New Sovietskiy PT-262 Light Amphibious Tank:


In the late 2050s, the Soviet military began development of a new tracked light tank for use on amphibious vessels including a new submersible troop transport that was being planned. The tank was first seen by Western nations in 2062 in a Soviet armor display. This tank was really just a prototype and the tank was not in production until 2068. The tank was first deployed on the Krokodil class submersible troop transport but was produced in large number and was assigned to most amphibious units. As well, the Soviet light tank was assigned to airborne units in small numbers due to the tank being lightweight and relatively small. Soviet crews liked their new light tanks and the only real complaint was that the PT-262 was too lightly armored. Still, it was better armored than the converted T-80 tanks and almost as well armored as converted T-90 tanks. As well, the light tank is completely constructed with high tech alloys and composites and maintenance was far less than in older tanks. The PT-262 was sold to several other nations and was popular due to being relatively inexpensive yet well armed. It was sold around the world including Africa, Asia, South Africa, and Central and South America. United States combat units ended up engaging these light tanks several times in the hands of South American and Central American nations. Due to the large number of these light tanks produced, many of them survived into Rifts time and many are operated until the present time. Many remain in the forces of the New Sovietski and some are in the hands of Russian Warlords. As well, there are many of these light tanks in the military forces of nations around the world including South America and several mercenary companies operate these light tanks. It is an interesting fact that no group seems interested in producing a similar vehicle and preferring wheeled designs over tracked designs for smaller armored vehicles. Still, it is expected that theses light tanks will operate for years to come and at least Triax and Polish factories produces repair parts for the PT-262 light tank.


The design was developed after the introduction of light fusion reactors and was designed using one of these new revolutionary power plants. This gave the light tank virtually unlimited range and allowed for a great reduction in logistics. The light tank is designed for very high speed and has a top speed of 120 kph on roads and around 80 kph when traveling off-road. The tank is propelled on the water using its tracks and have a top speed of 24 kph over water. A special feature is the fact that the tank can be launched from 50 meters underwater and will rise to the surface with the top always facing upwards. As previously mentioned, the design uses composites for the main armor and is able to withstand more damage than the refitted T-80 tanks. Electronics are similar to larger tanks being manufactured around the same time and are generally equal to that of Robot Vehicles after the coming of the Rifts but also has a periscope for viewing over terrain. The tank has a three person crew and the compartment is rather cramped. Often small individuals were chosen for tank crews and a disproportionate percent of the crews of these tanks were female.


The main gun of the prototype of the PT-262 was a standard 100 mm cannon but was replaced by a more powerful 100 mm electro-thermal cannon with a special recoil suppression system. The new cannon had a greater range and a higher payload due to the electro-thermal propellant taking up far less space. Special guided projectiles could also be fired from the cannon which effectively acted as short range missiles. The cannon has an automatic loader and the ammunition is separated from the crew for greater crew safety. The PT-262 is fitted with a coaxial secondary mount and a turret top secondary mount which is controlled by the commander. The coaxial mount is a 10 mm rail gun heavy rail gun in all versions but the other secondary changed several times during the production and operation of the light tank. At first a light rail gun was carried but was later replaced by a pulse laser with an unlimited payload. The pulse laser is similar to the weapon on several other designs and is a modified version of the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle with greater range. Some tank crews also replaced the tank top mount with an automatic grenade launcher although this was against official procedure. These are often pulled from scrapped old tanks and were very popular with crews although some preferred the pulse laser. Some crews of tanks after the Rifts have replaced the top mounted weapon with an automatic grenade launcher as well. The mount can be controlled from within the tank and can be used against airborne attacks unless the grenade launcher has been fitted. In addition, the light tank was fitted with mini-missile launchers in box launchers for a short range heavy punch. These are fitted on the sides of the tank. As a final defense, the PT-262 carries a special jamming system to protect the light tank against missiles and other weapons.


Model Type: PT-262
Vehicle Type: Light Amphibious Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).


M.D.C. by Location:

[1] Tractor Treads (2):80 each
Weapons Turret:150
100 mm Electro-Thermal Cannon (Turret):100
[2] 10 mm Co-axial Heavy Rail-Gun (Turret):50
Cupola on Turret:60
[2] 5 mm Commander Rail-Gun (Cupola - Early Models):25
[2] Commander Pulse Laser Mount (Cupola - Later Models):40
[2] Automatic Grenade Launcher (Replaces Commander Mount):40
Mini-Missile Launchers (2, sides of hull):30 each
Multi-Option Jammers (2):25
[2] Headlights (2):6 each
[3] Main Body:325


Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the tank until it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is not under attack.
[2] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[3] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and is unsalvageable.


Speed:
Ground: Maximum speed on land is 74.6 mph (120 kph) on roads and 49.7 mph (80 kph) off road maximum. The vehicle is designed to traverse virtually all terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a much slower speed (About 10% of maximum road speed). It can also climb barriers and ford trenches. The vehicle can also handle side slopes of up to 30%.
Water Capabilities: Uses tracks to propel amphibious tank over the surface of the water. It can operate in virtually all ocean conditions and can actually be launched from 164 feet (50 meters) underwater and will rise to the surface with the turret facing upwards. Using the tracks, the PT-262 can travel on the surface of water at 15 mph (24 kph/13 knots).
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply with 5 year duration) Armored Vehicle carries about two weeks worth of supplies emergency rations onboard.


Statistical Data:
Height: 7.55 feet (2.3 meters) to top of commander's cupola.
Width: 10.83 feet (3.3 meters)
Length: 28.54 feet (8.7 meters) with gun forward; 21.33 feet (6.5 meters) for just the hull/main body of the tank.
Weight: 20.4 tons (18.5 metric tons) fully loaded
Power Source: Nuclear fusion reactor; Must be refueled every five years, otherwise effectively unlimited.
Cargo Capacity: Minimal storage space in pilots compartment; about three feet (0.9 m) in side dimensions for extra clothing, weapons, and personal items. Three carbines and one hand-held missile launcher with four loads
Black Market Cost: 5.8 million credits was the production price originally; Remaining tanks sell for double that (11.6 million credits). The tanks remain popular with some mercenaries and small nations. Many of these tanks remain in service with the New Sovietski and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords.


Weapon Systems:

  1. 100-mm Electro Thermal Cannon (1): Mounted in the tank’s main turret in place of the standard 100 mm cannon on the prototype of the tank and is quite a bit more powerful. Cannon has a special recoil system to reduce felt recoil. The projectile is loaded into the barrel, behind which there is a “propellant,” which is a dot of light metal. A powerful electromagnetic force is applied to the metal, which causes its atoms to “switch” directions. This happens so violently that the metal turns to plasma, and this expanding gas then drives the projectile forward. Since the cannon is built into a turret, it can rotate 360-degrees and can aim upwards 60 degrees - allowing it to engage low-flying aircraft and creatures. The cannon is controlled by a gunner inside the turret compartment. The cannon could also be used to launch Short Range Missiles, of which 8 were normally carried.
    Maximum Effective Range: 8202 feet (2,500 meters) for direct fire, and 24,606 feet (7,500 meters) for indirect fire. Range for short range missiles varies by missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Mega Damage: A single round inflicts 3D6x10 (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Can use High Explosive rounds that does 2D4x10 M.D. with a blast radius of 20 ft (6.1 m). High Explosive Anti Tank does 2D6x10 M.D. with a blast radius of 10 ft (3.0 m). Mega-Damage for missiles is as per short missile type; almost always Armor Piercing. (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Rate of Fire:Maximum of four per melee.
    Payload: 56 rounds maximum (Each short range missile takes the space of two rounds) - Normal payload is 16 Anti-Tank Rounds and 24 other rounds (In addition to 8 short range missiles)
    Bonuses: Has a special fire control computer that helps to aim the cannon. Gives +2 to strike with the cannon and vehicle does not have minuses to fire when tank is moving.
  2. Co-axial Mounted 10 millimeter GSR-10 Heavy Rail-gun (1): Weapon is Co-axially mounted with the main gun and it fires wherever the main cannon is targeting. The Soviet military was unable to make an effective liquid propellant weapon and instead developed, some say stole, a rail gun design for their existing vehicles. The designers bowed to the armies pressure and it was decided that the light tank would carry a heavy co-axial mount than previous designs.
    Maximum Effective Range: 4,920 feet (1,500 meters)
    Mega Damage: Single shot does 2D4 and 20 round burst does 1D6x10+10
    Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
    Payload: 1,600 rounds (80 bursts).
  3. Top Weapon Mount (1): The tank has a spindle to mount a weapon on the top of the turret which is normally controlled by the commander of the tank. The weapon is designed for use against troops assaulting the tank and against aircraft. Originally the weapon carried was 5 mm light rail gun but was later replaced by a pulse laser. As well, many crews replaced the weapon with a grenade launcher even though this was contrary to official procedure. The mount was designed so that it can be controlled from within the turret so the commander would not be exposed to hostile fire.
    1. 5 millimeter GSR-05 Medium Rail-gun: Finally developed as a replacement for the medium machine-gun for previous tank design and was mounted on original versions of the PT-262 Light Amphibious Tanks. Many crews would have preferred a heavier rail gun and the weapon was soon replaced by a pulse laser or an automatic grenade launcher.
      Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters)
      Mega Damage: One round does 1D4 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 6D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 4D6 M.D.C.; Forty round full bursts do 1D4x10
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (Commander)
      Payload: Carries 2,400 rounds total (120 full bursts or 60 half-bursts)
    2. Pulse Laser Mount: Replaces the medium rail-gun in later models and many older models replace the rail gun as well when refitted. The Laser fires four shot bursts and is capable of destroying missiles and inflicting serious damage on aircraft. The weapon is also useful against armor and infantry. Laser is similar to the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle with extended range.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters).
      Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 MD for four shot burst.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (Commander)
      Payload: Effectively unlimited.
    3. ATR-50 Automatic Grenade Launcher: Weapon is very similar to the WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher produced by Wellington Industries and the American Automatic Grenade Launcher operated around the same time but uses a larger grenade and is heavier in design. Weapon was used in vehicles as well as being used in tripod mounts and used by power armors. Weapon can fire single shot or bursts of ten rounds and can inflict heavy damage when burst fired. Unlike the American design, the Soviet automatic grenade launcher only used belts. The tank normally mounted two belts together to increase number of rounds to 400 rounds. It is believed that the Soviets tank crews saw the effectiveness of the M1A5 equipped with this weapon so they decide to replace their heavy machine-gun with this weapon. This mount was never officially mounted on the tank but was very common none-the-less. This weapon became very popular with tank crews and many crews mounted the automatic grenade launcher instead of other weapons.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage: 3D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 ft and 5D6 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 ft, burst of 10 rounds does 2D4x10 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 40 ft and 2D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 8 ft. Other special rounds are available.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander) - Single Shot or Ten round bursts.
      Payload: 400 Round Double Belt.
  4. Hull Mounted Mini-missile Launcher (2): Mounted on the sides of the tank are mini missile launchers. These launchers are designed for rapid fire use to engage heavy tanks and giant robots. These weapons are designed to be able to destroy enemy vehicles quickly. Smoke warheads are often carried for special purpose uses. Weapon is mainly controlled by the tanks gunner but the pilot and commander also have controls.
    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini-missile type; Usually armor piercing or fragmentation are carried (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Mega Damage: Varies with mini-missile type; Usually armor piercing or fragmentation are carried (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time, or in volleys of two (2) or four (4) missiles.
    Payload: Each launcher carries 8 mini-missiles for a total of 16 Mini-missiles.
  5. Multi-Option “Shtora-8A” Jammers (2): These are multi-purpose jamming devices designed to stop incoming missiles and confuse an enemy targeting the PT-262
    Effect: Each firing launches two Chaff rockets, two Flare rockets, and the tank begins emitting a large cloud of smoke, both standard and Anti-Laser Prismatic Aerosol; The Chaff rockets detonate and spread Chaff over the area, the flare rockets floating down by parachute; Effects last for one minute (4 Melee rounds.) The Chaff rockets have a 20% chance of interfering with the course of enemy missiles each (40%, total) that are radar guided so that they miss the tank. The flares have the same percentages, except with IR-guided missiles. The Anti-Laser prismatic aerosol reduces damage by half for any laser beam striking the tank (With the exception of X-ray lasers but not variable frequency lasers; X-Ray lasers suffer no damage modifiers, and variable frequency lasers simply cannot compensate for the variables involved), and adds a +4 difficulty to targeting the tank with a laser guidance system or visually.
    Rate of Fire: Usually once every four melee rounds; Effects are not cumulative.
    Maximum Effective Range: Around the tank only; Rough distance of 80 ft (24 m) around tank.
    Payload: Sufficient for twelve firings; One of each type of jamming option from each side of the vehicle.


Sensory Equipment:
The tank carries all standard equipment of a robot vehicle plus this special equipment:



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Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2002, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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