NationStates Jolt Archive


M135 Leopard Wheeled Tank (FOR SALE!)

Epsilon Halo
23-11-2007, 20:39
10:19, October 4th, 2142:

The first Leopard rolled out of an Epsilon Halo factory. It was promptly fueled and driven to the testing field, Neuman Weapons Resarch Center. There, it was tested against the shell of a retired M5N Juggernaut. The old tank was then vaporized in front of spectators and military critics from the EH Army, EH Marines, and EH Militia.

It was the first new tank in 34 years, ever since the Morning Star VI entered service for the underfunded military.

After some testing, specifications were released to the general public.

Name: M135 Leopard
Height: 14 feet
Length: 28 feet
Width: 14 feet
Weight: 21 tons
Chassis: 6-wheeled, cross between Stryker, M1A1, and Tokarev T34
Manufacturer: Consolidated Armament
Armor: 20 inches of composite deflector shield withstanding up to 15 seconds of continuous 900-volt laser exposure
Armament: Integrated weapons system on turret consisting of
1x 135mm Pounder main cannon
2x 35 mm AA cannon
1x .50 machine gun
Engine: 1 2000-hp Consolidated Aircraft turbofan engine
Speed: up to 53 mph for 300 miles
Crew: 5
Unit price: 6.5 million USD (1 million Epsilonic $)



Also, the Joint Forces Committee has decided to make it an internationally available product.

9:45, January 9th, 2143

The military has agreed to buy 1500 M135 Leopards, scheduled for July of that year.
Mon Kye En
23-11-2007, 23:23
OoC: Given size, armament, and armor... its seems very light.

6' taller and 2' wider than the M1A2.
Larger gun than the M1A2.
500 more hp than the M1A2.
1 more crew member than the M1A2.
Armor is unspecified (900 volt what about the amps? What is needed is a specified output of the laser in joules or watts) but appears to try to be good protection (20" is thick... but it depends on locations)
Cost... its 2142 so this is rather hard to judge.

Should it not be much heavier if only to make it a more stable gun platform?
Michaelosia
23-11-2007, 23:39
(OOC: What's with all the wheeled tanks coming out recently? Wheels are a liability on most battlefields, and represent only a minimal advantage (speed) on the others, in my opinion. Not only do wheels become a huge logistical burden, they get bogged down in sand like no other. Stick with tracks please = \)
Jeuna
24-11-2007, 00:19
[ They aren't bad to ship and replace, but please, for sanity's sake, Stryker gtfo. ]
Epsilon Halo
08-12-2007, 03:59
Yeah... that was before I got to the present... 2142 is a bad time to start...
Zepplin Manufacturers
08-12-2007, 05:00
To the draftroom (http://z13.invisionfree.com/The_NS_Draftroom/index.php?act=idx) with you and this wheeled thing.