Bombshell Genius
Image Source: http://www.moddb.com.../aia-hovertank1
Intent: To provide a main battle tank that can be used for sweeping minefields and neutralize Force-using enemies around the tank
Development Threads: (for void stones under the old challenge, avoid using the word "the")
- Princess betrothal (30 posts)
- Transfer of power (10 posts)
40 posts total
Manufacturer: Ringovinda StarYards
Model: Malachor minesweeping main battle tank
Affiliation: Open market
Modularity: No
Production: Minor
Material: Durasteel chassis, quadranium/terenthium armor, void stones
Role: Main battle tank, mine sweeper
Height: 2.7 meters
Length: 8.5 m (frame)/11 m (with dual laser cannons fully extended in forward position)
Width: 3.77 meters
Weight: 66 tons
Minimum Crew: Two (driver, sweeper operator)
Optimal Crew: Three (driver, gunner, sweeper operator)
Propulsion: Repulsorlift
Top Speed: 130 KM/H
Armaments:
- 2x laser cannons (can be retracted or extended)
- 2x Korriban heavy machineguns
Squadron Count: 12
Passenger Capacity: Six to eight soldiers can be carried atop the turret, without any comfort
Cargo Capacity: 250 kg
Misc. Equipment:
- Weasel retractable rotating flail
- Mine detector, which extends the rotating flail upon detecting mines
- Other standard tank equipment (integrated rangefinder, communications array, sensor array, electronic countermeasures)
Description: The Malachor minesweeping main battle tank was designed when it became evident during the Stygian Caldera campaign that main battle tanks were vulnerable to Sith Lords and, more generally, any Force-using enemies. As a result, Ringovinda StarYards redesigned the tank's armor to include ground void stones within its inner armor layer. However, in absence of Force-users among an enemy force, its functionality is equivalent to that of a standard Zamboni minesweeping main battle tank. Due to the burst fire nature of the Korriban heavy machineguns mounted on its turret, it is recommended to fire them only one at a time. Nevertheless, they can be targeted independently from the main turret and, since they are slugthrowers, they will not be batted away by a lightsaber.
As with its original, its ability to sweep mines come from a mine detector included inside a retractable Weasel rotating flail. Said rotating flail extends when it detects mines, slowing the tank down to ensure a thorough clearance of the minefield. The mine detector, mounted in the flail's rotor, uses a ground-penetrating radar and an explosives trace detector to detect mines based on ion mobility spectometry. When the rotating flail is extended, however, the main turret cannot be aimed on the 90-degree forward arc or the main cannons will risk being damaged by the chains of the flail.
Strengths:
- Mine sweeper: it is capable of clearing a path for mines
- Can aim secondary weapons independently from the main turret
- Can gradually neutralize Force-powers of any Force-using enemy at the tank's point-blank range as the enemy closes in (ca. 50 meters or so)
- Secondary weapons will not be batted back by a lightsaber
Weaknesses:
- Main cannons' slow rate of fire
- Unstable if flying too high above the ground (can pose a problem five meters above ground or more, and the minesweeping functions become ineffective)
- Cannot be manned by Force-sensitives, lest their Force-powers become ineffective
- When the rotating flail is active, only secondary weapons can be used on the forward 90-degree arc; in addition, the tank slows to a speed where enemy infantry can overtake the tank even at non-forced march speed
Original submission: Zamboni minesweeping main battle tank
