New Sovietskiy Black Eagle (T-212M1/2) Main Battle Tank:

(Export Variant)


The Black Eagle was originally a development of the T-80, though so considerable rebuilt as to be called a new design, intended initially for export use. It featured numerous machine guns and the standard 125 mm smoothbore cannon. The design was initially rejected by the Russian government, preferring to go with the T-90 tank which was already in service. The T-212 was exported to India, China, Korea, and numerous other countries.


The design had many standard Soviet features and the backbone older 125 mm smoothbore that had served a variety of countries throughout the world extensively. What wasn't standard was the entire layout of the turret and crew compartment. Because of lessons learned from the Gulf War and the Serbian conflict, it was decided that the crew needed to be separated from the ammunition and the auto loader in order to improve their survivability. In previous designs the auto loader and its carrousel were located in the middle of the crew compartment, and an ammunition fire invariably resulted in the death of the crew.


As a result of the redesign the turret of the T-212 features an, especially for a Russian design, rather large bustle. In the bustle all of the ammunition was stored horizontally, and an entirely new auto loader selected and slid the rounds into the breech of the gun. The entire auto loader and ammunition store were separated from the crew compartment by a large armor plate, which meant that even after an enemy hit ignited the ammunition, the crew had a good chance of survival. It also meant that with the new auto loader design, the T-212 had an even lower profile than previous tanks.


The export version of the Black Eagle, sold to such nations including China, North Korea, Vietnam, India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Argentina and South Africa became an exceptionally popular tank all over the world, and very common. After the year 2012, the Indian government, desperate to rebuild its tank forces after the disastrous war with the USA, purchased rights to produce the original T-212 design. China shortly followed suite with Argentina also purchasing the rights to produce the T-212. The Chinese, Indian, and Argentinian versions of the T-212 included small modifications but retain most of the features of the Russian version.


When the “Mega-Damage” revolution came around, as the popular media termed the scientific revolution in construction materials and the quantum leap in conventional weapons power that followed, virtually all combat designs became obsolete. A partial solution was to refit the old T-212 tanks with the new armor materials but the designs were more fragile than a new built tank would be as well as being more prone to breakdowns. As a result, a new version of the T-212 was developed with was constructed completely from high strength composites and alloys. Refitted T-212 tanks became known as the T-212M1 and new construction T-212 tanks were designated the T-212M2. On new construction tanks, the machine-guns were replaced by more powerful 14.5 mm machines but these could not be refitted into older models.


India, China, and Argentina all came up with similar upgrades to their T-212 tanks that were in service but with a variety of differences. Old tanks were refitted with Ram-Jet ammunition and new production tanks were fitted with 14.5-mm heavy machine-guns instead of the lighter original machine-guns.


As well, during the “Mega-Damage” revolution, the Soviet military wanted a new tank design instead of simply refitting old tanks and came up with a modified version of the T-212 which replaces the 125-mm main cannon with a larger 135-mm cannon and heavier machine-guns. While officially a supplement to the older tanks, it replaced the old tanks in front-line service. It was not replaced in this role until the introduction of the T-255 main battle tank.


China eventually derived their own tank from the T-212 which became known as the Type 2060 which replaced the heavy machine-guns with liquid propellant Gatling guns. These liquid propellant weapons are copied from American weapons and were refitted onto the remaining T-212 tanks as well offering the weapons for other militaries. Other modifications included the replacement of the 125-mm conventional cannon with an electro-thermal cannon, the addition of a short range missile launcher, and the replacement of the Gas Turbine engine of the T-212 with twin fusion engines.


On modern day Rifts Earth, refitted T-212 Main Battle tanks, including the T-212M1, T-212M2, and the various non-Soviet versions, can all be found. Capabilities of the various versions vary and many have been heavily refitted including the replacement on some tanks of the Gas Turbines with fusion reactors. Weapon systems on many tanks have also been replaced with more common weapon systems including energy weapons. Many owners of these tanks also have upgraded the electronics to the standards of most Robot Vehicles. The tank is very common in Southern South America where in the former country of Argentina, Italo Industries, manufactures the Argentinian version of the T-212 to this day. The Italo Industries version of the tank has the option of a fusion reactor instead of a Gas Turbine. As well, the company offers a variety of upgrades for existing models of the T-212 tank. Very common modifications include the replacement of the secondary weapon systems and the addition of a mini-missile launcher on top of the turret. Triax manufactures repair parts for the T-212 and offers several upgrades as well.


The T-212 Tank, with all of its derivative designs including the T-212M1, T-212M2, T-212U1, Chinese, Indian, and Argentinian versions, is, combined, the most numerous tank design still in existence on Rifts Earth. A vast variety of different weapons can be found on these tanks with most upgrades following two patterns. Soviet upgrades replaced the machine-guns with rail guns where Chinese upgrades replace the machine-guns with liquid propellant weapons. Replacing the commander's mount with an automatic grenade launcher is also very popular. Upgraded tanks from Mega-Damage revolution cannot mount the 14.5 mm heavy machine-gun but new versions were designed around mounting the heavier machine-gun.


Model Type:T-212M1Upgraded Original Model (Added Composite Armors)
T-212M2New Composite Construction
Vehicle Type: Main Battle Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).

M.D.C. By Location:Refitted Version:New Manufacture:
[1] Tractor Treads (2):80 each100 each
[2] Weapons Turret:160200
125 mm smooth-bore gun:7590
[3] Coaxial Soviet 7.62 mm machine-gun:10N.A.
[3] Coaxial Soviet 14.5 mm heavy machine-gun:N.A.30
[3] Coaxial Soviet 5 mm Rail Gun25N.A.
[3] Coaxial Soviet 10 mm Rail GunN.A.50
[3] Coaxial Chinese LPG-8 liquid propellant Gatling gun:6060
[3] Commander Soviet 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Gun:20N.A.
[3] Commander Soviet 14.5 mm heavy machine-gun:N.A.30
[3] Commander Soviet 10 mm Heavy Rail-Gun:5050
[3] Commander Chinese LPG-8 liquid propellant gun:6060
[3] Automatic Grenade Launcher:4040
Turret Mounted Mini-Missile Launcher (Optional):5050
Multi-Option Jammers (2):2525
[4] Main Body:350425


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] The Weapons turret is unmanned by the crew, and can be destroyed without otherwise damaging the vehicle. This makes the tank very survivable, and it can retreat and have a new weapon's turret fitted relatively quickly.
[3] 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. Only one coaxial and commander controlled weapon may be fitted. Mini-Missile launcher is also optional.
[4] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and is unsalvageable.


Speed:
Ground: 55.9 mph (90 kph) maximum road speed; 43.5 mph (70 kph) off-road. 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%.
Underwater: Can be equipped with snorkel to run underwater down to 16.4 feet (5.0 meters)
Maximum Range: 497 miles (800 km) with internal fuel plus up to 217.5 miles (350 km) more with a large strap-on rear fuel tank that is ejected before going into battle. Some tanks have been refitted with fusion reactors and Italo Industries offers a fusion power system instead of the regular Gas Turbine (In those cases range is effective unlimited)


Statistical Data:
Height: 7.15 feet (2.18 meters) to top of commander's cupola. [Mini-missile launcher, if fitted, adds 2 feet (.6 meters) for a total height of 8.79 feet (2.68 meters)]
Width: 11.77 feet (3.59 meters)
Length: 28.9 feet (8.8 meters) not including gun barrel
Weight: T-12M1: 66.5 tons (60.3 metric tons). T-12M2: 64.5 tons (58.5 metric tons)
Power Source: Gas Turbine Engine with a range of 497 miles (800 km)
Some tanks have been refitted with fusion reactors and Italo Industries offers a fusion power system instead of the regular Gas Turbine (Duration of 5 to 20 years depending on manufacturer)
Cargo Capacity: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew
Black Market Cost: 2.6 million credits to build the T-212M1 and 3.2 million credits to built the T-212M2 model. Normally cost double to purchase one. Italo Industries still manufactures a version of the T-212 (Basically a T-212M2) and it sells for 4.8 million credits with a Gas Turbine Engine and 20 million credits with a fusion engine with 10 year life-span.
If fitted, any extra weapons systems will add to the cost of the tank; T-212 tanks are usually found very heavily modified, though they are quite common without modifications as well. Mini-Missile launchers will cost an additional 200,000 credits.
Tank crews often personalize them with their pay in the armies of the assorted governments and kingdoms that use the Black Eagle.


Weapon Systems:

  1. 125 mm Smooth Bore Cannon/Missile Launcher: Mounted in the turret and is the main weapon of the tank. The T-90UM1 enjoys a +2 to strike for the main gun using the laser targeting sight (not for the ATGMs). The T-90UM1 can also fire the AT-20 ATGW through the 125-mm gun; Truly a multi-purpose weapon that is considerably effective against enemy armor and robots alike. Plasma rounds are a late pre-Rifts innovation and are rare and expensive.
    Maximum Effective Range: Direct fire range is 6,561 feet (2,000 meters). Has a quadrant site that allows the Sabot (APSD) rounds to be fired indirectly out to 30,839 feet (9,400 meters). Range for missiles varies with short range missile type; Usually AP rounds are carried (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Mega-Damage: High Explosive: 1D6x10 with a blast radius of 20 ft. High Explosive Anti-Tank: 2D6x10, blast radius of 10 ft. Armor Piercing: 2D4x10+10 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot: 3D4x10. Plasma: 4D4x10+5, blast radius of 20 ft. 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: Twice per melee.
    Payload: 50 gun rounds; Usually 11 HE, 11 HEAT, 11 AP, 11 APSD, and 6 Plasma. An additional round can be stored, ready to fire, in the main gun. If they are available, this is usually a plasma round so that the tank can deal with a surprise attack of any type. The Plasma rounds are VERY rare among the groups that still use the Black Eagle, so usually substitute the Plasma rounds for additional rounds of other types, and if a round is carried in the barrel, it will probably be HEAT. Also carried: Ten AT-20 ATGWs; These are essentially a surface to surface version of the standard Rifts short range missile. Armor piercing versions are standard, though plasma and even fusion versions were made. All of these rounds are stored horizontally stacked in the large turret bustle, and are ready to feed into the autoloader. In essence, the bustle is part of the autoloader assembly.
    Bonuses: +2 to strike at all times with cannon shells from the laser sight; No penalties to fire when the vehicle is moving. APSD shells have a +4 bonus for long range fire from the Quadrant sight, but only when the vehicle is not moving. No Bonuses for firing the AT-20s.
  2. Top Weapon Mount (1): The tank has a cupola 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. T-212M1 versions (Refitted pre Mega Damage revolution versions) cannot mount the 14.5 mm KPVT Heavy Machine-gun but the T-212M2 (Post Mega Damage revolution versions) with a rebuilt turret can mount the heavy machinegun. The top mounted weapon can be replaced by a variety of different weapons including a liquid propellant Gatling cannon, heavy rail-guns, and automatic grenade launchers. Only the Soviet rail gun is listed but a variety of non Soviet rail guns and even a variety of energy weapons can be mounted. 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. 12.7 millimeter NSV Machine-gun (1 - T-212M1): While the Soviet military was able to replace the armor of the tank with stronger materials, initially there were no suitable weapons developed for the tank. The best that could be done was to develop new ammunition for the standard machine-gun. The weapon was soon found to be ineffective and was replaced by more powerful weapons in most cases. The 12.7 mm machine-gun is carried on the T-212M1 versions
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914.4 meters)
      Mega-Damage: Single shot does 1D4 and 40 round burst does 5D6.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 800 rounds (20 bursts).
    2. 14.5 millimeter KPVT Heavy Machine-gun (1 - T-212M2): While the Soviet military was able to replace the armor of the tank with stronger materials, initially there were no suitable heavy secondary weapons developed for the tank. As solution, the heavy 14.5 machine-gun, which is virtually a cannon, was adopted with new ammunition. The 14.5 mm machine-gun is carried on the T-212M2 versions but not the T-212M1 version due to being to large for the mountings.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,500 feet (1371.6 meters)
      Mega-Damage: Single shot does 1D6 and 40 round burst does 1D4x10.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 800 rounds (20 bursts).
    3. 10 millimeter GSR-10 Heavy Railgun (1 - Both): 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 rail gun has a longer range than the original mount and inflicts greater damage. The 10 mm rail-gun can be mounted in both the T-212M1 and T-212M2 versions.
      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: 1,200 rounds (60 bursts).
    4. NORINCO LPG-8 Liquid Propellant Gatling Gun (1 - Both): Carried on Chinese versions of the T-212 instead of a heavy rail gun. The weapon is a multi-barrel Gatling style weapon. The weapon is considered multi-purpose and can inflict heavy damage on well armored targets and well as being able to spray targets. The weapon can fire all types of burst available to machine guns except extended bursts. The weapon uses a special liquid propellant which delivers about four times the force of nitro-cellulose propellant and the weapon fires an 8 mm round. The LPG-8 can be mounted in both the T-212M1 and T-212M2 versions.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 ft (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
      Single Shot (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
      Ten Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 5D6
      Ten Round Burst on 1D4 Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
      Thirty Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6x10
      Thirty Round Burst on 1D8 Target (Costs 1 attack): 2D6
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of pilot
      Payload: 1,200 rounds for commanders mount.
    5. ATR-50 Automatic Grenade Launcher (1 - Both): 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. The automatic grenade launcher can be mounted in both the T-212M1 and T-212M2 versions.
      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.
  3. Light Secondary Mount (1): Weapon is Co-axially mounted with the main gun. In the original version of the tank, a 7.62-mm machine-gun was carried. a 7.62 long Russian round, while longer and more powerful than the standard Soviet 7.62 Kalishikov round was still considered under powered by most crews. In versions of the tank built after the Mega-Damage revolution, not upgraded, a 14.5 mm heavy machine replaces the light machine-gun. In later versions of the tank, the weapon is replaced by a 5 mm rail gun if the tank is of the T212M1 version and by a 10 mm rail gun if the tank is the T-212M2 version. Versions of the T-212 upgraded by the Chinese have the machine-gun replaced by a liquid propellant Gatling cannon.
    1. 7.62 mm PKT Medium Machine-guns (1 - T-212M1): Carried on the original T-212 Tank and while underpowered was not replaced until a 5 mm rail gun was developed in the second half of the Twenty First century or until replaced by liquid propellant weapons. The American Abrams quickly replaced their medium machine-guns with liquid propellant weapons. While special ammunition was developed, the crews of the tanks still greatly disliked this weapon. The 7.62 mm machine-gun is carried on the T-212M1 versions
      Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters)
      Mega Damage: One round does 1 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 3D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 2D4 M.D.C.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: Carries 12,500 rounds for the Coaxial mount.
    2. 14.5 millimeter KPVT Heavy Machine-gun (1 - T-212M2): While the Soviet military was able to replace the armor of the tank with stronger materials, initially there were no suitable heavy secondary weapons developed for the tank. As solution, the heavy 14.5 machine-gun, which is virtually a cannon, was adopted with new ammunition. The 14.5 mm machine-gun is carried on the T-212M2 versions but not the T-212M1 version due to being to large for the mountings.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,500 feet (1371.6 meters)
      Mega-Damage: Single shot does 1D6 and 40 round burst does 1D4x10.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 4,000 rounds (100 bursts).
    3. 5 millimeter GSR-05 Medium Railgun (1 - T-212M1): Finally developed as a replacement for the medium machine-gun. It was much preferred by tank crews but was still considered underpowered compared to other tank mounts. The 5 mm medium rail-gun is carried on the T-212M1 versions
      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
      Payload: Carries 8,000 rounds total (200 full bursts or 400 half-bursts)
    4. 10 millimeter GSR-10 Heavy Railgun (1 - T-212M2): 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 10 mm rail gun is carried on the T-212M2 versions but not the T-212M1 version due to being to large for the mountings.
      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: 4,800 rounds (240 bursts).
    5. NORINCO LPG-8 Liquid Propellant Gatling Gun (1 - Both): Carried on Chinese versions of the T-212 instead of a heavy rail gun. The weapon is a multi-barrel Gatling style weapon. The weapon is considered multi-purpose and can inflict heavy damage on well armored targets and well as being able to spray targets. The weapon can fire all types of burst available to machine guns except extended bursts. The weapon uses a special liquid propellant which delivers about four times the force of nitro-cellulose propellant and the weapon fires an 8 mm round. The LPG-8 can be mounted in both the T-212M1 and T-212M2 versions.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 ft (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
        Single Shot (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
        Ten Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 5D6
        Ten Round Burst on 1D4 Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
        Thirty Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6x10
        Thirty Round Burst on 1D8 Target (Costs 1 attack): 2D6
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of pilot
      Payload: 6,000 rounds for Co-axial mount.
  4. Turret Mounted Mini-missile Launcher (Optional): The tank has the ability to mount on the top of the tank’s turret a mini missile launcher. This launchers is 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: 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 T-212.
    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 tank only; Rough distance of 80 ft (24 m) around tank.
    Payload: Sufficient for twenty firings; One of each type of jamming option from each side of the vehicle.


Sensors:

Special Notes:


Note on Variants:




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[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]


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


Reformatted and Rewritten by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2000, 2003, & 2009, Kitsune & Marina O'Leary. All rights reserved.



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