VEHICLES

    M577 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER

    MAX MOBILE ASSAULT EXO WARRIOR /
    MOBILE OFFESNIVE EXO WARRIOR (TL4)
    The Max or MOX confounds explanation.  It is not really a piloted suit nor is it a robot.  It is a Human intelligence locked into ten tons of heavily armed and armored exoskeleton.  The MAX was developed and primarily run by Weyland Yutani while the MOX was produced by military intelligence for effective confrontation with the hostile alien life forms.  When a civilian consultant, en route from the siminal military skirmish with the hostile organisms on the Terraformer LB 426 Colony, successfully dispatched an alien Queen with an Exoskeletor Payloader, military designers had responded with MOX.  Both models are virtually identical even though the MOX is more popular, being widely distributed among the CMC at TL5.  The MOX were the first of their kind.  The Military wanted a new breed of warrior, and the marines provided them:  volunteer basket cases and psychos eager to taste power in this lifetime.
     The Beserkers.
     It was up to medical science to keep them leased until they were needed.  One specifically trained doctor always accompanies the Suit.  They use IV sedatives to maintain the subject in a dreamless coma state, virtually a flatten.  Not even REM sleep is allowed, since the slightest spark of adrenaline could cause a massacre.  Usually, for the man in the suit, this is his one and only and option.  This or psycho ward one.  When the bughunt reaches critical mass, The Armor is wheeled in, and the subject is “turned on” with a triple dose of chemical adrenalines, and turns him loose.  The bugs will go down.  When that moose juice kicks in, anything between him and his target will be annihilated.
     Both the MOX and the MAX have weapons so similar, for ease, they will be classified to be the same.   Pulse Rifles, Grenade launchers, and Flamethrowers are all standard equipment.  The only variety is scale.  The MAX is substantially larger than the MOX (by a full meter).  The MAX also has the capacity of allowing a normal pilot.  The MOX is literally built AROUND the pilot where the MAX is more of a powered armor.  The back opens up where the almost surgically implanted pilot can be removed..  Please note the pilot is so dependant on the drugs of the MAX that he will die in 1D6 hours unless placed on life support if removed.  The new pilot will not be dependant on the drugs unless in side the suit for more than 48 hours.  A new pilot can be implanted is six hours.  For a normal human, the MAX can be used in extreme emergencies.  A neural implant is drilled in the back of the head (DC4 damage) and the suit applies to the user’s command.  However, an additional -3 Maneuvering bonus is applied.
    The MOX is smaller, more maneuverable, and less armored, and has no chance of pilot removal.  Max’s cost a bit more, so they are recycled.  MOX’s however, need to be rebuilt entirely to accompany a new pilot.  They are both independent units whose only form of tracking is the homing beacon placed usually in a hive by the Point man (See CMC for the Beserker rules).  Upon activation, they go in he direction of the beacon and destroyed everything in their path.  The guns all have safety kill-switches designed to shut off within three meters of the Point man an anybody programmed for the Beserker to avoid.  PDT of colonists are notable examples.
    The Final disadvantage of the MAX and MOX units is the unpredictable lifespan of the pilot.  After the tenth  flushing (washing  of the sedatives and jacking up with the chemical drugs), the health of the pilot diminishes.  The eleventh flushing has a 5% chance of killing the pilot when activated.  This, of course puts the Beserker team in a bad situation.  Ever additional flushing adds 5% to the difficulty.  Most Beserkers are replaced after ten missions but some have been pushed to their twentieth mission.  MOX suits are a tad bit safer and only add 4% every additional flushing.  Not much, but MOXs are generally pushed more than MAX’s since an emergency pilot can use the Suit if the current one dies.
     The Nutragel technology was not converted to Beserker suit until well into TL6 because the heavy armor was considered enough to ward off the alien acid.
    PERFORMANCE
TOTAL COST:
       MOX:  $1,000,000
       MAX:  $2,100,000
LOADED WEIGHT:
    MOX:  8 tones
    MAX:  10 tones
STRENGTH:
     MOX:  10
    MAX:  12
MANUEVERABILITY:
     MOX:  -1
    MAX:  -3
LOCATIONS: (MOX / MAX )     STRUCTURE:             ARMOR:
MAIN BODY:                                  2K / 4K                         1K / 2K
    ARMS (2):                                   1K (50 SDP) / 2K         0.5 K (25 SDP) / 1K
    LEGS (2):                                     1K (50 SDP) / 2K         0.5 K (25 SDP) / 1K
MAX SPEED:
     MOX:  14
    MAX:  10
ACCELERATION: 4
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS:  See below
BASIC ARMAMENT:
     MOX:  M56 Smartgun with triple ammunition, M240 Flamethrower with double capacity, M26 Thumper Grenade Launcher
   MAX: One 20 MeV turboalternator powered charged particle beam cannon, M240 Flamethrower with triple capacity, M56 Smartgun with triple ammunition, M26 Thumper Grenade Launcher
   NOTES:  All arm weapons are considered turrets for special rules.

    M-242 COMBAT BUGGY

     The M-242’s design bears more than a striking resemblance to its civilian counterpart, he Daihotei ATV.  Both vehicles have almost identical drivetrains.  The major exceptions is size.  The M242 is smaller and sporting only four wheels.  The Buggy only has a crew of two with no passengers, one pilot and one turret operator.  Both can open their canopies and operate effectively in the clear.  There is a –5 to strike them when exposed in this condition, the pilot and gunner have a +2 to hit their targets.

     The M-242 is one of the most capable combat vehicles in the CMC.  Not only is it fast, running off a pair of K-1000 Gas Turbines, but it is also maneuverable, using four wheeled steering on a four wheeled drive transmission.  The control system can be modified to operate as a typical steered vehicle about also as a independent control for each wheel.  Allowing the car to drive sideways and virtually every direction, keeping its nose pointed forward.

    This helps the aiming of its turret weapon, supporting a pair of high-powered 10-mm Vulcan Gattling cannons.  These weapons can strafe targets with ease from a 1000 meters.  The only disadvantage with maneuverability  is weight.  Being light, the buggy cannot take many hits. Most heavy weapon will permanently disable the vehicle.  The wheels, themselves, are especially vulnerable.
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL COST: $250 000
LOADED WEIGHT:  18 000 kg  (1.8 tons)
MANUEVERABILITY: -1
LOCATIONS:                STRUCTURE              ARMOR
   MAIN BODY:                 1K (50 SDP)              0.5 (25 SDP)
   WHEELS:                        0.5 (25 SDP)             0.25 K (15 SDP)
MAX SPEED:  166
ACCELERATION: 50
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS:  See below.
BASIC ARMAMENT:  Twin Gattling Cannons.

    DAIHOTAI 8X8 ATV

    With the advent of galactic colonization, mankind has encountered a greater variety of climates and terrenes than anyone on Terra could have imagined.  Unfortunately, some of these conditions have proven insurmountable to all existing Terran ATV (all-terrain vehicle) designs. Thus the need for an even more rugged, more capable vehicle was born.  To date, Daihotai Corp., a subsidiary of Weyland-Yutani, has been the leader in this market segment. Indeed, Daihotai has become synonymous with quality and dependability.
    Each model in the ATV series is based on a common 8x8 drivetrain with a 7-meter wheelbase and a 6-meter track. This wide base ensures even weight distribution and stability on most types of ground. Four ‘legs’ end in pairs of drive wheels. The vehicle is sprung by two swing-arm Anderson suspension assemblies, cantilevered at chassis bearings and sprung with internal torsion bars. Dampening comes courtesy of telescopic shock absorbers. The whole assembly is reined in by hydro-pneumatic rams. The active suspension is monitored by a dedicated CPU to provide maximum stability and traction in all conditions. The system can also alter the vehicle’s ground clearance over a range of 1.5 to .9 meters.
    The most common power plant installed in the Daihotai series ATVs are the J-160 and J-180 series gas turbines. Both units are capable of generating 160 to 180 kW of power that is transferred to the drive wheels. Each wheel has its own independent transmission system controlled by a central CPU to ensure optimal traction. This unit also handles anti-lock braking duties. On paved surfaces, the ATV is capable of top speeds near 110 km/hr. Off-road the ATV is capable of handling vertical obstacles up to 1.4 meters in height and vertical grades near 70%.
    A fully provisioned, enclosed cabin is standard equipment on most models of ATV. All cabins possess full life support capability, with full NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. The cabins are arranged around a central living space equipped with a full galley and sleeping accommodations for up to five people. Plenty of storage space is available for stowing equipment and supplies. Each unit is reinforced by a steel rollcage and may be sealed from the rest of the space by sliding bulkhead door.
    The driver’s cab is located at the very fore of the vehicle. This area can double as an airlock in hazardous environs. A workstation cockpit is at the rear of the vehicle. This area effectively mirrors the driving controls in the main cab, allowing the tractor to be piloted effectively in reverse. This area also contains controls for all the attachments and specialized tools the ATV may carry. Some of the more popular attachments are: diggers, cutters, large drills, soil samplers, stamping presses, welders, and earth-moving blades. However, the overall strength of the design has led to many ‘field’ modifications, and ATVs can be found performing nearly any heavy-duty function on a colony somewhere. Indeed, Weyland-Yutani colonies are equipped almost exclusively with this type of utility vehicle.
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL COST: $100 000
LOADED WEIGHT:  2 tones
MANUEVERABILITY: -4
LOCATIONS:                STRUCTURE              ARMOR
    MAIN BODY:                 100 SDP                       50SDP
   WHEELS:                         20 SDP                       10 SDP
MAX SPEED:  125
ACCELERATION: 33
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS:  None

    P-5000 POWERLOADER

      The Caterpillar P-5000 powerloader has been selected for use by the USCMC as their prime loading vehicle for logistics and support operations.  Configured as an anthropomorphic exoskeleton power frame, the P-5000 offers an unprecedented flexibility when handling ordinance and cargo during the rough field operations or when it is conducting heavy maintenance away from it's fixed workshops.  The loader is capable of fine manipulating loads up to 4,000 kg, it is rugged and reliable piece of machinery compared to forklifts, rigs, and cranes.
    The chassis of the loader is made of reinforced steel framework with two upper load-bearing points for its arms. A hydrogen fuel cell is mounted on the back of the frame, which provides the loader up to 65 kW of power. The legs are attached to by two semi-universal bearings on either side of the chassis, which allows up to a 60 degree of 'x' axis (hip swivel) movement, just below this are a set of knee bearings. The leg motions at the hip are controlled by a pair of 20 kW linear motors that are actuated by a fast-feedback loop slaved to the operator’s movements. Just below the hips are hydraulic actuators that extend from the main loading bearing parts to the aft sections of the legs, providing an 'z' axis (fore/aft) movement at the knee joints, while the pitch control is handled by the second series of actuators at the ankle area. To prevent any toppling while not in operation or lifting cargo, the chassis is gyrostabilized. The gyros can be rotated rapidly out of phase in order to 'decouple' the chassis stabilization system along determined the axis of motion and provide the necessary instability required for bipedal movement. For very heavy lifting, additional stability can be provided by bolting up to 250 kg of concrete ballast to the underside of the chassis.
 The arms are attached to the very top of the chassis by a pair of complex universal bearings that are stressed to operate under loadings of up to 4,000 kg. The arm motions in the 'y' and 'z' axes are all controlled by the linear motors while the movement of the 'x' axis and also at the elbows is powered by a series of hydraulic actuators. Each of the limbs terminate at a set of vice manipulators which are configured to handle standard P-60 and O-26 type pallet grips and are capable of full 360-degree rotations. The manipulator functions is controlled from the operators handgrip/joystick combination on the inside of each limbs The attachment points for the maintenance tools like the welding torch are seated on the manipulators.
    Problems only arise when the loader is walking or reaching its full extension, as the system is likely to encounter movement beyond the fine tuning capabilities of the operator. The standard operating procedures forbid the users of the loaders to do any of these maneuvers. If the loader is operating on rough ground, then the loader will provide feedback cues to the operator to help it keep his/her footing. An automatic lockout system has generally proved safe to use over all but the most treacherous terrain.  Through simple principles, a lot of practice is required to use a loader efficiently and safely, and the equivalent of a Class 2 civilian cargo-handling license is needed to operate one in the USCMC. The operators must become used to the loaders mass and it's tendency to lead the operator’s movements. The operators also must be very careful not to overcompensate for this tendency, otherwise they may induce an unwanted oscillations into the control systems. To operate a loader requires sureness and the economy of the movement, since any hesitation and any exaggerated motion tend to place unwanted stress on the load-bearing joints. The training to use a loader takes about six weeks of simulator training and then hands on experience. Though this is extended to eight weeks to qualify the USCMC personnel and includes training in rough field operations.
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL COST: $2,000,000
LOADED WEIGHT: 31,255lbs, (15.7 tons)
MANUEVERABILITY: -4
STRENGTH: 13
LOCATIONS:                  STRUCTURE             ARMOR
    MAIN BODY:                     2K                          0.25 K (15 SDP)
    ARMS (2):                          1K                           0.25 K (15 SDP)
    LEGS (2):                           0.5 K                       0.25 K (15 SDP)
MAX SPEED: 10
ACCELERATION: 5
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS:  None

    M292A2 SELF PROPELLED GUN

    TANKS
    M34A2 LONGSTREET LIGHT TANK  /
    M22A3 JACKSON MEDIUM TANK /
    M40 RIDGEWAY HEAVY TANK

     The M34, M22, and M40 are the tanks of choice of the CMC.  All of these designs are lighter than army variants because of the need to space and airlift vehicles in combat situations.  The deployment of Colonial Marines Armor assets is limited by the available of heavy starlift capability to transport both the tanks and their considerable logistic and service support.  For this reason, the six tank battalions of the Colonial Marines rely heavily on medium and light armor such as the M22 and the M34.  One battalion, the 2nd (attached to the 1st Colonial marine Division) has recently been upgraded with the M40, which has previously only seen service in the US army.  The current intention is to furnish at least two more battalions with the M40 before making a decision about finally phasing out the M22.
     Armor in the Colonial Marines has retained the traditional infant support role.  Tanks are still the best way to deliver direct artillery fire quickly and accurately demonstrates the continuing value of heavy armor on the modern battlefield, with is ability to fire 115 mm shells  at a rate 6o rpm, deliver particulate barrier smoke, scatterable mines and support fire from its integral 60 mm mortars and defend against aerospace craft and incoming missiles with 20 kw phased plasma point defense gun.
       Aside from the impressive firepower of modern tanks, their psychological value and their ability to chock even a prepared opponent, is still readily apparent.  Colonial Marine aerospace /ground teams rain in cooperation with the armor units on a regular basis, though there is still opposition to fully integrating heavy armor into the teams.  Partly, this is because of the current lack of a heavy dropships capable of carrying a tank into battle; this is rectified with the N1 Snakefighter, with its 70 000 kg lift capacity.  Also, its is because of new models and concepts being proposed by the Colonial Marine Tactical Studies School which advocate a reversal of Marine 70 ‘flexible’ armored doctrine in favor of employing dedicated tank-led ground teams.  In he tanks-led teams, the armor is grouped en masse with mechanized and airborne infantry in support, rather than the current practice of parceling out armor piecemeal on an ad hoc basis.  However, proponents of this scheme wish to see a radical increase in Marine armor capability once the U-24 is in service before proper integration with the aero/ground teams can take place.
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL COST:
     M34A2:  $2,000,000
     M22A3:  $3 500 000
     M40:  $5 500 000
LOADED WEIGHT:
     M34A2:  19 000 kg (19 tones)
    M22A3:  28 000 kg (28 tones)
    M40:  35 000 kg (35 tones--Too heavy for the UD-4 Dropship)
MANUEVERABILITY:
     M34A2:  -4
    M22A3:  -6
    M40:  -7
LOCATIONS:                 STRUCTURE             ARMOR
    MAIN BODY:
        M34A2:                             6K                              3K
       M22A3:                             7K                              3K
       M40:                                  9K                              4K
MAX SPEED:
     M34A2:  100
    M22A3:  90
    M40:  70
ACCELERATION:
     M34A2:  35
    M22A3:  30
    M40:  21
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS:  Every vehicle has one hardpoint for their main gun, which is a ERFB (Extended Range Full Bore) Standard Gun.  One additional hardpoint is available for additional firepower.  The M40 has two more.
BASIC ARMAMENT:
    M34A2:  (Targets:  Ground targets, Ariel can be hit at –8, 1 meter blast radius; Damage:  3K; Range:  20 000;     WA:  +3;  ROF:  1; Shots:  30)
   M22A3:   (Targets:  Ground targets, 2 meter blast radius; Damage:  4K; Range:  25 000; WA:  +2; ROF:  1;  Shots:  40)
   M40:   (Targets:  Ground targets, 3 meter blast radius; Damage:  5K; Range:  30 000; WA:  +2; ROF:  1; Shots:  50

    M-442 “RACK”—POWERED ARMOR (TL 5.5, 6)

     The RACK has gone through several design changes through the year of release a TL5.  By TL6, they had reaches their final form but not before all the other designs being stolen by other groups.  As a result, several different variants of the RACK can be seen by smugglers, beekeepers, and civilian security groups.  Mining consortiums have been known to operate larger versions.
     The CMC’s variant has remain unchanged since the final release model.  The basic design was built around the Weyland Yutani’s MAX Beserker  Armor.  The biggest modification was the control system.  Before, it was deemed too difficulty for a normal human to operate.  This resulted in the need to permanently install the Beserker pilot.  With the addition of the McKinley 2.5 Terabyte control processor  to handle the guidance and the complex systems of the beast, the RACK is now capable or a normal pilot with little stress in combat situations.  Generically, Racks have been replaced by powerloaders in certain situation especially in hazardous environments where flat terrain is not available.  Also, not all variants have sealed cockpits.   In fact only two, including he CMC model, are pressurized.  Most others are open like the P-5000 Powerloader.
    M-442 MARINE RACK:  Sealed Combat suit with less firepower and armor than the MOX Beserker suit but equally as maneuverable.  Armed with one Boyars Pars 150 Phased Plasma Cannon, one Republic Dynamics M2025 40 mW free-electron lasers, or one 20 MeV turboalternator powered charged particle beam cannon as well as a  M-240 Flamethrower.
   P-7999 POWER RACK:  Exposed Cockpit system with twice the STR as theM-442 but much more maneuverable than the Basic powerloader.  Its arms have been modified with powerloader appendages with an extension beam that allows the “hand” assemblies to extend up to six meters from the bas elbow when needed.  No weapon systems.
     UT-05 MINING RACK:  A sealed suit but don’t let that deceive the user.  It offers no protection.  The transparent geranium canopy is strong but totally vulnerable to weapon’s fire.  The sealed system is designed only to keep in the pressure in adverse environments.  The only noteworthy form of armament ifs a large flame device similar to the M340 Flamethrower.
     ST-BETA-5 SECURITY RACK: A modified version of the Power rack, the ST-BETA still exposes the pilot, but an armored bathtub protects him/her for heavy fire.  The Loader arms remain and the Strength dropped, giving lower weight and higher maneuverability.  A pulse Rifle has been added to the arsenal with double capacity ammunition.
PERFORMANCE
TOTAL COST:
     M-442:  $1 200 000
    P-7999:  $650 000
     UT-05:  $850 000
    ST-BETA-5:  $1 000 000
LOADED WEIGHT:
     M-442:  4
     P-7999:  6
     UT-05:  7
     ST-BETA-5:  5
STRENGTH:
     M-442:  9
    P-7999:  12
    UT-05:  11
    ST-BETA-5:  10
MANUEVERABILITY:
     M-442:  -1
     P-7999:  -4
     UT-05:  -5
     ST-BETA:  -4
LOCATIONS:                       STRUCTURE:              ARMOR:
    MAIN BODY:
         M-442:                                  3K                                   2K
         P-7999:                                 1K                            0.5 (25 SDP)
        UT-05:                                  1.5 K                         0.5 (25 SDP)
        ST-BETA-5:                         2 K                                  1 K
ARMS / LEGS (2)
     M-442:                                      2K                                     1K
    P-7999:                                     1 K                            0.5 K (25 SDP)
    UT-05:                                       1 K                            0.5 K (25 SDP)
     ST-BETA-5:                              1 K                            0.5 K (25 SDP)
MAX SPEED:
     M-442:  18
     P-7999:  12
    UT-05:  10
    ST-BETA-5:  16
ACCELERATION: 6
VEHICLE HARDPOINTS:  See below
BASIC ARMAMENT:
     M-442:  One Boyars Pars 150 Phased Plasma Cannon, One Republic Dynamics M2025 40 mW free-electron lasers, OR one 20 MeV Turboalternator powered charged particle beam cannon as well as a M-240 Flamethrower.
   P-7999:  None
   UT-05:  The only noteworthy form of armament ifs a large flame device similar to the M340 Flamethrower.
   ST-BETA-5:  A Pulse Rifle has been added to the arsenal with double capacity ammunition.

NOTES:  All arm weapons are considered turrets for special rules.