It is a common theme that logistics get forgotten by the casual observer. They see the war chariots but don't see the oxen driven wagons which support the chariots. Now, people forget the light, medium, and heavy trucks which support the tanks and armored personnel carriers. In the common person's mind and perhaps even with the simple soldier, this is understandable. The problem is how often it is forgotten by officers who lead the troops and even in some cases the generals themselves.

Taking that into account, people only rarely think of trucks when they think of Iron Armory and instead think of the tanks and other armored fighting vehicles which they produce. Among Iron Armory's first products were a variety of tactical trucks. These include the Desert Wolf Jeep and the Longhorn Heavy Tactical Truck. The Husky actually was a relatively late introduction. The company thought that they did not need a design between the Jeep and Heavy Truck in size. There was several mercenary companies and other customers who expressed an in a medium truck design. This caused the company to produce the Husky.

The Husky is a six wheel design which is similar in basic external appearance to the FMTV series of trucks produced by the United States Military for the first few decades of the Twenty-First Century. The design is a cab over design with six wheel drive. The Husky is available in a vast number of different configurations for a wide variety of roles. These include basic cargo trucks, tankers, wrecker, dump trucks, and tractor types. There is a special version with an expandable van design. The truck, even though developed as a military design, is popular among other organizations and even adventurers due to its all terrain capabilities. In many places after the coming of the Rifts, roads are virtually non existent.

A wide wheel base makes these vehicles incredibly stable and able to operate over most terrain which a tank can operate in. Top speed on roads is an impressive one hundred miles per hour and seventy-five miles per hour off road. Some purchasers have limiters added to reduce top speed to around sixty miles per hour. All versions are available with all four of the basic power plant systems available to most Iron Armory designs. There is a conventional version which uses diesel or aviation fuel, a pure electric version, a fuel cell version, and a nuclear powered model. The pure electric version uses a high capacity battery. The diesel and electric versions both have a range of around four hundred miles. The fuel cell version has a slightly greater range of around four hundred and fifty miles. The fusion version has virtually unlimited range with a five year reactor. As such, the design is much more expensive than the other models. Still, it is extremely popular due to not needing to recharge or refuel.

When Iron Armory made a deal with Archangel "Heavy" Industries, they introduced a fuel cell system. Since the coming of the Rifts, the technology was virtually lost. Because it uses hydrogen cracked from water usually using a fusion reactor, fuel is cheap and plentiful. The electrons pass through the "load" (engines, weapons, avionics, etc.) creating current and powering the systems. Meanwhile, the 2H⁺ molecules pass from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte. At the other "end", the electrons then recombine with the 2H⁺ molecules and Oxygen (from the air) and are release as water from the rear of the vehicle.

The basic cargo truck is available with either a flat bed or walls along the cargo bed. Basic cargo load for both versions is 5,000 kilograms (11,023.1 lbs). It has an optional cargo crane which can be controlled remotely from the truck's cab. The crane has the ability to lift cargo loads of up to 1,250 kilograms (2755.8 lbs) with a maximum reach of 15 feet (4.6 meters). At closer distance, 7.5 feet (2.3 meters), can lift twice that for 2,500 kilograms (5511.6 lbs). The dump truck version can carry up to 10,000 kilograms (22,046.2 lbs) in its bed. The tanker version has the ability to carry up to 7,500 liters (1,981.3 gallons) of liquid. This can include fuels of various types and water.

Most versions are set up with the ability to tow additional cargo with a capacity to tow up to 12,000 kilograms (26,455.5 lbs). The main exceptions are the wrecker version and the tractor type. Both give up the ability to carry significant cargo. The wrecker has the ability to tow up to 20,000 kilograms (44,092.5 lbs) and the tractor design has the ability to tow up to 30,000 kilograms (66,138.7 lbs). All versions of the truck can optionally be fitted with a tow winch in the front and rear of the vehicle. They have a tow capacity of 8,000 kilograms (17637.0 lbs).

The expandable van design is an extremely flexible and is useful for a wide variety of purposes. The sides slide to give the van more internal space. When closed down, the space is around 2.5 meters wide but when expanded out, the compartment is 4.5 meters wide. The original role envisioned was for a command post although other roles include mobile hospital / operating area. With more space internally than a Mountaineer ATV, the vehicle became extremely popular with adventurers as well as a traveling vehicle. Some operators also use the vehicle as a workshop vehicle. It can be customized at the purchaser's request. This includes various power requirements for special equipment. Two optional equipment facilities which can be mounted are a communication array and a radar station. The cargo capacity is greatly reduced although the vehicle retains the normal towing capabilities.

The standard version of vehicle is lightly armored and can withstand a reasonable amount of damage. The vehicle can have additional armor added to increase the ability for the vehicle to survive damage. Still, it can never be considered a true combat design. The vehicle also can optionally mount a variety of defensive weaponry. These include a Wellington automatic grenade launcher or a pulse laser mounts for direct fire weaponry. This is mounted above the vehicle cab. Missile weaponry is also available with medium range, short range, and mini-missile. These launchers are mounted on either side of the vehicle.

While Iron Armory does not produce a "Battle Wagon" version of the truck, there is a specialized version of the vehicle which mounts a long range missile battery in the cargo bed. Like other versions of the vehicle, it is not designed for direct combat like several other designs produced by Iron Armory. It is effectively half of the missile launcher carried on the M-270 design. The vehicle carries six long range missiles. One advantage the vehicle has is being cheaper than most true combat designs.

Model Type:	I.A. GP-03-CT	Cargo Version (Flat Bed or Enclosed Bed)
	I.A. GP-03-DT	Dump Truck Version.
	I.A. GP-03-EV	Expanding Van Version
	I.A. GP-03-TK	Tanker Version (7500 liter)
	I.A. GP-03-TR	Tractor Version
	I.A. GP-03-WR	Wrecker Version
	I.A. GP-03-MR	Missile / Rocket Version

Vehicle Type: Medium Truck
Crew: Two (Can carry four passengers in the crew compartment) - Can be operated by one.

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Rapid Fire Laser Cannon (Optional)::	50
	[1] Automatic Grenade Launcher (Optional):	70
	Variable Missile Launchers (2 - Optional):	50 each
	Long Range Missile Launchers (Missile / Rocket Version):	150
	[1] Tow Winch (Optional - Front / Rear):	10 each
	Crane (Optional):	40
	[1] Headlight (2)	5 each
	[2] Tires (6):	50 each
	Crew Compartment	150
	Cargo Compartment / Van / Bed / Tank:	125
	[3] Main Body:	200 (300)

Notes:
[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a "called shot" but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] If one tire on a side is destroyed (not including front wheels), the vehicle is reduced in top speed by 20% and has a -25% to piloting rolls when being operated off-road. If two tires on a side are destroyed, the vehicle will be immobilized. The loss of a single front wheel will also immobilize vehicle.
[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the unit down completely, making it useless. Standard armor is 200 M.D.C. but can be upgraded in increments of 20 M.D.C. up to an addition 100 M.D.C.

Speed:
Ground: Cruising speed on land is 100 mph (160.9 kph) on roads and 75 mph (102.7 kph) off road maximum. The vehicle is designed to traverse virtually all terrain and can climb at up to a 60% grade although at a much slower speed (About 10% of maximum road speed). It can also climb barriers and ford trenches. The vehicle can also handle side slopes of up to 30%.
Water Capabilities: Not Amphibious but can ford water up to 5.5 feet (1.68 meters) deep.
Maximum Range: With gas or electric, 400 miles (643.7 km), with fuel cells, 450 (724.2 km), and with fusion, effectively unlimited.

Statistical Data:
Height:
All versions except Expanding Van and Missile / Rocket Version: 9.02 feet (2.75 meters) for cab
Expanding Van Version: 12.30 feet (3.75 meters) for van
Missile / Rocket Version: 10.83 feet (3.30 meters) with launcher stowed
Width:
All versions except Expanding Van: 8.20 feet (2.50 meters)
Expanding Van Version: 8.20 feet (2.50 meters) sides retracted / 14.76 feet (4.50 meters) sides extended.
Length:
All versions except Tractor Version: 32.81 feet (10.00 meters)
Tractor Version: 22.97 feet (7.00 meters)
Weight:
Cargo Version: 26,455.5 lbs (12,000 kg) curb weight.
Dump Truck Version: 27,557.8 lbs (12,500 kg) curb weight.
Expanding Van Version: 31305.6 lbs (14,200 kg) curb weight.
Tanker Version: 28219.2 lbs (12,800 kg) curb weight.
Tractor Version: 20943.9 lbs (9,500 kg) curb weight.
Wrecker Version: 36,376.3 lbs (16,500 kg) curb weight.
Missile / Rocket Version: 24,691.8 lbs (11,200 kg) curb weight.
Power Source: Four versions. Nuclear with 5 year fusion reactor, Electric, Conventional liquid fuel that uses aviation gas, and Fuel cell version that uses Hydrogen as a fuel to produce electricity.
Cargo Capacity: All versions have a 4 cubic foot storage area behind seats.
Cargo Version: 11,023.1 lbs (5,000 kg) in cargo bed and 26,455.5 lbs (12,000 kg) towed.
Dump Truck Version: 22,046.2 lbs (10,000 kg) in cargo bed and 26,455.5 lbs (12,000 kg) towed.
Expanding Van Version: 5511.5 lbs (2,500 kg) in van and 26,455.5 lbs (12,000 kg) towed.
Tanker Version: 1,981.3 gallons (7,500 liters) in tank and 26,455.5 lbs (12,000 kg) towed.
Tractor Version: Effectively None carried and 66,138.7 lbs (30,000 kg) towed.
Wrecker Version: 11,023.1 lbs (5,000 kg) in cargo bed and 44,092.5 lbs (20,000 kg) towed.
Missile / Rocket Version: Effectively None carried (missile launchers replace cargo) and 66,138.7 lbs (30,000 kg) towed.
Black Market Cost:
Cargo, Dump Truck, Tanker, and Wrecker Versions: 160,000 credits with Internal Combustion engine, 225,000 with Electrical engine or fuel cell power system, and 850,000 for fusion with a 5 year life.
Expanding Van Version: 200,000 credits with Internal Combustion engine, 265,000 with Electrical engine or fuel cell power system, and 925,000 for fusion with a 5 year life. Various options increase cost of version.
Missile / Rocket Version: 560,000 credits with Internal Combustion engine, 625,000 with Electrical engine or fuel cell power system, and 1,250,000 for fusion with a 5 year life.
Optional Systems: Sensory / Communication upgrade (equal to a standard power armor) costs 12,000 credits. Fully contained life support system costs 50,000 credits. Cargo Crane costs 5,000 credits. Tow Winches costs 2,000 credits each. Missile launchers costs 400,000 credits for a pair, Grenade Launchers costs 150,000 credits, and rapid fire laser cannon costs 35,000 credits. Additional armor costs 20,000 credits per 20 M.D.C.
Full Command / Control Facilities (with communication) costs 200,000 credits.
Radar / Electronic Warfare Facilities cost 300,000 credits.

Weapon Systems: The vehicle can mount the following above the rear section of the crew compartment. Direct fire weapons are controlled by a gunner who sits behind the weapon mount. Missiles are controlled by a remote control system.

1. Top Mounted Weapon Position (1 - Optional): Mounted above the cab of the vehicle, a single weapon can be mounted for defense of the vehicle. Most common weapon mounts are an automatic grenade launcher and a rapid fire pulse laser.
   1. Automatic Grenade Launcher: Weapon is WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher mounted on a spindle mount. Extremely dangerous at close range although not as effective against airborne targets as the pulse laser.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage: 4D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 feet (3.7 meters) and 1D4x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 feet (0.9 meters), burst of 10 rounds does 2D6x10 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 40 feet (12.2 meters) and 3D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 8 feet (2.4 meters).
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: 400 Rounds
   2. Rapid Fire Machine gun Style Laser Cannons (2): A light laser designed for anti-infantry use that allows for all the bursts available to a machine gun except full melee.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
      2D6 for single shot (Costs 1 attack)
      4D6 for ten round burst at one target (Costs 1 attack)
      2D6 for ten round burst at 1D4 targets (Costs 1 attack)
      1D6x10 for thirty round burst at one target (Costs 1 attack)
      2D6 for thirty round burst at 1D8 targets (Costs 1 attack)
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: For Combustion, Electrical, or Fuel cell versions: 600 shots. With the Fuel Cell version, 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. For fusion: unlimited shots.
2. Variable Missile Launchers (2 - Optional): Mounted on either side of vehicles cab and the vehicle can be constructed with one of three different type of missile launchers. The type of launcher is normally built onto the vehicle at the factory and would take a mechanic about 8 hours to switch from one launcher to another.
   1. Medium Range Missile Launchers: Longer ranged than the other launchers but less missiles are carried. Usually used for long range bombardment or anti-aircraft roles.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, or 6.
      Payload: each launcher carries 3 medium range missiles for a total of 6 medium range missiles. Carries 6 medium range missiles as reloads inside vehicle
      
   2. Short Range Missile Launchers: More commonly carried for use against incoming missiles and aircraft with a shorter range than medium range missiles but more can be carried.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, short range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, short range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, 6, or 12.
      Payload: each launcher carries 6 short range missiles for a total of 12 short range missiles. Carries 12 short range missiles as reloads inside vehicle
   3. Mini Missile Launchers: Mostly used for short range bunker busting and against other armored vehicles. Much shorter range and not independently guided although more mini-missiles are carried than short range missiles.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, mini missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 5, 10, or 20.
      Payload: each launcher carries 10 mini-missiles for a total of 20 Mini-missiles. Carries 20 mini-missiles as reloads inside vehicle.
3. Long Range Missile (1, Missile / Rocket Version): Missile / Rocket version has one launcher that can fire missiles that are mounted on the sides of a rotating stand. The launcher can carry a total of six long range missiles for a total of twelve long range missiles. While normally guided missiles are used, the launchers will sometime launch unguided versions to reduce the cost of ordinance used. The launchers can rotate 360 degrees.
   Maximum Effective Range: As per long range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: Varies with long range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, four, or six.
   Payload: Six (6) Long Range Missiles.

Sensory Equipment:

• Radio/ Video Communications (Command & Control / Electronic Warfare Van): Long range, directional, has a range of 800 miles (1,290 km) with short range directional radio of 50 miles (80 km). Vehicle also has the ability to monitor up multiple frequencies and record up to 96 hours of data.
• Radar (Electronic Warfare / Air Defense Van): 250 miles (402.3 km), can identify 256 targets and track 96 as low as 500 feet (152.4 meters) in altitude.

[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2008, Kitsune. All rights reserved.