MAV-31 Amphibious Armored Vehicle
Length: 6.0 m
Height: 2.8 m
Width: 3.1 m
Weight: 30 tonnes
Crew+Passengers:
IFV- 3 crew+9
Ambulance- 3 crew+3
Command- 3 crew+4
Mobile Gun System- 3 crew
Mortar- 3 crew
LWH- 3 crew
Maximum Governed Speed: 90 kph
Cross Country Speed: 65 kph
Sea Speed: 30 kph
Speed 10% Slope: 47 kph
Speed 60% Slope: 35 kph
Acceleration: 0kph to 32 kph in 6 seconds
Range: 500 km (550 km at cruise), 40 nautical miles in sea state 5.
Armament
All variants: Forward mounted 4 barreled multi-purpose grenade launchers
MA-300 machine gun (2,400 rnds)
IFV: LAMA AC1 Vallum 30mm compact autocannon (600 rnds)
MA-340 HMG (900 rnds)
2 x Havik II ATGM
Command: MA-340 HMG (900 rnds)
Armoured Mortar, Light: 4 x Dropper Mortar Systems 80mm (360 rnds)
Mobile Gun System: LY415 140mm 30 calibre, ultra-low pressure, rarefaction wave smoothbore
Lightweight Howitzer: LAMA-A8 105mm Rapid Firing Rarefraction Wave Gun
Propulsion: LY696sw, generating 590 HP (747 kW) at 2000RPM.
Transmission: Hydropneumatic automatic transmission (5 fwd gears, 2 rvse)
APU: 1 (under armour)
Batteries: 8 x high density Li+ polymer
Armour and Protection
Armour: Titanium, ‘Hauberk' ERA, ‘Acerbitas’ NERA, North Point applique armour
Anti-spalling: Dyneema/Resilin
NBC Protection: SCFM, clean cooled air, LYMkII CBRN overpressure system.
Missile Countermeasures: SACHERI Active Protection System, LA-16 FFR
The vaunted Amphibious Assault Vehicle line of Marshite vehicles have existed for more than eighty years, stretching back to their use in the Durandale Campaign of 1933. The latest one in the line was the MAV-24 Turtle Heavy Armored Vehicle, which served week starting in the 1980s. However, its lack of speed, range, and efficiency marked it as an increasingly specialist design. This led to Marshite Marine forces increasingly favoring heliborne operations, and fewer and fewer operations at sea reduced the need for the MAV-24 even further.
The Marshite Civil War brought the need roaring back. The MAV-24 suffered outrageous losses to modern weaponry, and only the RCB-32 Paraya showed any success in landing troops with any speed. However, this was when many assaults would falter- no real support away from the beachhead. Post-war, this was a gap in the Marshite military that they could not allow to pass. With the development of the MAV-30, the Marine Research Group received permission to take six dozen MAV-30 prototypes to start the development of an off-shoot, catagoerized as the MAV-31.
Some time after the MAV-30 was first deployed, the MAV-31 finished testing. With an emphasis on speed, protection, versatility, and firepower, the MAV-31 proved to be a successful beach assault craft and qualified IFV inland as well. Deployed by the 13th Testing to Mokastana for anti-drug cartel operations, the MAV-31 passed with flying colors and was pressed into service.
The Marshite Civil War brought the need roaring back. The MAV-24 suffered outrageous losses to modern weaponry, and only the RCB-32 Paraya showed any success in landing troops with any speed. However, this was when many assaults would falter- no real support away from the beachhead. Post-war, this was a gap in the Marshite military that they could not allow to pass. With the development of the MAV-30, the Marine Research Group received permission to take six dozen MAV-30 prototypes to start the development of an off-shoot, catagoerized as the MAV-31.
Some time after the MAV-30 was first deployed, the MAV-31 finished testing. With an emphasis on speed, protection, versatility, and firepower, the MAV-31 proved to be a successful beach assault craft and qualified IFV inland as well. Deployed by the 13th Testing to Mokastana for anti-drug cartel operations, the MAV-31 passed with flying colors and was pressed into service.
The MAV-31 was in need of a new mid-sized main armament for use on the battlefield. The PAK2 at 25mm was a powerful and effective weapon system but the increasingly effective armor schemes of the forces arrayed against the Covenant led to more incidents of it being ineffective against heavy or medium IFVs. The LY106 50mm compact autocannon was a powerful weapon in its own right and solved one issue while weight and ammunition concerns were raised alongside it. The debate became about what gun to make in the meantime, with an agreement reached on a compact 30mm autocannon being reached early in development.
As such, the primary weapon of the MAV-31 is the LAMA AC1 Vallum 30mm compact medium autocannon. The AC1 fires 30 x 200mm caseless telescoping depleted uranium rounds. The AC1 is chain-operated, externally powered by a 6 HP motor which, and as with the PAK2 and LY106, uses a system of sprockets, grooves and clutches to not only feed, load and fire rounds, but also allows the operator to switch ammunition types, by selecting from which of the four ammunition drums to draw rounds from. Available ammunition types include APFSDS-T, HEI-T, HEDP-T, Illum and practice rounds. Each AC1 equipped vehicle carries a small selection of 50mm Supershot Mark II ammunition for use against vehicles rated against the 30mm.
Much of the weapon system is titanium, which, while expensive, is considerably lighter than its steel volume/strength equivalent, thus allowing for the weapon's mounting to be considerably lighter. The now-lighter elements of the receiver assembly do not adversely affect the weapon's recoil characteristics, firmly entrenced in the Acropolis. A high-efficiency muzzle brake and long recoil mechanism (30mm) also lower the felt recoil signature, and provide for more efficient firing characteristics. As with all weapons on the platform, the AC1 is linked to native Fire Control and Battlespace Networks, and can prosper from attendant fire data and ballistic calculation.
The barrel is 35 calibres long, putting it 1.7m from the end of the receiver, and is chrome-lined to improve durability, and allow for the provision of higher-pressure propellant charges, with tungsten-carbide facing along the steel-forged barrel to increase heat tolerance and felt recoil.
Fourrates of fire are able to be selected: semi-automatic, low-rate automatic, high-rate automatic, and five-round burst which allow single-shot, 120rpm (approx.) and 240 rpm (approx.) and burst fire capability.
The AC1 is designed to provide the MAV series of vehicles with effective, reliable, and lightweight firepower for engagement and defeat of light and medium threats including helicopters, opposing IFVs, APCs, entrenched enemy positions, and other infantry support targets. While not as potent as the LY106, the rapid-fire nature of the design allows it to overwhelm to a greater extent the increasingly effective APS of opposing IFVs.
Another commonly fielded weapon in the MAV line is the MA-340 Reil Heavy Machine Gun, capable of firing 15.5x115mm Marshite Caseless Armor Piercing rounds. Lighter than any comparable heavy machine gun while still having a task oriented design, the MA-340 is capable of blowing through any body armor design on the market or on the drawing board of any world power. It can reliably penetrate light armor and can damage medium armor, while working effectively as an anti-air mount. It can be mounted as the main armament, coaxial, on a RWS, commander's weapon, hatch weapon, and can even be removed for use by infantry.
Weigth: 17 kg standard, 18.2 kg with bipod, 24 kg with tripod mount
Length: 1700 mm
Length of barrel: 1310 mm
Ammunition: 15.5x115 mm MCAP
Action: Recoil operated
Muzzle Velocity: 1000 m/s
Range: 2400 effective range, 7000m maximum.
Feed: Single or Dual belt
Rate of fire: 450 rounds/min
Sights: Iron, BALCOTH, alternates accepted on rail.
A second machine gun fielded is the MA-300 light machine gun, which is capable of firing a wide range of rounds. The exact makeup is dependent on the situation the MAV exists in, as the main advantage of the MA-300 is its ability to engage using a wide variety of ammunition. As standard it fires the 7.62 MCAP. Made with lightweight materials, the mounting options for the MA-300 allow for it to have near recoilless operation in support of local infantry. The fact it can use a wide variety of ammunition also enables it to survive in just about any environment, making it a valuable asset.
Weight: 4.9 kg standard, 5.5 kg with bipod, 10.5 kg with tripod.
Length: 930mm
Barrel Length: 440mm
Ammunition: 7.62 MCAP, 6.3 LCL, 6.5 x 45mm JMC, JMC Mk5, 7.62x39mm Russian, 7.62mm NATO, 5.56mm NATO, 6mm Remington, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.7x35mm CTA, 6.8 TCI, 8.4 TCH, 6.8x43mm SPC Remington.
Rate of Fire: 300, 600, or 900 rounds per minute
Action: Closed-bolt, short-recoil operated, balanced automatic action with semi-automatic option.
Muzzle Velocity: 830 m/s, dependent on cartridge
Range: up to 1950 meters with tripod, bipod; 950 meters.
Feed: Disintegrating-link belt- or magazine-fed. (100 for 8.5 MCAP, 150 LCLC, 150 6.5 JMC, 150 Mk5, 120 7.62 Russian/NATO, 140 TCI, 140 SPC Remington, 100 8.4 TCH)
Sights: T-section iron sight, dorsal picatinny rail allows alternates, BALCOTH-assisted aiming device.
When it came time to select a new ATGM for use in the MAV line three separate competitors were chosen for analysis. The powerful Mercury from Allanea and the Lamonian Havik II were set against the standard Hellios II from Lyras. All had some noted advantages, with the Mercury getting exceptionally high marks for its all-purpose capability and its range. The Hellios was a powerful tool of war, but the Havik II was superior in every noted way. Against the Mercury its lighter and smaller nature were great advantages, and when penetration was noted to be slightly higher, the winner was chosen. The Mercury would go on to find a great deal of use in other vehicles.
Guidance for the Havik II is provided by a tri-seeker warhead, combining MMW, IIR, and SALH homing. This is combined with an INS/GPS system, allowing the missile to attain a hit ratio of 95%. In areas where enemy ECM is encountered, the system can also use a fiber-optic connection to the launching mechanism (available in both air and box launched versions). This connection to the launching mechanism is impossible to jam, and will allow the missile to strike the target, with enemy ECM becoming effectively useless.
The Havik II is a top-attack missile, allowing it to strike the weakest part of enemy armor formations. The Havik II is meant to attack AFVs, MBTs, and low flying helicopters. However, the missile will simply fly directly toward enemy helicopters when fired in anti-helicopter mode. This helps to increase accuracy against helicopter targets. With a penetration rating of 1,400 mm IRHAe, it will severely damage enemy armor, likely resulting in a kill.
With a maximum range of 18 km the Havik II can be fired without revealing the location of the firing unit to the enemy. All that the missile needs is the location of the enemy (provided that the enemy units are within range), and it's good to go. The Havik II can also re-attack a target, in case it were to miss, provided that there is enough range left in the missile to allow this. The top speed of Mach 2 was designed to give the enemy little to no time to react, as well as increasing the probability of a kill.
The Havik II retains an active radar jammer, allowing it to bypass the MMW and radar frequencies commonly used in Active Protection Systems. While the Havik used a jammer from Krupp Industries in The Peoples Freedom, the Havik II uses a domestic model, which is smaller, while giving the same performance as the model from Krupp Industries. In addition, the electronics in the Havik II use Gallium Arsenide in place of Silicone, allowing the missiles to survive EMP in good working order. The use of Gallium Arsenide makes the missile more expensive, but the resistance to EMP was judged to be worth the extra cost.
The Havik II is considered to be too heavy for man-portable use, owing to it's total weight of 65 kg. However, the Havik II can still replace multiple missiles with one proven missile system, saving time and money.
The first stage of the tandem warhead creates an Explosively Formed Penetrator. This EFP moves at high speed, and is able to trigger any Explosive Reactive Armor that the target might have. The secondary shaped charge is where the bulk of the armor penetration occurs, and gives the Havik II it's penetration rating of 1,400 mm of IRHAe. A laser fuse tells the weapon when to detonate.
The Havik II is powered by a ramjet, allowing the missile a maximum speed of Mach 2. The ramjet's fuel contains 78% Ammonium Perchlorate, 20% Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, and 2% Aluminum. This is a "low-smoke" mixture, making it harder for the enemy to trace the firing location of the Havik II via the smoke trail, and does not degrade ramjet performance. At launch, the Havik II is propelled by a low smoke APCP-fueled launch booster, bringing the missile to speed, thus allowing the ramjet to take over for the rest of the flight.
Length: 2 m
Diameter: 178 mm
Weight: 65 kg
Warhead: Tandem, EFP/Shaped Charge
Warhead Weight/composition: 20 kg, PBXN 103
Range: 18 km
Speed: Mach 2
Detonation Mechanism: Laser Fuze
Engine: Solid Fuel, "Low Smoke" Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant ramjet; with launch booster
Wingspan: 325 mm
Guidance: 94 GHz Millimeter wave active radar homing, imaging infrared, and semi-active laser seeker, with INS/GPS. Can also use fiber-optics to defeat enemy ECM.
Targets: AFVs, MBTs, low flying Helicopters
Launch systems: Box Launch
Penetration: ~1,400 mm IRHAe
The Light Mortar Support Vehicle is armed with four Dropper Mortars of the 80mm variety. The 'Dropper' Mortar is the standard infantry mortar system of the Marshite Rangers and Marines and is now seeing wide-scale deployment in the Marshite Army. Utilizing setups for both 80mm mortars and 60mm mortars, the Dropper is an extremely capable machine. Interconnected with battlespace information systems and utilizing a unique feed system, the Dropper is capable of hitting targets at great range, with great accuracy, at sunning speed, and with high lethality. Mortar forces are better off with the Dropper than with any equivalent mortar system. Initially named the MIMS-4(Marshite Industrial Mortar System-4), its high rate of fire and ability to 'drop' the enemy gave it the nickname of the Dropper. It has since become official. With four of these in tow, the LMSV can lay waste to a large area quickly.
The Dropper was invented after Marshite experiences with Metal Storm and the Widowmaker 40mm Grenade Launcher. It takes after these systems to an extent, most notably the Widowmaker. Instead of dropping three rounds in for firing like the Widowmaker the Dropper has a two-round 'clip', carried by three members of the five man team. Each clipped is placed into the top of the Dropper. Once firing commences, the clip is pulled off. The rounds then drop and are fired. This system allows the Dropper to drop two rounds at one target, ensuring a heavy dose of damage. With the Droppers built into the vehicle, all four are autoloaded swiftly and directly from ammunition boxes inside.
Most rounds are designed to go off at different times and the rounds can have different goals. Mortar rounds exist for shrapnel, heavy explosive, specialized anti-tank, mines, smoke, illumination, cluster, thermobaric, phosphorus, and precision guided variants of many of these among others. In general, the rounds go off on the ground and then in the air- anti-tank high explosive and anti-personnel combo is common. Clips are modified before firing by the fire control.
The real important bit of the Dropper is not the metal storm firing system or the munitions but the electronics and FCS of the MAV-31. This connects the Dropper to up to the nanosecond updates from the battlespace network, allowing it to change the firing angle and get the best shot off. The operator can pinpoint exact coordinates or even paint targets using the battlespace network for the mortar to hit, and requests for aid once confirmed by the operator can be input into the system automatically. The computer also controls whether or not it will even fire, regardless of whether or not munitions have been placed inside. This allows a high degree of safety, even if pre-loading and attacks on the position occur.
The range of the system is extensive. The rounds are made from lightweight materials and the chemicals used to propel the rounds have a high energy ratio, allowing a greater punch out of the barrel. Combined with the ability of the computer to time shots with the wind currents and it is a high speed, low drag mortar system.
Weight: 37 kilograms
Length: 60
Caliber:80 mm
Elevation: 30º–120º
Traverse: 13.5º
Rate of fire: 16-96 rpm sustained
Effective firing range: 6.4 km
The Mobile Gun System is in an interesting position. The availability of anti-tank missiles and heavy autocannion fire seemingly reduced the need for its role, but reducing structures, anti-armor engagement, and infantry support were still important. The LY10 was considered for modification, but difficulty with systems prevented it from being a ruthless efficient option. However, the main gun of the LY10 was found useful, the LY415 140mm 30 calibre, ultra-low pressure, rarefaction wave smoothbore.
The weapon is possessed of an unusual pedigree, stemming from a marriage of several cutting edge technologies. The first conceptual ancestor of the system is the Yanitarian CCA-140 BRETC, which was the first production weapon to feature an ingenious rarefaction wave-based recoil and pressure mitigation system. Aesthetically similar to a recoilless weapon, the principles behind it are not quite the same. Instead of venting propellant gases as they are generated, the weapon opens the breech while the projectile is still travelling down the barrel. This causes a dra-matic drop in chamber pressure as that pressure bleeds off through the open breech. While one would expect that this would compromise projectile acceleration, this is only the case once the front of the pressure loss (rarefaction) wave reaches the projectile. The speed of this wave’s propagation is limited by the speed of sound within the medium. As the speed of sound is lower in a low density gaseous medium than it is in a high density one, this generates an appreciable lag in the time be-tween the chamber venting and the onset of causally linked acceleration and velocity change. In layman’s terms, the propulsion of the projectile can only be compromised after the projectile ‘hears’ the venting. If the projectile has left the muzzle by the time this has taken place, the pressure loss does not negatively impact the projectile at all.
However, the advantage gained by the implementation of this system stems from the very pronounced drop in chamber pressure, with all its respective advantages, including phenomenally decreased recoil forces (50% of normal), appreciably lower barrel heating (60% of normal) and wear, and reduced muzzle flash and blast. These factors, amongst other things, also enable the main ar-mament assembly to be far lighter than its more conventional equivalents, and it is that lightening of weight of primary armament that was the driving factor in the Lyran Protectorate’s decision to implement rarefaction wave technology on the LY10. For the MGS, the LY415 does feature slightly heavier construction, to serve as an even more stable firing platform. The result is the ability for the MAV-31 MGS to fire while ingressing, allowing it to support forces even before it lands.
A 500mm recoil mechanism is also present, and it is the rearward recoil motion that activates the ‘venting’ of the chamber (commencing at about 330mm). A high-efficiency muzzle brake is also fitted, so as to lower the felt recoil forces still further.
The Lyro-Lamonian ‘Theophilus’ based upon the Compact Automatic Loader designed by Meggit Defense Systems, Inc, of Irvine, California. The Meggit system, ground-breaking at the time, included a fully articulated robotic transfer unit, which could support a load rate of 12rpm, and boast-ed a magazine access rate of 15rpm.
Theophilus is very similar to the Meggit design, although rather than making 34 rounds available, the system (due to the larger diameter of the LY415's 140mm rounds) only allows for 20 rounds. As it happens, this has served to accelerate the loading process, even as ammunition available has come down, allowing for burst fire rates of 30.5 rounds per minute (for about 10 seconds), and sustained fire rates of 20.2 rounds per minute. This is partly due to the Meggit design, being as it was intend-ed to slide into an M1 Abrams without impinging upon crew space, presuming the requirement for a loader and gunner in the turret. Theophilus, bereft of such requirements in the Bloodhound (as with the Dire Wolf, which also operates the same loading system), utilises two such-units, thus allowing 40 rounds in total, and allowing for slightly differing layouts to optimise performance. Each sub-unit uses a double-row closed-loop chain of canisters, granting the magazine excellent volumetric storage efficiency. When the gunner selects an ammunition type (using his switch on the control yoke), the nominated round is moved to the blast port by the carousel, whereupon a ram-arm pushes it into the chamber.
Removal of a loaded round is essentially the same process, in reverse, although using a tri-forked extractor, rather than a ram. Theophilus features a full automatic ammunition inventory, and grants very high load speeds, coupled with an exceptional reliability, due to its relatively simple operation.
Made easier by the turret's unmanned design, and in accordance with standing Lyran AFV design philosophy, the autoloader is able to load and extract rounds at any degree of elevation or traverse. Aiming and firing is assisted in operation by the implementation of the Yanitarian YwSCT-500 tur-ret stabiliser, allowing more precise and stable movement, both stationary and while mobile.
Lessons pertaining to operational turn-around time learned from the LY4A1, and applied in the -A2, have been brought over to the LY10 and now the MAV-31, with the turret designed to facilitate considerably faster loading. Once the main gun magazine is depleted, the entire turret magazine (consisting of the two separate carousels), can be removed, and a fresh one inserted, a process not dis-similar to changing magazines on a rifle, only on a larger scale. This does require the presence of a dedicated service vehicle, but takes less than 4 minutes. If such a vehicle be unavailable, the system can be reloaded manually/conventionally.
Statistics (LY415):
Weight:
1,560kg Gun barrel,
3,620 kg Gun mount
Barrel length: 4.2m
Caliber: 140mm L/30
Muzzle velocity: 2,570m/s
Range: 16km max @ 30 degrees, 12km Effective
Recoil length: 500mm
Rate of Fire: 30.5 rounds per minute (burst)
20.2 rounds per minute (sustained)
Ready rounds: 40
Variants: LY415
As such, the primary weapon of the MAV-31 is the LAMA AC1 Vallum 30mm compact medium autocannon. The AC1 fires 30 x 200mm caseless telescoping depleted uranium rounds. The AC1 is chain-operated, externally powered by a 6 HP motor which, and as with the PAK2 and LY106, uses a system of sprockets, grooves and clutches to not only feed, load and fire rounds, but also allows the operator to switch ammunition types, by selecting from which of the four ammunition drums to draw rounds from. Available ammunition types include APFSDS-T, HEI-T, HEDP-T, Illum and practice rounds. Each AC1 equipped vehicle carries a small selection of 50mm Supershot Mark II ammunition for use against vehicles rated against the 30mm.
Much of the weapon system is titanium, which, while expensive, is considerably lighter than its steel volume/strength equivalent, thus allowing for the weapon's mounting to be considerably lighter. The now-lighter elements of the receiver assembly do not adversely affect the weapon's recoil characteristics, firmly entrenced in the Acropolis. A high-efficiency muzzle brake and long recoil mechanism (30mm) also lower the felt recoil signature, and provide for more efficient firing characteristics. As with all weapons on the platform, the AC1 is linked to native Fire Control and Battlespace Networks, and can prosper from attendant fire data and ballistic calculation.
The barrel is 35 calibres long, putting it 1.7m from the end of the receiver, and is chrome-lined to improve durability, and allow for the provision of higher-pressure propellant charges, with tungsten-carbide facing along the steel-forged barrel to increase heat tolerance and felt recoil.
Fourrates of fire are able to be selected: semi-automatic, low-rate automatic, high-rate automatic, and five-round burst which allow single-shot, 120rpm (approx.) and 240 rpm (approx.) and burst fire capability.
The AC1 is designed to provide the MAV series of vehicles with effective, reliable, and lightweight firepower for engagement and defeat of light and medium threats including helicopters, opposing IFVs, APCs, entrenched enemy positions, and other infantry support targets. While not as potent as the LY106, the rapid-fire nature of the design allows it to overwhelm to a greater extent the increasingly effective APS of opposing IFVs.
Another commonly fielded weapon in the MAV line is the MA-340 Reil Heavy Machine Gun, capable of firing 15.5x115mm Marshite Caseless Armor Piercing rounds. Lighter than any comparable heavy machine gun while still having a task oriented design, the MA-340 is capable of blowing through any body armor design on the market or on the drawing board of any world power. It can reliably penetrate light armor and can damage medium armor, while working effectively as an anti-air mount. It can be mounted as the main armament, coaxial, on a RWS, commander's weapon, hatch weapon, and can even be removed for use by infantry.
Weigth: 17 kg standard, 18.2 kg with bipod, 24 kg with tripod mount
Length: 1700 mm
Length of barrel: 1310 mm
Ammunition: 15.5x115 mm MCAP
Action: Recoil operated
Muzzle Velocity: 1000 m/s
Range: 2400 effective range, 7000m maximum.
Feed: Single or Dual belt
Rate of fire: 450 rounds/min
Sights: Iron, BALCOTH, alternates accepted on rail.
A second machine gun fielded is the MA-300 light machine gun, which is capable of firing a wide range of rounds. The exact makeup is dependent on the situation the MAV exists in, as the main advantage of the MA-300 is its ability to engage using a wide variety of ammunition. As standard it fires the 7.62 MCAP. Made with lightweight materials, the mounting options for the MA-300 allow for it to have near recoilless operation in support of local infantry. The fact it can use a wide variety of ammunition also enables it to survive in just about any environment, making it a valuable asset.
Weight: 4.9 kg standard, 5.5 kg with bipod, 10.5 kg with tripod.
Length: 930mm
Barrel Length: 440mm
Ammunition: 7.62 MCAP, 6.3 LCL, 6.5 x 45mm JMC, JMC Mk5, 7.62x39mm Russian, 7.62mm NATO, 5.56mm NATO, 6mm Remington, 6.5mm Grendel, 6.7x35mm CTA, 6.8 TCI, 8.4 TCH, 6.8x43mm SPC Remington.
Rate of Fire: 300, 600, or 900 rounds per minute
Action: Closed-bolt, short-recoil operated, balanced automatic action with semi-automatic option.
Muzzle Velocity: 830 m/s, dependent on cartridge
Range: up to 1950 meters with tripod, bipod; 950 meters.
Feed: Disintegrating-link belt- or magazine-fed. (100 for 8.5 MCAP, 150 LCLC, 150 6.5 JMC, 150 Mk5, 120 7.62 Russian/NATO, 140 TCI, 140 SPC Remington, 100 8.4 TCH)
Sights: T-section iron sight, dorsal picatinny rail allows alternates, BALCOTH-assisted aiming device.
When it came time to select a new ATGM for use in the MAV line three separate competitors were chosen for analysis. The powerful Mercury from Allanea and the Lamonian Havik II were set against the standard Hellios II from Lyras. All had some noted advantages, with the Mercury getting exceptionally high marks for its all-purpose capability and its range. The Hellios was a powerful tool of war, but the Havik II was superior in every noted way. Against the Mercury its lighter and smaller nature were great advantages, and when penetration was noted to be slightly higher, the winner was chosen. The Mercury would go on to find a great deal of use in other vehicles.
Guidance for the Havik II is provided by a tri-seeker warhead, combining MMW, IIR, and SALH homing. This is combined with an INS/GPS system, allowing the missile to attain a hit ratio of 95%. In areas where enemy ECM is encountered, the system can also use a fiber-optic connection to the launching mechanism (available in both air and box launched versions). This connection to the launching mechanism is impossible to jam, and will allow the missile to strike the target, with enemy ECM becoming effectively useless.
The Havik II is a top-attack missile, allowing it to strike the weakest part of enemy armor formations. The Havik II is meant to attack AFVs, MBTs, and low flying helicopters. However, the missile will simply fly directly toward enemy helicopters when fired in anti-helicopter mode. This helps to increase accuracy against helicopter targets. With a penetration rating of 1,400 mm IRHAe, it will severely damage enemy armor, likely resulting in a kill.
With a maximum range of 18 km the Havik II can be fired without revealing the location of the firing unit to the enemy. All that the missile needs is the location of the enemy (provided that the enemy units are within range), and it's good to go. The Havik II can also re-attack a target, in case it were to miss, provided that there is enough range left in the missile to allow this. The top speed of Mach 2 was designed to give the enemy little to no time to react, as well as increasing the probability of a kill.
The Havik II retains an active radar jammer, allowing it to bypass the MMW and radar frequencies commonly used in Active Protection Systems. While the Havik used a jammer from Krupp Industries in The Peoples Freedom, the Havik II uses a domestic model, which is smaller, while giving the same performance as the model from Krupp Industries. In addition, the electronics in the Havik II use Gallium Arsenide in place of Silicone, allowing the missiles to survive EMP in good working order. The use of Gallium Arsenide makes the missile more expensive, but the resistance to EMP was judged to be worth the extra cost.
The Havik II is considered to be too heavy for man-portable use, owing to it's total weight of 65 kg. However, the Havik II can still replace multiple missiles with one proven missile system, saving time and money.
The first stage of the tandem warhead creates an Explosively Formed Penetrator. This EFP moves at high speed, and is able to trigger any Explosive Reactive Armor that the target might have. The secondary shaped charge is where the bulk of the armor penetration occurs, and gives the Havik II it's penetration rating of 1,400 mm of IRHAe. A laser fuse tells the weapon when to detonate.
The Havik II is powered by a ramjet, allowing the missile a maximum speed of Mach 2. The ramjet's fuel contains 78% Ammonium Perchlorate, 20% Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, and 2% Aluminum. This is a "low-smoke" mixture, making it harder for the enemy to trace the firing location of the Havik II via the smoke trail, and does not degrade ramjet performance. At launch, the Havik II is propelled by a low smoke APCP-fueled launch booster, bringing the missile to speed, thus allowing the ramjet to take over for the rest of the flight.
Length: 2 m
Diameter: 178 mm
Weight: 65 kg
Warhead: Tandem, EFP/Shaped Charge
Warhead Weight/composition: 20 kg, PBXN 103
Range: 18 km
Speed: Mach 2
Detonation Mechanism: Laser Fuze
Engine: Solid Fuel, "Low Smoke" Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant ramjet; with launch booster
Wingspan: 325 mm
Guidance: 94 GHz Millimeter wave active radar homing, imaging infrared, and semi-active laser seeker, with INS/GPS. Can also use fiber-optics to defeat enemy ECM.
Targets: AFVs, MBTs, low flying Helicopters
Launch systems: Box Launch
Penetration: ~1,400 mm IRHAe
The Light Mortar Support Vehicle is armed with four Dropper Mortars of the 80mm variety. The 'Dropper' Mortar is the standard infantry mortar system of the Marshite Rangers and Marines and is now seeing wide-scale deployment in the Marshite Army. Utilizing setups for both 80mm mortars and 60mm mortars, the Dropper is an extremely capable machine. Interconnected with battlespace information systems and utilizing a unique feed system, the Dropper is capable of hitting targets at great range, with great accuracy, at sunning speed, and with high lethality. Mortar forces are better off with the Dropper than with any equivalent mortar system. Initially named the MIMS-4(Marshite Industrial Mortar System-4), its high rate of fire and ability to 'drop' the enemy gave it the nickname of the Dropper. It has since become official. With four of these in tow, the LMSV can lay waste to a large area quickly.
The Dropper was invented after Marshite experiences with Metal Storm and the Widowmaker 40mm Grenade Launcher. It takes after these systems to an extent, most notably the Widowmaker. Instead of dropping three rounds in for firing like the Widowmaker the Dropper has a two-round 'clip', carried by three members of the five man team. Each clipped is placed into the top of the Dropper. Once firing commences, the clip is pulled off. The rounds then drop and are fired. This system allows the Dropper to drop two rounds at one target, ensuring a heavy dose of damage. With the Droppers built into the vehicle, all four are autoloaded swiftly and directly from ammunition boxes inside.
Most rounds are designed to go off at different times and the rounds can have different goals. Mortar rounds exist for shrapnel, heavy explosive, specialized anti-tank, mines, smoke, illumination, cluster, thermobaric, phosphorus, and precision guided variants of many of these among others. In general, the rounds go off on the ground and then in the air- anti-tank high explosive and anti-personnel combo is common. Clips are modified before firing by the fire control.
The real important bit of the Dropper is not the metal storm firing system or the munitions but the electronics and FCS of the MAV-31. This connects the Dropper to up to the nanosecond updates from the battlespace network, allowing it to change the firing angle and get the best shot off. The operator can pinpoint exact coordinates or even paint targets using the battlespace network for the mortar to hit, and requests for aid once confirmed by the operator can be input into the system automatically. The computer also controls whether or not it will even fire, regardless of whether or not munitions have been placed inside. This allows a high degree of safety, even if pre-loading and attacks on the position occur.
The range of the system is extensive. The rounds are made from lightweight materials and the chemicals used to propel the rounds have a high energy ratio, allowing a greater punch out of the barrel. Combined with the ability of the computer to time shots with the wind currents and it is a high speed, low drag mortar system.
Weight: 37 kilograms
Length: 60
Caliber:80 mm
Elevation: 30º–120º
Traverse: 13.5º
Rate of fire: 16-96 rpm sustained
Effective firing range: 6.4 km
The Mobile Gun System is in an interesting position. The availability of anti-tank missiles and heavy autocannion fire seemingly reduced the need for its role, but reducing structures, anti-armor engagement, and infantry support were still important. The LY10 was considered for modification, but difficulty with systems prevented it from being a ruthless efficient option. However, the main gun of the LY10 was found useful, the LY415 140mm 30 calibre, ultra-low pressure, rarefaction wave smoothbore.
The weapon is possessed of an unusual pedigree, stemming from a marriage of several cutting edge technologies. The first conceptual ancestor of the system is the Yanitarian CCA-140 BRETC, which was the first production weapon to feature an ingenious rarefaction wave-based recoil and pressure mitigation system. Aesthetically similar to a recoilless weapon, the principles behind it are not quite the same. Instead of venting propellant gases as they are generated, the weapon opens the breech while the projectile is still travelling down the barrel. This causes a dra-matic drop in chamber pressure as that pressure bleeds off through the open breech. While one would expect that this would compromise projectile acceleration, this is only the case once the front of the pressure loss (rarefaction) wave reaches the projectile. The speed of this wave’s propagation is limited by the speed of sound within the medium. As the speed of sound is lower in a low density gaseous medium than it is in a high density one, this generates an appreciable lag in the time be-tween the chamber venting and the onset of causally linked acceleration and velocity change. In layman’s terms, the propulsion of the projectile can only be compromised after the projectile ‘hears’ the venting. If the projectile has left the muzzle by the time this has taken place, the pressure loss does not negatively impact the projectile at all.
However, the advantage gained by the implementation of this system stems from the very pronounced drop in chamber pressure, with all its respective advantages, including phenomenally decreased recoil forces (50% of normal), appreciably lower barrel heating (60% of normal) and wear, and reduced muzzle flash and blast. These factors, amongst other things, also enable the main ar-mament assembly to be far lighter than its more conventional equivalents, and it is that lightening of weight of primary armament that was the driving factor in the Lyran Protectorate’s decision to implement rarefaction wave technology on the LY10. For the MGS, the LY415 does feature slightly heavier construction, to serve as an even more stable firing platform. The result is the ability for the MAV-31 MGS to fire while ingressing, allowing it to support forces even before it lands.
A 500mm recoil mechanism is also present, and it is the rearward recoil motion that activates the ‘venting’ of the chamber (commencing at about 330mm). A high-efficiency muzzle brake is also fitted, so as to lower the felt recoil forces still further.
The Lyro-Lamonian ‘Theophilus’ based upon the Compact Automatic Loader designed by Meggit Defense Systems, Inc, of Irvine, California. The Meggit system, ground-breaking at the time, included a fully articulated robotic transfer unit, which could support a load rate of 12rpm, and boast-ed a magazine access rate of 15rpm.
Theophilus is very similar to the Meggit design, although rather than making 34 rounds available, the system (due to the larger diameter of the LY415's 140mm rounds) only allows for 20 rounds. As it happens, this has served to accelerate the loading process, even as ammunition available has come down, allowing for burst fire rates of 30.5 rounds per minute (for about 10 seconds), and sustained fire rates of 20.2 rounds per minute. This is partly due to the Meggit design, being as it was intend-ed to slide into an M1 Abrams without impinging upon crew space, presuming the requirement for a loader and gunner in the turret. Theophilus, bereft of such requirements in the Bloodhound (as with the Dire Wolf, which also operates the same loading system), utilises two such-units, thus allowing 40 rounds in total, and allowing for slightly differing layouts to optimise performance. Each sub-unit uses a double-row closed-loop chain of canisters, granting the magazine excellent volumetric storage efficiency. When the gunner selects an ammunition type (using his switch on the control yoke), the nominated round is moved to the blast port by the carousel, whereupon a ram-arm pushes it into the chamber.
Removal of a loaded round is essentially the same process, in reverse, although using a tri-forked extractor, rather than a ram. Theophilus features a full automatic ammunition inventory, and grants very high load speeds, coupled with an exceptional reliability, due to its relatively simple operation.
Made easier by the turret's unmanned design, and in accordance with standing Lyran AFV design philosophy, the autoloader is able to load and extract rounds at any degree of elevation or traverse. Aiming and firing is assisted in operation by the implementation of the Yanitarian YwSCT-500 tur-ret stabiliser, allowing more precise and stable movement, both stationary and while mobile.
Lessons pertaining to operational turn-around time learned from the LY4A1, and applied in the -A2, have been brought over to the LY10 and now the MAV-31, with the turret designed to facilitate considerably faster loading. Once the main gun magazine is depleted, the entire turret magazine (consisting of the two separate carousels), can be removed, and a fresh one inserted, a process not dis-similar to changing magazines on a rifle, only on a larger scale. This does require the presence of a dedicated service vehicle, but takes less than 4 minutes. If such a vehicle be unavailable, the system can be reloaded manually/conventionally.
Statistics (LY415):
Weight:
1,560kg Gun barrel,
3,620 kg Gun mount
Barrel length: 4.2m
Caliber: 140mm L/30
Muzzle velocity: 2,570m/s
Range: 16km max @ 30 degrees, 12km Effective
Recoil length: 500mm
Rate of Fire: 30.5 rounds per minute (burst)
20.2 rounds per minute (sustained)
Ready rounds: 40
Variants: LY415
The LY696sw is broadly similar to the LY696, with additional modifications for sea operations, including a limited ability to be water cooled, waterproof and saltproofing throughout to ensure stability, powered through two jets that function as the main propulsion until the vehicle makes landfall. Otherwise, it is the same.
The design of the LY10 again reinforced Marshite goals for the MAV series, and as it helped co-develop the LY696, it received permission to use it on the MAV series.
The LY696 is an 8L hybrid-electric opposing-piston multi-fuel hyperbar engine, designed to generate 580 HP (101 kW) at 2000RPM. In most regards it is simply a scaled down version of the LY693 engine fitted to the LY10 Dire Wolf, and maintains the salient features of that platform. There is, however, one primary exception. The LY696 has two modes of operation; a high power mode for planing over the sea, and a low power mode for land travel. To this end, the hull has a bow flap which is hydraulically actuated, designed to aid planing. Under the LY696’s maximum power, the MAV has a maximum waterborne speed of 54 km/h (33.75mph). Shrouded waterjet propul-sors are fitted to both sides of the hull in recessed ports, and generate in excess of 2850 hp. To aid in waterborne mobility, hydraulically actuated chines can be deployed to cover the tracks, and also to adjust the base of MAV’s hull, with the v-shaped anti-mine layout being unsuitable for planing over the water.
Maintenance on the LY696 engine is slightly more complex than on legacy systems, but the total package, while unchanged in power output, is lighter, more compact, quieter and provides available power faster and more efficiently than conventional diesels.
Banks of additional high-energy density lithium ion polymer batteries fill the space created by shift-ing from the V-form layout to the more-unusual opposing piston format. These batteries are re-charged from the main engine during normal operation, but lend current and endurance to the sys-tem, and bolster the combat-persistence of the APU.
As with the LY693 engine of the LY10, the LY696 engine uses an electric transmission system, where the drive shafts have been replaced by cable and the power is transferred by cable through-put, which delivers a number of advantages, including volume efficiency, very high fuel efficiency, faster delivery of low-end torque (a key feature in the engine’s viability), reduced lifecycle costs, and reduced environmental impacts.
The electric drive has also greatly improved low observability characteristics in terms of thermal and acoustic signatures as well as low visual and radar signatures, although the latter two detection criteria are very much more a function of hull form than engine.
Once the 10's systems were brought to maturity, the suspension systems, although less of them than were seen on the Wolfhound, were brought across bodily. The suspension is mounted on the underframe and not on the side frames, so that the suspension is separated from the hull. A result of using a decoupled suspension in conjunction with the resilin spall liners and quieter engine is that the internal noise level is as low as 68 dB which is well below civilian vehicle noise acceptability standards, and a new benchmark for Lyran AFVs.
The final drives are connected by a cross-shaft which gives higher power efficiency in turning manoeuvres by transferring the power regenerated at the inner track during a turn to the outer track.
The engine is, like its predecessors, linked to the SACHERI system, which keeps track of the temperatures of each individual segment of the engine, and both monitors and records engine stresses. The system then notifies both the operators and higher command when replacement or repair is required for components, as well as when the engine or parts of it are coming due for routine maintenance. This contributes to greatly reduced attrition, and total combat readiness is markedly im-proved as a result, while lowering maintenance workloads. The SACHERI system is also responsible for monitoring the active cooling of the vehicle's exhaust, as a means of reducing the vehicle's thermal signature, further enhancing the vehicle's low observability characteristics.
The entire assembly is, as per existing standards, also fitted with deployable sand filters for use in high-sand environments, such as deserts or certain parts of the littoral. The new engine is, however, less susceptible to damage of this nature than its predecessors. In open water operations, the sealed and salt-hardened tracks are able to resist the effects of corrosion for days on end.
Rear-vision manoeuvring cameras also come as standard, a factor which in close country or urban environments, has, in other vehicles, prevented a tremendous number of accidents and eased the psychological load on personnel responsible for moving the vehicles in less-than-optimal conditions. With the BALCOTH-type interface, however, this has become less important, but serves as a backup nonetheless, operable in the advent of combat damage or similar.
Tracks are skirted, as is the case for most Lyran and Covenant designed AFVs, to increase resilience to battle damage, and have seven road wheels and two drive rollers, with only the rear roller on each side partially unshrouded. This skirting also, as it happens, tremendously reduces the amount of dust and/or debris thrown up by the vehicle, which dramatically lowers its detection footprint in many conditions. Unlike previous AFVs, however, the tracks are titanium, being, as covered previously, both lighter and stronger than their steel equivalent.
They are, in turn, provided with resilin padding by default (an expensive measure, unfortunately), which serves to lower their acoustic footprint. The resilin itself never lasts as long as the tracks themselves do, but they’re handy to have while they are around, provide excellent traction, lower damage on the terrain over which the vehicle drives, and which dramatically lowers the platform's acoustic signature. It also allows the MAV to pivot, allowing it exceptional mobility in rough terrain.
The design of the LY10 again reinforced Marshite goals for the MAV series, and as it helped co-develop the LY696, it received permission to use it on the MAV series.
The LY696 is an 8L hybrid-electric opposing-piston multi-fuel hyperbar engine, designed to generate 580 HP (101 kW) at 2000RPM. In most regards it is simply a scaled down version of the LY693 engine fitted to the LY10 Dire Wolf, and maintains the salient features of that platform. There is, however, one primary exception. The LY696 has two modes of operation; a high power mode for planing over the sea, and a low power mode for land travel. To this end, the hull has a bow flap which is hydraulically actuated, designed to aid planing. Under the LY696’s maximum power, the MAV has a maximum waterborne speed of 54 km/h (33.75mph). Shrouded waterjet propul-sors are fitted to both sides of the hull in recessed ports, and generate in excess of 2850 hp. To aid in waterborne mobility, hydraulically actuated chines can be deployed to cover the tracks, and also to adjust the base of MAV’s hull, with the v-shaped anti-mine layout being unsuitable for planing over the water.
Maintenance on the LY696 engine is slightly more complex than on legacy systems, but the total package, while unchanged in power output, is lighter, more compact, quieter and provides available power faster and more efficiently than conventional diesels.
Banks of additional high-energy density lithium ion polymer batteries fill the space created by shift-ing from the V-form layout to the more-unusual opposing piston format. These batteries are re-charged from the main engine during normal operation, but lend current and endurance to the sys-tem, and bolster the combat-persistence of the APU.
As with the LY693 engine of the LY10, the LY696 engine uses an electric transmission system, where the drive shafts have been replaced by cable and the power is transferred by cable through-put, which delivers a number of advantages, including volume efficiency, very high fuel efficiency, faster delivery of low-end torque (a key feature in the engine’s viability), reduced lifecycle costs, and reduced environmental impacts.
The electric drive has also greatly improved low observability characteristics in terms of thermal and acoustic signatures as well as low visual and radar signatures, although the latter two detection criteria are very much more a function of hull form than engine.
Once the 10's systems were brought to maturity, the suspension systems, although less of them than were seen on the Wolfhound, were brought across bodily. The suspension is mounted on the underframe and not on the side frames, so that the suspension is separated from the hull. A result of using a decoupled suspension in conjunction with the resilin spall liners and quieter engine is that the internal noise level is as low as 68 dB which is well below civilian vehicle noise acceptability standards, and a new benchmark for Lyran AFVs.
The final drives are connected by a cross-shaft which gives higher power efficiency in turning manoeuvres by transferring the power regenerated at the inner track during a turn to the outer track.
The engine is, like its predecessors, linked to the SACHERI system, which keeps track of the temperatures of each individual segment of the engine, and both monitors and records engine stresses. The system then notifies both the operators and higher command when replacement or repair is required for components, as well as when the engine or parts of it are coming due for routine maintenance. This contributes to greatly reduced attrition, and total combat readiness is markedly im-proved as a result, while lowering maintenance workloads. The SACHERI system is also responsible for monitoring the active cooling of the vehicle's exhaust, as a means of reducing the vehicle's thermal signature, further enhancing the vehicle's low observability characteristics.
The entire assembly is, as per existing standards, also fitted with deployable sand filters for use in high-sand environments, such as deserts or certain parts of the littoral. The new engine is, however, less susceptible to damage of this nature than its predecessors. In open water operations, the sealed and salt-hardened tracks are able to resist the effects of corrosion for days on end.
Rear-vision manoeuvring cameras also come as standard, a factor which in close country or urban environments, has, in other vehicles, prevented a tremendous number of accidents and eased the psychological load on personnel responsible for moving the vehicles in less-than-optimal conditions. With the BALCOTH-type interface, however, this has become less important, but serves as a backup nonetheless, operable in the advent of combat damage or similar.
Tracks are skirted, as is the case for most Lyran and Covenant designed AFVs, to increase resilience to battle damage, and have seven road wheels and two drive rollers, with only the rear roller on each side partially unshrouded. This skirting also, as it happens, tremendously reduces the amount of dust and/or debris thrown up by the vehicle, which dramatically lowers its detection footprint in many conditions. Unlike previous AFVs, however, the tracks are titanium, being, as covered previously, both lighter and stronger than their steel equivalent.
They are, in turn, provided with resilin padding by default (an expensive measure, unfortunately), which serves to lower their acoustic footprint. The resilin itself never lasts as long as the tracks themselves do, but they’re handy to have while they are around, provide excellent traction, lower damage on the terrain over which the vehicle drives, and which dramatically lowers the platform's acoustic signature. It also allows the MAV to pivot, allowing it exceptional mobility in rough terrain.
