New Sovietskiy PTM-268 Light Amphibious Missile Tank:


The TM-262 Missile Tank is an excellent design in many ways but was considered too large to be operated off of amphibious vessels. As a result, there was a call for a lighter missile vehicle to be operated from amphibious vessels. The PT-262 light amphibious tank, which was under developed, was selected as a basis for the missile vehicle. The light missile tank design was ordered in 2066 and the first prototype was delivered in 2068, the same year that the PT-262 entered full production. The light missile tank entered small scale production in 2070 and full scale production in 2072. It was never manufactured in the numbers that the TM-262 missile tank and was mainly operated with amphibious units in conjunction with the PT-262 light amphibious tank. Unlike the heavy missile tank, was exported to many other nations including many Third World nations. In the "brush fire" wars that the United States fought in Central and South America, there were several cases where the American forces ended up fighting against these light missile tanks. Production continued until the Soviet Union was destroyed by the coming of the Rifts. Some of these light missile tanks survived until the coming of the Rifts in scattered places around the globe. As well caches of this light missile tank have been found within the borders of what was the Soviet Union, usually alongside PT-262 Light Amphibious Tanks. While not as many PTM-286 Light Amphibious Missile Tanks are operated as the PT-262 Light Amphibious Tank, there are still a surprising number of them remaining in service. While most surviving light missile tanks are in service with the New Sovietskiy, many are operated by mercenary companies and a few are operated by small nations. They are very rare in Warlord service due to the fact that most of the Warlords prefer Cyborgs over more conventional combat vehicles. Several companies in Poland produce repair parts for the light missile tank and Triax produces repair parts for the PT-262 light amphibious tank which many are also usable on the PTM-268.


As previously listed, the PTM-268 uses many of the same components as the PT-262 and has about an eighty percent part compatibility. The drive system uses a small fusion reactor and has a top speed of eighty kilometers per hour when traveling overland without roads and up to one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour when traveling on a road. The light missile tank can also travel almost twenty-five kilometers per hour over water using the missile tank’s treads. One of the most fantastic features that the PTM-268 shares with the PT-262 is that it can be launched from around 50 meters and will rise to the surface with the top always facing upwards. The armor from the PT-262 is retained and the light missile tank can take heavy abuse. It is not as well around as main battle tanks built around the same time, such as the T-255, but can withstand more damage than older refitted tanks such as the T-80. Electronics are reduced compared to the PT-262 but are still quite good and include the ability to track air targets. A secondary role for the light missile tank is as a platform against aircraft. Like the light tank that the design is derived from, the PTM-268 is very cramped for the crew of three. Like the light amphibious tanks, normally smaller soldiers were chosen to crew these tanks with a larger percentage of them being female.


The main weapon of the light missile tank is a twelve tube medium range missile battery which replaces the main turret. These are usually used as medium range missile artillery but can be used against air targets as well. As a backup the missile tank mounts mini-missile launchers on each side of hull. The mini-missile launchers are identical to those carried on the PT-262. There is a mount on the forward part of the hull for a light weapon. The weapon is designed to be controlled from inside the light missile tank and is normally controlled by the commander. In originally models, a 10-mm rail gun was mounted but was replaced on most models with a pulse laser mount. The pulse laser is a modified version of the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle with greater range. Like most other Soviet designs, the light missile tank has a special jamming system for self protection.


Model Type: PTM-268
Vehicle Type: Light Amphibious Missile Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).


M.D.C. by Location:

[1] Tractor Treads (2):80 each
Medium Range Missile Battery (Top):125
[2] 10 mm Commander Heavy Rail-Gun (Hull - Early Models):50
[2] Commander Pulse Laser Mount (Hull - Later Models):40
Mini-Missile Launchers (2, sides of hull):30 each
Multi-Option Jammers (2):25
[2] Headlights (2):6 each
[3] Main Body:325


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 74.6 mph (120 kph) on roads and 49.7 mph (80 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 amphibious tank over the surface of the water. It can operate in virtually all ocean conditions and can actually be launched from 164 feet (50 meters) underwater and will rise to the surface with the turret facing upwards. Using the tracks, the PTM-268 can travel on the surface of water at 15 mph (24 kph/13 knots).
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply with 5 year duration) Armored Vehicle carries about two weeks worth of supplies emergency rations onboard.


Statistical Data:
Height: 9.51 feet (2.9 meters) to top of missile battery.
Width: 10.83 feet (3.3 meters)
Length: 21.33 feet (6.5 meters) for just the hull/main body of the tank.
Weight: 22.6 tons (20.5 metric tons) fully loaded
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
Black Market Cost: 5.4 million credits was the production price originally; Remaining missile tanks sell for double that (11.6 million credits). The tanks remain popular with some mercenaries and small nations. Many of these tanks remain in service with the New Sovietski and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Hull Weapon Mount (1): The missile tank has a special mount for weapon on the top of the hull forward of the long range missile launchers. The mount is normally controlled by the commander of the tank. The weapon is designed for use against troops assaulting the tank and against aircraft. Originally the weapon carried was 10 mm heavy rail gun but was later replaced by a pulse laser. 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. 10 millimeter GSR-10 Heavy Railgun: 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 mount was designed so that it can be controlled from within the turret.
      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).
    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 (Commander)
      Payload: Effectively unlimited.
  2. Medium Range Missile / Rocket Launcher: Located on the top of the light missile tank, where the gun turret is on the PT-262, are twelve missile tubes with the ability to carry a total of twelve long range missiles. Missiles can be used against both surface targets and against aircraft. The launcher can rotate 360 degrees.
    Maximum Effective Range: As per medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
    Mega Damage: As per medium range missile type (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: Twelve (12) Medium Range Missiles.
  3. Hull Mounted Mini-missile Launcher (2): Mounted on the sides of the missile tank 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.
  4. Multi-Option “Shtora-8A” Jammers (2): These are multi-purpose jamming devices designed to stop incoming missiles and confuse an enemy targeting the PTM-268
    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 tank carries all standard equipment of a robot vehicle plus this special equipment:



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


Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2003, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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