M-36A2 Jaguar Light Tank

(General information and capabilities about the M-series vehicles may be found here: M-series.)

The Jaguar is a light tank design produced by Archangel Heavy Industries (AHI) for internal use and sale to legitimate parties. It is based almost entirely off of the M-36A1 Stirling Light Tank that was in active service with the old American Empire at the time of the Cataclysm. The Stirling was introduced at the same time as the M-61A2 Gardner Main Battle Tank which AHI has released as the M-61A3 Panther Main Battle Tank.

The Jaguar (Stirling) was designed to act as a light tank and in a limited scout/recon role. The tank is armed and armored well enough to withstand a moderate amount of damage while being able to inflict even more. It is a small, fast, and very maneuverable design, capable of running rings around most other tanks. The tank was also incredibly quiet due to its special engine design. This, coupled with its speed and maneuverability, allows the tank to be used almost as a scout or recon vehicle.

Only slight modifications from the original design were made while producing the Jaguar. The main gun was improved with some slight advances in rail gun technology. The sensors were also replaced with improved versions. Other than these and a few stylistic changes, the vehicle is virtually identical to the pre-Rifts version.

Like the other tanks in service with the old American Empire at that time, the Jaguar was equipped with advanced fuel cells instead of a conventional engine or nuclear reactor. The tanks of hydrogen fuel are stored within the vehicle. However, the hydrogen tank that powers the energy weapon is stored with the pulse laser.

As with most of the other M-series vehicles, the Jaguar is equipped with the Mk II Computer-Enhanced Targeting System. This is an extremely advanced targeting system that was on the cutting edge of pre-Rifts technology.

The Jaguar has space inside for three crew members. However, only two crew are actually required to operate the tank at full efficiency: a driver and a gunner/commander. The third spot is only occupied if the tank is acting as a command vehicle or in a scouting role. In either of these cases, the third crew member acts as the commander and will not normally be directly involved in combat. Instead, they will operate the sensors and communications gear necessary to complete their job. If the mission of the tank does not require the third crew member, additional ammunition will normally be carried in their place.

The Jaguar sports a very low-slung, sleek appearance. The "engine" (fuel cells) is placed at the front of the tank to help provide additional protection against head-on fire. This means that the turret is further to the rear than on most tank designs. The turret itself is relatively small due to the fact that none of the crew are actually inside it. The main gun is loaded through an advanced and reliable automated system that will quickly load any type of ammunition specified by either the gunner or commander. This eliminates the need for one of the crew to act as a gunner. The weapon is fully stabilized and has advanced recoil compensation to eliminate what little recoil there is. This means that the tank can fire with full accuracy while traveling at top speed over rough terrain.

The advanced composite spaced laminate armor is steeply sloped to help deflect incoming shots and sports an ablative coating to help protect against energy weapons. Armored side-skirts are in place to protect the treads from incoming fire. The treads are also slightly wider than normal to help lessen the ground pressure from the tank and thus increase its operational possibilities. A special explosive charge is mounted on the bottom escape hatch. This charge is designed to create a foxhole for the crew in the event that they are forced to abandon the tank. The explosive does no damage to the tank itself as it is directed down completely.

Model Type: M-36A2
Class: Light Tank
Crew: Two or three: one driver, one gunner/commander. If the mission requires, a dedicated tank commander will also be present.
M.D.C. By Location:

     Turret - 220
     115mm Main Gun - 130
     Turret Missile Launchers (2) - 75
[1] Turret-mounted Light Auto-Cannon - 65
[1] Co-Axial Pulse Laser - 50
[2] Primary Sensor Array - 50
[2] Secondary Sensor Array - 50
[2] Searchlights (2) - 15
     Escape Hatch (1, bottom) - 50
[3] Treads (2) - 110
     Reinforced Crew Compartment (main body) - 120
[4] Main Body - 390

Notes

  1. Each of these items is small and/or difficult to strike. Any attacks must be called shots and are -3 to strike.

  2. These items are very small and difficult to strike. Any attacks must be called shots and are -4 to strike.

  3. Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the tank until it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is not under attack.

  4. Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body effectively destroys the vehicle.

Speed: 80 mph (129 kph) on land. Cruising is normally about 30 mph (48 kph). Sealed and using an automatic snorkel, the tank can travel underwater at 30 mph ( 48 kph) at a depth of up to 17 feet (5.1 m).

Range: 150 miles ( 241 km) on one tank of hydrogen. The tank normally carries 5 tanks on-board for the main fuel cells. Changing a tank takes approximately one minute for a trained crew and three minutes for the inexperienced. One tank is also carried to power the pulse laser.

Statistical Data

Height: 7 feet (2.1 m)
Width: 9 feet (2.7 m)
Length: 20 feet (6.1 m)
Weight: 32 tons (29030 kg)
Cargo: A small compartment large enough to hold a suit of light to medium body armor, compact rifle, handgun, and survival kit for each crew member. If the third crew spot is not used, additional cargo can also be carried, although this is usually more rounds for the main gun.
Color: Typically camouflage, olive drab, dark grey, dark blue, or Midnight Black.
Power System: Fuel cells and electric motors.
Cost: Restricted military vehicle. It may also be sold to other militaries or established mercenary groups. Legitimate sales go for 3.5 million credits. Tanks of hydrogen are 500 credits each or 200 credits to refill.

Special Systems

  1. 115mm Hypervelocity Rail Gun: This is the Jaguar's main weapon. It is an advanced rail gun capable of firing rounds with a variety of warhead types. The weapon can easily punch through the armor of light vehicles and can also seriously damage heavier opposition. Normally this weapon is fired by the gunner, but can be controlled by the commander if present.
       The turret is capable of 360 degree rotation and the weapon can traverse 40 degrees up and 10 degrees down from the level position. An advanced stabilization system is incorporated into the turret. This allows both the main gun and the co-axial pulse laser to be fired with full accuracy while at top speed over even rough terrain. In addition, the on-board computer-enhanced targeting system actually assists the gunner in determining and aiming at weak points in the target's armor. (See the Sensors and Systems section for information.)

    2. Primary Purpose: Assault
    Secondary Purpose: Defense and anti-aircraft
    Mega-Damage: Varies with round:

    Armor Piercing: 3D4x10+30
    High Explosive: 2D6x10 to a 15 foot (4.6 m) radius
    HEAT: 4D4x10 to a 10 foot (3.0 m) radius

    Range: 14800 feet (2.8 miles, 4511 m)
    ROF: A maximum of four attacks per melee regardless of gunner's hand to hand combat numbers.
    Payload: 80 rounds. The standard distribution is 40 AP, 20 HE, 20 HEAT. If the third crew member is not present, an additional 30 rounds may be carried.
    Optional Rules: Two optional rules for armor penetration are presented. The author suggests #1.

    1. If the armor piercing round destroys more than 40% of the remaining armor of the target area in one hit, then it penetrates that area. When relevant, objects inside the target area take half of the equivalent damage that was inflicted in S.D.C. (Ex: A damage roll of 120 M.D.C. removes more than 40% of the armor from the main body of the target and thus penetrates. All objects inside take 60 S.D.C.)

    2. Armor Piercing rounds do critical damage on a natural strike roll of 18, 19, or 20.

  2. Co-Axial Pulse Laser: Designed to engage targets not worth spending a main gun round on, this weapon is located directly to the right of the main gun. Both weapons will always be aimed at the same target. Normally this weapon is fired by the gunner, but can be controlled by the commander if present or by the driver in an emergency.

    3. Primary Purpose: Anti-personnel, anti-vehicle
    Secondary Purpose: Defense
    Mega-Damage: 2D6 per single shot. Bursts as per machine-gun rules.
    Range: 3000 feet (914 m)
    ROF: Treat it as a machine-gun as per the modern weapons rules. Equal to the gunner's combined hand to hand attacks.
    Payload: 450 shots. However, for damage purposes, consider a "magazine" to be 90 shots. It takes approximately two minutes for a trained crew to change the hydrogen tank that powers the weapon, assuming that a spare tank is available. Untrained crews will take about six minutes to accomplish this task.

  3. Turret-mounted Light Auto-Cannon: In most intents, this is a powerful heavy machine-gun. However, since it is more powerful than most conventional machine-guns it was classified as a light auto-cannon. This weapon is placed in a cupola on the top of the turret and must be fired manually. Therefore, it does not receive any strike bonuses from the vehicle. In order to use the weapon, the commander (or gunner) must stand up a small access path from the main body through the turret. The weapon is primarily used against flying opponents. Normally this weapon is fired by the commander, but can be used by the gunner if necessary.

    4. Primary Purpose: Anti-aircraft, anti-vehicle
    Secondary Purpose: Defense: anti-personnel
    Mega-Damage: 1D4 per single shot. A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 1D4x10.
    Range: 3000 feet (914 m)
    ROF: Single or Burst. Equal to the gunner's combined hand to hand attacks.
    Payload: 4000 round ammo box; that's 100 bursts.
    Note: The weapon is fitted with a laser targeting device. When used, the device gives a +2 to strike.

  4. Turret Missile Launchers (2): A pair of medium surface to air missiles are located on each side of the turret. Standard issue is fragmentation warhead, but other types may be used. (See the new missile/bomb tables for other statistics). It is also possible to mount other types of more conventional medium range missiles on the tank. However, the missile racks would need to be modified and doing so would strip the tank of its primary defense against air threats. Normally this weapon is fired by the gunner, but can be controlled by the commander if present.

    5. Primary Purpose: Anti-aircraft
    Secondary Purpose: Defense
    Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 to a 50 foot (15.2 m) blast radius
    Range: 70 miles (112.7 km)
    ROF: 1, 2, 4
    Payload: 4 missiles, 2 per side.
    Note: These are smart missiles and are thus +6 to strike, +5 to dodge, and have 3 attacks per melee with an endurance of 1 minute.

  5. Smoke Dispenser (2): Mounted on each side of the turret towards the front is a smoke grenade launcher. This is used to lay down a dense smoke screen. The smoke screen may be used for defense, to provide cover while pulling back, or to confuse the enemy.

    6. Primary Purpose: Defense
    Secondary Purpose: Confusion
    Effect: Creates a cloud of smoke with a 30 ft (9.1 m) radius
    Range: 1,200 feet (365 m)
    ROF: Two per melee
    Payload: 24, 12 per launcher.

  6. Sensors and Systems of Note: When first built, the Jaguar (Stirling) had many advanced systems incorporated into it to help it survive on the modern battlefield. Some of these systems were very new at the coming of the Rifts and are thus found in only a select few other vehicles.
    1. Radio/Video Communications: The long range, directional communications array has a range of 500 miles (804 km). The short range directional radio has a range of of 5 miles (8 km).
    2. Radar: Advanced radar with a range of 50 miles (80.4 km). It can identify 96 targets and simultaneously track 48 as low as 50 feet (15.2 m).
    3. Spotlights (2): Range of 600 feet (183 m).
    4. Heads-Up Display: All crew members have an advanced helmet system with an integrated HUD capable of displaying any type of information fed from the computer.
    5. Turret Stabilization System: This automatic stabilization and recoil reduction system allows the tank to fire both its main gun and co-axial weapon with full accuracy while moving at top speed even over rough terrain.
    6. Mk II Computer-Enhanced Targeting System: This was virtually the most advanced system of its type before the coming of the Rifts. This sophisticated targeting systems integrates and analyzes all incoming data (including low-light, infra-red, ultraviolet, video, and MAD) nearly instantaneously. It then assists the gunner in targeting the most vulnerable area of the target by actually automatically placing the gun on target and displaying a readout of the target and vulnerable area(s) on the HUD display. The vulnerable area may be a natural weak spot of the target such as a head or it may be an area where the target has already taken damage.
         The only problem with this system is that it was designed and programmed before the coming of the Rifts. The system has therefore had to be reprogrammed with current information about existing robots, power armors, vehicles, aircraft and other potential threats. In fact, the database is programmed with all known (by AHI) threats in North America including Supernatural threats. However, information from other areas and countries is extremely sparse.
         Luckily, the system was designed with the ability to make guesses about a target based on a set of generic templates and by comparison with other similar threats, though not at full efficiency.

        7. Effect: The main gun and co-axial pulse laser can make called shots just like a normal shot but at only a -1 to strike penalty (6+ to hit instead of 12+). Against targets that are not in the target database, the shot is at -3 to strike (8+ to hit instead of 12+). Other penalties may still apply.

    7. Imaging Systems: The tank has complete visual/video, low-light, infrared (thermographic and infrared light), ultraviolet, and magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) imaging systems to allow it to fight in any weather and conditions.
    8. Periscope and Snorkel: A telescoping sensor array is installed in the turret. It is capable of a 10 foot (3 m) extension from the top of the turret (it can see over a 17 foot/5.1 m obstacle) and also acts as a snorkel when the tank is under water. The sensor array is tied in to all of the imaging systems of the tank.
    9. EMP Resistance: All systems in the tank are hardened against electro-magnetic pulses (EMPs). Almost all systems also have multiple backup systems so that the tank can continue functioning at full capacity even when damaged.
    10. Fire Detection and Control: The tank is equipped with sensors that immediately detect any internal fire and activate the extinguisher system to put out the fire anywhere in the tank.
    11. Full Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection: The tank has full NBC protection when sealed. This includes computer controlled life-support, internal heating and cooling, air purifier, air circulation, gas filtration, and independent oxygen supplies for up to 48 hours.

  7. Bonuses: The Jaguar incorporates many advanced and unique features. Features such as high maneuverability and excellent interface design increase the effectiveness of the tank.

    8. + 10% to all piloting rolls (driver)
    + 15% to all navigation related rolls due to inertial tracking and other features
    + 10% to all communication related rolls due to advanced communication systems
    + 1 attack per melee (driver)
    + 2 to initiative (all)
    + 2 to dodge (driver); the tank is so maneuverable that it is able to dodge
    + 2 to strike with missiles (gunner, commander)

Designed by Chris Curtis (curtis@thepentagon.com).

Copyright © 1998 Chris Curtis. All Rights Reserved.