 10-X ACs
Manufacturer: Kallon Industries
    Primary Factory:
Communications System: Jolex Systems
Targeting and Tracking System: AntiAir Flak Systems-1.8

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      45 points                9.00
Engine:             Fuel-Cell Engine             180                       8.50
    Cruise MP:  2
    Flank MP:   3
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             1                         0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         4.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    4.50
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 170                  9.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     41       
                                          Left/Right   34/34       
                                              Turret     40       
                                                Rear     21       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 LB 10-X ACs                                T         8         4        44.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (40)                      BD        -         0         4.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (60)                         BD        -         0         6.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 11
2t         3       3       3       0      4     0   Structure:  5
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(3/3/3, FLK 2/2/2), FLK 2/2/2
Deep in the design studio on Kirklin, a hooded figure lit only by flickering candles, and surrounded by other hooded figures, takes aim at a clay model of an ASF and fires, shattering it into a million pieces. A great cheer goes up at the conclusion of the ritual:

"If it flies, it dies! If it flies, it dies! If it flies, it dies!"

[acksed]

The Partisan AA came out in 3110, yet Kallon Industries had clearly been thinking of creating a more transportable version of their flagship vehicle for a while, as evidenced by this turn-of-the-century prototype.
It was, undeniably, quite powerful. Dual Ultraflak LB-10X ACs with their own quick-change ammunition bins equalled the firepower of the original Partisan in a vehicle a third lighter. 5.5 tons of Durallex Ultra heavy ferro-fibrous armour gave adequate protection. What sunk it was the changing requirements of the battlefield, and the advancement in technology.
Fusion was now common. Fuel-cells, even the regenerating engines used in Kallon's other products, had always been the bridesmaid in combat platforms. Customers did not want the occasional inconvenience of plugging in their tanks to charge. The fact that they were becoming more common in the Periphery only amplified their 'budget' nature to the Inner Sphere.
Further, post-Jihad, faster, tougher aerospace fighters proliferated, and could hit harder and from further away than the often ramshackle ASFs of the Succession Wars. If an AA platform wanted to survive, it needed heavier armour, greater mobility and/or range.
The requirements were updated: more speed. Greater weapons range. Fusion engine. Less maintenance overall, even at the cost of armour. The dream of big guns in a smaller package faded away.

Code: [Select]

Partisan AA (Prototype)

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Wheeled
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3099
Dry Cost: 1,808,750 C-Bills
Total Cost: 1,872,750 C-Bills
Battle Value: 742

Power Plant: AH 180 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 43.2 km/h
Flanking Speed: 64.8 km/h
Armor: Durallex Ultra Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    2 Ultraflak LB 10-X ACs
Manufacturer: Kallon Industries
    Primary Factory:
Communications System: Jolex Systems
Targeting and Tracking System: AntiAir Flak Systems-1b

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      25 points                5.00
Engine:             Fuel-Cell Engine             180                       8.50
    Cruise MP:  4
    Flank MP:   6
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             1                         0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         2.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    2.50
Armor:              Heavy Ferro-Fibrous          AV - 109                  5.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     26       
                                          Left/Right   21/21       
                                              Turret     25       
                                                Rear     16       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 LB 10-X ACs                                T         4         2        22.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (20)                      BD        -         0         2.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (20)                         BD        -         0         2.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      4    Points: 7
4w         2       2       2       0      2     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(2/2/2, FLK 1/1/1), FLK 1/1/1

Design Quirks: Anti-air Targeting

[Hazard Pay]

The Unicorn Tank/Armor Destroyer, for when you need a Gauss Rifle on the field for cheap, ye still armored. Keep the enemy occupied and you won't need to worry about the lack of armaments.

Code: [Select]

Unicorn Tank Destroyer

Mass: 40 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 160 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     1 Gauss Rifle
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-X-C
Cost: 1,175,533 C-bills

Type:
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 844

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    4
Engine                        160 Fuel Cell         7.5
Cruising MP: 4
Flank MP: 6
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  2.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor                  112                     7

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   4         34   
     R/L Side               4/4      28/28   
     Rear                    4         22   


Weapons
and Ammo                Location    Tonnage   
Gauss Rifle              Front        15.0   
CASE                      Body        0.5     
Gauss Rifle Ammo (24)     Body        3.0     
Cargo                     Body        1.0     


[Daryk]

The Hetzer approves, but wonders why the extra expense of the FC engine... 

[acksed]

The Hetzer approves, but wonders why the extra expense of the FC engine... 

Armour. The 2.5tons saved lets this mobile gun emplacement keep the protection and more besides, making it a mite tougher all around. Good vehicle, though I'd be wishing for a turret. You'd probably have to bump it to 45 or even 50 tons to have equivalent armour, though.

[Daryk]

Heh... the Hetzer would wonder why the extra armor too... 

[Hazard Pay]

though I'd be wishing for a turret. You'd probably have to bump it to 45 or even 50 tons to have equivalent armour, though.

I was thinking of a turret, but like you said it wasn't working without making it heavier/more expensive.

Was also pondering if it needed a MG or something, but in my mind, it'd have BA and their transports nearby alongside its fellow Unicorns.

[Hazard Pay]

Based on earlier notes on a turreted Unicorn, here it is.

Code: [Select]

Unicorn Tank Destroyer (Turret)

Mass: 40 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 160 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     1 Gauss Rifle
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-X-C
Cost: 1,114,633 C-bills

Type:
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 850

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    4
Engine                        160 Fuel Cell         7.5
Cruising MP: 4
Flank MP: 6
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  2.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             1.5
Armor Factor                  112                     7

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   4         29   
     R/L Side               4/4      22/22   
     Rear                    4         17   
     Turret                  4         22   


Weapons
and Ammo                Location    Tonnage   
Gauss Rifle              Turret       15.0   
Gauss Rifle Ammo (24)     Body        3.0     



Despite fears, its not too less armored than the Casemate version. Actually cheaper upfront thanks to less armor, though you lose out on CASE and Cargo for campaigns. All in all, not a bad choice.

And a Clan 'Vee, for the Horses obviously. Named Rakhsh for the steed of the Persian Epic Hero Rostam.

Code: [Select]

Rakhsh MCL Buggy

Mass: 15 tons
Movement Type: Wheeled
Power Plant: 85 Fuel Cell
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 118.8 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     2 Medium Chem Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-X-E
Cost: 362,275 C-bills

Type: (Hell's Horses)
Technology Base: Clan (Experimental)
Movement Type: Wheeled
Tonnage: 15
Battle Value: 459

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  1.5
Engine                        85 Fuel Cell            3
Cruising MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks:                   1                       0
Control Equipment:                                  1.0
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Turret:                                             0.5
Armor Factor (Ferro)          92                      5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   2         20   
     R/L Side               2/2      20/20   
     Rear                    2         14   
     Turret                  2         18   


Weapons
and Ammo                          Location    Tonnage   
2 Medium Chem Laser                Turret       2.0     
Targeting Computer                   BD         1.0     
CASE                                Body        0.0     
Medium Chemical Laser Ammo (30)     Body        1.0     



This thing is on paper pretty good. Decent speed, armor, good firepower for weight and moderately affordable.

[acksed]

Seen on a world inside the Hell's Horses occupation zone, this model of the Brutus is a downteched garrison tank. The fusion engine is nowhere to be seen, replaced with an unbranded fuel-cell powerpack. The dual large lasers and array of SRM launchers have been replaced with two Large Chemical Lasers with six tons of ammunition and three Medium Chemical Lasers with two tons of ammunition. Two Clan machine-guns with half a ton of ammunition are also included. The Delta Dart LRM20 launcher remains.

All the weapons systems have been relocated to the turret, with the mountings for the MCLs and MGs blockily sticking out of the formerly rounded armour. The armour has been thickened to 10.5 tons of standard plate with Inner Sphere CASE applied, presumably to facilitate replacement by local factories.

Finally, a Clan targeting computer directs all laser weapons, ensuring relatively unskilled conscripts may still be an effective fighting force.

Code: [Select]

Brutus (Chemical Laser)

Mass: 75 tons
Tech Base: Mixed
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: X/X-X-X-A
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 2,803,500 C-Bills
Total Cost: 3,134,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,285

Power Plant:  225 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 32.4 km/h
Flanking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Armor:  Standard Armor
Armament:
    1  (IS) LRM-20
    2  (CL) Large Chemical Lasers
    3  (CL) Medium Chemical Lasers
    2  (CL) Machine Guns
    1 Unknown CASE
    1 Unknown (CL) Targeting Computer
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      40 points                7.50
Engine:             Fuel-Cell Engine             225                      12.00
    Cruise MP:  3
    Flank MP:   5
Heat Sinks:         (IS) Single Heat Sink        1                         0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         4.00
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    2.50
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 168                 10.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     40       
                                          Left/Right   33/33       
                                              Turret     35       
                                                Rear     27       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 (CL) Large Chemical Lasers                 T         12        2        10.00
3 (CL) Medium Chemical Lasers                T         6         3         3.00
(IS) LRM-20                                  T         6         1        10.00
2 (CL) Machine Guns                          T         0         2         0.50
CASE                                         BD        -         1         0.50
(CL) Targeting Computer                      BD        -         1         3.00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              BD        -         0         0.50
@Large Chem Laser (60)                       BD        -         0         6.00
@Medium Chem Laser (60)                      BD        -         0         2.00
@LRM-20 (18)                                 BD        -         0         3.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 13
3t         5       5       2       0      3     0   Structure:  4
Special Abilities: CASE, EE, TUR(5/5/2, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1/1/1), LRM 1/1/1, IF 1