Golden Age Weaponsmiths EFV (Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle):

The United States Marine Corp had operated Amphibious Assault Vehicles since around World War Two. They fill a similar role to armored personnel carriers but can operate on water as well as on land. Previous to the AAAV, US Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles were slow. They had a top speed in the water of only about eight miles per hour and had a top speed on the ground of only around twenty miles her hour. Added to this was the fact that they were only lightly armed.

As a result, there was a development program originally known as the AAAV or Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle but later became known as the EFV or Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle. The program had development problems and was even cancelled at one time. Eventually however, the program entered service with the first entering service in the second decade of the Twenty-First Century and became an important part of the United States Marine Forces although served in front line services only a relatively short time and was later replaced by more modern designs.

In addition to serving in United States Marine Service, it was exported in limited numbers to other nations where they served until the middle of the Twenty-First Century. Part of the reason why they were retired from United States front line service was due to the revolution in advanced composites and alloys. Many of the exported models were refitted with these new armor materials although only a few test beds were outfitted with the new materials.

Even though retired from United States Marine Service, a number of these armored vehicles were retained in storage for possible rebuilding and reactivation. Largely, they had been forgotten about before the coming of the Rifts. Golden Age Weaponsmiths, always looking for Pre-Rifts military equipment, found a number of caches of these vehicles in addition to finding a small number in museums. The company decided that it would be worth refitted these vehicles.

Refitted models of these armored vehicles have sold reasonably well by Golden Age. Although most major governments and mercenary companies prefer more modern designs, the designs are of great interest to smaller parties, especially smaller mercenary companies, being a fraction of the cost of most modern armored vehicles. Many of the customers operate near bodies of water where the excellent amphibious capacities make the EFV a greater asset than it might otherwise be. Still, it is unlikely that Golden Age Weaponsmiths will manufacture modern versions of the design when they run out of Pre-Rifts models to refit.

Even though initially controversial, they were eventually considered a reasonably successful design. In addition to their excellent waterborne capabilities, the vehicles carry a bigger gun than the Bradley fighting vehicle and have the ability to carry far more troops. The EFV carries a 30 mm chain cannon to the 25 mm chain cannon carried on the Bradley and the EFV carries seventeen troops compared with six on the M-2 Bradley. Top speed on the water is upwards of twenty-five knots and ground speeds of up to forty-five miles per hour.

The conversion of the EFV is similar to the reffing down to most combat ground vehicles. Those judged to not be worth rebuilding are cannibalized and used to repair others than are deemed able to be repaired. In the reconstruction, they are largely stripped down before rebuilding. One of the most common problems is the diesel engines which have not been maintained and the engines need to be completely overhauled. Otherwise, the original armor is replaced with special alloy and composite materials with the armor reinforced in areas. This enables the armored vehicles to withstand the abuse of modern combat.

In addition, the ammunition is replaced with modern ammunition types to enable it to be able to inflict appreciable damage to modern advanced military vehicles. Similar to other ammunition types, Wellington Industries produces the ammunition used by the EFV. The 30 mm Bushmaster chain cannon carried on the EFV is also carried on the San Antonio class amphibious assault ships so ramjet ammunition had already been developed for the weapon system. While ammunition for the 7.62 machine gun is also replaced by ramjet ammunition, the weapon generally is not considered effective against most targets.

A number of mercenary companies who operate these vehicles have further upgraded these armored vehicles in various manners. While the chain cannon is usually retained, the 7.62 machine gun is often replaced by a light rail gun or a Wellington automatic grenade launcher. Another popular modification by crews has been the addition of a mini-missile launcher on top of the turret.

Model Type: GAW EFV (Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.)

Vehicle Type: Amphibious Armored Personnel Carrier.

Crew: Three (3, Driver, Gunner, and Commander).

Troop Carrying Capacity: 17 soldiers in full gear.

M. D. C. by Location:

	Weapon Turret (Forward):	100
	Mk 44 30 mm Bushmaster II Chain Gun (Turret):	40
	[1] M240 7.62 Machine Gun (1, Coaxial):	10 each
	[1] Smoke / Gas Dispensers (32):	3 each
	[1] Headlights (2):	10 each
	Rear Troop Hatch:	75
	Top Troop Hatches (2):	50 each
	Reinforced Crew Compartment:	50
	Reinforced Personnel Bay:	50
	[2] Main Body:	220
	[3] Tractor Treads (2):	40 each

Notes:

[1] 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.

[2] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and unsalvageable, but crew and troops may survive in their reinforced compartments. Vehicle will sink if it is in the water.

[3] 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 (two 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.

Speed:

Ground: 45 mph (72.4 kph) maximum road speed; 30 mph (48.3 kph) maximum off-road speed. 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: On the surface at 28.8 mph (46.3 kph / 25 knots). Cannot travel underwater.

Maximum Range: 300 miles (482 kilometers) on land and 75 miles (120.5 kilometers / 65 nautical miles) over water.

Statistical Data:

Height: 10.4 feet (3.2 meters).

Width: 12.0 feet (3.7 meters).

Length: 29.9 feet (9.1 meters).

Weight: 62,880 pounds (28,522 kilograms) empty and 74,500 pounds (33,793 kilograms) fully loaded.

Cargo Capacity: Minimal storage space in pilots compartment; about three feet (0.9 meters) in side dimensions for extra clothing, weapons, and personal items. Without troops, can carry up to 2.5 tons (2.3 metric tons) in rear troop bay.

Power System: Conventional, Diesel (MTU MT883, 4 Cycle, 12 Cylinder, Water Cooled, Turbocharged).

Black Market Cost: 125,000 Credits.

Weapon Systems:

One (1) Mk 44 30 mm Bushmaster II Chain Gun: The turret is mounted fairly far forward in the vehicle. 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 vehicle 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 it moving. Both the gunner and the vehicle commander are housed within the turret. It is a giant machine-gun designed for light armored vehicles which uses many of the same parts as the earlier 25-mm model. The weapon is dual purpose and can be used against both which is affected against the heaviest armor types. Weapon fires special Wellington ramjet ammunition.

Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,830 meters).

Mega-Damage: A burst is 20 rounds and inflicts 2D6x10. A single round inflicts 3D6 M.D.

Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunner's hand to hand attacks; each burst counts as one melee action.

Payload: 200 round magazine (10 bursts) in mount. The vehicle has an additional 400 rounds stowed internally. Reloading is done inside the vehicle and takes two melee rounds (30 seconds) for two crewmen or passengers and six melees (90 seconds) if only one person is involved or the people aren’t trained in the reload procedure.
One (1) M240 7.62 mm Machine Gun: This weapon is mounted coaxial with the 30 mm Bushmaster II chain gun and is designed to protect the armored vehicle from infantry attacks. Shares the same tire control with the heavier weapon system. Uses Wellington WI-10 Ramjet rounds to increase the weapons damage. While the weapon has been refitted using Wellington ammunition, it is still considered underpowered by most vehicle crews. As a result, the machine gun is commonly replaced by a rail gun or a Wellington automatic grenade launcher.

Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters).

Mega Damage: One round inflicts 1 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 3D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts inflicts 2D4 M.D.C.

Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner.

Payload: 800 rounds (40 bursts) of 7.62 mm ammunition in ready magazine. The EFV carries 1,600 rounds in additional 7.62 mm ammunition.
Thirty-Two (32) Smoke Dispensers: Mounted on either side of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle and launches smoke grenades. Sixteen launchers are mounted on the turret with eight on each side and sixteen are mounted on the hull of the vehicle also with eight on each side. While smoke grenades are usually carried, other grenade types such as tear gas, decoy, and laser refractory can also be carried.

Effect: Creates a cloud of smoke 40 feet (12 meters) in diameter.

Rate of Fire: Two (2) per melee.

Range: 1,200 feet (365 meters).

Payload: Carries one (1) smoke grenades per launcher for a total of thirty-two (32).

Sensory Equipment:

NBC Protection: While not full life support, the Armored vehicle is equipped with protection for the crew from most gas, radiation, and biological attacks.
Thermo-Imager: Range: 2,000 feet (609 meters). Finds the infra-red radiations of things that are warm. Also enables pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness.
Visual Magnification: Gives magnification of up to 12 times normal.
Periscopes: Enables the crew to see over most terrain.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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