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Raven!
Clan Snow Raven
Galaxy Commander
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1326
Location: United States
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 Posted: 23-Feb-2006 12:31 Post subject: 3025 Infantry Fighting Vehicles |
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Hello everyone. As everyone is aware, I'm very interested in the power of infantry on the field of battle. The recent Urbie remake thread which included a post with an Urbie carrying an Arrow IV made me wonder what could be done with light equipment combined with infantry support.
Toward that end I am working on a series of 3025 era Infantry Fighting Vehicles that use heavy infantry weapons (given BattleTech stats) to fight with. The idea is that the weapons could do 0, 1 or 2 points of damage against a Battle Mech, but are designed to crush infantry.
Anyway, enjoy.
IFV-3TC Iron Wolf
Mass: 10 tons
MP: 3
CP:5
Engine: Nissan ICE (2 tons)
Control: 0.5 tons
Internal Structure: 1 ton
Armor: 2.5 tons (20 points)
Armor Layout
Front: 5
Left/Right Side: 4/4
Turret: 4
Rear: 3
Equipment: (4 tons)
Semi-Portable Autocannon (Turret) (0.25 tons)
Semi-Portable Autocannon (Turret) (0.25 tons)
Ammo (AC) 50 (Body) (1 ton)
Heavy Grenade Launcher (Forward) (0.25 tons)
Ammo (Grenade) 100 (0.25 tons)
Infantry Squad (1 ton)
Sensor Package (0.75 tons)
Turret (0.25 tons)
Overview:
Because of the cheapness of training and equipping infantry and armor units, those form the core of many Taurian world defenses. Knowing that having strong mechanized infantry would increase their ability to operate effectively with armored units, the Taurian Concordat began a program of IFV development.
The winning bid would have to be capable of the following: limited anti-vehicle and anti-Battle Mech operations; armor thick enough to resist conventional anti-infantry weapons; and the ability to carry a squad of infantry, as well as destroy an enemy squad all on the same machine.
A daunting task. Current Armored Personal Carriers, though fast, were just not capable of much more then moving infantry and could hardly be considered an IFV. They just did not have the ability to fight multiple targets effectively.
The Iron Wolf, the winning bid from a small armor firm on Taurus, won the bid with their Iron Wolf, a slow but deadly IFV designed to keep pace with an Infantry platoon and provide them necessary fire support.
Capabilities
The capabilities of the Iron Wolf are centered around the semi-portable Autocannon. This is, essentially, a radically stripped down AC/2 that had been meant to give a serious heavy weapon to an infantry squad, but has also been found to be an extremely effective weapon when mounted in the turret of the Iron Wolf. Able to keep a heavy amount of firepower pointed at enemy infantry and armor units, many have found the Iron Wolf to have bite, even if it is light.
Assuming infantry support the design has one weakness: its one purely anti-infantry weapon, the heavy grenade launcher, is only mounted forward. A fully automatic weapon, it is often controlled by the driver, who is usually firing the plentiful ammunition into any dark corner, recessed area, or ally that could potentially hide enemy infantry units. Occasionally the grenade launcher is used against armor, but this is only used as a psychological "keep your head down" weapon, as the HE grenade just does not have the power to penetrate any level of armor.
The heavy, yet fine quality, sensors and communications equipment of the Iron Wolf allow it to have unparalleled C3 control between other armor, infantry, and even specially modified Battle Mech. The system is a modification of the Pegasus Scout system, minus the large orbital communications array. Rather, focus was placed on imitating the Advanced Communications Kit with its 1000 kilometer range. Though the original could communicate with Dropships, as well being small enough for a squad to carry, the new model is barely small enough to fit comfortably in the cockpit of the Iron Wolf, and is still missing some functions of the original. However, this is still considered a technological leap forward for the Concordat.
History & Usage
The Iron Wolf is usually assigned in lance strength to support a platoon of Infantry. The lance is considered one "squad" with three squads regular rifle troops with a single heavy weapon, usually a machine gun or LAW, with an attached heavy weapons squad. This new organizational approach alone is a large step forward for the Concordat, showing a willingness to approach military strategy and tactics with a new mind. The flexibility provided by this approach, especially in a company of four platoons, would be deadly, even against Battle Mech.
This was readily displayed in combat on Gaul, where the training and integration of the Iron Wolf into Infantry units was progressing nicely when a DropShip was detected on approach.
The I/AISTF (Infantry/Armor Integration Special Task Force) had been operating for six months when the raiders came. In that time the units had become very comfortable working with each other. When intelligence came in that the force consisted of almost a full company of light and medium Battle Mech, the I/AISTF did not hesitate to mount a defense.
The key battle took place between a HER-2S Hermes II and Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 203rd Infantry Combat Regiment. The flamer o f the HER-2S was being used liberally to burn down the outskirts of the town the raider was passing through, and command was worried that nothing would be able to stand against the power of that weapon. The commander on scene, however, had a different plan.
Moving his platoons from their original positions into a semi circle around the Hermes, he prepared to meet the Battle Mech with wolf pack tactics. A single tank drove out a side street to strafe the machine, causing minimal damage with autocannon fire. The Hermes responded with its on AC/5, and though the machine was damaged, its front armor tattered, it was able to limp to safety. The Hermes, moving to pursue, marched past another side street, and was met with blistering fire from a full platoon and Iron Wolves. Disoriented, his flamer in the wrong direction, he fired his medium laser, and though men died, most managed to scurry back into cover. The Hermes turned to this much bigger threat and the third wave hit.
The third platoon stepped out of cover and also launched a blistering attack. Machine gun, rifle, and autocannon blasts slammed the machines weak rear armor, and whittled away at the already damaged legs. At this point the heavy weapons squads, armed with mortars, let loose, causing further damage and disorientation from nearly 300 meters away.
The Hermes tried to back away, and used its flame thrower on all nearby buildings. However as it stepped back into the main street, the first platoon, minus one badly damaged IFV, was waiting for it. Their volley tore into the armor as another round of mortars fell. Firing both medium laser and autocannon did inflict damage, but not enough to stop the first platoons attack. Knowing that the MechWarrior had to be very confused and probably frightened, the commander threw all of his company at the machine at once. The firepower was intense, and as the smoke cleared, the machine was still standing.
Dented, torn apart by autocannon and machine gun fire, it looked like it been smashed. However, it was still standing. Smoke curled up and away from the shattered corpse as it swayed in the breeze. And then, without warning, it simply toppled to the ground. The commander ran forward, rifle raised and examined the machine.
The armor on the head was destroyed, hit after hit by autocannon, machine gun, rifle, and mortar fire had cracked it, and a machine gun had torn across the damaged view plate, killing the MechWarrior inside.
As his company celebrated the victory, reports came in from around the city of how the Battle Mech had either been captured or destroyed, and a fast response company had even managed to seize the DropShip. To this day, the Iron Wolf is considered the best IFV for an infantry force to go into combat with.
Raven!
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ICER
Clan Hell's Horses
Galaxy Commander
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1663
Location: United States
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| Posted: 23-Feb-2006 13:06 Post subject: RE: 3025 Infantry Fighting Vehicles |
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You know, I liked the story more the actual vehicle. But then I'm not a big fan of the 2700 era.
Good job on both accounts though
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Raven!
Clan Snow Raven
Galaxy Commander
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1326
Location: United States
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| Posted: 23-Feb-2006 13:30 Post subject: IFV-45H Black Crow |
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IFV-45H Black Crow
Mass: 10 tons
MP: 6/9
Engine: Omni ICE (1 ton)
Lift Equipment: 1 ton
Control Equipment: 0.5 tons
Internal Structure: 1 ton
Armor: 3 tons
Armor Layout:
Front: 8
Left/Right Side: 5/5
Rear: 4
Rotor: 2
Equipment: (3.5 tons)
Heavy Recoilless Rifle (Forward) (0.25 tons)
Semi-Portable Machine Gun (Left Side) (0.25 tons)
Ammo (HRR) 200 (1 ton)
Ammo (SPMG) 100 (0.5 tons)
Infantry Squad (1 ton)
Mobile Sensor Drones (0.5 tons)
Overview:
The Black Crow is a long range endurance flier meant to move Paratroopers into position on distant fields. Inspired by the defense of Autumn Wind by Marik Colonel Joseph Yetti, the Black Crow is meant to move squads of infantry where they are needed as quickly as possible. Working in large teams, the crows fill the sky as they approach and their infantry begins the attack.
The Black Crow, is seen as a highlight of what is to come for the 31st Century in the Taurian Concordat. Locally produced, effective, and powerful as an infantry transport and IFV, the Black Crow has gone into immediate production despite some concern over the rotor assembly.
Although the fan fare over the Black Crow has focused on the new "defensive" weapons of the Taurian Concordat, some wonder about the role of this new machine. The reason for this is that paratroopers have, traditionally, been an offensive weapon. These rumors have been confirmed, in the minds of some, by further rumors about a new "Paratrooper Army" being formed somewhere in the Concordat.
Apparently infantry regiments from the Magistracy of Canopus, Outworlds Alliance, and Taurian Concordat have been brought together to form a Periphery Paratrooper Army. Though the Taurians and Magistracy have apparently donated more troops and equipment, everyone appears to be an equal partner in this new task force, whose only purpose, conspiracy theorists point out, would be offensive actions against civil rights protesters and other noble minded people.
Capabilities
The Black Crow is a stable and powerful anti-infantry and anti-armor platform capable of bringing a single paratrooper squad into combat against an enemy force. A lance of four, working closely together, are able to bring a full platoon into combat.
The most important feature of the Black Crow is there mobile sensor drone package. Many point out that the Ferret has a more efficient system, yet the response is always the same: National Pride. The system on the Black Crow is home grown, reliable in the harsh conditions of the periphery and also more useful, with thirty sensor pods able to be deployed. A single Black Crow can patrol nearly 100 kilometers without even turning their engine on.
As forward scout and infantry carrier, the Black Crow has no equal. The Ferret might be faster, but for raw power, the Black Crow cannot be met.
History & Usage
Their is only one rumored use of the Black Crow in combat, and this has not been confirmed by the Concordat who insists that the machine is being assigned to defend worlds along the border with House Davion. However, if rumor is correct, then those conspiracy theorists might not have been off on the rumored strike force.
On a small isolated habitable planet in the Periphery, a pirate band had set up a base of operations to strike out at House Davion, the Concordat, House Liao, and the Magistracy of Canopus. Since they rarely went after Liao or Davion, neither of those powers invested much effort into finding them.
That responsibility was left to the Periphery powers. After a raid where a ComStar station had been damaged, the ComGuard had quietly moved out to find the pirates themselves. Investigating they thought they had narrowed down the system to three possibilities and began to check them. However, the Periphery was ahead of them this time. By the time the ComGuard showed up, all that was left to do was clean up.
From what they were able to learn from survivors, a chain of events was built.
The pirates detected the incoming DropShip, and their own made for an asteroid belt to hide and avoid destruction. A small force took the JumpShip and it vanished. The pirates, now extremely nervous, waited, moving the mass of their forces out of the small canyon they had made a base to increase their flexibility.
Three DropShip entered the atmosphere 30 kilometers away, and landed. The Pirates moved out. They were within five kilometers of the LZ when the DropShip roared away into polar orbit. No Mech forces had been encountered or seen.
They moved to the LZ and could see nothing. Just an empty field with still smoldering landing and take off points. No sign of unloading or any indicator of Battle Mech forces. Perplexed the Pirates scouted around and found nothing.
Then the main base radioed that they were under attack by infantry forces. They were fully surrounded and trapped, and their own infantry had been almost fully wiped out in the opening volley. Strange, unfamiliar VTOLs were circling overhead, strong powerful rifles were taking out their unarmored vehicles as a side mounted machine guns raked the compound. The pirate Mech Warriors scrambled to get back to their base.
By the time they arrived it was all over. Bodies littered the ground, buildings and vehicles were still burning, including the hover limo the leader liked to cruise around in. The BattleTech moved fully into the compound, scanning and waiting, knowing that an attack was eminent.
Suddenly a cloud of dust went up near the commanders foot. And something pinged off the shoulder of his Mech with a hard enough explosion to rip away armor and scorch the paint. Soon small explosions were peppering them all. Armor that hadn't been repaired in years was now taking more damage. The commander swore and moved his machines back the way they came in.
Suddenly targeting computers came alive with VTOL symbols. Machine guns bullets reached out to tear at them, as well as heavier slugs from recoilless rifles. The mortars continued to rain down on them, and they began to focus their attacks on the air above. The mobile, heavily armored VTOLs took damage but seemed to vanish as fast as they appeared. The Mechs retreated back into the compound and then turned to head out the other way.
From the rocks a machine gun coughed out a hail of bullets. This was soon joined by more as the Infantry appeared. Rifles cracked and reached for craters opened by the mortars. Soon BattleTech began to fall, one had its gyro cut, another took engine shielding hit, where another had ammunition cook off. The Commander swore, activated his jump jets, and then realized he was an idiot.
As he sailed into the air his sensors got a clear picture of his situation. The canyon sides, at the top were covered with snipers and spotters, and a ways behind them were mortar crews lobbing shell after shell at his men. The force in front of him, though heavily equipped was barely anything, and as he landed he found out why.
Mines tore at his weak leg armor. Machine guns aimed low to add to the leg damage, and more mines detonated as he fell to his side. One penetrated to the vulnerable autocannon ammunition and wiped out his machines core. He cursed as he saw more Mechs going down to similar traps. Finally the infantry simply withdrew.
As the ComGuard cleaned up, they realized that the paratroopers had been very careful, but some equipment left behind: a smashed rifle, shell casings, some broken armor; all seemed to indicate Periphery sources. This had been a well armed and well prepared group, and definitely government supported.
Raven!
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Raven!
Clan Snow Raven
Galaxy Commander
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 1326
Location: United States
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| Posted: 23-Feb-2006 13:31 Post subject: RE: 3025 Infantry Fighting Vehicles |
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Good fluff is always good to have. Makes a vehicle more then just numbers 
Raven!
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