Bellania
15-07-2005, 04:38
Seeing the market for a versatile and lightweight MBT, the Republic of Bellania entered into negotiations with several companies for production. The results were fascinating. The Central Foundry, which supplies lightweight ceramic body armor to Bellania’s police forces, developed a new ceramic KE armor module. Capable of withstanding a direct RPG blast as well as medium cannon fire, it weighs in at an astounding 85 lb/sq ft. Unfortunately, when faced with calibers of 105 mm or greater, effectiveness declines.
In a simultaneous breakthrough, Bellanian Electronics stumbled across a combination of transition metals and carbon nanotubes with the unique ability to dissipate the forces associated with HEAT rounds through electromagnetic fields. When coupled with a conventional forward ceramic precursor, it makes a formidable armored module. However, two weaknesses arise. First, recharging the internal layer requires a large amount of power. This can strain smaller engines, and larger ones struggle while moving and taking multiple hits. A second problem arises with, once again, high caliber KE rounds.
Designing a passive armor system to protect against high-caliber KE rounds while maintaining low weight is impossible given Bellania’s current technology level. Thankfully, an alternative presented itself through the synergy of two companies. Henessy Construction developed an explosive fragmentary grenade capable of diverting KE rounds. A halo of high-velocity fragments appear in front of the encroaching projectile. However, detecting a projectile fired at that speed is a daunting task. Approached by Henessy, Ingitech developed the fastest processor in its history. When combined with an advanced vehicle radar, the Guardian Angel system was born. If a top-down radar (such as that employed by AWACS) can be adapted to locate enemy armor, the efficiency is greatly increased. The grenade is launched from the rear of the vehicle and can be substituted with a 60 mm mortar if desired.
The 307 “Killer Bee” was created. The moniker was chosen because the anti-HEAT layer buzzed when recharging. In order to justify the Killer name, a 120 mm conventional cannon was added to the package. Many MBT designs neglect to take the size of the sabots into account, forgetting that their 140 mm guns require sabots to fit them. Space for such massive rounds is limited on a tank, and 120 mm shells fit more economically. A conventional cannon was chosen over an ETC cannon due to concerns over weight as well as reliability issues.
A great advantage of the Killer Bee is the interchangeability of the armor modules. They can be layered in a manner tailored to the situation. As much or as little armor desired can be used. However, the more armor, the more weight, the more power that is required. In addition, a heavier engine must be used to charge the electromagnetic armor, as well as special modifications and mounting brackets. Larger engines mean decreased range and mobility. As a consequence, three engines rated at 1,200 HP, 1,500 HP, and 1,800 HP are offered.
Additional features include the ability to carry up to 6 soldiers in a rear-loaded compartment. This is ideal for loading injured soldiers as well. The crew compartment is air-conditioned and maintains positive pressure to protect against WMDs.
Engine 1,200 HP 1,500 HP 1,800 HP
Weight (kg) with standard armor package 52,000 59,000 62,000
Length 8.78 m 8.78 m 8.78 m
Width 3.7 m 3.7 m 3.7 m
Height 9'6" 9'6" 9'6"
Forward speed 50 kph 55 kph 62 kph
Vertical obstacle climb 1 m 1 m 1 m
Maximum width ditch 3.5 m 3.5 m 3.2 m
Fording Depth 1.4 m 1.4 m 1.4 m
Main Gun 120mm smooth-bore cannon
Coaxial machinegun 7.62mm 7.62mm 7.62mm
Anti-personnel machinegun 2 x 7.62mm
Commander's machinegun 12.7 mm 12.7 mm 12.7 mm
Range 550 Km 500 Km 425 Km
Price (US$) $1.4 million $1.75 million $2 million
The tanks can be fitted with any of the types of modular armor. However, the two specialized armor types are novel, and as such can only be produced in Bellania. Purchase of production rights is $10 million for each.
Production rights for the GA system are not for sale; rights to the fragmentary grenades they fire are available for $3 million. Should your nation require entire replacement GA units, they will be provided free of charge. (We doubt they will, since the destruction of the units usually means the rest of the tank has been eliminated.)
In a simultaneous breakthrough, Bellanian Electronics stumbled across a combination of transition metals and carbon nanotubes with the unique ability to dissipate the forces associated with HEAT rounds through electromagnetic fields. When coupled with a conventional forward ceramic precursor, it makes a formidable armored module. However, two weaknesses arise. First, recharging the internal layer requires a large amount of power. This can strain smaller engines, and larger ones struggle while moving and taking multiple hits. A second problem arises with, once again, high caliber KE rounds.
Designing a passive armor system to protect against high-caliber KE rounds while maintaining low weight is impossible given Bellania’s current technology level. Thankfully, an alternative presented itself through the synergy of two companies. Henessy Construction developed an explosive fragmentary grenade capable of diverting KE rounds. A halo of high-velocity fragments appear in front of the encroaching projectile. However, detecting a projectile fired at that speed is a daunting task. Approached by Henessy, Ingitech developed the fastest processor in its history. When combined with an advanced vehicle radar, the Guardian Angel system was born. If a top-down radar (such as that employed by AWACS) can be adapted to locate enemy armor, the efficiency is greatly increased. The grenade is launched from the rear of the vehicle and can be substituted with a 60 mm mortar if desired.
The 307 “Killer Bee” was created. The moniker was chosen because the anti-HEAT layer buzzed when recharging. In order to justify the Killer name, a 120 mm conventional cannon was added to the package. Many MBT designs neglect to take the size of the sabots into account, forgetting that their 140 mm guns require sabots to fit them. Space for such massive rounds is limited on a tank, and 120 mm shells fit more economically. A conventional cannon was chosen over an ETC cannon due to concerns over weight as well as reliability issues.
A great advantage of the Killer Bee is the interchangeability of the armor modules. They can be layered in a manner tailored to the situation. As much or as little armor desired can be used. However, the more armor, the more weight, the more power that is required. In addition, a heavier engine must be used to charge the electromagnetic armor, as well as special modifications and mounting brackets. Larger engines mean decreased range and mobility. As a consequence, three engines rated at 1,200 HP, 1,500 HP, and 1,800 HP are offered.
Additional features include the ability to carry up to 6 soldiers in a rear-loaded compartment. This is ideal for loading injured soldiers as well. The crew compartment is air-conditioned and maintains positive pressure to protect against WMDs.
Engine 1,200 HP 1,500 HP 1,800 HP
Weight (kg) with standard armor package 52,000 59,000 62,000
Length 8.78 m 8.78 m 8.78 m
Width 3.7 m 3.7 m 3.7 m
Height 9'6" 9'6" 9'6"
Forward speed 50 kph 55 kph 62 kph
Vertical obstacle climb 1 m 1 m 1 m
Maximum width ditch 3.5 m 3.5 m 3.2 m
Fording Depth 1.4 m 1.4 m 1.4 m
Main Gun 120mm smooth-bore cannon
Coaxial machinegun 7.62mm 7.62mm 7.62mm
Anti-personnel machinegun 2 x 7.62mm
Commander's machinegun 12.7 mm 12.7 mm 12.7 mm
Range 550 Km 500 Km 425 Km
Price (US$) $1.4 million $1.75 million $2 million
The tanks can be fitted with any of the types of modular armor. However, the two specialized armor types are novel, and as such can only be produced in Bellania. Purchase of production rights is $10 million for each.
Production rights for the GA system are not for sale; rights to the fragmentary grenades they fire are available for $3 million. Should your nation require entire replacement GA units, they will be provided free of charge. (We doubt they will, since the destruction of the units usually means the rest of the tank has been eliminated.)