MVA-110 Scorpio Contra-Grav Missile Vehicle (Wolfen / CAF):
This vehicle is in large part based on the Maniple infantry fighting vehicle. As with several Wolfen designs, it was developed before the Wolfen joined the Consortium. The Scorpio is named after a light piece of artillery used by the Wolfen military. In addition to the Scorpio, the Wolfen also developed a heavy missile tank known as the "Mangonel" based on the Phalanx although produced in much smaller numbers.
As the Scorpio operates with a combination of contra-grav and Air Cushion propulsion, the Scorpio is not effective in airless environments such as moons. The Human Alliance Sentry, as an eight wheel design, is slower but can also operate in airless environments. Otherwise, both the Human Alliance and Wolfen designs perform similar roles and are armed similarly.
With the immense range of long range missiles, these vehicles can act as extremely effective support including engaging targets outside of an atmosphere. Still, the range of the missiles are greatly reduced compared to if they were launched outside of an atmosphere. Even staying within the gravity well of a planet, these missiles can engage targets at over five thousand kilometers. Medium range missiles are quite effective as well but are of shorter range. Compared to fixed launchers, the mobility of these vehicles makes them much harder to destroy through bombardment.
While primarily operated by the Wolfen military, the Consortium Armed Forces also operates these vehicle although far fewer than wheeled Sentry missile vehicles. Unlike the Maniple, the Human Alliance does not operate any of these hover vehicles. A few independent defense forces do operate these missile vehicles although most prefer the Human Alliance wheeled design or newer designs.
Most of the original weapon systems carried on the Maniple are stripped out on the Scorpio, retaining only the front mounted light rail gun. Older models carry a conventional rail gun while later models replace this with a gravity rail gun. Contrary to most listings, the rail gun carried is identical to the rail gun carried on the Phalanx tank. As well, all ability to carry troops is deleted. Instead the Scorpio carries either twelve long range or twenty-four medium range missiles ready to fire. Often the two vehicles operate together with the medium range missiles are used in large part to defend the vehicles from attack.
The sensor array is more advanced than those carried on a standard Maniple with extensive communication suite in addition to the additional sensor arrays. This allows the vehicle to use targeting data from other vehicles even from around the world. The actual sensor arrays are mounted in place of the mini-missile launchers on the Maniple. The vehicle is designed to be operated by a crew of three including the driver, missile / sensor operator, and commander. The commander shares the missile targeting and communication with the missile / sensor operator.
Armor is for the most part unchanged and is not designed to withstand direct combat. Usually it will be protected by other units. It does retain the force field of the infantry fighting vehicle as well. Unlike the Phalanx, the force field gives protection in all directions although is far weaker. Still, it affords the vehicle some protection before the vehicle itself is damaged.
In all likelihood, these vehicles will need to be upgraded or replaced. The Phoenix Armory "Mastiff" is even faster while better armed and armored. The Human Alliance will likely retain the older Sentry for the time being but several other governments have expressed an interest in the Phoenix Armory design. Problem with upgrading the Scorpio us that rebuilding it with a full contra-grav flight system would cost almost as a newer and more powerful design. Still, with the vast number of these vehicles operated by the Wolfen military, some kind of upgrade is most likely. One possibility is to replace the force field with a fighter type force field generator. Another upgrade is improved fire control for the defensive rail gun.
(Note: The power system is fusion not anti-matter because the author’s opinion is that anti-matter is to dangerous to be used in vehicles that may be used in an atmosphere. If a craft powered by anti-matter was to detonate in an atmosphere it would cause huge planetary damage. At GM option, this can also be applied to all vehicles or this MBT can be changed to anti-matter.)
Model Type: | MVA-110 (LRM) | Long Range Missile Version |
MVA-110 (MRM) | Medium Range Missile Version |
Crew: Three (3), one driver, one commander, one missile / sensor operator.
M.D.C. By Location:
Forward Rail Gun Mount: | 100 | |
Missile Turret: | 180 | |
[1] Sensor Arrays (2, Sides): | 80 each | |
Crew Compartment: | 100 | |
[2] Main Body: | 380 | |
[3] Force Field: | 200 |
Notes:
[1] Loss of sensor array destroys all long range tracking and targeting
capabilities.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the armored missile
vehicle out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including
life support and internal gravity. The missile vehicle itself will be an
unsalvageable wreck.
[3] Shield is non variable and protects the whole vehicle. Shields
regenerate at the rate of 5% (10 M.D.C.) per melee round.
Speed:
Driving over ground: 200 mph (320 kph). Can travel over ground
and water, and can lift up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) off the surface before
losing performance. Can fly higher using contra-grav but for every 6 feet
(2 meters) greater than 20 feet (6.1 meters), reduce speed by 50 mph (80
kph)
Space: Cannot operate outside of an atmosphere
Maximum Range: Effectively Unlimited by drive system but only
has supplies for crew for two weeks.
Statistical Data:
Length: 30.0 feet (9.14 meters)
Height: 15.4 feet (4.69 meters) from bottom to top of box launcher.
10.3 feet (10.14 meters) for chassis only
Width: 12 feet (3.66 meters)
Weight: 15.5 tons (14.06 metric tons) empty and 21.8 tons (19.78
metric tons) fully loaded
Power System: Advanced Fusion with 20 year life span.
Cargo: Minimal storage space in pilots compartment; about three
feet (0.9 m) in side dimensions for extra clothing, weapons, and personal
items. Two carbines and one hand-held missile launcher with two loads each
are stored in a compartment in the crew compartment.
Market Cost: 65 million credits. Often costs double that on
the Black Market. Various knock-offs are also available with upgraded versions
costing up to 60 million credits. Various upgrade packages are also available.
WEAPON SYSTEMS:
Note: Space ranges are given for when the vehicle is used on
airless moons and other similar locations.
- One (1) Forward Rail Gun Mount: Early versions of the vehicle
carry a conventional electromagnetic rail gun while later versions replace
this with a gravity rail gun. The mount can be controlled by either the
driver or the commander of the vehicle. Useful for last ditch defense of
the vehicle. The mount can rotate 360 degrees and can elevate up to 90
degrees to hit airborne targets. Weapon is useful against both ground targets
and airborne targets including missiles.
- 5 mm Light Electro-Magnetic Rail Gun: Original weapon system.
Even though not quite as powerful as the later gravity rail gun, these
mounts are extremely reliable. As such, few crews have replaced these weapon
systems. As with most rail guns, the projectiles are fired at incredible
velocities.
Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) in an atmosphere and 65 miles (90 km) in space.
Mega-Damage: A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 1D4x10+10 M.D. Can only fire bursts.
Rate of Fire: Equal the Driver / Commander's number of hand to hand attacks or by computer (+3 to strike and has 5 attacks.)
Payload: 8,000 rounds (200 Bursts) - 6 mm Light Gravity Auto-Cannon: Replacement weapon system
identical to the weapon mounted in the Phalanx main battle tank. Inflicts
slightly greater damage and has slightly greater range than the original
conventional electromagnetic rail gun.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) in an atmosphere and 75 miles (120 km) in space.
Mega-Damage: A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 1D6x10+10 M.D. Can only fire bursts.
Rate of Fire: Equal the Driver / Commander's number of hand to hand attacks or by computer (+3 to strike and has 5 attacks.)
Payload: 8,000 rounds (200 Bursts)
- 5 mm Light Electro-Magnetic Rail Gun: Original weapon system.
Even though not quite as powerful as the later gravity rail gun, these
mounts are extremely reliable. As such, few crews have replaced these weapon
systems. As with most rail guns, the projectiles are fired at incredible
velocities.
- One (1) Box Missile Launcher: The box launcher contains either
twelve long range missiles or twenty-four two medium range missiles. Box
launcher can rotate 360 degrees and can angle up to forty-five degrees.
Even so, the missiles can target against targets ninety degrees above the
vehicle.
- Long Range Missiles: The box launcher is fitted to fire long
range missiles. Missile has a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and
in space has an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship.)
Whether weapons can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target,
launcher, and missile. When drive goes dead, missile will continue to travel in a straight line
unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting star ships
(Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missile
when dead is at -25% to be detected.) Long range missiles do not have minuses to
hit small targets, unlike cruise missiles, and are all considered smart missiles.
Maximum Effective Range: Long Range missile range is 3,400 miles (5,470 km) in an atmosphere and 1,800,000 miles (2,897,000 km/9.7 light seconds) in space.
Mega-Damage & Properties: See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details. (Fusion warheads inflict 2D4x100 M.D.C. each.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), three (3), or four (4) missiles.
Payload: Twelve (12) long range missiles total. - Medium Range Missiles: Instead of being fitted for long range
missiles, the box launcher is fitted for firing medium range missiles.
Weapon system is used for hitting enemy robots, fighters, and long range
and cruise missiles. Missile has a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere
and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Weapon system
can be used on multiple targets simultaneously.
Maximum Effective Range: Medium Range Missile range is 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds) in space.
Mega-Damage: Varies with medium range missile type (See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or eight (8) missiles.
Payload: Twenty-Four (24) medium range missiles total.
- Long Range Missiles: The box launcher is fitted to fire long
range missiles. Missile has a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and
in space has an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship.)
Whether weapons can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target,
launcher, and missile. When drive goes dead, missile will continue to travel in a straight line
unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting star ships
(Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missile
when dead is at -25% to be detected.) Long range missiles do not have minuses to
hit small targets, unlike cruise missiles, and are all considered smart missiles.
Sensory Equipment:
- Long Range Sensor Arrays: Twin arrays with one on each side. Combined gravity and radar systems. Ranges are space ranges although usually reduced for to being in an atmosphere. With Radar: Targeting range of 400,000 miles (643,750 km) against small targets, 800,000 miles (1,287,500 km) against medium targets, and 1,200,000 miles (1,931,200 km) against large targets. Radar range is 1/1000 while in an atmosphere. With Gravity Sensors: Range of 4 million miles (6.4 million kilometers) against small targets, 8 million miles (12.9 million kilometers) against medium targets, and 12 million miles (19.3 million kilometers) against large targets. Gravity sensor range is 1/1000 while in an atmosphere.
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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 2012, Kitsune. All rights reserved.