Golden Age Weaponsmiths M1064 Self-propelled 120 mm Mortar:


The M1064 Self Propelled Mortar is one of the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier family and has the same basic profile. Other vehicles in this family include cargo carrying vehicles, command vehicles, and a variety of missile platforms. Over one hundred thousand were produced with the basic M113 a fairly simple design and considered extremely reliable. The M1064 also shares the same basic power plant and has the same mobility. Modifications on the vehicle include the welding of a stronger support to withstand the force of the mortar firing.


The M1064 was retired from active duty around the same time as the standard M113 although many ended up in forgotten armories, military vehicle graveyards, and military museums. Along with its more common close cousin, a surprising number of these vehicles survived. Adventures have often recovered these vehicles and many wanted to have them refitted. Golden Age has refitted a number of these both for adventures and for sale. These have sold extremely well and if the company decides to produce a new built M113, they will likely produce the M1064.


Mortar vehicles offer long range support for troops and other armored vehicles. Compared to missile launchers, mortar are far cheaper to operate due to ammunition. They are also cheaper than howitzers to operate although shorter ranged. Another advantage compared to a howitzer vehicles, they tend to be smaller and able to carry more ammunition. While before the coming of the Rifts, guided ammunition was readily available but it is less available after the coming of the Rifts and more expensive. The ammunition is far more effective.


The main modification which Golden Age does to the M1064 is the replacement of the armor with new composites and alloys. It allows the vehicle to withstand far more damage than the original design. The tracks are also replaced by new alloys and composites. Compared to a new built combat vehicle, the Golden Age refit cannot withstand as much damage but still gives far better protection than nothing. Electronics and sensor systems are comparatively primitive but are generally capable. Standard crew is six with a driver, a gunner for the .50 Caliber machine gun, and four to operate the 120 mm Mortar.


Slightly slower than the M2 Bradley, the M113 and M1064 are powered by a six cylinder diesel engine and have a range of around three hundred miles and a top speed of around forty miles per hour. The discussion is that a new built M1064 would have a hybrid engine with around twice the range. Like the M113, the Mortar Vehicle is amphibious with a top speed of around four miles per hour when operating in this role. It uses the tracks to propell itself through the water.


The standard modification to the M1064 include the replacement of the standard ammunition for the .50 Caliber Machine Gun and the 120 mm Mortar with Wellington ammunition. The 120 mm has sixty-nine ready use rounds. The mortar has a 90 degree traverse for firing to the rear of the vehicle. While it is retained (otherwise it really cannot be considered a mortar vehicle), the .50 Caliber machine gun is replaced by other weapons. The most common is a automatic grenade launcher with eight hundred rounds of ammunition instead of two thousand. Otherwise, most common is the mounting of smoke grenade launchers and defensive Claymore Mines but few mount mini-missile launchers due to interfering with the mortar.


Model Type: GAW M1064A3
Vehicle Type: Self Propelled Mortar
Crew: Six (Driver, .50 Caliber Gunner, and Four Mortar Crew)
Troops: None


M. D. C. by Location:

[1] Tractor Treads (2):30 each
M121 120 mm Heavy Mortar (When Compartment Open):45
12.7 mm Machine Gun:20
Headlights (2):5 each
Rear Hatch:40
Reinforced Crew Compartment:40
Reinforced Mortar Bay:40
[2] Main Body:200


Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the platform 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] 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 37.7 mph (61.7 kph.) 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 40%.
Water Capabilities: The M1064 Self Propelled Mortar is designed to be amphibious and can cross small bodies of water. It is not designed for deep water use. The M1064 can travel in this manner at 3.6 mph (5.8 kph/3.1 knots).
Maximum Range: 298.25 miles (480 km)


Statistical Data:
Height: 6.06 feet (1.85 meters) to hull top and 8.27 feet (2.52 meters) overall
Width: 8.81 feet (2.866 meter)
Length: 15.95 feet (4.863 meters)
Weight: 23,360 pounds (10,595 kg) combat loaded and 28,240 pounds (12,809 kg) maximum weight.
Power Source: Conventional, Diesel (Detroit Diesel 6V53T - 275 hp)
Cargo Capacity: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew.
Black Market Cost: 120,000 Credits.


Weapon Systems:

  1. M121 120 mm Heavy Mortar: This mortar is mounted near the rear of the vehicle with two hatches which open so the mortar can be fired. Smooth bore and barrel loaded, It is operated by a crew of four and is hand loaded. It is extremely useful in the short range indirect fire roll. Range is less that true artillery but is still extremely effective in indirect fire rolls. There are special guided rounds available although rare. See Battlefield Mortars for Rifts for more details.
    Maximum Effective Range: 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) to 23,620 feet (7,200 meters) depending on number of charges used. Minimum range is 660 feet (200 meters) to 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) depending on charges used.
    Mega-Damage: By mortar round type (See Battlefield Mortar table for details: Fragmentation 2D6x10 (50 feet/15.2 meters), High Explosive 3D6x10 (30 feet/9.1 meters), Armor Piercing 3D6x10 (20 feet/6.1 meters), Plasma 4D6x10 (40 feet/12.2 meters), and has a vast number of other type of rounds as well).
    Rate of Fire: 12 to 16 rounds per minute depending on number of charges (3 to 4 per melee) for one minute, 4 rounds per minute after one minute of fire depending on number of charges (one per melee.)
    Payload: 69 rounds total
  2. 12.7 millimeter Browning M2HB Machine-gun: Located outside of M1064 meaning that the gunner must be outside of the vehicle when using the Machine gun. Uses WI-20 Heavy Ramjet rounds. While the weapon has been refitted using Wellington ammunition, it is still considered underpowered by most crews. As a result, the weapon is commonly replaced by a rail gun or a Wellington automatic grenade launcher.
    Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914.4 m)
    Mega Damage: Single shot does 1D4 and 40 round burst does 5D6.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
    Payload: 2,000 rounds (50 bursts).


Sensory Equipment:



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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2008, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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