Cowdragon's Farmtech Impliments: with lasers

[Cowdragon]

Ok, here's my Combat vehicle thread. I'm super stoked to start posting in it. Many of my designs will be from my AU, a Star League tech society/country predominantly based on Norse/Swedish Culture but also with strong Polynesian/Hawaiian roots as well.

To begin, i will post my primary infantry transport vehicle. No fancy name here. Just a Wheeled APC (until I come up with some Saga-worthy name of course).

This is what happens when a technologically advanced society gets tired of moving around a squad at a time. It's also meant to be used in my Warthog Infantry Dropship. I can never remember how to link the darn thing, but if you look at my sig, you'll see something called "spehs". Click that and peruse at your leisure to see how I can use an Aerospace Fighter to drop a light vehicle (in this case, an APC) directly from orbit.

here we go!

Code: [Select]

Wheeled APC VAL

Mass: 10 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Wheeled
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/E-F-D
Production Year: 0
Cost: 215,425 C-Bills
Battle Value: 148

Power Plant:  40 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 64.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Armor:  Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    1  Small Pulse Laser
    1  Infantry Bay (3.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

Overview:
This is the standard APC of the Valhallenmark (my AU country).


It is heavily based off of the standard wheeled APC in the TRO 3026.
Modifications are as follows. Fusion Engine installed in place of I.C.E.. Ferro
Fibrous armor replaces standard. Machine Gun removed and Small Pulse Laser
installed into turret. Infantry Bay capacity increased to allow for full
platoon to be carried.


These move lots of troops wherever they are needed very rapidly.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                       5 points                1.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                 40                       1.50
    Cruise MP:  6
    Flank MP:   9
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         0.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    0.50
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV -  44                  2.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     10       
                                          Left/Right    9/9         
                                              Turret     9         
                                                Rear     7         

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Pulse Laser                            T         2         1         1.00
Infantry Bay (3.0 tons)                      BD        0         1         3.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      1    Points: 1
6          1       0       0       0      1     0   Structure:  0
Special Abilities: ENE


If you'll note, it's the same frame. Same speed. Same general everything as the standard Wheeled APC. The I.C.E. engine has been replaced with the lighter and more efficient Fusion engine, freeing up loads of weight. The 1 squad has been tripled to carry 1 platoon of infantry. The Machine Gun Turret has been upgraded to a Small Pulse Laser turret. I love this thing! The pic is mostly what I want it to look like.

[Fireangel]

Might be better suited for those players who don't use squad deployment for their infantry. To me, putting the entire platoon on such a flimsy unit is dangerous.

The fusion engine makes it more expensive per unit and requires a higher tech base to build/maintain. Ditto for the FF.

The SPL is a good replacement for the MG, though my brain keeps looking at all those wasted SHS, wanting to put an ERML on the thing.


Since I'm big on squad deployment, I'd reduce the infantry compartment back down to 1 ton, reduce armour grade to standard and add a ton of armour to more than compensate the difference. Then, I'd add either a second SPL or add an ERML for heavier support.

[Cowdragon]

Might be better suited for those players who don't use squad deployment for their infantry. To me, putting the entire platoon on such a flimsy unit is dangerous.

The fusion engine makes it more expensive per unit and requires a higher tech base to build/maintain. Ditto for the FF.

The SPL is a good replacement for the MG, though my brain keeps looking at all those wasted SHS, wanting to put an ERML on the thing.


Since I'm big on squad deployment, I'd reduce the infantry compartment back down to 1 ton, reduce armour grade to standard and add a ton of armour to more than compensate the difference. Then, I'd add either a second SPL or add an ERML for heavier support.

I've never really used squads before. I've used APC's and then as soon as I deployed I moved eveyone back into full platoons, lol. It's meant to be used in that dropship/fighter that I copied from you. So putting more guys down on the dirt with fewer trips seems like a nice use of resources. This isn't meant to be used against battlemechs or even tanks. It's meant to deploy in areas with heavy enemy infantry. I do like adding another SPL though. Let me mess with it a bit more!

[Cowdragon]

Here's a pricey, yet effective little bugger based on the old Gabriel Hovertank. Only this one does something far more useful... it TAGs. Been using these guys since the early 90's to great effect. The only real way to deal with them is to use area effect weapons. Hard to do. The variants are listed in the vehicle descriptions, but I rarely use them. The TAG is the only one that makes it worthwhile.

Code: [Select]

Dodsangeln

Mass: 5 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Hovercraft
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/E-F-E
Production Year: 0
Cost: 189,750 C-Bills
Battle Value: 66

Power Plant:  45 Fusion XL Engine
Cruise Speed: 183.6 km/h
Flanking Speed: 280.8 km/h
Armor:  Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    None
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

Overview:
The Dodsangeln's name means "Angel of Death". This fast little ride doesn't
actually destroy anything itself (unless variants are used) but chooses the
dead, so to speak by TAGging them and bringing a rain of Hel upon an enemy.
These are generally used en masse to swarm a battlefield looking for potential
targets. these were developed from the popular Star League Gabriel Hovertanks,
and were used with great success in Operation Pirate Flush, keeping Valhallen
casualties to a minimum. The Pirates had difficulty tracking the small speedy
targets, and simply could not stand up to the hail of artillery missiles and
shells that were dropped on their heads.


Interestingly, the designers chose to intentionally keep the "horn" feature
that the older Gabriel exhibited unintentionally. Pilots coming back from
sorties call this "Gjalderhorning", and it is a popular habit after successful
missions.


Variants:
there is only so much that can be done with 1 ton os turret space. All of the
following have been tried with varrying success.


Medium Laser - this is the "heavy hitter" of the bunch. Not popular.
designation ML


Flamer - This one was popular among some crews during Operation Pirate Flush.
Especially after seeing how the pirates had treated prisoners and local
populations. Crews called it "cleansing". Designation F


Small Pulse Laser- another moderately popular design. For crews who don't care
to wait for artillery, and prefer a much more direct approach, this is a nice
change. Designation SPL


Twin RL-10's - this is a solid "drive-by" variant. Get in, get out, do it
quickly. Crews tend to enjoy this variant occasionally. Designation RL-10


None of the variants are as popular or successful as the original TAG  variant.
Designation standard.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                       5 points                0.50
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine              45                       1.00
    Cruise MP:  17
    Flank MP:   26
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         0.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.50
Turret:                                                                    0.50
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV -  17                  1.00

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     5         
                                          Left/Right    3/3         
                                              Turret     3         
                                                Rear     3         

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAG                                          T         0         1         1.00

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      1    Points: 1
17         0       0       0       0      1     0   Structure:  0
Special Abilities: TAG, ENE



[Cowdragon]

Here's a Magi upgrade. It's an interestingly inefficient tank. It looks cool, and as an infantry support tank I cannot even imagine it being useful. It moves and has the same armor as a Vedette. However the weapons are woefully light and not even useful against other infantry. I like the idea of it not having a turret. At least that is interesting. Anyway, I wanted to mess with what would make it more effective without chaing too much. So armor was kept the same. Speed the same. Tracks were traded out for a wheeled chassis. THIS! This was the trick to freeing huge amounts of mass. Also, the weapons were upgraded to something that actually affects enemy infantry. Bye bye medium lasers. Hello small pulse lasers! One was even added to the rear to cover that arc. An infantry bay was added which can carry 2 full platoons (or 6 battle armor if needed), and ECM and BAP were added as well. Afterall, if this is meant to support infantry, why not actually give them what they need? A little electronic warfare, a little cover fire, a place to hide if needed, etc, etc. All on a platform that does well on pavement. :)

Code: [Select]

Magi VAL

Mass: 70 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Wheeled
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/E-F-D
Production Year: 2750
Cost: 3,225,150 C-Bills
Battle Value: 676

Power Plant:  330 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor:  Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    4  Small Pulse Lasers
    1  Beagle Active Probe
    1  Infantry Bay (6.0 tons)
    1  Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer:
    Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:

Overview:
By upgrading the Magi's chassis to wheeled from tracked, the designers were
able to utilize several more tons. The weapons systems were also upgraded to
something more capable of dealing with enemy infantry.


All of the Medium Lasers were replaced with Small Pulse Lasers. A rear one was
added as well. A Guardian ECM and Beagle Active Probe were also added, to
assist infantry with those sorts of electronics warfare as needed, cutting off
enemy communication and detecting hidden infantry. Then space was added for 2
platoons of infantry to be moved around a battlefield.


This tank will never win a fight against another tank, but it is a phenominal
infantry support vehicle.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      35 points                7.00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                330                      37.00
    Cruise MP:  5
    Flank MP:   8
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             10                        0.00
Control Equipment:                                                         3.50
Lift Equipment:                                                            0.00
Turret:                                                                    0.00
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 170                  9.50

                                                      Armor     
                                                      Factor     
                                               Front     44       
                                          Left/Right   43/43       
                                              Turret     0         
                                                Rear     40       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat     Spaces     Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Pulse Laser                            FR        2         1         1.00
Beagle Active Probe                          FR        0         1         1.50
Small Pulse Laser                            LS        2         1         1.00
(R) Small Pulse Laser                        RR        2         1         1.00
Small Pulse Laser                            RS        2         1         1.00
Infantry Bay (6.0 tons)                      BD        0         1         6.00
Guardian ECM Suite                           BD        0         1         1.50

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 7
5          1       0       0       0      3     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: PRB, RCN, ECM, ENE


*Fireangel, I wonder if slowing down my APC would be something viable? This would allow for more armor, and it's not like infantry could move to keep up with it. On the other hand, this gets them to their target location much faster. Thoughts?

[SCC]

The first one really needs a drop chute for the landing
The second one needs a ERML variant

[Cowdragon]

The first one really needs a drop chute for the landing
The second one needs a ERML variant

drop chute = cool idea!

ERML = no go. Old Star League tech. Otherwise nice idea. A Small Pulse Laser or Flamer variant would be cool though1 :)

[Sabelkatten]

An "assault" Magi with an XLFE could be interesting...  :-\

[Cowdragon]

An "assault" Magi with an XLFE could be interesting...  :-\

It could be, but I wanted to keep it as close as possible to the original price and mission profile. I know going from a tredded motive system to a wheeled is pretty major, but armor coverage, most weapons ports, speed, and engine are all identicle. The weapons were switched for identical weight pulse lasers though.

Giving it an XL makes it super expensive and more worth using a mech. But I did toy with the idea! :D