Oh, man, i made way too many variants. Too much fun.
My vehicle is called "Gavin". This is because i figure it is gonna look a bit like the M113 APC, and the M113 has been claimed to be nicknamed Gavin, so i grabbed the non-existent nickname for my vehicle, sorta meta-joke if that makes sense.
First, i'll explain my rationale behind my chassis choices: 50 tons, tracked, 250-rated fuel cell engine with 5/8 movement (86 KPH top speed).
-Tracked chassis is the only practical option for vehicle that is expected to work in multitude of terrains and possess a MBT variant. Wheeled chassis would offer weight, cost, and maintenance savings, but ultimately it is not quite suitable for our purposes.
-50 tons. I noticed that others are opting for heavier vehicles, but i feel that a backwater with limited manufacturing capabilities will need something economical. Also, with 50 ton vehicle, any dropships or other transports can be configured for multiple light vehicle bays, increasing logistics efficiency somewhat.
-I expect the fuel cell is the most controversial choice here. Economy and necessity are the driving forces here. I figure that a small planet will have limited number of fusion reactors, or will need them for 'Mechs or other more specialized vehicles and purposes. A standard ICE would be cheaper and simpler, but it simply weights too much for a multipurpose vehicle. A fuel cell is certainly possible to make on a small backwater planet, even if their use in military vehicles is somewhat rare. Range will be limited but fuel shouldn't be a problem.
-5/8 movement. While 4/6 suits a MBT, for other roles a faster vehicle is more useful. Also, a major issue vehicles have in BT are mobility hits, a 5/8 vehicle will stay just a bit longer mobile than 4/6 if it doesn't get blown up.
Some notes on shared features and other stuff:
-Standard armor. Economical and common.
-CASE. The sole somewhat more advanced piece of technology used in all Gavin variants, you just can't so no to extra crew survivability.
-Standard machine guns. Never know when you're gonna need 'em.
-Vehicular grenade launcher (VGL). Rules-wise, it is advanced level, but tech-wise it is about as primitive as you can get, though uncommon in BattleTech in general, no doubt any and all planets can manufacture these. As smoke delivery systems, SRMs and LRMs have largely supplanted these, but i figure that people are inclined to load those for offensive uses, using VGLs we guarantee their defensive uses.
-All primary weapons mounted in the vehicle are "introductory" level. Ammunition may need to be more specialized for ideal results.
-The empty Gavin chassis weights 23 tons (CASE equipped, no armor), with 27 tons free.
Now, to the variants. Due to amount of text, i will include zip files for SSW/MML files for the Gavin and txt files with stats exported from SSW.
Also, i wonder if anyone will figure out my R-codes (you may need to see stats in some cases), they have a system.
Gavin R-1110 MBT.
I will admit straight that this is maybe the worst vehicle in the Gavin lineup. With the restrictions i placed for myself, there were no real options for a proper main gun for an MBT. As it is, this MBT is one reason i needed to use a fuel cell engine, they come with a free heat sink and it is put to use here.
The main gun is a standard large laser. 15 hex range and 8 damage is not impressive but it is logistically simple weapon. It does require adding 7 tons worth of heat sinks, but actually saves weight compared to AC/10: there is no need for ammo, and the turret mechanism is lighter.
Supporting the main laser is a LRM-5 with ton of ammo for extra punch, and an MG to deal with infantry. A pair of VGLs are included for extra defense (or offense, depending what you pack them with).
8.5 tons of armor isn't quite enough to Cannonshop's specifications, as the front sports only 36 points of armor (counting internal structure, the tank with fresh armor will survive two 20 point hits, just barely). But my MBT is sorta cavalry MBT, so perhaps additional mobility will keep it alive.
Gavin R-1210 Thumper
The Gavin self-propelled howitzer. A Thumper artillery gun is placed in the turret, along with one MG and one VGL. Two tons of ammo for the gun, half a ton for the MG. Armor is thinner at 6.5 tons, but this vehicle is not supposed to be in the front line anyway.
Gavin R-2301 APC
I may have bent the challenge requirements here a bit. "Up to a full squad of Battle Armor" was specified, mine can transport two actually. In BattleTech, i regard non-light vehicles with more than one BA squad/infantry platoon transport capability as APCs usually, and non-lights with capability for merely one as IFVs (provided they got guns too). I do have an IFV variant as well, see below.
This Gavin APC is extensively modified, it is fully amphibious. It does not posses a turret to save weight and simplify the vehicle. An 8-ton infantry compartment allows transporting significant amount of conventional infantry or two squads of Battle Armor. Weapons consist of a front-facing medium laser for supporting infantry against tougher targets in close range, and a pair of front-facing machine guns with half a ton of ammo. Each facing has a VGL for defense.
7 tons of armor is pretty reasonable as there's no turret to armor. Rear and sides are beefed up compared to some Gavin variants.
Gavin R-1311 IFV
I channeled M2 Bradley IFV for the Gavin IFV. A 4-ton troop compartment for a squad of BA or some infantry. Turret mounts an AC/5 for direct fire support with a ton of ammo, a pair of SRM-2s for close combat with a ton of ammo, and an MG with half a ton of ammo. The Gavin IFV has a pair of VGLs in turret, while the armor is at 7.5 tons.
That's the primary variants. Now for the secondary combat variants...
Gavin R-1100 Assault Gun
Sometimes you just need extra firepower. The Gavin Assault Gun channels some Hetzer, Stug, etc. other famous assault guns and tank destroyers. The primary gun here is naturally a front-mounted AC/20. Only two tons of ammo though, i figured this thing will attract enough attention it won't last that long, and in an ambush situation the enemy will be (ideally) destroyed before the gun runs out. A pair of machine guns is included for... ah, well, whatever, we got bulk-discount on those, half a ton of ammo too. Each facing mounts a VGL. Armor is at 7.5 tons, with no turret to think about, this is the toughest Gavin.
Gavin R-1210 MLRS
Missile support may be needed at any time. The Gavin MLRS sports two LRM-15s in the turret. Each has two tons worth of ammo, not a long endurance but shoot and scoot and go back to reload. A pair of VGLs are mounted in the turret as well. Do note this variant has no any close range weapons!
Armor is relatively thin at 6.5 tons, stay out of enemy line of sight.
Gavin R-2110 SPAAG
The Gavin self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. A pair of AC/2s is not impressive as damage goes, but with flak ammo they will be just nasty enough to discourage enemy aircraft from getting in too close. Two tons of ammo should be plenty. A LRM-5 is included for extra firepower, or for utility since it has two tons of ammo as well. A pair of VGLs are mounted in the turret.
The armor is identical to the MLRS variant.
And finally, support variants.
Gavin R-3501 MHQ
Mobile headquarters/communications vehicle, built on the same modified chassis as the Gavin APC. This variant sports 7-tons of communications equipment. A pair of front mounted MGs is the only armament, with half a ton of ammo. Each facing mounts a VGL. Finally, the MHQ Gavin has a 3-ton infantry compartment for staff or security infantry platoon.
Has 6.5 tons of armor, no turret. Like the APC variant, this is fully amphibious.
It should be noted that this variant is 2 tons underweight. Feel free to modify the vehicle as necessary.
Gavin R-3410 CEV
The Gavin combat engineering vehicle. Has everything necessary for combat engineers: Bulldozer, turreted backhoe, lift hoist, and a flamer for defoliant ops. A machine gun is included for self-defense, along with a VGL on each facing.
6.5 tons of armor, arranged equally to the MLRS and SPAAG variants.
5 tons underweight, mostly for economical reasons. (Plus i really couldn't figure what else an engineering vehicle might need.)
Gavin R-3400 AVLB
Gavin armored vehicle-launched bridge. Another engineering vehicle, sometimes you just need to bring bridges with you. For defense, each facing mounts a VGL, and the front has a machine gun with half a ton of ammo.
Has only 6 tons of armor.
12 tons underweight.
Gavin R-3600 Minelayer/Minesweeper
A special purpose combined minelayer and minesweeper vehicle. Carriers four mine dispensers (each has two 10pts minefields), a minesweeper on the front, a pair LRM-10s with two tons of ammo, for mine clearance missiles and Thunder LRMs. Has a machine gun and each facing has a VGL.
7 tons of armor.
(No SSW text file since SSW does not have mine-related equipment for whatever reason.)
(Logically, this should be split into two separate vehicles: One minesweeper, perhaps with drone control systems, and a proper minelayer. I might do that later properly.)
The Gavin was fun to design. It is very simple, cheap vehicle, but it should be usable. I figure that a small backwater planet should focus on easily available quantity that is adequate, rather than try for something suitable for elite forces. It is not flashy... but i really don't think it needs to be.
I'm not sure if my vehicles are very BattleTechy though. As you may notice, i tend to draw influence from real world military vehicles as far as equipment layout goes.
As noted, data files and txt files are in the .zip attachments. Too many to add individually, too much text to post data blocks here without spreading them to multiple posts.
EDIT Duh, i forgot a recovery vehicle. Unfortunately, i have no idea what it should have in BT.
Perhaps the combat engineering vehicle can double as one thanks to the lift hoist?
EDIT Any similarities with others submissions are coincidental.