Key Data
Crew 3 (Driver, Commander, Gunner)
Dimensions
Length: 6.71m
Height : 4m
Width: 4.1m
Weight: 72.3 tonnes
Ground Clearance: Variable. Default at 50cm
Ground Pressure: 17.4psi
Performance
Maximum (Governed) Speed: 88 kph (55mph)
Cross Country Speed: 58.2 kph
Speed, 10% slope: 29 kph
Speed, 60% slope: 15 kph
Acceleration: 0kph to 32 kph in 7.1 seconds
Range: 520km (325 miles) (460 km{278.5 miles}at operational speed)
Manoeuvrability
Vertical Obstacle Crossing: 102 cm
Trench: 279 cm
Suspension: Hydropneumatic
Armament
Main Armament: 2 x LY4072 LRM pods (30 x 220mm rockets each OR 7 x LY589 “Hellion” cruise missiles OR 7 x LY4045 Anti-ship cruise missiles each)
Coaxial Weapon: KWF PAK2 25mm automatic cannon, (550 rnds)
Power
Propulsion: 50L LY690 V10 multi-fuel propane-injected twin-turbo diesel 2,000 HP (1,500 kW) at 3000RPM.
Transmission: Hydrokinetic automatic (electric) transmission (4 fwd gears, 2 rvse)
Power-to-Weight Ratio: 27.66hp/t
Armour and Protection
Armour: Chobham, 4th Generation Composite.
NBC Protection: SCFM, clean cooled air, LYMkII CBRN overpressure system.
Conceptualisation
The LY300 Manticore is an armoured, high mobility multiple rocket system, designed for accurate, high volume, time-on-target, saturation bombardment of high value armoured or unarmoured targets, while retaining the ability to employ specially designed long-range multi-purpose cruise missiles.
The LY300 forms the primary self-propelled rocket artillery system within the Protectorate of Lyras, and is anticipated to remain so into the foreseeable future.
The system has been used in several theatres with the Lyran Protectorate Army, and has proven itself to be reliable, effective and useful in a wide variety of combat situations.
Background
As the Lyran Protectorate embarked on an ambitious program of upgrades and new technological innovation, it became quickly apparent that the number of foreign artillery rocket and ground-based cruise missile launching systems was minimal to say the least, and none of them came close to what the Army imagined it would need.
To that end, the Protectorate Research and Development Commission decided to proceed with a domestically designed system based upon the chassis of the LY4 Wolfhound, and retaining its protection and elements of its secondary armament, namely the PAK2.
The real innovation was, however, in the modification of the weapons pods of the Russian TOS-1, coupled with the integration with the newly deployed LY4045 cruise missiles, the LY589 “Hellion” cruise missile, and the world-benchmark Cromwell II battlespace information warfare system.
The resulting system, dubbed the LY300 Manticore, was one of the most complex yet fielded, and there were more than a few initial glitches. Stray programming elements left over from the incumbent TOS-1 fire control system would interfere with calculations developed by the Cromwell system, and lead to errors in targetting, with more than one near-fatal accident.
Over nearly three years the platform was extensively tested, until it was finally deployed as part of Lyran Task Force Epsilon to Verenberg, as part of Lyras' support to its embattled ally.
There, the system was declared fully operational, with 88th Independent Artillery Brigade firing its first combat rounds. The results of that first attack were devastating. 88 Brigade's 108 Manticores fired two salvos of anti-ship cruise missiles in the space of five minutes, sinking or rendering combat ineffective ten light cruisers, five destroyers and four troop transports, in the process breaking the back of the anti-government forces assailing Verenberg.
Since that time, the LY300 has served with distinction in every conflict in which Lyras has been involved. Other notable victories include the suppression of the Dalouzian Mountain fortifications and (in conjuction with Londimian “Tsunami” coastal defences) the destruction of the Avrisonian 7th Fleet, and operations in support of the Faxanavian invasion.
Main Armament
The primary armament of the Manticore is, not surprisingly, its two LY4072 rocket launcher pods. The pods are held at the horizontal for movement and transport, and are raised into firing position by a supporting arm, which is itself connected to the LY4 chassis' turret ring.
The LY4072 was originally designed to carry thirty 220mm unguided solid -fuel thermobaric rockets, the entirety of which can be fired within 5 seconds. Now the suite of available munitions is substantially larger, with conventional, cluster munitions or deployable minefield munitions also able to be utilised. Further, with the acceleration of Lyran efforts towards accuracy of firepower delivery and computational miniturisation, stocks of unguided rockets are in sharp decline, replaced by those guided by a combination of inertial navigation and Cromwell-assisted GPS uplink.
Individual rocket specifications
Caliber: 220 mm (8.8 in)
Length: 4 m (13.33 ft)
Motor: Solid-fuel rocket
LY 4040 (Unguided Thermobaric)
Weight: 312 kg
Unguided
Maximum range: 55 km
Warhead: Thermobaric
LY 4041 (Unguided Conventional)
Weight: 302 kg
Unguided
Maximum range: 85 km
Warhead: 612 x HEDP submunitions
LY 4042 (Guided Conventional)
Weight: 308 kg
Guidance: GPS/INS
Maximum range: 75 km
Warhead: 612 x HEDP submunitions
LY 4043 (Guided Thermobaric)
Weight: 310 kg
Guidance: GPS/INS
Maximum range: 70 km
Warhead: Thermobaric
LY 4044 (Remotely deployed minefield)
Weight: 325 kg
Guidance: GPS/INS
Maximum range: 45 km
Warhead: 32 AT mines
LY 4045 (Anti-ship cruise missile)
Diameter: 53cm
Length: 5.6 m
Motor: Lyran Arms AB112 turbofan with solid-fuel booster
Launch mass: 1500kg
Wingspan: 2.7m
Speed: 900kph
Range: 3000km
Warhead: 450kg Tandem-charge HEAS
Reloading is carried out by swapping the 4072 pod for a loaded one, as one swaps the magazine in a rifle, and takes about five minutes, with assistance from a builf in automated reloading sequence, although it can be achieved manually. 4072 pods are themselves reloadable at regimental level.
Secondary Armament
As with the LY4 upon which it was based, the Manticore utilises a KWF PAK2 medium autocannon as a co-axial weapon for use against light vehicles and infantry. Coming in at 115kg, its reliability and proven stopping power made it a fairly easy choice. The PAK2 can fire either at semi-automatic, or at speeds of up to 200 shots per minute, and is powered by a 1.5hp (1250W) motor. It has a muzzle velocity of 1,200m/s, and can fire APFSDS, HE and HE(I) rounds, with an effective range of 2200m, and a maximum range of 6,800m.
Networking, Sensory and Fire Control System
The Manticore, as with all contemporary and planned Lyran-designed vehicles, uses the Cromwell II fire control and battlespace integration system as the basis of its electronic and information warfare suite. Cromwell II system inputs and actively seeks information from a wide variety of sensory sources, including (but not limited to) the thermal or daylight weapon sight, GPS, a laser rangefinder, automatic crosswind sensor, barometer, meteorlogical datastreams, a pendulum static cant sensor, ammunition type and temperature and so on.
Cromwell II system is part of an integrated and adaptive battlespace network that maximises combat lethality, performance, output and enables command and control on an unprecedented scale. Information is sourced not only from multiple sources on the individual platform, but from every Cromwell II equipped friendly vehicle within the battlespace, which provides constant informational updates across a broad spectrum of sources, both known to the operators, and operating below their awareness.
The Cromwell II system utilises this information to compute a firing solution for the gunner, based upon analysis of the target beneath the reticle. This is achieved in less time than it would take the gunner to depress the firing stud. The firing solution that Cromwell II generates ensures a near-perfect hit percent at standard ranges, across all conditions.
At the most basic level, the Cromwell II system aims to accelerate engagement cycles and increase operational tempo at all levels of the warfighting system. This acceleration is acheived by providing a mechanism to rapidly gather and distribute targeting information, and rapidly issue directives. Cromwell II's ultra-high speed networking permits error-free, high integrity transmission in a bare fraction of the time required for voice-based transmission, and permits transfer of a wide range of data formats, from a multitude of compatible sources
This system does not only allow for precise fire control and networking. The integrated high-resolution autonomous terrain-scanning systems constantly scans the areas to the immediate front of the vehicle, and allows the Cromwell II system to constantly alter its suspension and tracking to provide for a smoother ride, less vibration, greater durability of vehicular components and, perhaps most importantly, further increased targetting accuracy.
Not just a fire control system, the Cromwell II on the Manticore features a wide range of mission- and role-specific systems, such as highly specific localised weather pattern calculating software for reference to bomblet dispersal patterns, terrain following guidance packages, doctrinal AI-based AA and ACM defence pattern analysis, mid-course threat-level flight adjustment and multiple redundant target re-acquisition.
Well implemented networking, using the Cromwell II system, can contribute to improved effectiveness in other ways as well. Rather than micromanage a Manticore or similar Cromwell-equipped platform with close control via a command link tether (such as a radio), networked platforms are given significant autonomy, defined objectives, and allowed to take the initiative in how they meet these objectives. The size, integration and scope of the networked Cromwell II system enables the equipped vehicles to respond to events as they happen, with less reliance on top-down direction.
As an artillery unit, the Cromwell II is particularly important to the Manticore. It enables friendly forces to mark their targets using the Cromwell system, and a single Manticore can have stopped advancing, emplaced, fired all 14 Hellions or LY4045s or 60 220mm rockets at the target and be advancing again within 20 seconds of the target appearing on their Cromwell system. A single Manticore, firing both launchers, can, in that 20 seconds, cover four grid squares (400 hectares, or 4 square kilometers) with dual-purpose submunitions, and the Cromwell can, if the crew desires, program the salvo for time-on-target bombardment, ensuring that every round strikes its individual target at the same time, giving the targets no warning, and no time to seek cover between the first shots and the last.
The system, in its entirety, is fully insulated against electronic interference and data-hacking, and all communications and information exchange programs are 512 bit encrypted to ensure maximum network security.
All viewstations are fitted with Networked Independent Thermal Viewers, which can be used to locate targets and pass them on to each other, to their peer units, or to the networked higher command, to ensure optimum engagement flexibility. The thermal sight uses NS (and Lyran) standard common modules, with 120 element cadmium mercury telluride, CdHgTe (also known as CMT) infra-red detector array operating in the 8 to 14 micron waveband. The infra-red detector units are cooled with a closed-cycle engine.
Armour and Protection
The Manticore, based as it is on the chassis of the LY4 Wolfhound, is protected by Chobham armor, a form of composite armor composed of multiple layers of steel and ceramic. Unlike the Wolfhound, it is not fitted with ERA or dU mesh, nor are slat armour kits included in the package, although they are able to be fitted, should the desire arise.
Fuel is stored within armored sub-compartments, with integral blowout panels and anti-spalling kevlar liners.
In most regards, the Manticore's armour is very comparable to the MBT upon which it was designed, being proof against most weapons up to and including 40mm cannons.
An automatic, location-specific fire-suppression system is also fitted as standard to detect and render safe any internal fires that might erupt.
The decoupled suspension also provides a spaced outer layer which gives improved protection against mines, a feature which compensates for the band tracks relative vulnerability to them. The Ironheart can withstand an 8kg TNT explosion under a track, however KWF, based in Verenberg, has developed a protection kit that provides protection against advanced mines with explosively formed penetrators.
Propulsion and mobility
Being based upon the chassis of an LY4 Wolfhound, the Manticore uses a modified version of the engine developed for the LY4, namely the LYM 665. The LYM 665 is a propane-injected, intercooled twin turbo-charged 50L V10, generating 2000hp at 3000RPM. This gives the Manticore a hp/ton ratio of 27.66, the highest of any artillery system in the world, and higher than many tanks.
The development of the LY219 Ironheart AMTV led to extensive research into the feasibility of electric transmissions for use on armoured vehicles, and the Manticore makes full use of these innovations, matching the LY665 engine with the same electric drive systems that power the several million Ironhearts operating outside Lyras.
The electric transmission system ( where the drive shafts have been replaced by cable and the power from the engines is transferred by cable), delivers a number of advantages, including volume efficiency, very high fuel efficiency, reduced lifecycle costs, and reduced environmental impacts.
The new electric drive has also greatly improved low observability characteristics in terms of thermal and acoustic signatures as well as low visual and radar signatures.
They are fitted with rubber bandtracks rather than conventional steel link tracks. The bandtracks are notably lighter and much quieter. The noise developed by the running gear is reduced by about 8dB (note, the decibel system is logarithmic, so an increase of 10dB doubles volume). Bandtracks also have a lower rolling resistance. Band track technology has been used previously by several other armoured vehicles, such as the BAE Land Systems Hagglunds Bv206 articulated carriers which use short track length bandtracks.
The new tracks are also offer substantially greater service life on-road than their steel counterparts (to the order of 80% longer). The new tracks are a little more vulnerable to mines, but less vulnerable to small- and medium-arms.
The engine is decoupled from the final drives allowing flexibility in the placing of systems in the vehicle and also easily allows two smaller engines to be installed instead of one, should local engines be preferred for export purposes. Batteries are integrated into the electric drive system, which allow the vehicle to be driven silently for several hours with the engines shut down.
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 vehicle is fitted with a bandtrack developed and supplied by the Lyran Arms plant at Castlegate, North Lyras.
As on the Wolfhound and Ironheart, the Manticore's engine is linked to the Cromwell system, which keeps track of the temperatures of each individual segment of the engine, and both monitors and records engine stresses. This 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. Over time, this reduces attrition and increases total combat readiness. The Cromwell system is also responsible for monitoring the active cooling of the vehicle's exhaust, as a means of reducing the vehicle's thermal signature, a critical requirement given the high-value targets that artillery units represent.
Due to this engine/drivetrain/track combination, the Manticore is one of the fastest and most mobile artillery systems in the world, with a a governed top speed of 70 kph on paved roads, and 58.2 kph cross-country. With the governor deactivated, the Manticore, on sealed roads, can reach speeds of around 100 kph but at a greatly increased risk of damage to the drive train or tracks, and notable reduction in both range and drive system service life. Furthermore, these speeds will tend to greatly degrade road surfaces. The engine governer can be set to “off” by the commander if the circumstances require, a feature the Manticore shares with many other Lyran vehicles.
Dual auxiliary power units, to provide functionality while the main engine is off, and also to assist in starting the main engines particularly in cold conditions. The APUs can provide power to all systems, including the two missile pods, while the main engine is shut down, another design allowing maximum flexibility and responsiveness to the Manticore and battleforce, as a whole. The entire engine is also fitted with deployable sand filters for use in high-sand environments, such as deserts or certain parts of the littoral.
Learning from the lessons of the LY4 Wolfhound's development, the Manticore fits driver rear-vision cameras, for manoeuvering in close country or urban environments, as standard.
Crew Amenities
Perhaps more than any other branch of most ground forces, artillery units often find themselves with quite a bit of time where they are not actually doing anything, but must remain at their stations. To that end, crew comfort for artillery units is exceptionally important for maintaining alertness and morale, and the Manticore, as with many recent Lyran vehicles, addresses this point very carefully.
Also, the LY4 chassis used a great deal of internal hull space to carry ammunition, a fact that has given the LY300 extra internal volume with which to add additional crew amenities, not to mention larger crew stations and increased volume for the computational hardware required to manage the sophisticated targetting systems.
Like the LY4 and LY219, the Manticore contains a drink point, providing hot water, cold water, and with two further compartments that can be filled with hot or cold drinks of the crew or unit's choice. As well as being morale boosting, hot water in particular can be of direct military value, with it being used to brew tea or coffee, produce other hot beverages and, most importantly, it is used for dehydrated ration packs common to many armies and armed services.
Situated immediately below the drink point is a small bar fridge, which can either carry spare rations, 'jack' rations, or approximately two cases of soft-drinks or equivalent.
The NBC system follows Lyran standard, and features quite adequately as a climate control system, making for working temperatures easily adjustable to every national or personal need (operating temperature range -40C to 55C).
Seat warmers/coolers are also fitted, to ensure greater comfort and optimise combat endurance and deployability of both crew and personnel being transported. The seats can also be adjusted, manually or electronically, to ensure optimum comfort and control access for any shape or size.
Manticores, like the Wolfhounds and Ironhearts, are also equipped, as standard, with integral high-speed wireless (satellite) broadband internet connections, allowing the crew to surf the internet, check their emails, or correspond with family. The provision of insulated external connections allows accompanying or transported personnel to simply plug in to the side of the vehicle, and then they to can go online. Vehicles with this feature, an increasing proportion of the Lyran arsenal, are invariably popular with the units that field them, or are attached to them, as they not only ensure vastly improved fire support, but also mean that personnel are going to get, hot (or cold) drinks, snacks and a way to talk to home, all of which ensures dramatically higher morale (and thus effectiveness) for the battleforce, as a whole.
Cost per unit
NS$7m
Unlimited domestic production rights for the LY300 Manticore Multiple Rocket system are available at a price of NS$70bn (equivalent to purchase of 10,000 units). The only proviso is notification of size of production runs. Purchase orders and questions can be lodged through Lyran Arms.
