Post by Rose on Apr 30, 2007 21:17:31 GMT -5
Clone Turbo Tank
Basic Information -
Size: 49.4 meters long; 30.4 meters tall (with mast)
Manufacturer: Kuat Drive Yards
Type: Heavy Assault Vehicle
Weapon: Heavy Laser Cannon Turret; Rapid Repeating Laser Cannon, 2 Medium Laser Cannons; 2 Twin Blaster Cannons; 2 Rocket/Grenade Launchers
Affiliation: Galactic Republic; Clone Trooper; Galactic Empire
One of the most enormous Republic military vehicles introduced during the Clone Wars, the turbo tank is a ten-wheeled titan bristling with weapons and covered in thick armor. With a blocky design and seemingly simplistic engineering, the turbo tank epitomizes unstoppable brute force tactics favored by the clone troopers. Carried and deployed by Republic attack cruisers, the turbo tanks roll through any opposition, crushing obstacles in its path. Its varied laser turrets and missile ports can fire in all directions. The tank has two cockpits -- one at the front and one at the rear -- operated by tandem crews, allowing it to roll forward or backwards without the need to turn. Built by Kuat Drive Yards and not it secretive subsidiary Rothana Heavy Engineering, the turbo tank was an experiment of sorts by the Republic in the hopes of better distributing military resources to its scattered worlds. As the Clone Wars quickly spread across the galaxy, KDY spearheaded the program of developing the vehicle with little government supervision, and used its distribution network to deliver the vehicle to allied planetary governments. This allowed the Republic to better equip and defend distant worlds from the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Naturally, there were some exploitable gaps in the distribution chain that led to turbo tanks falling into the hands of the enemy and criminal elements. Affectionately nicknamed the "rolling slab" for its cumbersome, hulking profile, the HAVw A6 heavy assault vehicle is more commonly known as a Juggernaut. On ground, it can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour on even surfaces.
The 10-wheel propulsion system may seem primitive, but it does have its advantages. The direct ground contact protects the Juggernaut from electromagnetic attacks and shield discharges. Each wheel consists of three independently spinning segments that lets the Juggernaut cover most types of inhospitable terrain. Huge bump flexors provide the turbo tank with impressive suspension over uneven ground, but the lack of traction and independent drive units can leave the Juggernaut stranded if it does not have enough momentum to overcome unstable and shifting terrain types. Though it has a tight turn radius, the Juggernaut is agonizingly slow to turn, which is why it was designed with twin cockpits. The biggest drawback to the Juggernaut is its difficult control systems. As both cockpits can control the steering systems, pilots in either station need to coordinate to keep the wheels from locking into contradictory positions. First-generation Juggernauts require a crew of 12, excluding gunners, though automation retrofitted into later models reduced the number of crew to just two -- one for each cockpit. The cavernous interior can fit anywhere from 50 to 300 clone troopers, depending on cabin configuration and vehicle function. From the Juggernaut's back extends a tall retractable sensor mast, in which sits a lone spotter and sensor operator. This mast provides a 360-degree field of view, feeding vital battlefield data to the tank commanders. Unfortunately, the mast is also extremely visible, and a favored target of enemy forces. After the Clone Wars, sleeker more versatile ground assault vehicles were introduced into the armored ranks of the Imperial Army. The Juggernaut was phased out, and saw action primarily in Outer Rim campaigns. Later generation AT-AT walkers incorporated some designs elements from the older turbo tanks.