Castor class APC
Built on Bezik (world) for internal security and counter insurgency missions. They are a derivative vehicle design developed for the newly formed Bezik Dragoon Guards Regiment. These TL–5 vehicles are envisioned to serve as the basis for a host of tracked support vehicles with several different functions. They are based on the chassis of the Trondag class Assault Guns but lack the turret. Their soft steel armor can not protect versus modern anti-tank munitions. They are the prime mover for the mechanized infantry in the regiment. These APCs carry lighter armor and a smaller, less powerful engine to safe space, weight and costs. This was necessary to make room for the eight man infantry squad they carry. As a result they are slower than some of their tracked brethren but are much cheaper and require less maintenance. The module passenger compartment can be swapped out with 16m³ of cargo, extra fuel, medical, mess or maintenance applications. They require extensive support infrastructure to keep them refueled and reloaded for sustained operations.
| Castor class APC | |
|---|---|
 Tracked Armored Personnel Carrier | |
| Tech Level | TL–5 |
| Mass | ~4.6 dtons |
| Cost | Cr76,180.625 |
| Mode | Tracked |
| Type | APC |
| Speed | Road 35kph Cross country 17.5kph |
| Cargo | None |
| Crew | 2 Driver, Gunner/Commander |
| Passengers | 8 |
| Armament | (Turret) MMG |
Castor class APC, TL 5[edit]
The vehicle has a crew of two (driver and the gunner/commander) and can carry a small infantry squad of eight dismounts. The MMG is mounted in a cupolas at the front of the chassis to the right of the driver who sits on the left side of the vehicle. The infantry exit down a ramp at the rear of the passenger compartment. The 5 power radio allows the units to remain in contact with higher echelons which improves coordination between units. The soft steel armor is slab sided and unsloped on the chassis. The armor is rated to stop small arms fire and artillery shell fragments. The vehicle's 16m³ suspension was only rated to 110tons, and the vehicle's mass precludes many bridges, and slows cross country speed to 50% of road speed. The vehicle is hampered by its low endurance and short operational range. Munition carrying tracks and refueling tankers must closely attend these thirsty behemoths. The vehicle is not sealed nor pressurized and has no ability to thwart CBR/NBC threats or cope with any hostile environments.
Chassis and Turret:[edit]
- Height: 2m; Width: 4m; Length: 8m.
- Total usable volume: 64m³
- Total mass loaded: 86.14 metric tons
- Armor: Soft Steel Chassis front, rear, sides, belly and deck: 16.
- Target Size DMs: +2 low, no high hits
- Production Cost: Cr76,180.625
Movement:[edit]
- Speed:
- Maximum Road: 35kph / 29cm; Cross Country: 17.5kph / 14cm.
- Movement effect on fire: move 1/2 or less -4 FFP, no fire EFP; move more than 1/2 no fire
Weapons:[edit]
No weapon stabilization.
Dorsal Cupolas[edit]
Medium Machine Gun[edit]
The medium machine gun can each engage 8 targets and has a +2 signature. There is storage for 6,400 rounds, enough for 80 fire phases. The direct fire characteristics are:
| Effective Range | Long Range | Extreme Range |
| 400m (3) +4 | 750m (2) +3 | 1,200m (2) +1 |
Power / Equipment[edit]
- Power: internal combustion engine 1.2 megawatt output
- consumes 1,080 liters of fuel/ hour; fuel capacity 6,870.5 liters, enough for 6.36 hours and a 222.6km range road march.
- Ground Pressure is 5.38375tons/m2, it doesn't get stuck in soft ground, mud, snow, or sand
- The power to weight ratio is 13.93081031
- 5 Power radio
- 8 smoke launchers
Maintenance[edit]
- Vehicle: 8
- Weapons: 0
- Suspension: 1
- Electronics: 1
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