Conclave class Grav Tank
Built on Selasia (world) for the Bright Conclave. These TL–12 Grav Tanks are designed to destroy enemy armor at extreme range. This design has struggled with conflicting requirements. To save cost, several features typically considered essential on Grav Tanks along the Distant Fringe were omitted as unnecessary. Defensive prismatic aerosols and laser sensors, avionics, and ECM gear were not included. The idea was to use thick layers of radically sloped superdense armor to render the vehicle immune to TAC missile warheads. The turret is radically sloped on all faces and boasts impressive armor ratings, however the chassis required a complete redesign when it was found that the vehicle couldn't lift all that mass. The newer chassis resulted in much lighter armor. The VRF Gauss gun, intended to suppress enemy infantry, was then upgraded with extremely expensive point defense fire control to defend against missile hits. This lead several tank commanders to insist on prepared hull down fighting positions to maximize the turret's strength and minimize the hull's weakness. This resulted in an increased need for supporting combat engineering assets in the armored formations. The extremely fast tanks have an over sized power plant, thought necessary to preserve speed with the massive input of the pulse laser. However, static, defensive deployment in fixed fighting positions denied the use of the vehicle's high speed abilities.
| Conclave class Grav Tank | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Tech Level | TL–12 |
| Mass | 4 tons |
| Cost | Cr6,463,011.9 |
| Mode | Flight (Grav) |
| Type | Light Tank |
| Speed | maximum 2,035kph cruise 1,526.25kph NOE 40kph |
| Cargo | none |
| Crew | 3 Driver, Gunner, Commander |
| Passengers | 0 |
| Armament | (Turret) VRF Gauss Gun (Turret) Single Lens Pulse Laser 20x TAC missiles |
Bright Conclave Grav Tank, TL 12[edit]
The vehicle has a crew of three (driver, gunner and commander) and it mounts a VRF Gauss gun and a single lens pulse laser in a fully stabilized rotating turret on the chassis deck. The vehicle utilizes CLAWS (complete, long axis, weapon systems), the laser emitters are integrated to carry out multiple roles simultaneously. They function as a weapon, target designator, communication suite, and sensor array. The cramped hull has no cargo space, and a very small fuel tank which limits range and operational endurance. The sensors and communications are considered good with excellent range which permits satellite uplinks while on the move. The design relies on its ability to score lethal hits at extreme 18km range, but it must pop up from NOE flight in order to use its high speed to escape, this can expose it to return fire. The extremely powerful and efficient laser was selected over fusion weapons for this ability to penetrate armor at range. The TAC missiles allow it to engage light and fast vehicles at a distance thanks to the 100km range of its sensors.
Chassis and Turret:[edit]
- Height: 1m (+1 m turret); Width: 5m; Length: 10m.
- Total usable volume: 56m³
- Total mass loaded: 286 metric tons
- Armor: Chassis front: 57; Chassis sides 48, rear, belly and deck: 40.
- Armor: Turret front 74; turret sides 60; turret rear 57.
- Target Size DMs: +2 low, +1 high
- Production Cost: Cr6,463,011.9
Movement:[edit]
Onboard gravitic generators produce a maximum of 2.93 G's thrust, but can only manage 1.497 G's once the laser is powered up. The Grav Tank has two different modes: Weapons Powered and Weapons Off. A serious design oversight is the complete lack of any flight avionics which cripple its NOE speeds either mode.
- Speed:
- Weapons Powered mode: Maximum: 585kph / 487.5cm; Cruise: 438.75kph / 365.625cm, NOE: 40kph/33cm.
- Weapons Off mode: Maximum: 2,035kph/ 1,695.83cm; Cruise: 1,526.25kph/ 1,271.875cm, NOE: 40kph/33cm.
- Movement effect on fire: None
Weapons:[edit]
Full weapons stabilization.
Dorsal Turret[edit]
Primary Weapons The Grav Tank mounts a 41.167 megawatt output, single lens pulse UV laser with storage batteries, and TL–12 direct fire control. It can engage a single target and is generally spotted when it fires (+11 signature).
| Effective Range | Long Range | Extreme Range |
| 4.5km (71) | 9km (71) | 18km (71) |
This laser can also be used to designate targets in a low power mode, for artillery rounds and some of the TAC missiles carried externally on the turret.
Coaxial Mount The dorsal turret mounts a VRF Gauss Gun with extremely expensive TL–12 point defense fire control which rolls 10d6 versus indirect fire.
| Effective Range | Long Range | Extreme Range |
| 1500 m (21)+8 | 3000 m (19)+6 | 4500 m (17)+3 |
The main VRF Gauss Gun has storage for 60,000 rounds, enough to allow 46 fire phases of sustained fire. It can engage 16 targets in 15 seconds and has a +4 signature.
TAC Missile Systems
The Grav Tank has twenty tactical missile launch rails in weapons pods on the sides of the turret. The 15.50475kg missiles are armed with a light 9cm HEAP (High Explosive Armor Piercing) warhead capable of penetration 42 on hard steel armor. The IR Follow-up missiles add +8 to the penetration. The missiles are available in long range and hyper velocity interceptor variants.
| Type | Range | Price |
| Homing | 37.8km or 27.8km +10 DM | Cr320 |
| Target Designated | 37.8km or 27.8km +10 DM | Cr220 |
| IR Follow-up | 37.8km or 27.8km +10 DM | Cr420 |
The launch system is provided with no onboard reloads. (5) IR Follow-up missiles, (10) Homing and (5) Target designated are included in the price.
Power / Equipment[edit]
- Power: 84 megawatt fusion power plant
- consumes 126 liters of fuel/ hour; fuel capacity 343.809 liters, enough for 2.7 hours.
- Sealed environment with extended life support for 3 (proof against CBR/NBC threats);
- 100 Power target acquisition LADAR;
- Battle computer and map box;
- Image enhancement and thermal image for vision blocks and night operations;
- 5,000km range radio, 1,000km range laser communication system.
Maintenance[edit]
Vehicle: 5
Weapons: 82
Electronics: 77
References & Contributors / Sources[edit]
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis), Captain, and Lead Naval Architect Ronald B. Kline, Jr. of the Imperial Navy
- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master Scout Emeritus Adie Alegoric Stewart of the IISS