Iron Armory initially started with the development of a variety of tank designs which were derived from Pre-Rifts designs. Some of these include the M-1 Abrams and M-2 Bradley vehicles. They then expanded to a variety of new designs to fill other roles including support designs. One of these was the MA-2000 Gladiator, armed with a 155 mm howitzer which used the M-1 Abrams hull. As well, they began production of a missile vehicle based on the M-2 Bradley. They also developed a Mortar version of the Mountain Lion which carried an 81 mm electro-magnetic mortar. Several customers expressed an interest in a vehicle design mounting a heavier mortar along with carrying heavier armor. Mortars are less expensive than missiles or even artillery shells even though shorter ranged.

Designers at Iron Armory began work on a heavy mortar. Instead of building an all new design, it was decided to adapt an already existing design with the M-2 Bradley used as the basis with it already being used for a missile platform. The development of the vehicle was relatively straight forward with as many of the original systems retained as possible. There were some problems fitting the large mortar into the design but after some redesigning, they were able to get an operational prototype. The prototype vehicle was extensively tested in combat conditions and passed all tests. Even with some delays, it was only a few months between the initial assignment given to developing the vehicle and production. Production uses the same manufacturing lines as the M-2 Bradley which have been expanded for the new vehicle. Initially sales have been extremely promising with several other groups making inquiries for potential purchases.

The vehicle shares the same automotive components with the M-2 Bradley produced by Iron Armory. The top speed is the same and it is quite useful due to being able to keep up with other Bradley vehicles. Like the Bradley, it is available with one of four different power plants. The vehicle is available with a high efficiency gas turbine engine with can burn a wide variety of fuels including diesels, gasoline, and a variety of bio-fuels. There is a fuel cell version as well. The fuel cells operate by pulling the electrons off of an H₂ molecule, splitting it into 2H⁺ molecules and 2 electrons. 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. There is pure electrically powered version which uses high capacity batteries. Finally, there is a fusion powered version which has virtually unlimited range.

The hull is modified from the standard version to mount the mortar system but carries basically the same armor as the standard Iron Armory Bradley. As well, the electronic systems are basically the same as well as retaining a full life support system for the vehicle's crew. The vehicle is designed to be operated by a crew of three (driver, gunner, and commander) with no ability to carry troops.

With the Mountain Lion carrying an 81 mm electromagnetic mortar, one might expect the Centurion to also carry an electromagnetic mortar. To reduce development costs, it was decided to mount a standard 120 mm breach loading mortar instead. The weapon is mounted in a fully automated turret and carries 80 rounds of ammunition for the mortar. A variety of different ordnance is available including both guided and unguided projectiles. Range is up to around 7 kilometers. It is believed than an electromagnetic version is currently under development and will replace the standard one in later models. This will allow the elimination of charges and allow a greater payload to be carried. It also likely will mean an increase of range out to around ten kilometers.

In addition to the 120 mm mortar, the Centurion carries a number of weapons for use in self defense roles. The vehicle carries a pair of missile launchers with one on either side of the main turret. There are three basic different types, one carries medium range missiles, another carries short range missiles, while the final carries mini-missiles. Generally, the missile launchers are mounted before the come from the factory. In addition, the vehicle carries a pulse laser which is normally controlled by the commander. In fusion powered versions, power is pulled from the reactor while on other versions it has a separate power supply. Finally, the vehicle mounts a pair of grenade launchers meant mostly for smoke grenades but can use various other types of grenades useful for self defense.

Model Type: I.A. M-2200
Vehicle Type: Armored Mortar Vehicle
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).

M. D. C. by Location:

	[1] Tractor Treads (2):	75 each
	120 mm Mortar Barrel:	80
	120 mm Mortar Turret:	200
	Rapid Fire Laser Cannon:	50
	Variable Missile Launchers (2):	50 each
	Smoke Dispenser:	20
	Searchlight	20
	Headlights (2):	10 each
	Main Hatch:	200
	Reinforced Crew Compartment:	100
	Reinforced Personnel Bay:	100
	[2] Main Body:	350

Notes:
[1] 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
[2] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and unsalvageable, but crew and troops may survive in their reinforced compartments.

Speed:
Ground: Cruising speed on land is 65 mph (104 kph) on roads and 60 mph ( 96.6 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: The M-2200 Retains the Bradley fighting vehicle's amphibious ability and can cross small bodies of water. It is not designed for deep water use. The Bradley can travel in this manner at 8 mph (12.9 kph/6.9 knots).
Maximum Range: With gas or electric, 300 miles (483 km), with fuel cells, 400 miles (643.7 km), and with fusion, effectively unlimited.

Statistical Data:
Height: 10 feet 4 inches (3.2 meters)
Width: 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters)
Length: 21 feet 2 inches (6.5 meters)
Weight: 26 tons (23.6 metric tons)
Power Source: Four versions. Nuclear with 10 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: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew.
Black Market Cost: Internal Combustion powered sells for 1.4 million, Electrical engine and fuel cell versions sells for 1.8 million credits, and fusion with 10 year life sells for 13.2 million credits.

Weapon Systems:

1. 120 mm Heavy Mortar: Can angle up to 85 degrees and is designed with an auto-loader. It is extremely useful in the short range indirect fire roll. Range is less that true artillery but is still extremely effective in indirect fire roles. There are special guided rounds available although rare. See Battlefield Mortars for Rifts for more details.
   Maximum Effective Range: 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) to 23,620 feet (7,200 meters) depending on number of charges used. Minimum range is 660 feet (200 meters) to 5,250 feet (1,600 meters) depending on charges used.
   Mega-Damage: By mortar round type ( See Battlefield Mortars for Rifts for more details: Fragmentation 2D6x10 (50 feet/15.2 meters), High Explosive 3D6x10 (30 feet/9.1 meters), Armor Piercing 3D6x10 (20 feet/6.1 meters), Plasma 4D6x10 (40 feet/12.2 meters), and has a vast number of other type of rounds as well).
   Rate of Fire: 12 to 16 rounds per minute depending on number of charges (three to four per melee) for one minute, 8 rounds per minute after one minute of fire depending on number of charges (two per melee.)
   Payload: 80 rounds total
2. Rapid Fire Machine gun Style Laser Cannon: A light laser designed mainly for anti-infantry use that allows for all the bursts available to a machine gun except full melee. Weapon is controlled by the commander and is mounted above the main 120 mm mortar turret. Is useful for other targets as well including against aircraft. It also has the advantage of being able to be controlled from within the tank.
   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 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.
3. Variable Missile Launchers (2): Mounted on either side of body. 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 (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      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
      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.
4. Smoke Dispenser (2): Mounted on either side of the vehicle and launches smoke grenades. While other types of grenades can be used, they have been rarely carried. Recently, there has been consideration for the use of prismatic aerosol and decoy grenades to help protect the vehicle against lasers.
   Effect: Creates a cloud of smoke 40 ft (12 m) in diameter. Other special effects per grenade type
   Rate of Fire: Two per melee
   Range: 1,200 feet (365 m)
   Payload: Carries 12 smoke grenades per launcher.

Sensory Equipment:

• Radio/ Video Communications: Long range, directional, has a range of 500 miles with short range directional radio of 5 miles.
• Datalink transmitters: A powerful battlefield management communications system. Allows the howitzer to use targeting data from scout vehicles for firing the Anti-Tank missiles or Sabot rounds, and to provide targeting data to other vehicles. Bonus varies on the quality of the data being provided, but all data would allow the howitzer to fire over obstacles if the scout vehicle is in the right position. The normal effective battlefield range is 20 miles (32 km).
• Laser Targeting System: Range is 2 miles and gives +1 to strike with long range weapons. Not applicable to hand to hand
• Combat Computer/ Targeting Computer: Assist in the tracking of targets.
• Radar: 50 miles, can identify 96 targets and track 48 as low as 500 ft. Same as robots Maxi-Radar.
• Full Life Support: Protects pilot and tank from heat and radiation and gives a breathable atmosphere inside the Tank.
• Spotlight: Range: 600 feet (182.9 meters)
• Thermo-Imager: Range: 2,000 ft (609 m). Finds the infra-red radiations of things that are warm. Also enables pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness.
• Nightvision Optics: Range: 2,000 ft (609 m). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.

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

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2008, Kitsune. All rights reserved.