OBT Forum

Well done JP!

Congrats, JP.  On the Nike, I blame SAW.  LOL  It let me put the LPL in the turret and didn't alert me to the fact that it was too much weight for the 0.5 ton turret . . . oh, well.

MA

Okay folks, just finished the write up of the winning Tanit which is the lightest OmniVehicle in TRO 3054: Quicksilver Trials. I did modify it somewhat including large parts of masterarminas nike (also based on the J Edgar), my own events for Clarion Call, as well as some other things from our contest. Hope you enjoy it and as always tell me what you think!

TANIT HOVER OMNI TANK

Mass: 25 tons
Motive Type: Hovercraft OmniVehicle
Power Plant: 120 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 108 kph
Flanking Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Compound JX2 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 8 tons pod space available (maximum of 5 tons in turret)
Manufacturer: OmniVehicle Y2 Facility
Primary Factory: York
Communications System: Consolidated Type M
Targeting and Tracking System: Consolidated Type V TTS

OVERVIEW
As the pressure for an invasion of the InnerSphere began to build the Blood Spirits sought to augment their forces. Since the Shamash had been a roaring success many felt a companion vehicle which could serve as an escort providing heavier longer ranged support would be a superb addition to the Touman. Looking to the J Edgar, a ubiquitous light hover tank from the SLDF, the Spirits went to work. Scientists dubbed their design the Tanit after the Patron Goddess of Carthage as a symbol of the Clan’s resolve in the face of adversity. Obstacles like the declining level of availability for its Leenex 145 power plant and the Clan’s notoriously poor finances led to the project lingering in research and development for decades.
   The Quicksilver Program jolted the nimble hovercraft off the drawing board and into prototype testing quickly. Despite the addition of all new modular parts and the replacement of the original fusion reactor with a smaller more accessible engine prior to the Thirty First Quicksilver Trial the Spirits persevered. Nearly a binary was ready for technical demonstration thanks to their Techs expertise in placing the components on almost any platform imaginable. Early tests intrigued Wolf Khan Natasha Kerensky who was strongly advocating another J Edgar OmniTank for her Touman. Hedging her bets, the legendary Black Widow began making overtures to the Blood Spirits. Many were still leery of such advances especially because of Star Adder involvement with the venture.
The Spirits were idealists who had clashed with the pragmatic Adders even before that Clan’s close association with the hated Burrocks. Kerensky overcame these reservations by sending Star Captain Sumner Johns of the 3rd Battle Cluster to conduct negotiations. The Blood Spirits were clearly impressed by their former comrade who had fought in numerous battles during Operation Revival. Offering to supply the bulk of the 120 Fusion Engines needed for early full scale production from Wolf stockpiles built throughout the invasion was the clincher. A perfunctory trial returned Johns to his Clan and ultimately cemented the deal. The Spirits sealed a new alliance with the Wolves soon after by naming him ilChi to that Clan.

CAPABILITIES
The first Tanit’s were constructed with parts borrowed from the Shamash and engines ripped from ancient BattleMechs and conventional vehicles no one would miss. Initial examples of the 120 Fusion Engine were found cached away on undervalued Flea, Stinger, and Wasp ‘Mechs. More recently the Wolf Clan has furnished salvaged units taken in the InnerSphere to supply the Hovertank’s power till new models also being manufactured for the Claybeg are in production. Like it’s engine, the armor was also downgraded so as to allow the new vehicle to carry payloads consisting of the Spirits most common weaponry. Despite the expense, Compound JX2 Ferro-Fibrous was used on the new design, using the same molds as it's cousins, creating an odd visual hybrid of the Shamash and J Edgar.
   Technical assistance provided by other Clans produced a final set of weapon configurations for the Tanit after its Quicksilver victory. The primary arrangement of a single Extended Range Medium Laser, two Streak SRM-4s, and two Machine Guns is essentially an upgraded version of the original J Edgar. Effective against vehicles and light ‘Mechs this version has become the main stay of Spirit OmniTank forces. Alternate Configuration A with its ER Large Laser connected directly to a Targeting Computer is a highly accurate long range sniper. Two additional Heat Sinks help dissipate the massive heat bloom generated by its main gun while an ECM insures advanced targeting gear functions at all times. Configuration B is a distant fire support platform armed with four LRM-5s while two Anti-Missile Systems defend against any incoming missile.
This “support variant” is perhaps the most unpopular due to its ancillary role which many warriors disdain. Alternate Configuration C again draws on the J Edgar for inspiration upgrading its arsenal with superior anti-infantry weaponry. A Medium Pulse Laser and two SRM-6s provide superior firepower especially against common troopers. Two Anti-Personnel Pods mounted front and back also help versus these foot soldiers. Configuration D is a close range reconnaissance combatant which appeals to many Clan warriors. Six Extended Range Small Lasers resemble the Shamash’s armament which is augmented by Targeting Acquisition Gear allowing the Tanit to serve as an artillery spotter. Additionally, an Active Probe and ECM Suite give this variant exceptional scouting capability.
 
DEPLOYMENT
Defeating eight competitors including the heavier Morrigu put forward by the Ice Hellions the Tanit was quickly introduced into the Blood Spirit Touman. As it was a front line OmniTank it never became the companion of the Shamash because of that vehicle’s conventional second line nature. Its two two-man crew consists of a driver (typically a civilian Technician caste) who sits in an isolated cockpit on the left-hand side of the chassis, while the turret (containing the Warrior who commands the vehicle and operates the weaponry) is placed on the right-hand side. Although this asymmetric configuration is unusual, the Tanit's control computers ensure that the Hovertank has a smooth ride despite the imbalance. Aside from the Spirits, the greatest number of Tanits have been produced by the Star Adders who activated several J Edgars seized from a Smoke Jaguar cache. That Clan also dedicated a secondary production facility on its homeworld of Sheridan to build additional units. Many have been sold to the Ice Hellions and Hell’s Horses who like the Blood Spirits are seeking to modularize their front line vehicular forces. Diamond Shark’s newly minted Delta Galaxy also fields a substantial amount of these Hover Omni Tanks. Star Adder and Wolf actually possess the least number of Tanits currently in service with the Clans. The Fire Mandrills are the only other Clan with access to the vehicle schematics but no Kindraa has indicated they will field it.

Type: Tanit Hover Omni Tank
Technology Base: Clan OmniVehicle
Movement Type: Hover
Tonnage: 25 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         2.5
Engine:            120               6
   Type:            Fusion
   Cruising MP:         10
   Flank MP:         15
Heat Sinks:            10               0
Control Equipment:                        1.5
Lift Equipment:                        2.5
Turret:                            .5
Armor Factor:            75               4

               Armor Value   
   Front             20
   Right/Left Side                15/15
   Rear            10
   Turret            15

Weapons and Ammo:      Location         Tonnage
   Primary Weapons Configuration
ER Medium Laser         Turret             1
Streak SRM-4          Turret            2
Streak SRM-4          Turret            2
Ammo (Streak SRM)          Body            2
2 Machine Guns          Front            .5
Ammo (Machine Gun) 100      Body            .5
Alternate Configuration A
ER Large Laser         Turret            4
Targeting Computer         Turret            1
ECM Suite            Body            1
2 Single Heat Sinks          Body            2
Alternate Configuration B
LRM-5            Turret            1
LRM-5            Turret            1
LRM-5            Turret            1
LRM-5            Turret            1
Anti-Missile System         Turret            .5
Anti-Missile System         Turret            .5
Ammo (LRM) 48         Body            2
Ammo (Anti-Missile) 24      Body            1
Alternate Configuration C
Medium Pulse Laser         Turret            2
SRM-6               Turret            1.5
SRM-6               Turret            1.5
Ammo (SRM) 30         Body            2
Anti-Personnel Pod         Front            .5
Anti-Personnel Pod         Rear            .5
Alternate Configuration D
ER Small Laser         Turret            .5
ER Small Laser         Turret            .5
ER Small Laser         Turret            .5
ER Small Laser         Turret            .5
ER Small Laser         Turret            .5
ER Small Laser         Turret            .5
TAG               Turret            1
2 Heat Sinks            Body            2
Active Probe            Body            1
ECM Suite            Body            1