Someone mentioned why existing ICE-powered vehicles weren't being redesigned with fuel cell powerplants once the technology was listed as tournament-legal, so I decided to see what it could do for one of the more in-universe maligned vehicles, the Hetzer.
Hetzer-FC Wheeled Assault Gun
Mass: 40 tons
Movement Type: Wheeled
Power Plant: SitiCide 140 FC
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: StarSlab/6
Armament:
2 LFN Lindblad Machine Gun
1 Crusher SH Cannon AC/20
Manufacturer: Quikscell Company
Primary Factory: Kalidasa
Communication System: Johnston Q-Band
Targeting & Tracking System: Scantrex Dual Tac
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-E-D-D
Cost: 899,800 C-bills
Overview
The Hetzer-FC is a product of the Kalidasda plant, based on input from
Marik armor commanders looking for a better defensive vehicle. Looking
to capitalize on the potential new market, the Quikscell engineers decided
to make use of a local firm that manufactured fuel cell powerplants that
could be used to improve the lowly 'H-WAG'. When the cost quoted by
the firm was too high for their liking, the local Quikscell executives took
the unusual step of executing a hostile takeover of the firm and directly
adapting the fuel cell technology to the existing SitiCide platform. While
the expense of buying out the smaller company raised some brows, the
payoff came when the new Hetzer was immediately bought by the FWLM,
who simply dubbed the new design the Hetzer-FC.
Capabilities
The Hetzer-FC stays true to the majority of the 'wheeled assault gun'
concept, while making use of the available tonnage to improve on the design.
In place of the commander's hatch, a small turret was added with twin Lindblad
machine guns for a measure of self-defense. While it does raise the profile of
the vehicle somewhat, the turret itself is well-armored and not very tall itself.
The engineers were also able to add extra armor to the vehicle, making up for
some of Quikscell's slapdash manufacturing quality.
The extra armor helps the vehicle in combat, though it still is forced to fight
from a defensive posture due to still needing to keep the target in front of the
vehicle. The increased cost of the new fuel cell powerplant, though, has meant
that the Hetzer-FC has not sold as well as the less expensive original version.
Deployment
The Hetzer-FC has only been found in Marik unit so far, mainly due to the
type only being manufactured on Kalidasa. While most Hetzers are seen as a
poor man's combat vehicle, the new Hetzer is being seen in more prominent
roles, mainly as urban combat command vehicles until more of them are available.
It is thought that the FWLM is going to make the Hetzer-FC the centerpiece of
garrison units on high-priority worlds where 'Mechs would be used but are needed
elsewhere.
Type: Hetzer-FC
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Movement Type: Wheeled
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 649
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 4
Engine 140 Fuel Cell 6
Cruising MP: 4
Flank MP: 6
Heat Sinks: 1 0
Control Equipment: 2.0
Power Amplifier: 0.0
Turret: 0.5
Armor Factor 120 7.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 4 32
R/L Side 4/4 24/24
Rear 4 22
Turret 4 18
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
Trailer Hitch Rear 0.0
AC/20 Front 14.0
2 Machine Guns Turret 1.0
Machine Gun Ammo (200) Body 1.0
AC/20 Ammo (20) Body 4.0
