Misc. Rifts Vehicles

[taalismn]

Going to put this here in hopes of starting a catch basin for miscellaneous (Black Market/Common Domain) vehicles that people (hopefully) want to toss out.
I'll start with some present-tech:

SR.N8R ‘Skipper’ Hovercraft
http://www.hovercraft-museum.org/images/srn636.jpg
http://www.hovercraft-museum.org/images/srn638.jpg
“Yeah, I’ll take you dinosaur hunting in the Swamp, but it will cost you extra to take the Skipper in, and I insist on the Skipper. Why? Because as eager as you are to go INTO the Swamp, I can assure you you’re going to want to get OUT even faster...and you just can’t do that effectively on foot...”

The ‘Skipper’ is a fairly generic hovercraft design that has caught on among the industrial nations of Rifts Earth. Based on a pre-Rifts British design(the SR.N6), the basic configuration for the viable passenger-carrying transport GEV was laid down for future generations. Through several generations of trial and error, protracted development, and deployment in both the military and civilian sectors, the craft never saw much widespread usage, save as an interesting novelty, due to the common availability of more conventional forms of travel, until the Golden Age, when more efficient powerplants, noise control systems, and a general attitude of ‘the future is now!’ pervaded the global culture. Suddenly the GEV came back in force, with varying forms and degrees of performance, ranging from slow-moving ‘hoverflats’ to high-performance aerodyne fliers. The SR.N6-pattern vehicle became standardized as a general purpose ‘hover taxi’ and utility vehicle, especially in coastal regions and along waterways.
The design has made a comeback in the post-Rifts world, due to its relatively simple construction(compared to hoverjets, robots, and other advanced design vehicles) and its multi-environment capability. A few design changes have, of course, been initiated, including the use of lightweight megadamage materials, a ducted fan in place of the exposed propulsive propeller, and more efficient powerplants. Improvements in control have also led to a vehicle that is easier to pilot, even for novice operators. The Skipper can cruise across relatively calm waters, surf up a beach, and move inland without difficulty, provided the ground is fairly flat and level. The hoevrcraft skims about 6-8 inches off the ground, which means it will have problems clearing taller obstacles and rough terrain; on the other hand it can try right over pedestrians without harm(other than a few scratches, bumps, bruises, and scaring the hell out of them). Braking and side-skidding still present common control problems(compared to ground traction vehicles), but the vehicles still handle very easily and light on the controls.
The Skipper continues to suffer from a number of problems, though; lack of range, low armor values, and short range. The flexible skirting that helps maintain pressure in the air cushion is also particularly vulnerable to damage, leading to control problems and a drop in speed(many Skippers sport heavily-patched ground effect skirts). The Skipper is also rather noisy in operation, even with the quieter ducted fan(forget about prowling in a Skipper).
The basic SR.N8R is produced by a variety of manufacturers, with the highest concentration in Europe; the Kingdom of Bath, the New Roman Republic, and Triax manufacture versions of it, and in North America the northeastern industrial kingdoms, Northern Gun, and GAW, among others, produce their own versions of it. The general design remains the same, with accessory systems varying by manufacturer.
Type: SR.N8R GEV
Class: Hover Transport
Crew: 2+55 passengers
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 160
Plenum Skirt* 70
Ducted Fan 80
*Destroying the Plenum Skirt reduces the speed of the hovercraft to a mere 12 MPH and imposes a -20% to Pilot Hovercraft rolls
Height: 18 ft
Width: 28 ft
Length: 60 ft
Weight: 37,000 lbs
Cargo: If not carrying passengers, can carry up to 6 tons of cargo
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel(300 mile range), Electric(360 mile range), or Nuclear( 15 year energy life)
Speed: (Land) 45 MPH
(Water) 65 MPH on calm waters. Tends to flounder badly on rough seas or turbulent water(waves 5 ft or more)
Market Cost: Typically costs about 60,000 credits for liquid fuel, 72,000 credits for electric, and 5.5 million credits for nuclear
Systems of Note:
*Radio----100 mile range
*Radar---5 mile range
*Plenum Self-Seal---Golden Age hovercraft introduced an inner layering of multi-ply fabric(similar to self-sealing fuel tanks on other vehicles) to the plenum chamber that was pushed by pressure to plug any small holes in the skirt, maintaining GEV pressure(otherwise, if the skirt were to take, for example, 50% damage, the vehicle’s speed would be reduced by HALF due to loss of pressure).

Weapons Systems:
None standard, but the design has provision/has been field-refit for two roof-mounted weapons mounts(machine guns, light rail guns, or energy rifles) and two side sponson hardpoints capable of holding another machine gun, light autocannon, auto-grenade launcher, mini-missile launcher(up to a 12 shot pod), SRM launcher(up to a 4 shot pod), MRM launcher(no more than 2 per hardpoint), or torpedo tubes(4 mini-torps, OR 2 short range torps, OR 1 medium-range torp per launcher).

Options:
*Additional Armor---Additional armor plating can be added at the expense of added weight and reduced speed. Adds additional protection(and weight) to the main body. Up to 150 additional MDC can be added, at 20 lbs, and 300 credits, per 1 MDC point. Lighter armor can be substituted, at 2 lbs per MDC point, but the stronger polycarbonate armor costs 1,000 credits per MDC point. Adding any more armor and weight (over 3,000 lbs) than this will impose a -5MPH penalty per every additional 100 lbs of weight.

*Armored Plenum Skirt----More rugged materials can be substituted for the rubberized GEV skirt. Cost: 350 credits per 1 MDC, up to a total of 100 MDC.

*Environmentally-Sealed Cockpit---The interior spaces of the Skipper can be made environmentally sealled against toxins and radiation, with air filtration and an independent air supply. Cost: 30,000 credits.

[Bood Samel]

This is cool. I always thought there should be more generic vehicals, though I've seen some good fan write ups on the subject. Stuff like MDC hummers, pick up trucks, etc..

[taalismn]

This is cool. I always thought there should be more generic vehicals, though I've seen some good fan write ups on the subject. Stuff like MDC hummers, pick up trucks, etc..

Remember the combat example from 1st ed. Rifts RMB? Black Market SAMAS versus CS Patrol with a sidedish of Deadboys blowing up fleeing trader in his 'hoverjet'? Aside from the fact that the hoverjet blew up nice and quick, there was NO material on any similar vehicle in any of the proceeding Rifts books(hover cars, hovercycles, and when we got to Free Quebec, hover load carriers, but no cheap hoverjets). So it's up to fans to plug the vehicular gap.

[taalismn]

Makes me think of the fun you could have with an airboat (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airboat) that had MDC material for a bottom hull. After all... they can pretty much go anywhere... including across land... you just don't want to do that with modern ones becuase it will tear up the fiberglass or aluminum bottom.

Not an issue with an MDC hull.

WildWalker

I recall also seeing a news story on 'swamp buggy races' which were essentially amphibious dragsters the bayou boys would race through deep mud.
Home-cooked alcohol fuel, megadamage wheels and body, and some improvised weaponry, and you got another vehicle for the higher-tech swamp stompers and hunters to go cruisin' in.

[taalismn]

Takamatsu Seiran-class Patrol Boat
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Type022.png

“Yes, the damned four-eyed freaks outnumber us, but every hit we land on them, every minute we delay them, is one less hit the shore defenses have to do them, one more minute they get to prepare and evacuate the villagers further inland! So let’s show those abominations that while one boat is a wakazashi, four ships is a katana they ignore at their peril! Are we not samurai in spirit, if not by blood? Wind Blade Squadron, SANJO!”

The Takamatsu Coastal Guard Seirans are an eccentric development worthy of the free-wheeling nation. The design is of pre-Rifts origin, specifically the Peoples’ Republic of China Navy Type 022 Houbei-class missile boat, an advanced design that had already been in service with the PLAN for several decades by the time of the Coming of the Rifts. Although the PRC and Japan were considered growing cold war enemies/economic rivals at the time of the Coming of the Rifts, somehow several Type 022s found their way to Japanese shores, possibly Chinese crews fleeing the mayhem on the Chinese mainland. Several wrecks and even one or two much-patched-up legacy boats survived to be found by Takamatsu scouts and their designs duly recorded.
Takamatsu entered into an agreement with the Republic of Japan to construct several new hulls and outfit them as coastal patrol boats. Later on, Takamatsu collaborated with North American trade partners, trading access to Takamatsu’s alternate Earth’s rare earth deposits for technology and expertise to both update their existing boats and to establish their own shipyards capable of producing newer versions. The New Republic of Japan also produces Seirans for their own naval forces.
The PFG-22 is a SWATH(Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) catamaran patrol craft that is very stable on rough seas and quite fast. The ship is modestly armored, but has a powerful armament of heavy missiles(typically anti-ship missiles, but land attack ordnance is also available), anti-aircraft missiles for self-defense, and a small, but powerful, forward gun turret. The ship can be fitted with conventional diesel engines or a fusion nuclear power pack(manufactured in the Republic). The liquid fuelled version is more often found in Takamatsu naval service, owing to Takamatsu’s more ready access to fossil fuel(though the Takamatsuans have several nuclear versions as special strike units), while the nuclear-powered version is more commonly found in Republic service(liquid fueled versions are used for coastal patrol and training).
H-Brand also makes its own version of the Seiran, using inferior materials and less sophisticated electronics and weaponry. It's become quite popular with coastal kingdoms and pirates.
Type: TK-PFG-22 Seiran
Class: Missile Patrol Boat
Crew: 12
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 2,500
Bridge 300
Sensor Mast 260
30mm Gun Turret 200
Long Range Missile Launchers(2) 250 each
Short Range Missile Launchers(2) 100 each
Height: 5 ft draught
Width: 40 ft
Length: 140 ft
Weight: 224 tons displacement
Cargo: 6 tons
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel (1,000 mile range) or Nuclear(15 year energy life)
Speed: (Water) 40 knts (45 MPH)
Market Cost: 16 million for liquid fuel, 21 million credits for nuclear
Systems of Note:
Standard Ship Systems, plus:
*Radar--150 mile range
*Sonar---100 mile range
Weapons Systems:
1) Heavy Missile Launchers(2)---Aft midsection are two angled structures with garage-style retracting doors. Concealed in each one is a heavy missile launcher capable of holding and firing either medium range or long range missiles. The Takamatsu craft typically carry medium range anti-shipping missiles, while the New Republic vessels have the option of carrying longer-ranged cruise missiles.
Range: Varies by Missile Type
Damage:Varies by Missile Type
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1-2
Payload: 8 MRMs OR 4 LRMs per launcher

In the alternative, some boats mount a less expensive, but far less accurate, Katyusha barrage rocket system in the launch boxes. This is more practical for surface bombardment where the large rocket volleys have an artillery-like effect, but are far less effective at engaging moving targets.
Range:(Short) 7 miles
(Long) 13 miles
Damage: Both missile types use a 122mm warhead, typically the following warhead types(damage may vary as much as 50% by the quality of warhead manufacture):
(Fragmentation) 1d6x10 MD to a 60 ft blast radius
(Incendiary) 1d4x10 MD to a 50 ft blast radius, plus 01-75% chance of setting combustible materials aflame
(High Explosive) 2d6x10 MD to a 20 ft blast radius
(Plasma) 3d4x10 MD to a 40 ft blast radius
(Smoke) Covers a 100 ft area in thick obscuring smoke. Typically disperses within 1d6 melees, depending on local wind and humidity conditions.
(Chemical) Varies, but typically used to dispense CS or nerve agents(currently only the Sovietskii uses chemical munitions, though it is rumored that Warlord Sokolov has been seeking to acquire such weapons). Typically covers a 100 ft area. Like the smoke, local weather conditions determine the dispersal rate.
(Submunition)---Detonates airburst style over the target and scatters a small cloud of grenade-like sub-mines, that can be used to infilade an area with contact explosives or delayed-fuze mines. Carries over 18 submunitions, scattering over a 100 ft area, and doing 5d6 MD to a 10 ft blast radius each.
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1-30
Payload: 40-shot calliope array in each box.
Penalties: Katyushas use the standard rules for unguided artillery with regard to deviation from target. Best fired in salvoes of 4 or more rockets.


2) 30mm Automatic Cannon(1)---Mounted in a turret on the foredeck is a rapid-fire 30mm cannon. The weapon originally fitted to the first new models was a Republic-made weapon, but recently several other weapons types have been made available, including several with origins in North America.
a) Rapid Fire Rail Gun
Range:11,000 ft
Damage:3d4x10 MD per 40 rd burst; can only fire bursts.
Rate of Fire:ECHH
Payload: 8000 rd drum(200 bursts)

b) 30m Heavy Gatling---A seven-barrel heavy cannon based on American designs.
Range:10,000 ft
Damage:4d6 MD single rd, 1d6x10 MD two rd burst, 3d6x10 MD six-round burst, 6d6x10 MD per twelve-round burst, 1d6x100+100 MD(!) per 24 rd burst.
Rate of Fire:EPCHH
Payload:800 rd drum

c)H-Ion Cannon---New Navy-derived heavy ion weapon.
Range: 6,000 ft
Damage: 3d4x10 MD per shot
Rate of Fire: 4 times per melee
Payload:100 shot battery. Effectively unlimited if attached to a nuclear powerplant.

d)Heavy Naval Laser Cannon
Range: 2 miles
Damage:1d6x10+7 MD per blast
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 120 shot battery. Effectively unlimited if attached to a nuclear powerplant.

3) Short Range Missile Launchers(2)--A pair of short range missile launchers, intended mainly for air defense.
Range: Varies by Missile Type
Damage:Varies by Missile Type
Rate of Fire: Volleys of 1-2
Payload: 12 SRMs each

Options:
*T-NM4 Mini-Missile Launchers(2)---These are essentially copies( produced by regional contracters and known locally as T-NM4 ‘Soboru Sledgehammers’) of the Paladin Steel PS-MMLR-14 Mini-Missile Launcher Rifle, itself a copy of the Coalition States’ CCT-M20 Missile Rifle, complete with mini-lasers. The weapons were originally fitted to the T-61 Defense Tank, but as licensed local production of the T-NM4 increases, the weapons are finding their way into other military units as well.
In normal operation, the lasers are linked to the ship’s generators, giving effectively unlimited shot capacity, while an additional 24-48 mini-missiles are typically carried inside the ship, and reloaded into the launchers by hand(takes 1 melee to reload a mini-missile). The Seiran can be fitted with a twin-cannon launcher on a rotating pedestal mount either forward just behind the turret, or aft between the missile launch boxes.
Range:(Mini-Missiles) Varies by Missile Type(usually about 1 mile)
(Laser) 2,000 ft
Damage:(Mini-Missiles)Varies by Missile Type
(Laser) 2d6 MD per blast
Rate of Fire:(Mini-Missiles) Volleys of 1, 2, or 4
(Laser) ECHH
Payload:(Mini-Missiles)20 per launcher(10 per launch tube)
(Laser) Effectively Unlimited attached to an external generator, or 20 shots per standard E-clip/30 per long E-clip as backup


Variants:
*TK-PT-022---Torpedo boat variant, with launching clamps for several heavy torpedoes under the main hull, between the catamaran hulls. The TK-PT-022 can carry up to 8 heavy torpedoes.

*H-PB-20---The H-Brand-made knockoff. It has 50% less overall MDC, lacks the ability to fire long range missiles(Katyushas, SRMs, or MRMs only), and carries only the Rapid Fire Rail Gun(actually a heavier H-Brand copy) as standard, or a number of lesser H-Brand rail guns and light energy cannons(from their robot knockoffs), and sonar and radar have only HALF range. On the plus side, the cost is about 50% LESS than the Takamatsi boats, so H-Brand is making a killing selling the knockoffs to coastal kingdoms, fiefdoms, mercenaries, and pirate bands.

[Aramanthus]

This is a cool idea. I hope we see more of this black market gear. It can always be useful.

[taalismn]

Well, comes from browsing the home library.

[abtex]

How is the weather at the home library? Any storms in sight?

[taalismn]

How is the weather at the home library? Any storms in sight?

(Heavy) Rain's just starting to come in...but the worst won't hit until tomorrow, mid-morning to noon...fortunately I'm not on the coast and am located on a hill, so tidal surge and flooding aren't a concern...wind and downed powerlines on the other hand....
May be a day to just read and listen to the wind howl outside.

[abtex]

Good to know. So no water damage, but being knocked the hill? maybe. Enjoy.

[taalismn]

Good to know. So no water damage, but being knocked the hill? maybe. Enjoy.

Power loss and flu-like symptoms...Bad enough, and while one comes back, the other lingers...

[Aramanthus]

You take care of yourself Taalismnn. We can wait for new stuff until you are better.

[abtex]

Be it Snowy Halloween, Rainy storms, sick at night. Sometime after them taalismn will post something, different at least.

Found the other one. Add Concept cars here or the other one?

[taalismn]

Be it Snowy Halloween, Rainy storms, sick at night. Sometime after them taalismn will post something, different at least.

Found the other one. Add Concept cars here or the other one?

I bow to your superior search-fu. My statement in the other thread that there didn't seem to be other concept car threads was obviously premature.

[abtex]

Not smart enough to search for concept cars in the first place.

[jaymz]

As usual Tall, excellent work

[taalismn]

As usual Tall, excellent work

Still room in this thread for others. I ain't THAT fat(well, yet, though my resolution's to shed some weight and girth).

[jaymz]

heh

[Sureshot]

I see material for a rifter article in the works.

[taalismn]

I see material for a rifter article in the works.

There's already an impressive two-parter article on Rifts Vehicle Construction that should allow folks to build just about any regular vehicle to taste. I really doubt the Rifter editors would spring Rifter space and money for one or even a bundle of several individual vehicles, especially if they were based on pre-existing (i.e. brand-named) vehicles, even defunct ones.

[taalismn]

Farnborough Automotive
The success of Farnborough Aviation and the mini-industrial boom it enjoyed in otherwise magic-favoring, and largely Triax-tech-dependent, Britain, has encouraged FA to branch out into other fields as well. The new Automotive(FAu) division hopes to play on local pride to encourage local sales of its new products, and hopefully expand into the export market.
Interestingly enough, its first two offerings are clearly inspired by pre-Rifts designs, lifted from ‘concepts’, examples of which were either found preserved in pre-Rifts warehouses or as files in the massive (and often eccentric) Farnborough Avation Museum complex, which saw increasing use as a general archive in the years just before the Coming of the Rifts. These ancient designs have been updated with more modern technologies, addressing the issues that led to their dismissal as practical production designs at the time they were originally developed.
While FAu has no illusions about competing with Triax’s mass-production lines, it does promise to wow.

FAu WaterBeetle Ground Car
http://www.diseno-art.com/images/renault_racoon_distance.jpg
http://img.netcarshow.com/Renault-Racoon_Concept_1993_1600x1200_wallpaper_01.jpg
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/renault/renault_racoon_005.jpg

“Weapons fire rolls off this buggy’s back like water off a duck.”

The first of FAu’s new offerings is the Waterbeetle, a post-Rifts remake of a pre-Rifts French concept design, the Renault Raccoon(why a British technology museum was storing hard data on a French automotive design remains unknown, but FA researchers suspect English eccentricity at work). While the original Raccoon was a jeep-style sport vehicle, the FAu re-do is a more rugged all-terrain vehicle modified with serious adventure in mind. The WaterBeetle is a perky compact two-seater amphibious car with a streamlined dome-shaped upper body, and a lower chassis that has four independently-sprung extendable wheels, allowing for both more-than-adequate ground clearance, and smooth ride over the roughest terrains. In its original form, the Raccoon was criticized for its weighty heavy steel construction; the WaterBeetle is still heavy for its size, but modern megadamage materials give it superb protection from both the elements and enemy action. A variety of different powerplants can be installed, depending on the buyer’s needs and preferences. A single hard point on the roof can be fitted for advanced sensors or a remote-operated weapons turret, giving the ‘beetle some bite.
Like its stablemate, the XIAD, the WaterBeetle suffers from limited passenger capacity, which has led to some potential customers turning away from the design and demanding instead a rebuild of a less sophisticated, but more versatile, design like the Land Rover(another related criticism of the WaterBeetle is the lack of a flat-topped roof rack for additional external cargo). Still, the WaterBeetle has attracted enough attention from intrepid individuals and adventurers that FA has not considered the design a failure and keeps the WaterBeetle in (limited) production.

Type: FAu GC/R-3 WaterBeetle
Class: Ground Car, All-Terrain
Crew: 1+1 passenger. If not carrying cargo behind the seats, two passengers can squeeze in there.
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 300
Wheels(4) 25 each
Height: 5.5 ft
Width: 6 ft
Length: 9 ft
Weight: 2,200 lbs
Cargo: Small space behind the seats for about 400 lbs of gear.
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel(w/300 mile range), Electric(w/360 mile range), Nuclear(w/ 10 year energy life), or TechnoWizardry(w/ 10 year energy life)
Speed:(Ground) 84 MPH on stright, level ground
(Water) Hydrojets can propel the WaterBeetle at 6 MPH
Market Cost: 355,000 credits for liquid fuel, 370,000 credits for electric, 1.4 million credits for nuclear, and 1.6 million credits for TW*.
*(Note: Subsequent TW add-ons/enhancements can cost 10-20% less with the TW powerplant alread installed)
Systems of Note:
Standard Automobile Systems, plus:
*Advanced Radio Communications---100 mile range
*Run-Flat Tires
*All Terrain Variable Pressure Tires
*Extendable Wheel Axles(ground clearance can be increased as much as 3 ft for negotiating rough terrain)
*Powered Winch---Concealed behind panels in the fender is a powered winch with 30 ft of line and a 1 ton hauling strength. A second one can be added to the rear.

Weapons Systems: None standard(See Options)

Options:

*Systems Upgrade---This package gives the car the equivalent systems of a standard power armor, with regards to radar, life support, and basic audio/visual sensory systems. Cost: 90,000 credits

*Drive By Remote Viewing---This does away with windows completely, in favor of a VR HUD ‘windshield’ , the driver using small cameras in the vehicle’s armored shell. +100 MDC to the Main Body. Cost: 90,000 credits

*Top-Mounted Weapon---A remote-operated turret can be added on the top of the vehicle, that can hold a rifle or machine-gun-sized weapon. The mini-turret has a full 360-degree rotation and 60-degree elevation. Cost:(not including weapon) 25,000 credits

*Engine Upgrade----A more powerful engine, more efficient power train, and improved transmission can be added, improving overall speed, but at greater expense;
Speed: Can improve top speed by up to 40%
Cost: 120,000 credits per 10% of improvement over base. 300,000 credits for nuclear upgrades.
*Chameoline System---Special fiber optics in the hull can change the color scheme of the vehicle between any one of ten different schemes(programmed in at the time of purchase), including basic camouflage schemes.
Cost: 100,000 credits

*Morphing ‘Armadillo’ Armor---Enfolds the ENTIRE vehicle in articulated armor plates, increasing armor protection, but effectively immobilizing the car. Can only be openned from the outside by special electronic passcode(included in cost)
MDC: +200 MDC when deployed
Cost: 300,000 credits; 100,000 credits for four Glitterboy-style laser pylons that drive into the ground and anchor the vehicle to the ground(takes a Robotic PS of 40 or greater to uproot the vehicle)

*Mine Detector-----A detection coil can be installed on the prow, and uses a variety of magnetic, chemical, and ground sonar detection systems to sniff out mines and buried ordinance. 85% accuracy. Cost: 3,500 credits

*Sensory Cluster----MDC 80---Has the following sensors:
*Motion Detector--200 ft range
*Laser Illuminator-----6,000 ft range, Designates targets for laser-guided munnitions/weapons
*Laser targeting System(+1 to strike)
*Lance Scanner---Looks like a long lance protruding from the front of the craft. The Lance Scanner contains a magnetometer() and a short-range microwave radar for groundsearching minefields(in theory, the ground radar sound be able to detect even non-metallic mines, but takes twice as long). Range: The magnetometer has a range of 4,000 ft and can detect vehicles and other metallic structures with 80% accuracy
The ground radar has a range of 3,000 ft, and has a 90% chance of detecting metal-cased mines, 60% chance of detecting non-metallic ordinance.
*Aura Scanner---For detecting and identifying PPE concentrations
Range: 2000 ft
*Bio-Scanner---Has a molecular analyzer, enhanced radiation detector, high-powered accoustic ‘shotgun mike’(3,000 ft range), and thermo-imager optics.
* Optical Cluster--- Telescopic, IR/UV, Thermo-Imaging, Audio-Video-Survellance System
Cost: 80,000 credits

[taalismn]

FAu XIAD ‘Mercury’ Hovercar
(aka ‘Zy-odd’, ‘Zy-Ad’, ‘Plug ‘n Ride’)
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/studio/large/1986_IAD_Alien_01.jpg
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/IAD/iad_alien_concept_01.jpg
http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/IAD/iad_alien_concept_i02.jpg

“Need to go to town for groceries? Just plug and drive! Want to enter in the races? Plug and drive! Need to go fight for God and Country? Just plug and drive! This bird’s got the right powerplant for the job ready and waiting for you to just plug it in and drive it to work or play!”

This design is based on a pre-Rifts(circa 1986) International Automotive Design(IAD) prototype named appropriately enough the ‘Alien’ for its oddball appearance. Like it did with the Renault Raccoon in making it over into an amphibious all-terrain scout car, FAu has gone even further in revamping the IAD prototype, changing it from a ground sports car to a full hovercar. A streamlined wasp-waisted hovervehicle with an appearance somewhat like that of a flattened double-lobed peanut, the XIAD is certainly striking at first glance. However, the odd design has a purpose. The XIAD features a modular design that suggests the influence of FA’s North American Paladin Steel trade partners. The front and rear body-modules can be swapped out very quickly to create a variety of different vehicles. The forward passenger module can be changed out for a single-seater, a twin-seater, or a larger four-seater configuration. The rear propulsion pod can be changed for a conventional liquid-fuel(of several different horsepowers), electric, nuclear, or even TW(a special interface system in the forward body makes tying into the TW systems a snap). ‘Combat Sled’ variants of the nuclear and TW powerplant pods are also available, mounting side weapons mounts. Weapons control is easily installed along with the appropriate propulsion pods; a quick software download reconfigures the cockpit HUDs and a snap-in trigger assembly module in the cabin allows the occupants to operate the weaponry.
The main complaints about the XIAD are (ironically) the low versatility of the design; it only seats two people and has limited cargo space, relegating it to the role of scout, as not too many people in post-Rifts Britain(as opposed to the urban enclaves of Germany) are all that interested in sports vehicles, and sales of the XIAD have been decidedly low. Still, with renewed international (and potentially INTERDIMENSIONAL ) trade on the increase, Farnborough Automotive continues to produce the XIAD Mercury with hopes of future sales.

Type: FAu XIAD Mercury
Class: Hovercar, Light
Crew: 1+1 passenger
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 110
Rear Engine Pod 120
Height: 43 inches
Width: 63 inches
Length: 145 inches
Weight: 1,200 lbs
Cargo: Small space behind the seats for up to 400 lbs of gear.
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel, Electric, Nuclear, or TechnoWizardry(See Options)
Speed: (Ground) Can taxi on the ground at a leisurely 20 MPH
(Flying) Hover to 120 MPH, 1-10 ft off the ground.
Market Cost: 300,000 credits for the basic unpowered vehicle
Systems of Note:
Standard Automobile Systems, plus:
*Air Filtration and Conditioning
*Roll Cage---The passenger pod has an internal roll cage that reduces damage. Vehicle takes HALF damage and riders take 1/3 normal damage in a roll-over.

Weapons Systems: None standard(See Options)

Options:
The main option accessories are the rear modular propulsion units:

-Liquid Fuel---An omni-fuel system that runs on just about anything, from cooking grease and moonshine to high octane aviation fuel. A few strokes on a keyboard adjusts the engine to optimal performance for varying grades of fuel. Effective range varies by quality of fuel, between 80 miles for kitchen grease to 300 miles for jet fuel. Cost: 60,000 credits.

-Electric---Rechargeable batteries. 360 mile range. Cost: 70,000 credits.

-Solar Electric---This has the same features as above, but also includes a ‘spoiler’ that unfolds into a large solar ‘wing’ allowing for recharging from sunlight. In general, it takes two hours of light exposure for one hour of operation. The batteries can hold enough charge for up to 24 hours of operation. Cost: 180,000 credits.

-Nuclear---Selection of 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year nuclear power packs. The nuclear powerpacks also allow for a 20% increase in maximum speed, and altitudes of up to 200 ft. Cost: 4 million, 8 million, 12 million, and 15 million credits for 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year energy lives respectively.

-Nuclear(Combat)---Comes only in a 10-year energy life, but includes two weapons stations on the sides. Costs 8.5 million credits for the module, plus extra for the weapons. Each weapons pylon has two hardpoints(4 total) allowing for ONE of the following to be mounted on each hardpoint:
a) Mini-Missiles---6 shot pod per hardpoint
b) Short Range Missiles----1 per hardpoint
c) Machine Gun---Any light or medium machine gun can be adapted, including the Cyborg Forearm Machine Gun, but FA prefers/recommends a vehicular version of their Bren Gun:
Range: 3,500 ft
Damage:(SDC) 6d6 SDC single shot, 2d6x10 SDC per 5 rd burst, 4d6 x10 SDC(1d4 MD) per 10 rd burst, 8d6x10 SDC per 20 rd burst
(Ramjets) 1 MD single shot, 1d4 MD per 5 rd burst, 1d10 MD per 10 rd burst, 2d10 MD per 20 rd burst
(High Explosive)2d6x10 SDC single shot, 1d4 MD per 5 rd burst, 1d6 MD per 10 rd burst, 2d6 MD per 20 rd burst.
(PSX-2) 1d4 MD per rd, 2d10(or 1d4x5) MD per 5 rd burst, 1d4x10 MD per 10 rd burst, 2d4x10 MD per 20 rd burst. (*Note: This American-made ammunition may be in short supply in Europe, at least until FA can license-produce it)
(Tracer) Every 11th round is a tracer, which gives a +1 to strike with bursts. However, the tracer stream also makes it that much easier for enemies to backtrace and locate the machine gunner.
Rate of Fire: Standard; rated at 500 rpm
Payload: 200 rds per gun.
Cost: 8,000 credits

d) Rail Gun---A copy(or, in some cases, imported) of the common Triax VX-300 Rail Gun
Range: 4,000 ft
Damage: 2 MD single rd, 4d6 MD per 20 rd burst.
Rate of Fire: Standard
Payload: 2,000 rd drum
Cost: 85,000 credits.

e) Pulse Laser
Range: 2,000 ft
Damage: 3d6 MD single shot, 6d6 MD pulse burst
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 120 shot battery if conventionally powered, effectively unlimited if nuclear-powered.
Cost: 25,000 credits.

f) Ion Blaster
Range: 1,800 ft
Damage: 3d6 MD single shot, 6d6 MD double blast
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 150 shot battery if conventionally powered, effectively unlimited if nuclear-powered.
Cost: 23,000 credits.

g) Shock Blaster
Range: 500 ft
Damage: Targets must save versus non-letha poison or be stunned. Victims are -12 to strike, parry, dodge, and Speed is HALVED for 2d4 melees. No penalties on a successful save, aside from a serious ‘pins and needles’ sensation in the struck body parts.
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 400 shot battery conventionally powered models(Recharges 20 shots per hour). Effectively unlimited w/ Nuclear Powerplant
Cost: 20,000 credits

h) Plasma Projector---Adapted from the WR-19/20 series weapons common in Europe. Short range but good damage. Somewhat less expensive due to imported technology from North America. Some Farnborough company security and Kingdom of Bath vehicles have been fitted with imported PSPPR-5 ‘Lewiston’ Light Plasma Cannons instead.
Range: 1,600 ft
Damage: 5d6 MD per blast
Rate of Fire: ECHH
Payload: 100 shot battery if conventionally powered, effectively unlimited if nuclear-powered.
Cost: 27,000 credits.

-TechnoWizardry/PPE----8 PPE/16 ISP per 50 miles of range. Has a capacitor for 80 PPE, though larger/additional PPE batteries can be added, or a TW generator system can bought, trickling PPE into the capacitators at 2 PPE per hour, 4 on a leyline, 6 at a nexus point. DOUBLE the rate if the vehicle is NOT engaged in combat or motion.
Cost: 25,000 credits for the basic battery model, +5,000 credits per additional 5 PPE of capacitator storage, up to 200 PPE. 3 million, 6 million, and 12 million credits for 2-, 5-, and 10-year energy lives respectively.

-TechnoWizardry/PPE(Combat)---Similar to the TW module, and the Nuclear Combat module in having four hardpoints. Comes standard with the 10-year TW powerplant, and 200 PPE capacitor. Each hardpoint can accommodate any of the TW vehicular weapons featured in Rifts Book of Magic, pg. 336. Also, any magical enhancements made to the module(and subsequently to the entire vehicle) can cost 10-20% less, if the TW Powerplant option pod is taken.
Cost: 12.6 million credits


Forward Compartment Options:

*Single Seater---This modifies the front body to accommodate a single crew member, in a fully enclosed hovercycle-style saddle. The single-seater actually costs a bit more, but the vehicle is also 20% lighter and gets a +1 to dodge, so it balances out.
Cost: +10,000 credits

*Four Seater----Extended front cabin with room for four passengers. Increase weight by 25%, +3 ft to length, +10 MDC.
Cost: +25,000 credits

*Combat Body---This is available for ALL cabin versions, and adds the following: +60 MDC, laser targeting system(+1 to strike with ranged weapons), forward-looking infrared(FLIR), mini-radar (10 mile range), targeting/combat computer, and other power armor-equivalent systems. The mod also incorporates two slots for weapons(see Nuclear(Combat) power pod above for available/equivalent weapons types).
Cost: +180,000 credits

[abtex]

FAu XIAD ‘Mercury’ Hovercar
(aka ‘Zy-odd’, ‘Zy-Ad’, ‘Plug ‘n Ride’)

This design is based on a pre-Rifts (circa 1986) International Automotive Design (IAD) prototype named appropriately enough the ‘Alien’ for its oddball appearance.

So Farnborough Aviation tried to rebuild a Mechanoid Wasp and came up with an old concept car design FAu to market instead?

Nice take on different Power plants and Forward Compartments options.

[abtex]

from his other concept car tread (the only car there) Misc. Vehicle: Takamatsu Terranaut

Takamatsu Ta-Nissan ‘Terranaut X’ Scout Car
http://www.diseno-art.com/images/Terranaut_front_view.jpg
http://www.diseno-art.com/images/nissan_terranaut.jpg
http://www.diseno-art.com/images/nissan_terranaut_interior.jpg
http://www.diseno-art.com/images/nissan_terranaut_rear.jpg
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/design_concepts/EXTERN_0069.jpg

“Come join the Explorers of the New Earth and Worlds Beyond! Join the Takamatsu Explorers! Set Forth Boldly for Adventure!”
(Poster of smiling man standing next to a Terranaut car, in front of a Rising Sun)
“Yeah, and turn around and run like hell from hordes of radioactive ghost-zombies, or savage oni warbands, or eldritch abominations out to eat your soul...if you manage to spot them in time to turn your scouter around and floor the accelerator. A lot more Explorer Cars are sold than return...and by that, I mean, ‘are never seen again’. I’ll pass on adventure; just give me a nice boring land survey.”

“Do you see it, Yuriko?! Are you getting it on record? DO YOU SEE IT?! IT’S-”

The Ta-Nissan Terranaut X Scout Vehicle is actually based on a pre-Rifts concept car, the Nissan Terranaut, a bizarre concept for a ‘luxury’ earth-science vehicle based on an SUV frame, that never got anywhere beyond the model stage. Meant more as a showcase of ideas, rather than a workable pre-production vehicle, the Terranaut disappeared into the mists of time, at least until Takamatsu engineers at the transplanted branch of Nissan found the idea while digging through company archives and, intrigued, worked up their own take on the vehicle as a scout car for Rifts Earth.
The modern Terranaut X is a much more relevant, rugged, and advanced vehicle meant for exploring and scouting the un-discovered wilds of Rifts Earth, as well as the other dimensions and worlds made accessible through the Rifts. It made its debut in government service for Takamatsu, helping them explore the alternate Earth they are exploiting for resources, but the vehicle has since been offered to private concerns looking for a sensor-heavy scout platform for their own explorations.
The Terranaut X is a rugged-constructed four-wheel drive vehicle with sturdy frame and thick armor. A variety of powerplants are available to it, from high-efficiency liquid fuel to nuclear fusion powerpacks. The wheels and suspension have been modified for greater ground clearance and rough terrain overlanding, able to cope with the soft ground, rubble, broken roads, ruts, and gulleys of Rifts Earth.
The Terranaut X normally operates with a crew of three; a driver, co-driver/’shotgun’, and a sensor operator. The sensor operator sits in a station at the rear of the vehicle, a wrap-around sensor operations console, with a large armored skylight dome directly above that the sensor operator can raise and lower his seat up into for direct visual observations. Multiple retractable sensor and communications systems, state of the art Takamatsu or imported Republic or Ichto equipment, are at the disposal of the sensor operator. Tinted wrap-around armored windows give excellent visibility to the occupants, while protecting from glare, and outside observers.
The Terranaut X is not designed for combat; though constructed with rugged megadamage armor, and having the provision to be fitted with one or two weapons, the scout car’s best bet of surviving a confrontation is to spot the trouble first and escape before closer combat is made...or else travel with an escort of better armed vehicles, cyborgs, or soldiers.
The majority of Terranaut X vehicles are in the service of the Takamatsu government, with a good number of them used as scout and communications vehicles by their military. Ta-Nissan, however, sells quite a few to private adventurer and expeditionary groups. A number have been sold to China-bound groups(and subsequently a few Terranauts have shown up on the Asian black market...usually stripped of various systems, as well as doors and windows).

Type: Ta-Nissan Terranaut X
Class: Wheeled Scout Vehicle
Crew: 3+ room for an additional 3 passengers to squeeze in
MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Body 220
Wheels(4) 30 each
Rear Dome 90
Sensor Periscope 15
Dish Antennae 20
Sensor Masts(1-4) 8 each
Height: 7.7 ft
Width: 6.9 ft
Length: 16.25 ft
Weight: 9,700 lbs
Cargo: Can carry up to 400 lbs of gear in a trunk compartment. Space for survival packs and sidearms in the crew compartment. Can hold up to a week’s worth of food and water for the three man crew.
Powerplant: Liquid Fuel w/ 450 mile range, Electric w/ 500 mile range, or nuclear fusion w/ 15 year energy life
Speed: 75 MPH(typically half that offroad)
Can climb a 60 percent gradiant
(Fording) The Terranaut can button up and drive underwater, albeit at 5 MPH. Maximum depth of 80 ft.
Market Cost: 600,000 credits for liquid fuel, 800,000 credits for electric, and 7.3 million credits for nuclear
Systems of Note:
Standard Robot Vehicle Systems, plus:
*Run-Flat Variable Pressure Tires
*Trailer Hitch
*Fore and Aft Winch Stations w/ 50 ft of lightweight cable each.

*NBC Interior---The Terranaut features an overpressure system for preventing the interior from being contaminated by outside air infiltration.

*Extendable Periscope Mast---Can extend up 8 ft.

*Radiation Shielding---The Terranaut is shielded against nuclear radiation, in the event of stumbling across old damaged pre-Rifts reactors, or coming too near/through a radiation-spewing dimensional rift.

*External Audio/Video Surveillance System---Multiple small cameras and microphones sample and record the environment around the vehicle as it moves along. Besides being able to record everything the scout encounters, the system feeds to an HUD(or to displays on the wrap-around windows) so the driver has more complete situational awareness while driving. When the vehicle is stopped, the system can be set to act as an automated ‘watchdog’ security system, keeping watch while the crew rests.

*Long Range Radio---500 mile range

*Low Light, Thermal Imaging, and Infrared Optics

*Laser Targeting/ Distancing---Range: 4 miles

*Inertial Compass---Keeps track of the speed and direction of the vehicle, keeping a record of its relative position to previous movement. Great for backtracking.

*Radar---15 mile range

*EM Detector---Detects and classifies electro-magnetic activity around the vehicle, including electrical activity, magnetic fields, atmospheric ionization, and the like.

*Radiation Detector

*Environmental Sensors---Monitor wind speed, direction, air temperature, pressure, and humidity. Essentially a mini-weather station.

*Molecular Analyzer---Samples the surrounding air and samples dropped in the experiment bins for molecular/chemical composition.

*Motion Detector---500 ft range

*Magnetometer/Magnetic Anomaly Detector(MAD)---Combined with a ‘lookdown’ ground radar system.
Range: The magnetometer has a range of 4,000 ft and can detect vehicles and other metallic structures with 80% accuracy. Active fusion powerplants and charging rail guns can be detected from TWICE that range.
The ground radar has a range of 2,000 ft, and has a 90% chance of detecting metal-cased mines, 60% chance of detecting non-metallic ordnance.



*External Sample Tray---The rear door features an externally sliding refrigerated sample bin that holds up to 20 lbs of sample materials, and allowing them to be stored and studied by onboard instruments(based on pre-Rifts Japanese Space Agency space probe sensors) without compromising the environmental integrity of the Terranaut.

*’Black Box’ Recording System---The findings of the Terranaut’s sensors and cabin recorders can be stored on high-density multi-media storage discs housed in small cabinet-sized reinforced (100 MDC) containers, so even if the rest of the vehicle is smashed, their data stands a good chance of surviving. Some buyers take the added security measure of fitting their recorders with self-destruct anti-tampering charges.

Weapons Systems:
None standard, but the rear dome can be fitted with a swivel-ring mounting one or two remote-operated weapons; typically light rail guns or energy rifles(plugged into the vehicle’s power supply). The H-Brand H-600 rail gun and the H-12 Ion Pulse Rifle are the most common fits, but as relations deteriorate between Takamatsu and Otomo, other weapons are being substituted.

Options:
*(Optional) Grousers---An idea acquired from overseas, these are special extendable tread units on the wheels that expand to give the tires a wider area and reduce ground pressure, reducing penalties for driving over soft terrain and snow by HALF. Cost: 13,000 credits

*(Optional)Morphing Armor---Another result of technology exchanges with North America. Enfolds the ENTIRE vehicle in articulated armor plates, ala “Bat Man”, increasing armor protection, but effectively immobilizing the car. Can only be openned from the outside by special electronic passcode(included in cost). Popular with ‘storm chaser’ meteorlogical survey vehicles.
MDC: +200 MDC when deployed
Cost: 350,000 credits; 100,000 credits for four Glitterboy-style laser pylons that drive into the ground and anchor the vehicle to the ground(takes a Robotic PS of 40 or greater to uproot the vehicle)

*PPE Sensor---Takamatsu negotiated hard to acquire these sensors from the Republic, but couldn’t get them. However, they HAVE been able to second-source a similar system from North America, so many of their science teams now have PPE sensors on their vehicles. See the Japanese SNARLS system(Rifts Japan, or Game Master Guide, pg. 136) for details of this system, but increase vehicular-mounted version’s range to 800 ft. Cost: 175,000 credits

[abtex]

Thanks. What is your next Misc. Vehicle?

My proper response should be: "It's a SECRET!!!!MWUHHHHAAAHHAAAAHHHAAA!!!!"

<snip>.

Also:
Other 'bad' concept cars that I just happen to like the look of...
Renault Racoon Done!
Peugeot H20
IAD Alien Done!
Rinspeed Presto
Fprd FX-Atmos
Chevrolet Astro III
Matra M72
Citreon Cruise Crosser
Citreon GT (I may just use many of its features for the look of PS hovercars)
Kia Sidewinder
Peugeot Proxima

Just a few more on the short list.
Is there a longer list?

[taalismn]

Thanks. What is your next Misc. Vehicle?

My proper response should be: "It's a SECRET!!!!MWUHHHHAAAHHAAAAHHHAAA!!!!"

<snip>.

Also:
Other 'bad' concept cars that I just happen to like the look of...
Renault Racoon Done!
Peugeot H20
IAD Alien Done!
Rinspeed Presto
Fprd FX-Atmos
Chevrolet Astro III
Matra M72
Citreon Cruise Crosser
Citreon GT (I may just use many of its features for the look of PS hovercars)
Kia Sidewinder
Peugeot Proxima

Just a few more on the short list.
Is there a longer list?

Lord no, I have enough of a backlog as it is!

[Aramanthus]

Very nice Taalismnn. I hope that there is going to be some more soon.

[abtex]

FAu XIAD ‘Mercury’ Hovercar
(aka ‘Zy-odd’, ‘Zy-Ad’, ‘Plug ‘n Ride’)

This design is based on a pre-Rifts (circa 1986) International Automotive Design (IAD) prototype named appropriately enough the ‘Alien’ for its oddball appearance.

So Farnborough Aviation tried to rebuild a Mechanoid Wasp and came up with an old concept car design FAu to market instead?

Is that true?

[taalismn]

FAu XIAD ‘Mercury’ Hovercar
(aka ‘Zy-odd’, ‘Zy-Ad’, ‘Plug ‘n Ride’)

This design is based on a pre-Rifts (circa 1986) International Automotive Design (IAD) prototype named appropriately enough the ‘Alien’ for its oddball appearance.

So Farnborough Aviation tried to rebuild a Mechanoid Wasp and came up with an old concept car design FAu to market instead?

Is that true?

Heh.
No.
It really WAS nicknamed the 'Alien' when the concept model debuted. But the idea of buying half a car just so you could buy several other halves later as your powerplant requirements changed never caught on.

BUTTTT....the diea of the Mechanoids crossing the Atlantic and trying to establish themselves in Europe is admittedly a nifty adventure hook... Esepcially if nobody in Europe suspects or knows about them. Of course, the CS MIGHT warn the Germans, and the German response would be predictable...bomb the hell out of any suspected mechanoid site. However, the murderous Mechanoids MIGHT lower themselves to using the gargoyles as pantsies.

[abtex]

I thought that PS take Farnborough Aviation visitors in back engineering hanger, and they tried to do some work on scrap. Guess not.

[taalismn]

I thought that PS take Farnborough Aviation visitors in back engineering hanger, and they tried to do some work on scrap. Guess not.

Nah...Mechanoid reverse-engineering is 'need to know' only. Especially given that it's rumored PS has an AbM or two working for them.

[Aramanthus]

I am looking forward to seeing more material in the near future.

[taalismn]

I am looking forward to seeing more material in the near future.

You're always welcome to toss your own creations in...be it a TW conversion of your own car or a super-tech riding mower.

[T-Willard]

I'm tempted to find and post the old write-ups I had for CS non-line vehicles. Stuff that replaces modern Hemmits, Humvees, MRATS, and all that. But I'll stick to the Armor and Weaponry Thread for right now.

[taalismn]

I'm tempted to find and post the old write-ups I had for CS non-line vehicles. Stuff that replaces modern Hemmits, Humvees, MRATS, and all that. But I'll stick to the Armor and Weaponry Thread for right now.

Give in to temptation and find the stuff....
It doesn't all have death's head icons built into it, does it? Like the original Batmobile?
After a while, I think even the CS diehards would get sick and tired of seeing death's heads on everything.

[abtex]

I'm tempted to find and post the old write-ups I had for CS non-line vehicles. Stuff that replaces modern Hemmits, Humvees, MRATS, and all that. But I'll stick to the Armor and Weaponry Thread for right now.

Give in to temptation and find the stuff....
It doesn't all have death's head icons built into it, does it? Like the original Batmobile?
After a while, I think even the CS diehards would get sick and tired of seeing death's heads on everything.

Yes. Please. Fail your die roll to give in to temptation and find and maybe post them.

[T-Willard]

Hauler, Armored Transport, Cargo, Heavy-CSTV-119 (HATCH)

Most opponents of the CS only focus on frontline vehicles. However, not everything is moved by Death's Head Transport. The HATCH is a all terrain wheeled vehicle with an impressive amount of cargo space an a vehicle power-train capable of moving astounding weight. Unlike the combat vehicles, the HATCH does not possess the "death's head" look, but rather contents itself with the standard flat forward face with a sensor strip just below the windshield. It is moderately armored (although light and "up-armored" versions do exist) to survive passing through hazard or combat zones.

The vehicle uses the aging but still applicable engine and parts from the Mark-V APC line, lowering production cost by having an already built in large supply of parts and manufactured pieces. The cab is simply a square box with a trailer attachment over the last 8 wheels. The forward part of the tractor is the cab, possessing light ablative neo-alloy armor and a neo-tungsten unibody frame. There are indented "steps" beneath the two doors (one on each side) allowing the crew to easily and quickly enter the cab (one attack action) and shut the door.

The trailer has forward stabilization jacks which automatically lower whenever the cab is detached, however this is extremely rare and usually only for maintenance. For the most part the vehicle is treated as a single unified body. The "trailer" section has removable side and rear panels, to allow access to the "trailer", which has holes 2" wide, 4" long, 6" deep to correspond with every square meter of space in the trailer, to utilize standard CS "self-locking pallets".

Inside the vehicle possesses the following:

Ground radar system: Track up to 12 targets. However, the system does keep track of over 300 other objects, and this data can be relayed to nearby command vehicles to take part in the "missile defense network" of the CS version of BATNI.
Low Light (Passive) Imaging: Displays on the windshield
Low Light (Active) Imaging: By using the IR capabilities of the headlights the vehicle can display active low-light on the windshield
Frequency Agile Burst Communication Radio: The HATCH possesses the FRAGBuC Radio system
Standard CS First Aid Kit
Armor Integration Cables: Allowing CS armor to be hooked into the vehicle for battery charging, increased communication, and atmosphere replenishment
Auto-Pilot: The HATCH uses Auto-Driver 14.5xe2, which at the current time is only capable of point to point navigation, but does not have the problems of the 14.5xd1 software.
Inertia Mapper: This, combined with the Ground-Tac system, allows the driver to know where they are down to the meter. With over 600 pre-loaded maps and the ability to have hundreds more created or uploaded, this system allows the driver to not only know where they are, but their surroundings, calculate routes, and avoid hot zones.
Crane: The crane is built into the trailer, as well as one at the rear of the cab. Both cranes are capable of lifting up to 15,000 kilograms.

Hauler, Armored Transport, Cargo, Heavy-CSTV-119B2 (HATCH)
Weight:7 tons unloaded, 257 tons fully loaded
Height: 20 feet
Width: 15 feet
Length: 75 feet (Cab is only 10 feet, tractor is 15 feet, trailer is 60 feet)
Cargo Capacity: 14,625 cubic feet, 250 tons
Crew: 2, driver and shotgun
Weapons: optional ring mounted weapon such as CR-40

MDC by Location
Cab body: 250
Bed body: 500
Wheels: 50
Windshield: 25
Doors: 75
Bed side-panels (12 per side, 3 in rear): 75 each.
Headlights (4): 15 each
Crane (2): 15

Standard Armor Version: Adds another layer of plates, effectively adding 15 MDC to each section.*
"Up Armored" Version effectively adds 50 MDC to each location.*
*(Tires, headlights, crane, and windshield are NOT effected)

DESCRIPTION
For those of you who have seen them, simply picture a large Hemmit with ring mount, or perhaps one of the the vehicles off of the old movie Damnation Alley. In essence, a large, blocky vehicle with a box-like cab, two wheels in front, twelve in the back (3 sets of rear dualies) and a long, oblong cargo area that possesses a total of 4 sets of dual rear wheels and a middle set of 2 dual wheels.

HISTORY
The HATCH vehicle came directly out of NEMA stockpiles, although at that time it was called the HEMMIT-VII. While the HEMMIT-VII used standard non-hyper-alloy chassis and frame, this simply would not due for the CS once manufacturing began to get underway. General Ross Underhill spear-headed the "Fit to Fight '75" program, where the hodge-podge of vehicles used by the CS Logistics Command were intended to be replaced. Lansing Motors showcased the HATCH, which, while fairly bare-bones, impressed General Underhill enough to be awarded a contract to build hundreds of them over a period of 10 years. The initial "prototype" model had it's own proprietary power train, wheel hubs, but when a strike a Chow-Rameriz Machine Industries stopped production on the power trains only six months before the first HATCH's were to be delivered to the CS Army, Lansing Motors frantically scrambled to lay their hands on over 75 power trains and engines.

Luckily for Lansing Motors the CS Army was holding a semi-public auction for 125 Mark-I APC's, and Lansing Motors bought them all in one lot batch through a cut-out corporation. They retooled and modernized the engines, most notably replacing the piston sleeves and rings with more modern and expensive materials, then adapted the entire HATCH vehicle to run off of them. The gearing was changed for more power, sacrificing speed for power, and the tires went from spun carbon filament to neo-vulcan synthetic rubber with "Run-Flat(TM)" technology to keep the vehicle up and running even if the tire was nearly shredded.

Commanders who recieved the HATCH had nothing but praise for them, although troops using them noticed that the trailer stabalization outriggers had a tendency to hang up or not fully lock into position, risking tipping the trailer while it was being loaded. In 82 PA the 119A came out, fixing the outrigger problem, but the bed manufacturing process neglected to add in the embedded hook points for the loading straps. This led to local commanders fitting wood panels in the bottom until 84PA when the 119A1 came out with the anchor points restored. Sadly, the 119A1 had a problem with substandard ballistic glass from the Hrylex Advanced Materials Lab LLC (which was already in deep trouble for the Macroplast-Gate Scandal of 83 PA). The windshield would often turn completely opaque and white upon a hit from even an SDC laser system, the protective properties completely vanishing as the polyresin matrix completely scrambled. (Windshield would sudden drop to 15 SDC) The windshield problem was fixed by local commanders ordering from local suppliers until 85 PA, when the 119A2 came out. This one caused a total freak out by the command structure as the electrical system often caught fire, burning the entire vehicle to the ground. This was found to be a fault with the grounding system in the cab chassis at branch 17A3-4, and the trailer chassis at ground point 18b-B, which was quickly fixed at unit level. That caused an additional fault, which was electrifying the entire chassis so that anyone not wearing insulated boots who touched the vehicle while it was running received a 150 amp, 824 MEGAWATT shock. This was enough to even damage combat armor, or kill the wearer of light combat armor. The 119A2 vehicles showed an amazing ability to be destroyed in "terrorist strikes" while sitting in the motorpool. Investigation by CS CID showed that there was a coherent plot, obviously by the Federation of Magic, against the HATCH vehicles, because of... um.... FREEDOM! That's it.

In 90PA the 119A4 was released. (The A3 version forgot the crane, and the CS military simply refused to accept delivery) to correspond with the all new "self-locking pallet" which the CS had moved to. Wood was getting more and more dificult to harvest cheaply, so the CS military had moved to advanced polymer resin pallets with "locking feet" and standardized sizes. The vehicle at first performed admirably, however a fault in the inertial mapping system caused a resonating buffer overflow cascade inside the autopilot with a wide variety of effect, from the vehicle starting up on its own and driving in erratic patterns, to the vehicle verbally mocking the driver, to in one case, over the period of 4 days, a HATCH hunting down and running over ever member of FOB Churchmouse. The software was replaced, but mysteriously all of the 119A4's had somehow been destroyed in "combat", and the CS military sighed and ordered another batch in 91PA.

This proved to be the 119B1 series, which used all new software. This proved a workable vehicle, up until the time that a Boomgun was fired near it, or another loud explosive detonation. At which time the armor would shatter and fall off the vehicle in small (palm sized) pieces, leaving a bare frame, the wiring harness, the engine, and fuel system. Lansing Motors was fined 125 MILLION credits, and had to replace the vehicle at their own expense. Failure to do so would have lost Lansing Motors several other lucrative contracts, and the 119B2 hit the CS Army in Fall Quarter, 94PA.

This time the vehicle has proven to be a solid and dependable workhorse, and CS troops have largely forgotten the vehicles struggling past.

[taalismn]

Yehhhhhh!!!!!


More fun for people running campaigns around the CS!

[abtex]

Oh Thank you, other Master poster of this forum.

[T-Willard]

Coalition States "Burb-Sec" CS-4221 "Dogpound"

Burb-Sec is responsible for the police effort of the burbs and small CS towns, which means that in many places they are policing an area of hundreds of thousands or even (in the case of the Chi-Town Burbs) 2.5 million.people, with a rough violent crime rate of 2.6% per capita. That doesn't sound like much, until you realize that over 70% of the offenders are repeat or serial offenders. This means dozens or hundreds arrests a day, including "sweeps" that can pick up a few or up to two dozen law-breakers at the same time. When more than what can fit in the standard 'Burb patrol car or dangerous criminals are arrested, they call in a "Dogpound" vehicle. The Dogpound has been in service since 57 PA, and was one of the feared vehicles during the Federation of Magic War, as it was often used to transport EPOW's, as well as transporting arrested mages in the years up to the war. Because of this there are multiple versions of this vehicle. The newer ones are closer to the Chi-Town Burbs, but there's multiple versions within Chi-Town Burbs themselves. For everything from arresting normal people, to mutants, to psions, to practictioners of magic.

The initial design of the Dogpound was brainstormed by the Urban Pacification Research Projects Agency (established in 54 PA) and took almost three years of design and testing as well as awarding the contracts for the manufacture of the vehicle.The designer examined detailed records of prisoner transport vehicles, everything from Pre-Cataclysm movies to detailed vehicle manufacturing specifications. The Great Library of Chi-Town was part recovered books, micro-films, video recordings, and computer files, the rest was from what is suspected to be a "Continuity of Government Deep Storage Locker", containing everything from every book ever written (The Google Project) to building and vehicle schematics as well as detailed manufacturing plans and every scrap of knowledge that a recovering civilization would need. This added a lot of technical details to the project, like Pre-Cataclysm police vehicles from all over the world. Unfortunately for the research, one of the popular items for Role Playing and Computer games were technical schematics of fictional vehicles. This set the project back months as they tried to find hard research on anti-gravity and vectored thrust units used in those schematics.

In 57 PA the CS-4221 rolled off the assembly line in one of the fabrication plants in Sub-Level 3 of Chi-Town. By Summer Quarter 57 the first hundred were delivered to Net-Sec and Burb-Sec. Thirty of each design (low, medium, high security) as well as ten "Law Enforcement Coordination" vehicles. Problems immediately cropped up that had not come up during field trials the previous year. First of all the light security vehicle had a problem with the door hinges being made from substandard materials. A hit that did more than a light impact would shatter the door hinges, causing the doors to fall off. Additionally the normal vibration of the vehicle's engine would cause metal fatigue in the vehicle's hinges, meaning it was not uncommon for the doors to just plain fall off by Fall Quarter 57. This was usually fixed at unit level. The medium security version had a small problem with the radio mounting, which caused electrical shock to anyone who touched the antenna while the vehicle was transmitting. This wasn't noticed at first, until it became a game with Burb kids to hang small gang or school flags on the antenna. After a series of electrical deaths, and additional grounding post was added and while the original antenna was left in place, the actual antenna was moved to the roof of the vehicle. This caused problems with the Net-Sec uplink disrupting, causing problems with high-bandwidth transmissions. This problem was not fixed until 62PA. The Heavy Security model proved to have multiple problems. Starting with the sheer weight. While in testing this proved no problem, the sheer inertia became a problem in the tight streets of the more dense burbs, as those streets were often covered in trash, debris, and fluids that prevented the front wheel from gaining traction. This resulted in repeated crashes until Burb-Sec rated that the vehicle travel no more than 10 miles an hour within certain areas. After all, it was not a pursuit vehicle, but a prisoner transport vehicle. This problem was finally repaired in 68 PA when the vehicle moved from synthetic rubber to spun carbon "mesh" wheels that actually had superior gripping.

In 70 PA the new CS-4221A rolled off the manufacturing line, and were slowly distributed out in a rolling deployment with Chi-Town at the center and receiving the first units. Problems again cropped up, despite the heavy field testing done from 68-70 PA. This was the fault of several different companies. First fault was with the software the vehicle used to help track the vehicle, bring up facial recognition software, as well as countermeasures against various threats. This software was supposed to be legacy compatible, but turned out to use the wrong file headers for requests, resulting in hundreds of false arrests as well as bad call ins. This resulted in the vehicles maintenance sections loading up the old software, however this disabled the inertia mapping system as well as no longer interfacing with the Net-Sec and Burb-Sec officer's armor. The second fault was in the manufacture of the power exchange module for the rear axle, simply put the ring gear in the automatic transmission suffered failures due to substandard parts being used. Unfortunately, nobody also realized that the wear on the ring gear had also contaminated the transmission fluid by creating crystallization in the fluid, destroying the fluid transfer system and the filters. Since the company that made the transmission had gone bankrupt due to embezzlement (That person also arranged for substandard parts) a new transmission had to be designed. This one turned out to have a problem with the transmission cooling system, which was necessary for the medium and heavy transports. Another problem that cropped up was engine overheating, which most mechanics fixed by cutting out two of the filters from the system, which moved the fluid flush and replacement from every 600 hours of use to only every 200 hours of use, but most mechanics flushed and replaced the coolant every week. Failure to do this caused the system to suffer crystallization as well as "fluid fatigue" where the fluid dissipated less and less heat. It was discovered that about the 400-500 hour mark the engine and transmission would heat up enough to cause them to catch fire. Compounding this were a poorly designed set of temperature sensors which were located in the transmission in a place where the fluid would "pool" next to once of the heat exchangers. This problem was rectified in 72 PA by Net-Sec and Burb-Sec gaining permission from the military to utilize SAMAS organic super-lubricant. This organic super-lubricant required not only feeding every six days, but also required "draining" by luring a section of it away before the transmission became over-full and the superlubricant attempted to escape. It was not able to survive outside of high precision, high pressure, high heat environments for long.

The Light Security Vehicle was discovered to have a rather terrible problem in 74 PA that led to most units dismantling the vehicle and having it destroyed via high intensity plasma ovens normally used to destroy old Pre-Cataclysm chemical weaponry. The memory metal used in the frame construction to allow the vehicle to be somewhat flexible, as well as the memory metal in the spun wire tires, had been bought from a third party in Nebraska, who had procured the metal and the manufacturing technique from a Pre-Rifts "metallurgical study laboratory" without quite understanding what they actually dealing with. The metal was part of the NEMA Space Program, designed for Mars missions, where resupply would be extremely rare and far between. The company did not quite understand that the "vats of molten metal" were actually advanced nano-forges, that simply required some basic materials (carbon, silicon, iron, and other metals) in order to produce the memory metal. The metal was perfect for the "flexible unibody" that the vehicle was built around, and it took several years for the first major problems to be noticed. The first warning signs were not recognized as such, when mechanics reported what appeared to be "sweating" along frame components, as well as "beading" along major welds in the internal structure. Later "jagged spurs" were noticed along the major structural elements, most of the extremely thick ones. Mechanics began discovering what appeared to be "alloy migration" onto other parts, with an anomaly noticed that on hinges or other moving parts the alloy seemed to adhere to the design. In 72 PA a curious mechanic unbolted a hinge, then cut into the hinge and bolts with first a plasma cutter, then a laser cutter, and finally resorting to a physical "band-saw" precision cutting instrument. This showed the following things:

The metal was far above specs for temperature resistance and transmission. It acted as a thermal non-conducting material until a certain threshold was reached, and then within 0.004 seconds became the same temperature across the entire object, usually dropping the temperature of the material significantly. Once the material reached approximately 4,000 C instead of melting the metal began subliming, turning into vapor. This cooled it again through "perspiration". The metal remained in vapor form until it cooled at roughly 88 F, where it became a fibrous metal of micro-hair thin strands.

The metal had replaced the material it had at first appearance "coated", leaving no trace of the original material behind in the case of smaller components or components closer to the frame. To thicker components or components farther from the frame, it appeared to have made inroads among the material's natural lattice. The inner "edges" were "Fuzzy looking, almost like felt or tiny strings" which was where the metal was infiltrating the other material.

The metal had taken on the "properties" of the material it had infiltrated or replaced, replicating it's flexibility, hardness, tensile strength, and other qualities. Bolts did not show thread wear, apparently the metallic substance replicated the physical function. Later investigation proved that "bolts" had been "loaded" into the metals "memory".

More might have happened, but an hour after the investigation happened the mechanic suffered a sudden "heart attack" and died. Autopsy showed metallic "fibers" in his heart, pancreas, liver, brain-stem, spinal cord, kidneys, and lungs. It was later determined that the metal had entered his bloodstream and then located specific organs. The metal then attempted to "replicate" the function, replacing nearly 8% of the tissue mass. However, the way the material attempted to replace the cellular structure was not discovered until it was far too late for many other.

The "metal" used was actually the nanite components of a sophisticated "task specific nano-forge" that was originally designed for space station and spacecraft structural and primary components. The metal would be used for the "core" of the component, and that way the "nano-forge core" would then replace the material and replicate the material's properties. As it had to be injected as a liquid into the hollow core, it was then "vibrated" to encourage "growth" in order to replace the part and keep it in top condition. This would help avoid wear, metal fatigue, and crystallization in highly complex or important parts. The metal was also supposed to "grow" into the other parts, allowing a replacement part to be made of the standard material, fitting into worn or broken parts, and the metal replace the part.

It was the vibration that caused the metal to begin propagating, along with exposure to ionizing radiation in the form of vehicle reactors. The radiation was the final factor, as many of the civilian and military vehicles in the CS at the time had low grade shielding. That combined with the damage to the Van Allen Belts resulted in higher radiation exposure, much like it was theorized that the surface of Mars would have (based on instrument readings, as well as base readings) at "solar storm" times.

The metal infiltrated everywhere, replacing everything from struts to filters to seals. Only the organic super-lubricant was not replicated (both of them were originally designed for the same program), but even then a lot of units kept quiet, assuming that the replication was part of the design of the vehicle. It was only when both prisoners and drivers/guards both began dying from the same thing as the mechanic had, as well as the metal migrating to armor filters, weaponry, and other parts. The frightening thing to the CS authorities was the fact that several individuals who were long term drivers or mechanics had organs replicated. Most of them died, but two were taken to Lone Star Labs for examination.

This caused the entire line to be scrapped, all of the light, medium, and heavy security vehicles. The program went back to the drawing board, while the CS military performed a surgical strike on the facility that "manufactured" the metal frame, completely destroying the factory and capturing the workers to be shipped back to Lone Star. The executives of the company were executed after a very showy trial, and the CS used the funds seized from the company in a PR move to pay off those who were killed or damaged by the metal.

In 80 PA the next line of vehicles came out, which have largely been unchanged, only minor changes to software, firmware, and armor.

Type: Police Prisoner Transport
Class: Medium Wheeled Vehicle
Crew: 1 driver, 1 gunner, up to 4 "support" officers
Prisoner Capacity: 12

MDC/Armor by Location:
Main Prisoner Hold: 240
Rear Doors: 20
Cab: 100
Side Doors: 40
Windshield: 20
Headlights: 5
Wheels: 30
Manacles: 30

Height: 8 feet
Width: 8 feet
Length: 22 feet
Weight: 12,500 lbs
Cargo: Rear area can hold 12 prisoners in a 24 cubic meter area. In an emergency, without manacles, up to 30 can be shoved inside.
Powerplant: Electric
Speed: 70 MPH
Systems of Note:
Standard Automobile Systems
Air Filtration and Conditioning
Roll Cage
Manacles in rear half
Net-Sec/Burb-Sec linked computer
Radio
Tear gas dispenser
"Hornet's Nest" strips. (These fire heavy rubber pellets designed to stun)

Weapons Systems: Usually a SAMAS railgun on the top, as well as a water-cannon with enough water for 2.5 minutes of spray

Options:

The medium security version has increased armor on the cab and prisoner area, uses canned air inside, as well as has a gas dispenser. There is also ultra/infra-sonic systems designed to stun and disorient passengers if needed.

The heavy security version has heavily upgraded armor on the cab and prisoner area, the same features as the medium version, and strobing lights in a wide variety of frequencies designed to disorient nearly every type of creature. The system has also been specially designed to cause seizures in captive Ley Line Walker and Psions. Any prisoners put in the vehicle are usually fully secured before being put inside.

(Sorry, I kind of felt I was running out of room)

[abtex]

I'm tempted to find and post the old write-ups I had for CS non-line vehicles. Stuff that replaces modern Hemmits, Humvees, MRATS, and all that. But I'll stick to the Armor and Weaponry Thread for right now.

What is MRATS? Search-fu on google is failing.

[T-Willard]

I'm tempted to find and post the old write-ups I had for CS non-line vehicles. Stuff that replaces modern Hemmits, Humvees, MRATS, and all that. But I'll stick to the Armor and Weaponry Thread for right now.

What is MRATS? Search-fu on google is failing.

Misspelling, it should be "MRAP" ala http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP

[taalismn]

Another great post, T-Willard, And it's a vehicle that just screams 'JAIL BREAK' for CS adventures.

[abtex]

I'm tempted to find and post the old write-ups I had for CS non-line vehicles. Stuff that replaces modern Hemmits, Humvees, MRATS, and all that. But I'll stick to the Armor and Weaponry Thread for right now.

What is MRATS? Search-fu on google is failing.

Misspelling, it should be "MRAP" ala http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRAP

Thanks.

Like the Dogpound, history on vehicle is great. Metal on light says like a fun thing to misuse on other items.

[taalismn]

Just goes to show that REALLY advanced ideas that look good on paper can go really wrong when implemented in the real world.

[T-Willard]

NG 309 'Fastjack' Aircar

Developed in 100 PA, the Fastjack was the 100PA year sports aircar released by Northern Gun for the CS Market. Using "Innovated vectored air thrust technology" which was made a big deal out of, considering it was a very careful purchase from both Triax and the CS involving older military vectored air thrust. The Fastjack bragged about it's micro-fission plant that used "low level fuel pellet injection" that used depleted fuel rods reconditioned from the pulled reactor rods aquired from Northern Gun repair and refit facilities. The Fastjack was capable of up to 340 mph, with a sustained flight time of up to 6 hours before needing to land and let the jets cool or drop to below 120 mph. During factory test the vehicle could operate for literal months at 120 mph or less.

The vehicle also offered the "wilderness model" as the "Fastjack Explorer" which the advertisement stressed the speed as it's primary survivability bonus. The wilderness model was highly popular, although the release of the Simmons Motors "Outland Explorer" later that year cornered the market with it's modular design making maintenance and modification easier. However, the Fastjack Explorer was discovered to have a problem with the capacitance gel, which had a tendency to overheat. This overheating caused the gel to rapidly drop in energy storage and transfer ability in a logarithmic dropoff rate. This was easily fixed by Northern Gun or outside mechanics (which were refunded by either store credit or credit upon proof of work) by adding a thin layer of standard 1/8 inch polycermic insulator plating.

The second problem came about with the onboard electronics. Factory straight there was no problem, but a lot of people did after factory modification. However the vectored air thrust, which created a lot of static electricity, had special grounding that was proprietary to the thrust system. The static was caused by the rear thrust fan bearing assembly and ring gear on the number five and six thrusters, both system had to use cassylinium alloy parts with twarlex minimum friction coating. While the friction was as close as the system could get without organic superlubricant, it did create a lot of static electricity, which the proprietary grounding system handled. Sadly, third party mechanics didn't understand that the grounding system was designed to handle massive surges in current that occured every 15-45 seconds when the engine had been running longer than two hours. Since the mechanics simply powered up the system to check the grounds, they found what they thought was a safety ground included "just in case", and attached electronics to it. This caused power surges to not only hit the third party products, but also rip through the entire system. This caused multiple crashes that it took investigators almost 10 wrecks to determine the cause of. For a brief period of time (5 weeks) sales dropped until it became common knowledge that the problem was having it serviced by non "NG Certified" mechanics.

A third problem was with the autopilot system. The maps loaded up were fine, the waypoint system worked great, and the autopilot meshed well with the standard CS burb and CS citystate traffic control. The problem occurred when some people attempted to override the alcohol/drug sensors do they could drive intoxicated. (This system was not present in the wilderness version) In order to overcome a problem with drivers being able to override emergency systems commands from the traffic control computers or the autopilot system (such as a forced landing due to equipment failure) the intoxication system was directly wired into the override system on the control yokes. Bypassing this disabled the overrides, which caused more than a few sudden crashes in emergency situations, most notably the November 100PA aircrash wreck when an overridden system, driven by an intoxicated CS official, slammed into an ambulance carrying Brigadeer General Rolanda Moseby, killing the entire crew of the ambulance, the CS official, and the General. However, the wreckage was then struck by the two SAMAS flying anti-terrorist cover (who were unable to react in time to the oncoming aircar moving at speeds in excess of 375 MPH) and then the armor's spiraled out of the control when the flight stabilization wings were damaged. SAMAS CS-130974 spiraled vertically and struck Glory Road Towers at the 62nd story, impacting the embedded elementary school. The pilot, who was dazed and concussed, managed to pull all sixteen children out of the blaze, but died of his injuries before he could be removed from the armor. The pilot was a relative of the Prosek family, a triple Ace, and the video of SAMAS 130974 going down on one knee and the red highlighting on the edging activating to show the pilot was critically injured is still shown. SAMAS CS-25112 spun in a controlled dive down to approximately 20 feet elevation when the right vectored thrust engine exploded, the suit spinning out of control, gaining altitude and slamming into the Circuit-7 mag-lev public transportation train, derailing it and killing 348 passengers. As the wreckage was examined by both Northern Gun inspectors and military Criminal Investigation Division and it was discovered that the system had been illegally modified. This resulted in all aircars being modified in such a way that any and all modification of the alcohol/drug perspiration detection system resulted in the vehicle "fusing" the molycircs.

Type: Fastjack Aircar
Class: Hovercar
Crew: 1 driver, 1 forward passenger bucket seats, rear bench seat

MDC/Armor by Location: (Second number is for the Wilderness Model)
Main Body: 45 / 125
Macroplast "bubble" Canopy: 5 / 25
Side Doors: 10 / 50
Headlights: 5 / 15
Hover Thrusters: 10 / 45

Height: 5 feet
Width: 6 feet
Length: 11 feet
Weight: 6,500 lbs
Cargo: Rear area can hold up to 2 cubic meters and 1.5 metric tons of equipment
Powerplant: Electric, the capacitor gel is fed by the nuclear reactor
Speed: 340 MPH (Mechanics have been able to bypass the governor [mechanical and firmware] and overcharge it to 410 mph)
Systems of Note:
Standard Automobile Systems
Radio
Autopilot
Inertial Mapping System
Alcohol/Drug Detector, perspiration based
Optional Leather Seats
Optional brass/gold trim
Air conditioner/filtration system

The Wilderness model comes packed with a "hardpoint" able to hold SAMS railguns or NG railguns. Also chemical/radiation detection system.

(Sorry for the short version, but I gotta take off for the night)

[taalismn]

Fantastic....and the bugs just add playable flavor.

[Aramanthus]

Nice new vehicles. I like seeing more CS material too.

[abtex]

T-Willard, so you know anything about U.S. Army's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter (CAAT)?

[Aramanthus]

Anything new? I am looking forward to seeing more.