Help/Recommendations Requested - Main Battle Tank (50T or less)

[Hellraiser]

So, the title says it all really.  But here's a little background.

I'm looking for canon combat vehicles (Tracked?) that can fit the role of MBT for a tank unit that is being moved aboard a Seeker class DS in those Light Vee bays that are limited to 50 tons for fast deployment.

Historically, in this role I've gone 1 of 2 routes.

1.  Use a combo of Myrmidons & Hunters
2.  Pack Heavy MBTs as Cargo.

But, I'm looking for new options for #1 that I might not know of.

There are newer TROs that I never memorized w/ units I'm not familiar with dating from the Age of War or the Republic of the Sphere eras, or, maybe there's just something I & haven't thought of or found yet. 

So Help Wanted!  Let hear it.  What's out there that qualifies as a MBT (or at least close to that) but fits in a 50T or less package?
   (Hovers need not apply..... as much as I love the Drillson, I am looking for Tracked for the most part, but let me know if there is a reason for something else)
Speed isn't an issue here, just looking for Armor+Firepower on a smaller frame.

Thanks ahead of time for any ideas you can give.  :)

[MoneyLovinOgre4Hire]

Have you considered the Schildkröte from TRO 3145?  It's 50 tons, has 10 tons of heavy ferro, and uses an armored motive system and AMS.  Firepower is either an LB 10-X and Light PPC or a Heavy PPC and SRM 2.

[monbvol]

If era is a consideration I find the Goblin is surprisingly effective as a MBT.

[AlphaMirage]

Goblin is good, you can also look into the later Vedettes particularly the fuel cell ones as those actually do have pretty good firepower. They could be better at 45t but 50t is canon.

For a 'light' MBT mobility is key heavier ones can pack more weapons and armor but moving at a cruise of 5 is very powerful when you can't mount super heavy weapons or thick armor.

[Hellraiser]

1.  Thanks all for the great suggestions so far.  Some I've never heard of, some I have.

2.  Era is partially a consideration, if it works for SW/CI stuff then I prefer it but right now I'll take anything since the other constraints of MBT+Seeker is already limiting.

3.  Speed isn't an issue, I get PLENTY of speed from Hovers/Vtols, this particular Platoon just needs to be the Durable/Firepower part of a "Light Company".
     I actually default to the slower Hunter upgrade model once its available for the extra firepower while only being 4/6.  (Which I hated when it came out but like it for this job)

[Goose]

… Soooo you're looking for a medium tank?

[Daryk]

+1 more for the Goblin mentions so far!  You need to look at the LRM and SRM variants, and the Kurita MG variant can carry even more infantry.

[worktroll]

Just came to say what Daryk already said. The MG variant is introtech, but unfortunately limited to the Dragon's armies. The LRM variant is particularly handy in backing up the laser & SRM versions.

[Ruger]

Vedette with fuel cells; either the armor variant or the V9, perhaps?

Ruger

[Charistoph]

An additional +1 for the Goblin from me.

The Vedette is too much a sniper in its base consideration, with nothing to back it up.  It's basically a heavier Scorpion.

The Goblin still carries a gun that can punch holes in its main SW configuration, then has 2 more that can fill it up even more depending on if you want it from downtown or up in the grill.  While the Armor isn't amazing, it's still pretty good for its weight.  Toss in a few sassy squads of Infantry to be spotters or ambush harassers, and you have a decent medium tank.

Of course, this is coming from someone who hasn't actually deployed any, yet.  I will be deploying a Lance-worth this next Friday as part of a Clan campaign OpFor, along with a few other tanks for them to blow up.  I searched up and down what was available to figure out what to consider, and these look like the best option.

[Ruger]

An additional +1 for the Goblin from me.

The Vedette is too much a sniper in its base consideration, with nothing to back it up.  It's basically a heavier Scorpion.

The Goblin still carries a gun that can punch holes in its main SW configuration, then has 2 more that can fill it up even more depending on if you want it from downtown or up in the grill.  While the Armor isn't amazing, it's still pretty good for its weight.  Toss in a few sassy squads of Infantry to be spotters or ambush harassers, and you have a decent medium tank.

Of course, this is coming from someone who hasn't actually deployed any, yet.  I will be deploying a Lance-worth this next Friday as part of a Clan campaign OpFor, along with a few other tanks for them to blow up.  I searched up and down what was available to figure out what to consider, and these look like the best option.

The fuel cell model Vedette’s tend to carry type 10 autocannons of some flavor or bombast lasers, so don’t see them as snipers myself.

Some even have Gauss rifles.

Ruger

[Charistoph]

The fuel cell model Vedette’s tend to carry type 10 autocannons of some flavor or bombast lasers, so don’t see them as snipers myself.

Some even have Gauss rifles.

Ruger

Notice I said "base consideration", meaning its main initial entry in the TRO, and what first comes up on Sarna.

Gauss Rifles are also sniper weapons, too, by the way.

[AlphaMirage]

I think you have a strange strain of logic if you think an MBT is NOT a Sniper. Vehicles shouldn't be brawling, their sides are to vulnerable for that and they don't have jump mobility. You could have say skirmishers but those are hovercraft and the OP very clearly said they didn't want hovers.

[PuppyLikesLaserPointers]

Even the MBTs of our real era are the snipers as well. As the line tank being a sniper is not so bad at all.

[Charistoph]

I think you have a strange strain of logic if you think an MBT is NOT a Sniper. Vehicles shouldn't be brawling, their sides are to vulnerable for that and they don't have jump mobility. You could have say skirmishers but those are hovercraft and the OP very clearly said they didn't want hovers.

Even the MBTs of our real era are the snipers as well. As the line tank being a sniper is not so bad at all.

It's fine to say that when heavy guns have a sniper range, but in the setting, that only applies to PPCs in the Succession Wars.

Simply put, the AC/5 isn't the gun for an MBT, which is why I compared the Vedette to a Scorpion.

[Gorgon]

To me, the Korvin is a near-perfect "light" MBT. I find the combination of large laser + LRM to be more versatile than the PPC + SRM of the Myrmidon. And the plentiful machine guns don't hurt, either. Unfortunately, it is extinct in most of known space for most of the time...

[Ruger]

It's fine to say that when heavy guns have a sniper range, but in the setting, that only applies to PPCs in the Succession Wars.

Simply put, the AC/5 isn't the gun for an MBT, which is why I compared the Vedette to a Scorpion.

I can agree with the original model, but the fuel cell options are a bit more robust and tough.

Ruger

[Charistoph]

I can agree with the original model, but the fuel cell options are a bit more robust and tough.

Ruger

Which is why I kept my estimation to the time period before fuel cells became available.

[Iron Grenadier]

Some solid choices so far.


Other options might be the

Main Gauche =
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Main_Gauche

Hasek -
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Hasek_(Combat_Vehicle)

Phalanx -
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Phalanx_(Combat_Vehicle)



You didn't mention no Wheels, so maybe the

Chevalier -
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Chevalier

Striker
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Striker_(Combat_Vehicle)

[Gorgon]

I love both the Phalanx and Main Gauche, but I would hardly cal them MBTs. They're support tanks - a pair or even platoon of Main Gauche can bring some nice direct fire support to the table and the Phalanx is a nice escort tank that can murder BA for cheap...