The Burke Defense Tank had long been a mainstay of Niopian defense planning, and the loss of its production had been felt deeply by the Niops Association Militia. It's little wonder, then, that ENG 205B students often work with their upper-division classmen and grad students to try to devise ways to return it to production. One ENG 205A class decided to do the same.
Starting with the truism that fusion engines for the Burke would not be available, they instead worked with the Nuclear Physics and Engineering department to develop a 12-ton pebble-bed fission powerplant and drivetrain that could propel a 75-ton vehicle at the same speeds as the original Burke. The reinforced chassis would mass 17 tons, more than twice that of the original, using older techniques and lower grade materials, and the armor plating would add eight tons on top of that.
Armament, when compared to the original, is more limited, with a Blazer cannon replacing the triple PPCs, backed by three LRM-5s. To provide a modicum of protection against infantry, twin machine guns were fitted.
While surprisingly capable, there are definitely drawbacks to the fission-powered Burke. Crew size has ballooned to seven people, overall firepower has been reduced, and the modern pebble-bed reactor promises relative safety in the event of a breach, that safety is still relative, and production of the fission plants is difficult and time-consuming. It is uncertain, therefore, whether this fission-powered Burke will reach full production/
Burke Defense Tank (Fission)
<p>
<b>Mass: </b>75 tons<br/>
<b>Movement Type: </b>Tracked<br/>
<b>Power Plant: </b> Fission<br/>
<b>Cruising Speed: </b>21.6 kph<br/>
<b>Maximum Speed: </b>32.4 kph<br/>
<b>Armor: </b>BAR 10</b><br/>
<b>Armament:</b><br/>
2 Machine Gun<br/>
3 LRM 5<br/>
1 Binary Laser (Blazer) Cannon<br/>
<b>Communication System: </b>Unknown<br/>
<b>Targeting & Tracking System: </b>Unknown<br/>
<b>Introduction Year:</b> 3155<br/>
<b>Tech Rating/Availability:</b> E/X-X-X-D<br/>
<b>Cost:</b> 1,582,109 C-bills<br/>
</p>
Type: Burke Defense Tank
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Mass: 75 tons
Battle Value: 692
Equipment Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls 19.0
Engine/Trans. 12.0
Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks 16 16.0
Fuel 0.0
Turret 1.0
Armor Factor (BAR 10) 126 8.0
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front 8 30
R/L Side 8/8 22/22
Rear 8 22
Turret 8 30
Weapons
and Ammo Location Tonnage
3 LRM 5 Front 6.0
Machine Gun Front 0.5
LRM 5 Ammo (48) Body 2.0
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100) Body 0.5
Machine Gun Turret 0.5
Binary Laser Cannon Turret 9.0
Cargo
None
Notes:
Features Armored Chassis Chassis and Controls Modification
CASE(0.5 tons)
Advanced Fire Control(2 tons)
