Difference between revisions of "Combat Vehicle"

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[[File:Color-vehicle.png |200px|right]]
 
[[File:Color-vehicle.png |200px|right]]
 
==BattleMechs vs Combat Vehicles==
 
==BattleMechs vs Combat Vehicles==
In many cases, combat vehicles can be just as good if not better than their [[BattleMech]] counterparts.  Combat vehicles are structurally weaker and, for some designs, not as maneuverable as 'Mechs; a tracked vehicle for example cannot negotiate dense woodland or deep waterways as well as a 'Mech.  However they do use the same weapons, armor and technology as found on 'Mechs.  Though most are powered by an [[internal combustion engine]] and limited to ballistic or missile weaponry, this combined with their design allows them to shed waste heat more efficiently.  [[Power Amplifier]]s allow for ICE-equipped vehicles to use [[laser]]s and other energy weapons; other vehicles are built with their own [[fusion engine]]s, and are still cheaper to produce than 'Mechs.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield"</ref>
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In many cases, combat vehicles can be just as good if not better than their [[BattleMech]] counterparts.  Combat vehicles are structurally weaker and, for some designs, not as maneuverable as 'Mechs; a tracked vehicle for example cannot negotiate dense woodland or deep waterways as well as a 'Mech.  However they do use the same weapons, armor and technology as found on 'Mechs.  Though most are powered by an [[internal combustion engine]] and limited to ballistic or missile weaponry, this combined with their design allows them to shed waste heat more efficiently.  [[Power Amplifier]]s allow for ICE-equipped vehicles to use [[laser]]s and other energy weapons; other vehicles are built with their own [[fusion engine]]s, and are still cheaper to produce than 'Mechs.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.90-94, "The Mechanized Battlefield"</ref>
 
==Classification==
 
==Classification==
 
===By Weight===
 
===By Weight===
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VTOL craft use directional jets or rotors to achieve flight, allowing for high speeds and maneuverability over any terrain.  Their light weight however allows for limited armoring and their means of locomotion are particularly vulnerable to damage from weapons fire.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield", </ref>
 
VTOL craft use directional jets or rotors to achieve flight, allowing for high speeds and maneuverability over any terrain.  Their light weight however allows for limited armoring and their means of locomotion are particularly vulnerable to damage from weapons fire.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield", </ref>
 
====Wing in Ground Effect====
 
====Wing in Ground Effect====
WiGE craft are a cross between hovercraft and aircraft, utilizing an aerodynamic principle known as ground effect to achieve limited lift.  This allows them to achieve the same speed and maneuverability as hovercraft without the vulnerable skirt.  Vehicles of this type are mostly used for transportation purposes<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield", </ref>
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WiGE craft are a cross between hovercraft and aircraft, utilizing an aerodynamic principle known as ground effect to achieve limited lift.  This allows them to achieve the same speed and maneuverability as hovercraft without the vulnerable skirt.  Vehicles of this type are mostly used for transportation purposes.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield", </ref>
 
====Naval Vessels====
 
====Naval Vessels====
 
Naval craft are restricted entirely to water operations, and as such are rarely seen except on watery worlds.  When operating in this environment, though, they are easily able to outmaneuver 'Mechs whether operating underwater or on the surface.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield", </ref>
 
Naval craft are restricted entirely to water operations, and as such are rarely seen except on watery worlds.  When operating in this environment, though, they are easily able to outmaneuver 'Mechs whether operating underwater or on the surface.<ref name=TechManual>''Techmanual'', p.??{{cn}}, "The Mechanized Battlefield", </ref>

Revision as of 16:13, 12 May 2011


"Most armies use their BattleMech resources sparingly when they can, and so maintain forces of Combat Vehicles to serve in low-intensity conflicts and as auxiliaries to BattleMech units. Like BattleMechs, vehicles can be constructed as modular OmniVehicles. Vehicles are classified by weight in the same manner as BattleMechs, and also by type of locomotion."[1]

Color-vehicle.png

BattleMechs vs Combat Vehicles

In many cases, combat vehicles can be just as good if not better than their BattleMech counterparts. Combat vehicles are structurally weaker and, for some designs, not as maneuverable as 'Mechs; a tracked vehicle for example cannot negotiate dense woodland or deep waterways as well as a 'Mech. However they do use the same weapons, armor and technology as found on 'Mechs. Though most are powered by an internal combustion engine and limited to ballistic or missile weaponry, this combined with their design allows them to shed waste heat more efficiently. Power Amplifiers allow for ICE-equipped vehicles to use lasers and other energy weapons; other vehicles are built with their own fusion engines, and are still cheaper to produce than 'Mechs.[2]

Classification

By Weight

Light Vehicles

"Light vehicles have a maximum weight of 35 tons. Primarily used for reconnaissance, the light vehicle is almost exclusively designed for speed. Though tracked and wheeled light vehicles exist on the battlefield, hovercraft —with their greater speeds— dominate this weight class."[1]

Medium Vehicles

"Medium vehicles weigh from 36 to 55 tons. Used as skirmishers, medium vehicles are fielded by the various House militaries of the Inner Sphere to harass and pin down an enemy until heavier forces can be brought to bear."[1]

Heavy Vehicles

"Heavy vehicles range from 56 to 75 tons. Mirroring the medium ’Mech weight class, heavy vehicles are the workhorse vehicle of all Successor State armies. Packing a serious punch with armor to match, a heavy vehicle can stay in the fight longer than some medium ’Mechs."[1]

Assault Vehicles

"Assault vehicles weigh from 76 to 100 tons. Though they lack the mobility of their ’Mech counterparts, the sheer volume of firepower that an assault vehicle carries can be the downfall of even a heavy ’Mech if the MechWarrior piloting it fails to exercise caution."[1]

By Locomotion

Ground Vehicles

Hover

Hovercraft are among the fastest ground vehicles, attaining such high speeds by generating lift from powerful fans underneath a flexible skirt, creating a cushion of air it rides on. By nature a lightweight design, the skirt is also very susceptible to damage from weapons fire and natural hazards.[2]

Wheel

Wheeled vehicles achieve locomotion by military-grade wheels and transmission system, achieving a middle ground in terms of speed between hover and tracked vehicles. Despite their off-road capabilities, they are less able to handle difficult terrain than hover vehicles.[2]

Track

Tracked vehicles use loops of interlocking metal plates known as tracks. While not as fast as hover or wheeled vehicles, tracked vehicles have no weight cap, allowing them to mount the heaviest weapons and armor.[2]

Vertical Take-Off and Landing

VTOL craft use directional jets or rotors to achieve flight, allowing for high speeds and maneuverability over any terrain. Their light weight however allows for limited armoring and their means of locomotion are particularly vulnerable to damage from weapons fire.[2]

Wing in Ground Effect

WiGE craft are a cross between hovercraft and aircraft, utilizing an aerodynamic principle known as ground effect to achieve limited lift. This allows them to achieve the same speed and maneuverability as hovercraft without the vulnerable skirt. Vehicles of this type are mostly used for transportation purposes.[2]

Naval Vessels

Naval craft are restricted entirely to water operations, and as such are rarely seen except on watery worlds. When operating in this environment, though, they are easily able to outmaneuver 'Mechs whether operating underwater or on the surface.[2]

Notes

It should be noted, that Combat Vehicles are refer in parts as "Armor" forces in earlier publications and also used as name of regimental/battalion/company formations.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Total Warfare, pp. 22-23
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Techmanual, p.90-94, "The Mechanized Battlefield" Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TechManual" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TechManual" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TechManual" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TechManual" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TechManual" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "TechManual" defined multiple times with different content

Bibliography