Military Ground Vehicles of Your Nation [NO MECHS] Type 6

[Fordorsia]

They only thing I know about that show is that they drifted in a Panzer IV, for some reason.

You can drift in tanks.

But what is this shit

[Anemos Major]

You can drift in tanks.

But for the sake of the tracks, don't do it at home, kids.

[Registug]

That, Ford, is MULTI TRACK DRIFTING

[Stahn]

I would agree if not for the fact that ethnic Stahnese have no facial hair. And that our tanks are crewed by girls women.

NO facial hair?!!! !!!_!!!

Dude. Why?

I just decided. Don't remember why anymore. Much like the native indians. (Or whatever I am supposed to call them in English. No offence, braves)

But it is only the case with pure blood native Stahnese. In Stahn there are other races as well. Our chief scientist has a very long beard for example.

Native Stahnese also turn bright red if they get too much sunlight. I don't mean indian red. I mean bright red.

[Anemos Major]

You can drift in tanks.

But what is this shit

Good-erian.

no, really, I have thirty pages left to do whatever the fuck I want

and this is what I'll be doing

[Registug]

I wonder how Samoz will do the OP when he's away on work placement

[Stahn]

They only thing I know about that show is that they drifted in a Panzer IV, for some reason.

You mean this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SAZMBrg8IY

With sucky music I am sad to say.

And sucky editing.

[Anemos Major]

They only thing I know about that show is that they drifted in a Panzer IV, for some reason.

You mean this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SAZMBrg8IY

With sucky music I am sad to say.

And sucky editing.

I quite like that soundtrack, actually - though it fits somewhat better into its original context.

[Imperializt Russia]

現在運用されているAPFSDSは93式装弾筒付翼安定徹甲弾が使用されている。この弾薬はダイキン工業が開発したもので、初速は1501m/s、装甲貫徹力は射距離2kmで414mm程度の均質圧延鋼版を貫徹可能と推定されており、これは第二世代戦車相手なら概ね正面装甲を貫徹可能なレベルである。ちなみ導入当初に運用されていたL28A1 105mmAPDS弾の装甲貫徹力は同条件で240mm程度、1984年に導入されたM735 105mmAPFSDSで318mm程度であり、当初に比べれば攻撃力は大幅に向上していると言えよう。

I don't speak moon.

現在運用されているAPFSDSは93式装弾筒付翼安定徹甲弾が使用されている。この弾薬はダイキン工業が開発したもので、初速は1501m/s、装甲貫徹力は射距離2kmで414mm程度の均質圧延鋼版を貫徹可能と推定されており、これは第二世代戦車相手なら概ね正面装甲を貫徹可能なレベルである。ちなみ導入当初に運用されていたL28A1 105mmAPDS弾の装甲貫徹力は同条件で240mm程度、1984年に導入されたM735 105mmAPFSDSで318mm程度であり、当初に比べれば攻撃力は大幅に向上していると言えよう。

Anime thread is thataway.

Yes, I know it has nothing to do with anime.

Giving me giggles.

Mat, are you drunk again?

[Anemos Major]

Giving me giggles.

Mat, are you drunk again?

He's not drunk - it's a technical description of the Type 93 APFSDS.

[Kanapolis]

Kanapolis deploys 250 units of Type 99 battle tanks as the assets for its armored forces.
The battle tank is armed with 125 mm smoothbore gun and type 85 heavy machine gun.

[Rich and Corporations]

primer is too small

combustion will be very variable

what %?

[Consortium of Manchukuo]

Thanks for the information. It sounds like it wouldn't be as easy to use the 127mm/45s on the new platforms as I had hoped for. I had been hoping I could just shove on a new muzzle brake and an autoloader and would be good to go, but having to replace the entire barrel means that it'll still cost a fair sum, and its going to be fundamentally inferior to the later gun. Although I like the idea of keeping the 127mm/45 in service for a significantly longer period of time than otherwise, I guess it is just going to have to be shuffled off to reserve formations. 127mm/52.Mle.71M2/MBs which are the muzzle brake equipped version of the 127mm/52 will have a low enough recoil for mounting on mid sized platform, and lighter units would have trouble fitting a 127mm/45 anyway and if they do get a gun system they'll probably be of 76mm-90mm-100mm instead. The only major advantages L/45 have over L/52 as far as my guns go are decreased cost and very slightly decreased recoil, and if the cost advantage isn't there to enough of an extent to outweigh the capability loss, then I have no real reason to keep on using the L/45s. I guess just keeping them in reserve to replace worn out L/45s instead of just redoing their barrel to get rid of them will solve their presence neatly enough in time.

Well, I mean, sort of, but barrels work their way through a barrel life as well - you're going to run through existing stockpiles at some point. The great advantage of remaking your barrels is that you can achieve a fair bit with something that is, in the grand scheme of things and costs, not all that much (so long as you've retained the original machining equipment or some-such) - you can adapt the thing to use a muzzle brake efficiently, you can use whatever improvements in metallurgy that've come up between 'then' and 'now' to improve the gun overall, and you can, pursuant to the above, try lightening it for efficient use on a lighter platform.

I just need to ask - what exactly is the platform you were planning to mount the /45 on in the first place? Because my thoughts about the MCV being altered to use a 120mm down the line have been conclusively dispelled by purported TRDI simulations that point at a vehicle of that weight range with wheels requiring up to 10 wheels to keep the ground pressure down to a manageable level, which is a pretty valid point - if you're using a wheeled chassis, that's one hell of an uphill battle in development terms (and a headache for me).

Sorry for not responding for a few pages, I had forgotten to go back and check. I had written up the MGS I was planning to use with the majority of 127mm guns the MAV-MFSV-127. I'll put it with a spoiler below.

Is that as much of a problem with the 105mm to 120mm upgrades? I had thought that it wouldn't be a major problem with getting guns of the necessary size on my MGS, since the Centauro was getting its upgrade from 105mm to 120mm and was lighter than mine. Oh dear. I might have to use the L/45 then anyway and it might be the best I can get away with. I wanted the L/52 so that it would be able to have fully ammunition and production compatibility/efficiency with my tanks, and so that I could include in the description about how it received technologies from the Model 78 and that is why we didn't cancel that program after it kept on sucking up money for no results for an extended period of time. I don't suppose the L/45 would be a disaster though, just wouldn't be quite as good as the newer system.

I also don't really know what would be the optimal thing to do with the former 127mm guns. It just seemed to be a good idea to just stop logically supporting them and scavenge decommissioned guns for ones that start deteriorating. The 127mm/45s are mounted on old and obsolete tanks that are steadily declining in numbers fielded as they get converted to new vehicles, and so it seemed as if just using guns taken from other vehicles instead of bothering to do any repair work on ones we had would help save cost, and get rid of them faster. I can't think of any vehicle they would be worthwhile on (Unless if you indicate that my MGS can't take the L/52), and we're not going to be keeping the vehicles we currently have for them in service in any numbers for much longer. I'd prefer to use them for something useful, but that was all I could really see them being good for. They're not bad guns after all, there is just no point in keeping them around when we have better ones available that can be used in almost all circumstances anyway.

MAV-MFSV-127

Stablock

Physical Characteristics:

Length: 7.2 meters without gun, 8.2meters with.
Width: 2.73 meters
Height: 2.54 meters
Weight: 25 metric tons
Wheels: 8x8

Armament:

Primary: 127mm/52 autoloading smoothbore gun
Secondary: RWS capable of incorporating 7.5mm or 13.2mm machine guns, 40mm grenade launcher, x3 MANPAD SAMs, missiles anti-tank

Mobility:

Speed: 110 kph max
Power: Model 62-400-8-DBTE-1, 15 kW auxilary power unit
Power to Weight: 24 horsepower per ton
Range: 800 kilometers with 620 liters of fuel internal
Suspension: Hydropneumatic suspension

Protection:
Protection against 20mm frontal aspects
Protection against ~15mm over side and rear
Protection against artillery shell fragments from 160mm artillery
x12 81mm grenade launchers mounted on RWS, x8 81mm grenade launchers mounted on tank
Enhanced protection from detection

Crew: 3

Commander, Gunner Driver

Overview
A mobile fire support vehicle, the MAV-MFSV-127 is used to provide a mobile direct fire support platform for infantry, tank hunter, and heavy reconnaissance vehicle. It is built on the chasis of the Model 71 APC, although with substantial internal revisions. Since its introduction in the middle of the 3770s, it has been widely deployed in Forward Combat Battalions (Which are the Consortium equivalent of cavalry units, although with focus on having additional firepower to provide heavy mobile support), to provide a vehicle with the equivalent firepower of an MBT, on a lighter and cheaper chassis.

Development

Since the 3720s, the Consortium of Manchukuo has favored the adoption of fast, mobile, heavily armored car vehicles to be used for screening, heavy reconnaissance, and anti-tank support. These weren't necessary intended to supplant other reconnaissance vehicles, that would be lighter and designed for low-intensity scouting, but would instead form combat units of their own right, which would screen main formations, and protect the flanks of formations. Although lighter armed vehicles could certainly screen units, they would be sore pressed to do much about heavy combat units moving in the area (When the initial development began, the anti-tank missile was still in its infancy as well, further complicating such an affair). Heavily armed wheeled vehicles would be able to be inherently more flexible, with the capabilities for infantry support, and other direct fire support in place of expensive and (then) slower tanks. However, during this period funding was extremely limited in nature, and by saying that the armed forces "favored" the adoption, it simply means that it was noted that such vehicles would be useful, and no funding was provided to develop the new vehicles, much less produce and adopt them.

This changed during the next decade, when initial work began on the Type 20. Type 20s, which eventually entered service in the mid 3730s, were intended to complement the armored forces, including the Type 27 Light Tank and Type 26 Medium Tank (Which eventually evolved into the Type 26 MBT). It was equipped with a high velocity 75mm gun, and shortly after introduction former 90mm guns found on the initial Series 90 of the Type 26, eight wheels, and an oscillating turret. Although it wasn't built in massive numbers, due to scarcity of resources, alongside the Type 27 it formed the majority of armored fighting vehicle production for the best portion of a decade, as the Type 26 was simply too expensive to procure in large numbers. For the next several decades, it would continue on in service. It was even exported to a few nations in limited number, which was relatively rare - although the Consortium of Manchukuo attempted to export as many designs as it could to attempt to produce some additional funding for its military and to build up arms manufacturing, the relative rarity of Consotium designs, lack of international influence in the market, and the presence of larger foreign competitors meant that generally little success was had.

However, three decades later, it was beginning to seem clear that the Type 20 was becoming somewhat outdated for its role. Its 90mm gun was no longer quite as effective against enemy tanks, and this couldn't be upgunned. Although they could serve adequately in the infantry support role, and in destroying enemy reconnaissance platforms, the fact that the ground forces could no longer count on having a wheeled gun armed tank destroyer was a sore point. Although there many of the Type 20s would soldier on in service for a few more decades by being converted to missile armed tank destroyers, a replacement was needed to serve in the role of the Type 20. Luckily, this benefitted from two ongoing projects - the Model 71 APC, and the Model 78 MBT. When development began of the replacement to the older vehicle, large amounts of equipment and technology could be taken from projects that were already in commission. Combined with pressure to attempt to build as much equipment as possible at home, this also meant that initial proposals to attempt to import a vehicle from foreign nations were quickly shot down.

Using the chassis of the Model 71 APC was a logical choice - not only would logistical interchangability be provided for many of the parts to be used, but the Model 71 was designed from the outset to be low profile, to have a low ground pressure, and to be easily adopted into a wide variety of variants. This had in fact, been one of the design imperatives for the Model 71, the ability to be used for as many other variants as possible, and had been an important reason for several design characteristics. With just a few changes, it provided a highly suitable platform the eventual MAV-MFSV-127. The gun on the initial projects was planned to be a variant of that used on the Type 26-127, but during the design phase, the gun that would go on the Model 78 was eventually perfected, and was fitted onto the MAV-MFSV-127 with modifications to reduce recoil. Since the MAV-MFSV-127 reached service before the Model 78, this ironically resulted in a brief period of time during which the most powerfully armed gun vehicle in the Consortium of Manchukuo's arsenal was a wheeled vehicle rather than a tank. Arguably the MAV-MFSV-127 was instrumental in saving the MBT-70/60 program, which at the time had large cost overruns, was dramatically behind time, and hadn't yielded many successes; its technology was used on the MAV which enabled it to eventually finish several years later.

This eventually resulted in general specifications being met, with a low profile, 3 man, heavily armed vehicle with excellent reconnaissance characteristics, reasonably cheap cost, long range, low weight, and adequate protection against 20mm and intermediate caliber cartridges. It would pass trials in 3774 and would enter production in 3775, and has since then equipped the vast majority of formations with a highly flexible combat vehicle. Various upgrades have since happened or been proposed, but it has mostly been the same since its introduction.

General Characteristics

MAV-MFSV-127s were built on the chassis of the Model 71 APC, and there was little reason to change the majority of the system itself. Model 71s were quite well suited to be used as the chassis for the 127s. The main changes that did happen included a substantially expanded engine compartment, replacement of the passenger carrying compartment with other systems, and the relocating of the commander and gunner to a new turret. This turret on the vehicle was fitted to the rear, necessary due to the design of the vehicle, although admittably designers might have preferred a front mounted system otherwise. There was substantial consideration for using an unmanned turret, but a manned turret was chosen due to a belief that it would be better for the reconnaissance role.

As suiting its heritage, the general dimensions are somewhat similar as to on the Model 71 APC. It is 7.2 meters in length, with a width of 2.73 meters, although its height did grow to 2.54 meters, an unfortunate result of having to have a turret. Still, 2.54 was viewed as an acceptable height for the vehicle, of a sufficient size that it could be hidden effectively enough. Weight also grew up to 25 tons, an increase of four tons, primarily stemming from the turret. Like the height increase, this was viewed as unfortunate but acceptable. There was a slight strengthening of the automotive systems to reflect this, which was also due to the increased power from the engine system.

Main Armament

As earlier noted, the armament of the MAV-MFSV-127 is the same as that on the Model 78-127 series, the 127mm/52-Mle.71M2, although it is equipped with a muzzle break. Creating a muzzle break system for the gun was a difficult task and one that took a significant period of time to succesfully complete, but was eventually completed. Using this did cause some drawbacks - for example, increased dust would be kicked up, potentially revealing the position of the vehicle when it was hiding, or it could also cause a dangerous situation for close by infantry. However, it was necessary to use the muzzle break to reduce recoil and so fit the cannon to the relatively small vehicle. Besides this change, which caused the gun to be named the 127mm/52.Mle.71M2/MB, there are no substantial differences between it and the guns found on MBTs, with similar performance characteristics, and barrel life and weight. It can on this vehicle achieve a gun depression of -6 degrees and an elevation of 16 degrees; this decreased gun depression was viewed as being unfortunate, but design imperatives had forced its usage. It is fully stabilized and is capable of being fired on the move.

Due to the specification flor having a crew of three, it was natural that an automatic loading mechanism would be used onboard. This marked the start of the widespread utilization of autoloaders on modern vehicles of the Consortium of Manchukuo; most previous ones had used manual loaders, although a fair number of experimental projects had proposed autoloader systems. As a result of this, the device used on the 127 was unique in its design, although by its basic principles it roughly matched that of the equipment later fitted to the Model 78 MBT, with a bustle autoloader carrying 16 rounds ready for use. There are an additional 16 rounds in the hull, which add up to a total of 32 rounds - substantially less than that on the 78, but adequate for the 127. It has a slightly reduced, but overall similar rate of fire as compared to the later autoloader on the 78, and doesn't incorporate the ability for the entire bustle to be removed and reloaded, although one upgrade was proposed for this - ultimately not accepted as not being viewed as worth the cost to improve the tanks. The rounds can be reloaded under armor, or out of the armor, although it is rather clumsy and cumbersome to reload it entirely under armor. The full array of rounds available for 127mm smoothbore guns can be used, with these being as follow:

APFSDS:

APFSDS-127-Mle.62 - Round pioneered as the first 127mm modern APFSDS round in the Consortium of Manchukuo
APFSDS-127-Mle.75 - Upgrade of the 127-Mle.62
APFSDS-127-Mle.75/M2 - Further upgrade of the 127-Mle.75

Of these, APFSDS-127-Mle.75/M2 is the only round of the APFSDS category which is still carried in substantial numbers anymore. This is a modern depleted uranium round used to penetrate enemy armor, incorporating the advances and changes made from initial 127mm APFSDS rounds. Previous rounds had been eqipped with tungsten penetrators, but the introduction of uranium improved its ability to combat advanced modern armor.

HEAT:

HEAT-127-Mle.60 - HEAT round adopted by the Consortium of Manchukuo
HEAT-AMMTC-127-Mle.79 - Multipurpose HEAT round with airbursting capability

HEAT-AMMTC-127-Mle.79 has effectively supplanted HEAT-127-Mle.60 in all common roles in current usage. It is a HEAT round designed to be used against a wide range of targets, including personnel, helicopters, armored vehicles (Where, asides from MBTs, it is effective against the majority of units in service), and fortifications. The main differences from previous rounds include superior fragmentation, producing shell splinters at a substantially greater rate, and a smart fuze for airbursting capability. This means it can be programmed with a wide range of attacks, which asides form airburst also include proximity, post-penetration, and impact. As a result of this it can supplant a variety of precious rounds in service, such as canister or high explosive, granting substantially more flexible and effective ammunition load outs.

ATGM:

ATGM-DLOS-127-Mle.75/M2 - Direct line of sight anti-tank missile
ATGM-BLOS-127-Mle.80 - Anti-tank and general missile with non-light of sight capabilities

Unlike other ammunition categores, both of these ATGMs are in general service. ATGM-DLOS-127-Mle.75/M2 is used to provide an anti-tank guided missile for engagement against line of sight targets, typically enemy MBTs. It is equipped with a shaped charge penetrator which is adopted from HEAT-AMMTC-127-Mle.79 and is guided to long range by a millimeter band radar seeker. The intent of this is to provide enhanced range of engagement as compared to standard anti-tank rounds wth the capability to engage enemy tanks in the direct, or top attack role. However, ATGM-BLOS-127-Mle.80 might be viewed as the pre-eminient top attack round, being designed to operate at ranges behind the effective line of direct sight of the missile. It is launched from the main gun, upon which point it attains increased altitude, travels to the target destination area, and activates its millimeter band radar seeker, before attacking the target with an explosively formed penetrator. This enables it to hit the thinner top armor of enemy tanks, at long range. However, it is substantially more expensive than ATGM-DLOS-127-Mle.75/M2.

Generally the majority of rounds are HEAT-AMMTC-127-Mle.79 for infantry support, a moderate number APFSDS-127-Mle.75/M2 for anti-tank work, with a small complement of ATGM-DLOS-127-Mle.75/M2. HEAT rounds are perfectly adequate for the destruction of enemy reconnaissance elements and infantry, which will probably be the main targets found, discovered, and engaged by the MAV-MFSV-127, while its APFSDS and ATGMs provide perfectly adequate anti-tank capability. It doesn't carry BLOS rounds though; generally it will be on the leading edge of any advance or screening force, so isn't needed.

Secondary Armament

Secondary armament, although less vital to the tasks of the vehicle, is still important. It was equipped with a coaxial machine gun as the main armament, which is a standard 7.5mm machine gun equipped with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. This is perfectly suitable for engaging enemy infantry, and represents the standard armament of the vehicle. However, it can also carry a RWS, which was copied from the Model 71 APC's system then in development, after initial test variants had an optional mounting for a 13.2mm machine gun that could be used against aerial or ground targets. This can use 7.5mm or 13.2mm machine guns, a 40mm grenade launcher, a Model 68-50 anti-tank missile, or 3 MANPADs. It also carries up to 12 81mm smoke and infrared grenade launchers.

Fire Control and Sensors

MAV-MFSV-127s are designed to be heavily armed reconnaissance vehicles capable of effective engagement of enemy armored vehicles. This imposes the requirement both for excellent fire control, and very capable sensor systems. Not only did it need to be proficient at destroying highly mobile and well protected units, potentially at long range, but it also had to detect them in the first place. As a result it was fitted with fire control systems more the equivalent of that found on an MBT, and many of which were later adapted for service on the Model 78.

Fire control itself is handled by a fully digitalize and automatic computing system. It incorporates information from the various fire control sensors and information systems onboard, which include a laser rangefinder, crosswind sensor, cant sensors, temperature measurement, air pressure monitors, muzzle referense system, round type information and tracking rate units. Later this was also upgraded with a millimeter band radar system, making it similar in information to that on the Model 78. It also takes in information from sensors like microphones, FLIRs and other infrared devices, electro optical, and vibration sensors, and automatically distributes this to the crew, and the fire control computer. Based on this, and targets assigned by the commander, it then automatically generates firing solutions. It then automatically provides lead, elevation angle, and other relevant information to the gunner, as well as automatically turning the turret and properly elevating with the gun. As a result, the gunner simply needs to pull the trigger. The commander in general searches for targets with his independent thermal view system, then hands them off to the gunner for aquisition. This fire control system can however, be operated by the commander as well.

As earlier mentioned, there is also a highly extensive sensor suite for properly detecting enemies, as well as providing external vision. One feature that the MAV-MFSV-127 pioneeed was the utilization of an extendable sensor array mast, which enables it to see over obstacles, and to attain greater range of vision. It can deploy up to 6.5 meters above the vehicle from the turret, which gives it a suitably high vantage point. Equipment for it includes a visual camera, infrared camera, laser rangefinder, IFF system, and acoustic detection systems, and during an update which also added in the millimeter band radar system to the main fire control, a millimeter band radar unit was added in as well. In addition it serves as a radio mast, providing long ranged communication support back to friendly forces. It is also linked into friendly forces via this and the tactical datanet system, providing a constant stream of information to allies as well as situational awareness for the vehicle itself. During a separate update there was also provisions made for the launching of a UAV, which significantly improved scouting capability.

The crew has their own network of individual sensors. For the driver, three periscopes are provided along with an infrared system, which enables operation in all weather conditions and both at day and night. Similar to on the Model 78, the driver also has access to cameras which monitor the rear and sides of the vehicle. Meanwhile the commander has a commander's cupola fitting 7 periscopes and infrared devices which provides a full 360 degree view, and an infrared camera attached to the RWS. Furthermore he also has an independent thermal view system which enables him to see the area around the entire vehicle. The gunner has his gunner's sights for the main gun of course, and also an independent view system, as well as having input from other sensory systems.

Protection

Protection wise, the MAV-MFSV-127 most closely resembles the Model 71 APC-IP. Although certainly not supposed to have superb protection, it had better protection than the APC models in service at the time. This was quite naturally due to its nature; it would be deployed far forwrd of the main formation, and would commonly be engaging enemy forward reconnaissance assets which would potentially be armed with autocannons. As a result, it needed protection against enemy attacks. This would come through armor, camouflage, mobility, and active protection systems.

Armor-wise, the vehicle is designed to defend against autocannon fire over the frontal aspects, with intermediate caliber elsewhere. Frontally, its protection includes defense against autocannon fire of up to 25mm, while on the sides and rear it has defense against ~15mm caliber weapons. Such an armor scheme comes from the usage of a composite armor system, with a bottom layer of steel and accompanying layers of materials to provide appropriate resistance. As a result of its construction it is also easy to modify it and include additional advanced composite materials, replacing older systems. This furthermore means it is capable of withstanding enemy artillery shell fragments from howitzers and mortars, improving its survivability in the face of enemy camouflage. There were also intents to improve resistance to mines, with significantly increased bottom protection to increase resistance from the 6 kilogram mines anti-tank found on the Model 71 to 8 kilograms. Cage and slat armor can also be fitted to improve protection against HEAT rounds and other munitions, although typically this is only done in the context of close quarters fighting. Of course, in addition to all of this it also has NBC protection(Same NBC protection system as used on the Model 71), vital for survival on any battlefield where nuclear weapons could be in play, and the electronics are supposed to be shielded against enemy EMP attacks. All of the ammunition carried is in blow-out compartments, while there is also an automatic and manual fire extinguisher system.

However, the vehicle does not depend on its armor alone for survival. It would not only be a foolish way for any modern vehicle to survive, but inefficient for a unit supposed to be a forward reconnaissance and scouting element. Instead, its protection primarily stems from being hard to detect, hard to hit, and being easily able to provide protective concealment. Their relatively small size helps with this - although the height did increase with the addition of the turret, it is still a fundamentally low-profile and small unit, making it easier to hide and take advantage of terrain with. Also it is painted with camouflage by region, to help break up the profile of the vehicle. Furthermore it also made dramatic improvements to decreasing detectivity on enemy radar. The shape of the turret for example, was designed to improve the RCS of the vehicle, to protect it from detection from enemies, or to make it appear like a smaller vehicle - a Model 68 Armored Car perhaps, a much less capable unit. During the later upgrade programs, it was also fitted with radar absorbent materials on upper sections of the vehicle. Infrared was also not neglected, as the engine exhaust system incorporates equipment to harvest heat for energy, both significantly decreasing the heat level and providing a capability to recharge the auxilary electric power system onboard. This power system also means that it can turn off the main diesel engine, further reducing infrared signatures.

Another feature that was added on later was an active protection system, which is the same as that found on the Model 71 APC. The usage of an active protection system would provide additional defense against enemy missiles and other munitions, as well as potentially kinetic energy penetrators if they could be intercepted and begin to tumble at an appropriate distance - although for the latter at least, the light amror of the vehicle would probably make this an unlikely happening. Its APS thus relies on using radar to detect incoming projectiles or munitions, a secondary layer of IR lasers to further locate them and attempt to dazzle infrared dependent missiles, and finally countermeasure charges to engage the enemy. Unlike on the Model 71, full angle of engagement capability was given, to give superior resistance to top attack munitions. Besides this it also carries x8 81mm grenade launchers, in addition to those on the RWS.

Mobility

Given that the vehicle was expected to be utilized in a forward scouting role, high mobility was a must. Although its firepower was extensive and protection adequate, mobility above all else had to be emphasized during the design phase if it was to be able to take up the tactical objectives that were set for it. As a result of this, it has large amounts of engine power, excellent suspension systems, good range, and amphibious capabilities. This gives it tactical mobility, while its small weight and size means it can be transported very easily strategically.

On the Model 71 APC, the engine system Model 62-400-8-DBTE-1 was used. This is a 400 horsepower diesel engine of 8 cylinders. Although this generated a highly respectable amount of power on the Model 71, on the 25 ton MAV (As compared to the 71's 21 tons) a horsepower to ton ratio of only 16.5 would be attained. This was clearly insufficient for a fast reconnnaissance vehicle; a horsepower to ton ratio of 25 horsepower per ton had been specified. Luckily on the Model 70 IFV a different engine of 600 horsepower was utilized, the Model 66-600-8-DBTE-1. This engine was somewhat larger and more expensive, but produced the necessary power for the vehicle. With the re-arrangement of some internal systems, it was thus fitted, to attain the necessary horsepower to ton ratio. In addition to this, it also has an auxilary power system, which is the same 15 kW model as found on the Model 71. The rest of the drive systems are the same as on the host vehicle, with hydropneumatic suspension, and the eight wheels. During upgrade programs it was granted a millimeter band wave scanner for the driver, which automatically corrects for detects bumps, enabling a very smooth ride system.

The range of environments that can be accessed by the MAV-MFSV-127 is quite substantial. It has a large reserve of fuel, with some 620 liters of diesel, which enables it to attain a maximum range of up to 800 kilometers. This is in excess of the majority of other units in the Consortium's ground forces, and is due to the wide ranging nature of the vehicles, which will be used as forward scouts and tank destroyers, potentially split off from refueling elements for substantial periods of time. It also has a waterjet system, which enables it to cross water at a speed of up to 10 kilometers per hour - lower than its normal 110 kilometers an hour maximum speed, but still a very useful asset.

Furthermore, it also has excellent strategic mobility. MAVs can fit onto the same medium lift aircraft that APCs can, and this means that they can be quickly ferried around theatres, substantially faster than they could on land. Also, since they're not tracked they do not require major supporting assets for moving around roads in civilian regions, further simplifying the logistics of supporting them.

Crew

A crew of three is used for the vehicle, as on most modern Manchukuo armored fighting vehicles intended for direct combat. This is composed of a commander, gunner, and driver. The commander and gunner both occupy the turret, while the driver is in the hull. In the turret the commander is situated to the left of the gun, while the gunner is to the right, and the driver in the hull is also slightly to the right. Unlike on the Model 71 it is not easily possible to store personal effects on top of the vehicle on racks due to the main gun; instead they are mounted in racks behind the turret, much like on the Model 78. This fits into the general attempt of the designers to emphasize the crew's comfort; for troops who would be performing in the field for substantial periods of time, potentially under NBC conditions, having an appropriate degree of comfort was not only good for combat effectiveness, but extremely vital. As a result, there is an onboard climate control system incorporating heating, cooling, temperature control, and pressure and humidity, reclining and comfy chairs, internet access capabilities when in proximity with friendly troops, hot and cold water dispensors, and a small hot plate for heating up rations.

Doctrine

MAV-MFSV-127s fulfill a variety of roles. As their name suggestes, they are utilized in the infantry support role - providing firepower equivalent to that of an MBT, but on a lighter and cheaper platform. This means that in addition to the already discussed deployment at the level of the Brigade in Forward Combat Battalions, they're also deployed in infantry battalions for self-defense, and integral direct fire support. Their main role however does continue to be in the forward portion of the battle front, where they continually serve to provide heavy firepower to destroy enemy armored and reconnaissance units from ambush positions. It is the goal of the units that operate MAV-MFSV-127s to attempt to take forward positions that other units would be hard pressed to reach in unexpected areas, to continually confuse the enemy, destroy their advancing forces, and magnify the effective combat capability of the Consortium's army on the defense. Theoretically this could be performed by units like MBTs, but these are instead supposed to remain concentrated for decisive attacks and counterattacks, instead of fighting the highly fluid and mobile warfare of the lightly protected but heavily armed 127s.

In the forward combat battalions, MAVs certainly will not form the entirety of vehicles. They'll be working alongside armored cars with smaller size and cheaper cost, to deploy ahead even of the MFSVs, light tank destroyers based on the arrmored car's chassises to lay ambushes, fast moving light infantry formations, and foot scouts carried in mobile units. FCBs will even have light air defense and indigenous artillery. What will separate them from normal units will be both their objectives and means of operations, and the varieties of units that are deployed in them. Although often incorporating similar units to regular infantry or armored formations, the overall objective for the FCB is mobility and firepower, to enable them to stay ahead of the main formation and keep the enemy off balance. For such units, the MAV-MFSV127 is well suited.

Variants and Upgrades

Actual

MAV-MFSV-100
Initial prototype incorporating a 100mm gun instead of the later 127mm guns, used during the design stage to provide a suitable gun mounting until recoil problems could be overcome.
MAV-MFSV-127
Main production model with the 127mm/52.Mle.71M2/MB gun.
MAV-MFSV-127-SU
Sensors upgrade of the vehicle with the addition of an IFF system, millimeter band radars, improved conventional sensors, and superior battlefield networking systems.
MAV-MFSV-127-IP
Improved protection with active protection system
MAV-MFSV-127-FO
Fiber optics upgrade to reduce weight, increase resistance to EMP, and provide superior electronics capacity.

Proposed

MAV-MFSV-160
Proposed 160mm gun/missile launcher adaptation, using decommissioend Type 26 160mm guns. Not used.
MAV-MFSV-180
Proposed 180mm gun/missile launcher adaption, using the same 180mm guns found on Model 78 MBTs. Not adopted for service, excessive recoil and poor ammunition capacity.
MAV-MFSV-127-UT
Unmanned turret variant, not accepted.

[The Grey Wolf]

Anyone know the armor value of the Fiat M16/43? I assume it would have about the same as the M14/41 since it used the same turret and chassis, but wasn't sure about the glacis.

[Anemos Major]

what %?

[Stahn]

Here it is. The Shadhahvar 2 (reboot):

[The Grey Wolf]

:?

Here it is. The Shadhahvar 2:
(Image)

(Image)

I really like the cupola.

[The Democratic Republic of Davida]

:?

Here it is. The Shadhahvar 2:
(Image)

(Image)

I really like the cupola.

Thanx. It is on all my reboots. Except for the Caleuche.

[The Grey Wolf]

I really like the cupola.

Thanx. It is on all my reboots. Except for the Caleuche.

What's the armament in it?

[Stahn]

Thanx. It is on all my reboots. Except for the Caleuche.

What's the armament in it?

L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, KPV-14.5 heavy machine gun in the cupola and 7.5×55mm Swiss in the turret. (Not coaxal)

[The Grey Wolf]

What's the armament in it?

L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, KPV-14.5 heavy machine gun in the cupola and 7.5×55mm Swiss in the turret. (Not coaxal)

If you don't mind me asking, what program did you use to make it?

[Stahn]

L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, KPV-14.5 heavy machine gun in the cupola and 7.5×55mm Swiss in the turret. (Not coaxal)

If you don't mind me asking, what program did you use to make it?

I don't mind. Google Sketchup. It's free.

[The Grey Wolf]

If you don't mind me asking, what program did you use to make it?

I don't mind. Google Sketchup. It's free.

Thanks.

[Macedonian Grand Empire]

SO who the hell votes for dragomere? Are we that out of our minds?

[Vetok]

:?

Here it is. The Shadhahvar 2 (reboot):
(Image)

(Image)

Turret looks nice, like a cross between a Panther and an M60.