New Sovietskiy BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle:

For decades in the reformed Soviet Union, Soviet Politicians proclaimed that their rebuilt armored vehicles to be the equal of other nations new armor designs. Several Field Marshals gave support to this in an effort to gain points with their political masters. Many generals, being closer to the actual units, tried to pressure their leaders to replace the old vehicles with new armored vehicles. They did this with little success and the Soviet armored units were much less ready than Politicians proclaimed. A partial trick was to build new armored vehicles but calling them rebuilds of old armor. This was not fully successful and only small numbers were built. Finally, the generals were able to persuade their leaders to authorize a new fighting vehicle as a supplement to old vehicles.

The project was authorized in 2055 and the first prototype was rolled out for testing in 2057. The testing was rushed as much as possible and production began in 2060. It was announced in the Soviet Media that it was the most advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle in existence. Just before the Soviet Media was parading out the Army's new Armored Fighting Vehicle, Western Intelligence was able to get detailed information of the new Soviet design. While it was an excellent design, the vehicle could not be considered to be to be the most advanced design in existence. It was still evaluated as a being quite dangerous. The BMP-8 was manufactured in large numbers and was put into service as replacement for the older Infantry Fighting Vehicles in all Category A units even though it was still considered to be a supplement. To further increase the number of BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, many of the older designs were sold to other nations and the funds used to build more of the new combat vehicles. Like the T-225 Main Battle Tank, the Soviet leaders preferred to sell older designs and retain the BMP-8 in their own forces and few were sold outside the Soviet Union.

Due to being part of the Soviets front line units, most of the BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicles were destroyed when the Rifts appeared and the days after. Still, some of these fighting vehicles survived the cataclysm and are still in service. A few wound up in the hands of Russian Warlords but most are believed to have been sold to mercenaries. The largest number of vehicles are in New Sovietskiy service and they have also purchased some of the vehicles from their Warlord allies. As well, some of these Infantry Fighting Vehicles are based in the secret Soviet base under Antarctica. To support the mercenaries who operate these combat vehicles, Triax and several companies within Poland produce repair parts. There are also rumors that at least one company in Poland is considered producing new BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicles. It is also possible that there may be some Pre-Rifts caches of these combat vehicles.

One major advantage that the BMP-8 has over older Infantry Fighting Vehicles is that it is powered by a fusion reactor. This gives the armored vehicle virtually unlimited range and greatly reduces logistics. Combat units based around T-255 Main Battle Tanks and BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicles no longer needed fuel vehicles in support. They could move much faster and for longer periods of time. The vehicles were fully constructed from new high strength alloys and composites and were able to withstand far more damage and less prone to break down. The fighting vehicle is designed with full life support and could be operated in virtually any environment. This made operation in the icy wastes of Siberia much more comfortable than in previous designs. The fighting vehicle features all new electronics and includes excellent fire control and other sensors. The vehicle is full amphibious and can travel over water at up to 20 kph. On land, the tank can travel at speeds of 85 kph off road and 105 kph over roads.

The BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicles features incredible firepower. It is interesting that the T-255 Tank can carry troops, making it almost an Infantry Fighting Vehicles and the BMP-8 carries an extremely heavy gun and is virtually a tank. The main gun of the is a 100-mm cannon. In the first version of the design, the cannon was a 100-mm rifled cannon similar to the cannon carried on the old BMP-3. In later versions, this was replaced with a 100-mm electro-thermal cannon. The electro-thermal cannon has a greater range and carries more rounds due to the reduction of round size. The electro-thermal cannon was originally developed for an amphibious tank. Both cannons can fire short range missiles from the barrel. It was decided that a co-axial 10-mm rail gun would be mounted so that main gun rounds would not be wasted on lightly armored targets. There was some consideration to use a heavier 20-mm rail-gun but the lighter weapon was chosen to increase ammunition carried. In addition, the armored vehicle also has a driver controlled gun mount in the bow. Initially, a light rail-gun was carried but it was replaced by a pulse laser in later service. The pulse laser is similar to those carried in other Soviet combat vehicles and is based on the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle. The troop compartment is fitted with two firing ports on each side and one firing port in the rear door. The fighting compartment was refitted with power connectors so that troops can fire energy weapons without draining their energy clips. The fighting vehicle is fitted with the same missile array as the T-255 Main Battle Tank.

Model Type: BMP-8
Vehicle Type: Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
Troop Carrying Capacity: Eight soldiers in full gear (Six human sized Cyborgs)

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Tractor Treads (2):	80 each
	Weapons Turret:	150
	100-mm Rifled Gun 2A70K (Turret, Early Models):	80
	100 mm Electro-Thermal Cannon (Turret, Late Models):	100
	[2] 10 mm Co-axial Heavy Rail-Gun (Turret):	50
	[2] Bow Mounted 5 mm Rail-Gun (Early Models):	25
	[2] Bow Mounted Pulse Laser Mount ( Later Models):	40
	Mini-Missile Launchers (2, sides of turret):	30 each
	Medium Range Missile Launchers (2, sides of hull):	80 each
	Multi-Option Jammers (2):	25
	[2] Headlights (4):	10 each
	Reinforced Crew Compartment:	100
	Reinforced Personnel Bay:	100
	Rear Troop / Cargo Door	100
	[3] Main Body:	350

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 65.2 mph (105 kph) on roads and 52.8 mph (85 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 tank over the surface of the water but is not designed for deep water use. Using the tracks, the BMP-8 can travel on the surface of water at 12.4 mph (20 kph/10.8 knots).
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply with 5 year duration). The Armored Vehicle carries about two weeks worth of supplies emergency rations onboard.

Statistical Data:
Height: 8.20 feet (2.50 meters) including missile launchers
Width: 10.66 feet (3.25 meters)
Length: 22.63 feet (6.90 meters) not including gun barrel and 23.79 feet (7.25 meters) with barrel forward
Weight: 21.50 tons (19.5 metric tons).
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 each are stored in a compartment in the crew compartment. Without troops, can carry up to 2.5 tons in troop compartment.
Black Market Cost: 7.2 million credits was the production price originally; Remaining Armored Vehicle sells for double that (14.4 million credits). Many of these tanks remain in service with the New Sovietski and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords.

Weapon Systems:

Main Weapon: 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.
1. 100-mm Rifled Gun 2A70K: Very similar to the cannon originally designed for the T-55 Tank and is an updated version of the cannon carried on the BMP-3 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Weapon is designed to use against heavily armored targets. It can fire a variety of loads, including high-explosive (HE), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), armor-piercing explosive (AP),and armor piercing sabot-discarding solids (APSD). Short Missiles can also be fired from the barrel.
  Maximum Effective Range: 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) for direct fire and 16404.1 feet (5000 meters)for indirect fire. Range for short range missiles varies by missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
  Mega-Damage: High Explosive (HE): 1D4x10+10 with a blast radius of 15 feet (4.6 feet), High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT): 2D4x10+10 with a blast radius of 8 feet (2.4 meters), Armor Piercing (AP): 6D6 with no blast radius, and Armor Piercing Sabot-Discarding (APSD): 1D6x10+10 with no blast radius. 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: A Maximum of four (4) attacks per melee.
  Payload: 40 rounds maximum (Each short range missile takes the space of two rounds) - Normal payload is 10 High Explosive Anti-Tank Rounds and 20 other rounds (In addition to 5 short range missiles)
2. 100-mm Electro Thermal Cannon (1): Mounted in the Infantry Fighting Vehicle's main turret in place of the standard 100 mm cannon on the early models of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle 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. 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: A Maximum of four (4) attacks per melee.
  Payload: 60 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 10 short range missiles)
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: 3,000 rounds (150 bursts).
Bow Mounted Weapon Mount (1): In the front of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle, there is a mount which can be controlled either by the pilot or the commander by remote. The weapon is designed for use against troops assaulting the tank and against low level aircraft. Originally the weapon carried was 5-mm light rail gun but was later replaced by a pulse laser.
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 BMP-8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Many crews would have preferred a heavier rail gun.
  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 (Driver / Commander)
  Payload: Carries 3,000 rounds total (150 full bursts or 75 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 (Driver / Commander)
  Payload: Effectively unlimited.
Firing Ports (5): The BMP-8 has five firing ports that allow soldiers in the troop bay to fire their guns out of the vehicle. There are two firing port on each side of the vehicle and one on the rear door to the troop compartment. Firing ports can be closed in order to make the vehicle a sealed environment. Firing ports are fairly small and grenade launchers and missile launchers cannot be fired from firing ports. The BMP-8 has power connectors so that troops can fire energy weapons without draining their energy clips.
Medium-Range Missile Launchers (2): Two medium range missile launchers are mounted on the sides of the main body of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Each mount has two actual missile launch tubes. Both launchers are usually controlled by the gunner, but can be fired by the driver or commander if the gunner is injured. They are usually outfitted with High-Explosive, Fragmentary or Plasma missiles. The launchers can engage air and ground targets.
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
Rate of Fire: Can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2) missiles.
Payload: 4 missiles, 2 in each launcher.
Turret Mounted Mini-missile Launcher (2): Mounted on the sides of the Infantry Fighting Vehicle's turret 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.
Multi-Option “Shtora-8A” Jammers (2): These are multi-purpose jamming devices designed to stop incoming missiles and confuse an enemy targeting the BMP-8.
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 Infantry Fighting Vehicle carries all standard equipment of a robot vehicle plus this special equipment:

Anti-Aircraft Radar: Range of 10 miles (16 km); Capable of tracking up to 10 targets simultaneously, this radar serves to guide the 5 mm Rail-gun / Pulse Laser in engaging aircraft (+2 to targeting aircraft and missiles with the weapon), and providing early warning of incoming aircraft and missile attacks; The radar can be programmed to shut off immediately if it detects an aircraft firing a missile, incase the missile is a radar-homing HARM type. The radar is highly ineffective against ground targets (-60% to sensor rolls.)
Quadrant sight for long-range targeting of Sabot rounds: +4 to firing the long-range Sabot rounds only, when the vehicle is not moving.
Data-interlink transmitters: For using targeting data from scout vehicles for firing the Anti-Tank missiles or Sabot rounds. Bonus varies on the quality of the data being provided, but all data would allow the tank to fire over obstacles if the scout vehicle is in the right position. The normal effective battlefield range is 5 miles (8 km).
Full Infrared viewing mode: Range of 2 miles (3.2 km), with IR searchlight (+3 to detecting targets with IR when in use, however, +3 to detecting the BMP-8 with IR equipment when in use, as well.).
Two Periscopes: Has up to x100 magnification for commander and driver to view out of while maneuvering the vehicle. Visual targeting sight with same magnification possible for gunner.
Laser targeting system: For main gun, range of 2,000 meters.

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

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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