My near clone of the real world Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
Ratel-T ACV INF L
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 320,200 C-Bills
Battle Value: 385
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 Rocket Launcher 10s
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Infantry Compartment (1.0 tons)
1 Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
Ratel Armored Combat Vehicle
==Background==
For what it is the Republic Guard considered the Buffel armored vehicle series a successful design, but the Buffel is little more than an armored military truck chassis. The Buffel worked well for the mission it was designed for, counter insurgency, but with the rise of the Marian Hegemony the Republic Guard realized they needed a more capable infantry fighting vehicle, the Ratel.
==Capabilities==
For various reasons the design commission decided on a light half-track vehicle. Armor is almost twice that on the Buffel Mk. II and III. Armament on the main infantry carrier model includes a medium laser, a machine gun in a remote AI weapons station, and two rocket launchers. A second infantry carrier model forgoes the laser for a 3-tube missile launcher and two tons of ammunition.
At first glance the Ratel appears to be a typical 6x6 vehicle, but the Ratel is a half-track. The drive sprocket and return roller of the track system appear to be conventional wheels and the track, a continuous band type, is rather thin and difficult to spot from a distance. One thing worth noting about the drive system: both the “drive sprocket” and “return roller” are powered by hub mounted electric motors, as are the front wheels.
As is typical in the Republic the vehicle is powered by a fuel cell, using anhydrous ammonia. Fusion power plants, both large municipal power stations and portable ones used by military logistics units crack water and use atmospheric nitrogen to form NH3. The ammonia is much easier to handle and store than liquid hydrogen and has a much higher energy density as well. The fuel cell provides respectable power, the Ratel has a maximum speed of nearly 80 km/hour and does so quietly. Fuel cells generate electrical power directly; therefore, few extra generators are required by troops in the field, they simply plug into a vehicle.
The standard Ratel, the infantry carrier, can haul a squad of up to 10 soldiers but typically carry 8. Four vehicles equip a standard Republic Guard infantry platoon: 32 infantry and 8 vehicle crewmen. Infantry access is via side doors or a narrow rear ramp although care must be taken when towing trailers.
Additional Equipment
The Ratel is designed and equipped for extended independent operations if necessary; a common occurrence during the Compania Insurrection.
Additional fuel tank: total fuel capacity 800 kg. Twice the typical amount for a vehicle its size.
Exhaust condenser (100 kg): Ammonia fuel cell exhaust is water vapor and nitrogen. This unit condenses a portion of the water vapor for use by the crew.
Water storage: two 100-liter water storage tanks (100 kg ea.).
Field Shower Kit (15 kg): Mounted on the rear of the vehicle. Privacy screen requires some setup.
Instantaneous water heater (15 kg): small water heater for rations and shower. Shower water is tepid. Most commanders limit its use for showers to conserve power in the field.
Ration pack oven (10 kg): microwave oven only big enough for a typical ration pack.
Vacuum wrap toilet (10 kg): small seated position vacuum wrap toilet for use on the move. Accepts solid and liquid waste. Waste is sealed in plastic. (Google dry-flush toilet).
Critical care stretcher station (250 kg): one in four infantry vehicles are equipped with stretcher station. Other vehicles use the space for extra stores and/or passenger seating. When setup and in use access to toilet and several seats is blocked.
==Battle History==
The first Ratels entered service over 30 years ago, at the very end of the Compania Insurrection. The vehicle proved capable hunting down insurgents in the bush and its armament proved decisive against the poorly armed guerillas. The Ratel has also been used to hunt pirate bands raids out outside the Republic with mixed success.
With proper support in a combined arms formation the vehicle is as good as any APC available, but it is not a standalone combat vehicle that happens to carry infantry, like the Goblin Medium Tank.
==Variants==
CAV: the cavalry variant is equipped with a C3ISR terminal in the infantry compartment to maintain communications when ranging far from friendly forces, a wide area surveillance camera on an extendable turret mounted mast, and remote sensor dispenser at the rear of the vehicle. The need for the camera forced the removal of the AI weapon station.
Cavalry scout platoons typically have three sections, each with two vehicles. A cavalry section of ten soldiers can provide one dismount scout team of four soldiers and crew both vehicles at full efficiency, simultaneously.
Many cavalry officers and soldiers consider the 20-ton cavalry variant painfully slow for its intended role. Lobbying by the former and retired cavalry soldiers, primarily pretender oligarch Giuseppe D’Acierno, has brought the Ratel T25 prototype out of storage. Engineers plan to refit the 25-ton vehicle with a much larger fuel cell to boost speed. Evaluation of the test vehicle is set to begin with the year.
CE: combat engineers carry around a lot more gear than an infantryman; even more when they have vehicles to pile it on to. The CE was among the last of the Ratel variants to be deployed because designers had so many competing requirements to balance. In the end they had to delete the main turret; a small remotely operated AI weapon station is mounted forward. Two forward firing mine clearance rocket systems are mounted on the top of the vehicle behind the AI weapon station. Internal arrangement has changed to accommodate all the combat engineer equipment and a CASE was added to store all the explosives they tend need. For all the work the vehicle can still only carry a single squad of engineers.
CMD: this model crams a C3ISR terminal and additional displays into the infantry compartment and drops the rocket launcher to provide space for antennas on the turret without limiting fields of fire. Typically issued to company commanders, although some feel the visible differences with the standard infantry vehicle attracts fire.
IFS: the Indirect Fire-Support variant mounts a heavy mortar with automatic reloader in place of the turret. The mortar requires two soldiers to operate at full efficiency: gunner and loader. The loader supervises the loading mechanism and programs ammunition to meet fire mission requirements. The IFS typically carries a five soldier crew but can operate with as few as two.
MED: standard issue medical service and evacuation vehicle. Equipped with specialized C3ISR terminal for robotic surgical suite to compensate for limited medical personnel within the Republic Guard. Surgical suite only functions when vehicle is stopped and deployed. Also equipped with two critical care stretcher stations.
Standard medical support team for a Republic Guard infantry company:
• Senior Combat Medic
• Combat Medics: 1 per infantry platoon + 1 (4)
• MED Vehicle Driver
• Comtech
HQ: the headquarters variant is designed to support battalion, and if necessary, regiment, headquarters units. Two vehicles are typically assigned to each HQ. Four C3ISR terminals are tied together with a range of displays to allow commanders to maintain contact with subordinate and adjacent units, higher echelon, and provide full situational awareness of the battlefield.
Ratel Mark II Vehicle
What is mistakenly called the Ratel Mark II is a 25-ton vehicle hull that never entered production. It was originally developed as an assault gun version of the Ratel carrying a L107K LAC5 class autocannon developed from the Hispano Fabrica 107 AC/10 class autocannon. The model was considered unnecessary given the Skorpios light tank’s availability, which carries the same autocannon. Recently the engineers have begun work on a faster cavalry vehicle based on the chassis.
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 3 2.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Power Amplifiers: 0.50
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 16
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
Light Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
2 Rocket Launcher 10s T 6 2 1.00
Infantry Compartment (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
@LMG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 4
5t 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/1)
Ratel-T ACV INF M
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 309,400 C-Bills
Battle Value: 373
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 MML-3
2 Rocket Launcher 10s
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Infantry Compartment (1.0 tons)
1 Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 1 0.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 16
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MML-3 T 2 1 1.50
Light Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
2 Rocket Launcher 10s T 6 2 1.00
Infantry Compartment (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
@MML-3 (LRM) (40) BD - 0 1.00
@MML-3 (SRM) (33) BD - 0 1.00
@LMG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 4
5t 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/1)
Ratel-T ACV CMD L
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 314,200 C-Bills
Battle Value: 360
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
1 Rocket Launcher 10
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Communications Equipment (1.0 tons)
1 Infantry Compartment (0.5 tons)
1 Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 3 2.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Power Amplifiers: 0.50
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 16
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
Light Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
Rocket Launcher 10 T 3 1 0.50
Communications Equipment (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
Infantry Compartment (0.5 tons) BD 0 1 0.50
Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
@LMG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 4
5t 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/1)
Ratel-T ACV IFS
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 339,400 C-Bills
Battle Value: 347
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 BA Auto Mortar
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Infantry Compartment (0.5 tons)
1 Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 1 0.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 16
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BA Auto Mortar T 3 1 2.00
Light Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
Infantry Compartment (0.5 tons) BD 0 1 0.50
Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
@BA Auto Mortar (180) BD - 0 3.00
@LMG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 3
5t 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: ARTTMOR, EE, TUR(1/1/0)
Ratel-T ACV CAV
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 356,200 C-Bills
Battle Value: 353
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
1 Rocket Launcher 10
1 Unknown Hitch
1 Remote Sensor Dispenser
1 Recon Camera
1 Communications Equipment (1.0 tons)
1 Infantry Compartment (0.5 tons)
1 Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 3 2.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Power Amplifiers: 0.50
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 80 5.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 16
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hitch RR - 1 0.00
(R) Remote Sensor Dispenser RR 0 1 0.50
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
Recon Camera T 0 1 0.50
Rocket Launcher 10 T 3 1 0.50
Communications Equipment (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
Infantry Compartment (0.5 tons) BD 0 1 0.50
Cargo, Standard (1.0 tons) BD 0 1 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 4
5t 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/1)
Ratel-T ACV CE
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 381,400 C-Bills
Battle Value: 315
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
2 Rocket Launcher 20s
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Unknown Hitch
1 Infantry Compartment (2.0 tons)
1 Unknown CASE
1 Cargo, Standard (1.5 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 1 0.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 72 4.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 8
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Rocket Launcher 20s FR 10 2 3.00
Hitch RR - 1 0.00
Light Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
Infantry Compartment (2.0 tons) BD 0 1 2.00
CASE BD - 1 0.50
Cargo, Standard (1.5 tons) BD 0 1 1.50
@LMG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 2 Points: 3
5t 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: CASE, EE, TUR(1/1/0)
Ratel-T ACV HQ3
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3050
Cost: 261,400 C-Bills
Battle Value: 249
Power Plant: 100 Fuel Cell Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Communications Equipment (4.0 tons)
1 Infantry Compartment (1.5 tons)
1 Cargo, Standard (1.5 tons)
Manufacturer:
Primary Factory:
Communications System:
Targeting and Tracking System:
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 10 points 2.00
Engine: Fuel-Cell Engine 100 4.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 1 0.00
Control Equipment: 1.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 0.50
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 72 4.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 8
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Light Machine Gun T 0 1 0.50
Communications Equipment (4.0 tons) BD 0 1 4.00
Infantry Compartment (1.5 tons) BD 0 1 1.50
Cargo, Standard (1.5 tons) BD 0 1 1.50
@LMG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 2 Points: 2
5t 1 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: EE, TUR(1/1/0)