"Embatino" pocket battle tank
50 tons
BV: 686
Cost: 989,250 C-bills
Movement: 3/5 (Tracked)
Engine: 150 I.C.E.
Internal: 25
Armor: 136
Internal Armor
Front: 5 31
Right: 5 25
Left: 5 25
Rear: 5 25
Turret: 5 25
Weapons Loc Heat
Machine Gun TU 0
Auto cannon/10 TU 3
LRM 5 TU 2
SRM 4 TU 3
Ammo Loc Shots
Half Machine Gun Ammo BD 100
AC/10 Ammo BD 10
AC/10 Ammo BD 10
LRM 5 Ammo BD 24
SRM 4 Ammo BD 25
Overview
The Embatino is a medium battle tank with the heart of a heavy, literally. this vehicle is only as fast as a typical heavy ICE powered MBT. However, this poor mobility is offset by additional armor and a weapons package that is an homage to simple utility. The AC/10 is a solid performing weapon capable of dealing good damage at a variety of ranges. Backing up the main gun is a classic LRM5/SRM4 combo that supplements the firepower of the AC/10 nicely at both long and short ranges. Finally, a single machine gun is added to provide basic anti infantry defense.
Strengths
The Embatino is well, cheap. At just under 1million C-bills the Embatino can be produced in greater numbers than most of its direct competitors. This allows the Embatino to "gang up"(at least in the defense) on the more expensive fusion powered 60ton opponents while having similar performance to any 60ton ICE battle tanks. As the opposition gets heavier, this logistic advantage becomes more pronounced. Some 75 ton MBT's cost as much as 3 Embatinos. In short, the Embatino enjoys strength in numbers. Train the crews of several of these tanks to work together, and the results can be impressive.
Compared to most other medium tracked tanks the Embatino equal or better armor (8.5tons) and equal or better firepower. In addition, the LRM5/SRM4 combo creates a relatively easy conversion into a twin LRM5 or dual SRM4 model that allows purchasers and commanders to customize this tank to better fit the most likely types of fighting that the commander will be doing. Also, as this tank is built on a 50ton chassis, there may be some shared components with the vedette, making production and repairs easier.
Weaknesses
The Embatino is well, cheap. It's heavy tank speed makes it into a unit that can't always run away, and it's 8.5 tons of armor doesn't compare favorably with a proper heavy MBT. Similarly, the total weapons package also doesn't quite measure up to that of a true main battle tank.
Opportunities
The Embatino is, erm, cheap. I may have mentioned this before..... It's low price, solid armor, all around firepower, and (possible) common parts availability make it an attractive buy for any force. Forces like planetary garrisons, and maybe some mercenary units would be the parties most likely interested in a unit like the Embatino.
Threats
The toughest competitors are most likely the less expensive Vedette, whose better mobility and longer ranged AC/5 will be a bit of trouble(though significantly mitigated by the Embatinos' LRM5), and the (40%)more expensive Myrmidon, whose better mobility and PPC represent the greatest threat to the Embatino in the medium tank category.
Variants
As has been mentioned above, the "longhorn"(LRM5) and "shorthorn"(SRM4) variants of the Embatino are simple modifications. The designers have also considered making this tank a 55ton tank, adding 3tons of armor(11.5tons total).
Note
1. This concept and design predates (but was not posted) prior to toms' request for more specialized designs. I wanted to post the idea, so I posted it anyway. I apologize for that tom.
2. "Embatino" is a vocalization of the acronym MBTINO. Which stands for Main Battle Tank In Name Only.
