and the Fluff
Hipparch II Hovertank
Mass: 30 tons
Movement Type: Hover
Powerplant: Nevermind 170 Special
Cruising Speed 108 kph
Maximum Speed 162 kph
Armor: Panzerslab Standard.
Manufactuer: Nevermind Industries
Primary Factory: Elysium
Targeting and Tracking: RadCom TXX
Communications: Datcom 18
Overview
Cited at the Agoge as “The failure that started a revolution in hovertank construction,†the EDF’s Hipparchs were born from the discovery of the surviving 90 examples in a vault under Mount Nevermind. Elysian love of fast looking, fast moving vehicles meant that the Hipparch was love at first sight for the armored corps. While almost none of the original tanks were in anywhere near serviceable condition they did inspire Nevermind engineers to kick the old classic up to modern standards.
Capabilites
The first thing that was changed with the Hipparch tank was the engine, replacing the 140 internal combustion engine with a lighter but more powerful Nevermind 170 Special. This increased the speed enough that if need be the vehicle could keep pace with a flying Raven helicopter.
The armament was easy to upgrade as well, with the medium laser upgraded to extended range in no time. More complex was the installation of two Multi Missile packs. Original designs called for the weapons to be mounted in the turret, but the existing turret assembly could not handle the mass. The second MML was then moved to the main hull of the vehicle just beneath the turret, allowing for enhanced frontal firepower with no loss of capability compared to the original tank.
The remaining tonnage was devoted to armor, nearly doubling the protection RWA crews had during the Reunification War. Despite this increase the hipparch has a dangerously exposed hoverskirt that makes it prone to being disabled by enemy fire.
Deployment
The Hipparch was an instant success, and is enjoyed among the more planet bound planetary militias as the choice reconnaissance and cavalry vehicle in their forces. The Lioness Combat Team maintains a platoon of these hovercraft as well. Front line Divisions have been slow to accept the vehicle, citing the multipurpose Raven Helicopter and Aerospace flyby as more reliable for intel gathering and cavalry actions.
Variants
In an effort to turn the vehicle into a true reconnaissance platform, the Marseilles PDF removes both MML systems, and ammunition to install a full electronics suite of C3, ECM, Active Probe and TAG. Each planetary Militia has further modified at least a pair of their Hipparchs to act as racing hovercraft, used during what was initially an underground race during pan Militia training exercises. Though the practice was initially shunned, High Command eventually released a series of official rules regarding how the various racers could be outfitted, including banned equipment. To date the Cardiff PDF has won 7 of the past 20 “Twisted Metal 500†races.
