Iron Armory M2A8 Bradley Fighting Vehicle:

This vehicle is a highly rebuilt version of the Pre-Rifts M-2 Fighting vehicle design rebuilt by Iron Armory, a company that specialized originally in taking United States Pre-Rifts combat vehicles and weapons and rebuilding them for use in the highly dangerous post Rifts environment. In many cases, versions of Pre-Rifts armor can be found in ancient armories and military museums.

The first of the companies line was the M-2 Bradley fighting vehicle although it was soon joined by the M-1 Abrams main battle tank. Able to carry seven troops, the fighting vehicle was well armed with a gun capable of fighting other light armored designs as well as being extremely useful against lighter protected troops. In some cases, the Bradley has even been able to kill battle tanks with the 25 mm chain gun. Missiles also give the armored vehicle the ability to fight at longer ranges. It was also quite well protected for a vehicle of its size compared to earlier armored personnel carriers.

The Iron Armory version is upgraded to the point where it can be considered virtually a new design. The M-2 mounted a 25 mm chain gun. This has been replaced by a Howitzer rail gun copied from the NG-V5 Northern Gun Hunter Mobile Gun. When the company started, they purchased a large amount of their hardware from Northern Gun although most of their weapon systems seem to now be from Metal Work Industries. There has been some consideration given towards using a different weapon design but the original mount is still retained. As well, the 7.62 medium machine-gun is replaced by a rapid fire pulse laser which inflicts much greater damage. Finally, the TOW missile launcher is replaced by a pair of more flexible box launchers for missiles. Mini-missiles, short range missiles, and medium range missile are all available in box launchers. They are usually mounted when the vehicle is built although can be changed although it requires around eight hours to change out. Compared to TOW missile launchers, medium range and short range missiles are useful against aircraft. For self defense, the vehicle has a pair of smoke grenade launchers.

In order for the vehicle to better be able to survive, the armor was greatly ungraded using the newly available alloys and composites. Unlike Golden Age conversions, the frame and the actual armor layers use these new materials. Sensor system are upgraded and the vehicle also has a periscope that allows the vehicle to look up to 25 feet (7.6 m) up to look over obstacles without becoming visible. It is designed to be able to carry up to seven troops, increased from six, in addition to the crew of three. Even though the vehicle is fully environmental, there are eight firing ports. Three are on each side and there are two in the rear hatch. They are designed to be able to be closed and each has connections for powering energy rifle on fusion powered models. U.S. Military versions of the Bradley had the firing ports either plated over or never mounted.

Initially, the vehicle was available with three different power systems. These were liquid fuel using a modified high efficiency gas turbine, a pure electrical power system using high capacity batteries, or a fusion power plant. The fusion powered version was basically a modified version of the electrically powered version replacing the batteries with a relatively standard fusion reactor. Expected life span is around ten years before the fusion plant needs to be refitted. The gas turbine can operate on a large variety of fuels including diesel, kerosene, gasoline, and even various alcohol fuels.

Later a fuel cell version was introduced. The fuel cell systems are purchased from Metalworks Inc and some believe that Iron Armory is a subsidiary of them. There has been no proof, so at the moment it is just speculation by some. The technology for the fuel cell design was purchased by Metalworks Incorporated from Archangel "Heavy" Industries who got the designs of fuel cells from pre-rifts records. 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.

Initially, the design had to compete mainly with the Iron Maiden APC produced by Iron Heart Industries. While the Iron Armory vehicle is better armored and carries more weaponry, the Iron Maiden has the ability to carry more troops, ten instead of seven. Still, the Bradley was considered by most to be a more advanced design and sold surprisingly well even with stiff competition. Since the Coalition has captured Iron Heart Industries, sales of the Bradley have increased greatly as both an armored personnel carrier and as a travel vehicle.

Model Type: IA M2-A8
Vehicle Type: Armored Personnel Carrier
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
Troop Carrying Capacity: Seven (7) soldiers in full gear

M. D. C. by Location:

	[1] Tractor Treads (2):	75 each
	Weapon 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 Bradley fighting vehicle is designed to be amphibious 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: 9 feet 9 inches (2.9 meters)
Width: 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters)
Length: 21 feet 2 inches (6.5 meters)
Weight: 24 tons (21.8 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: Without troops, can carry up to 5 tons (4.5 metric tons.)
Black Market Cost: Internal Combustion powered sells for 1.2 million, Electrical engine and fuel cell versions sells for 1.5 million credits, and fusion with 10 year life sells for 12 million credits.

Weapon Systems:

1. Rapid Fire Howitzer Rail Gun (1): Replaces 25 mm gun and although an anti-aircraft design is also a very effective combat weapon. It is identical to the NG-H155, with the exception of a slightly different turret and barrel, from the NG-V7 Hunter Mobile Gun. The turret can angle 90 degrees up and 30 degrees down and has 360 degree rotation.
   Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).
   Mega Damage: Short Burst of 40 rounds: 1D6x10. Long Burst of 80 rounds: 2D6x10.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilots combined hand to hand (usually 5 or 6)
   Payload: Carries 2000 (50 short burst or 25 long bursts) rounds in turret and an additional 6000 rounds (150 short burst and 75 bursts). It takes 4 melees for a trained crew to reload the ammo and 5 minutes for untrained personnel
2. Rapid Fire Machine gun Style Laser Cannon: A light laser designed for anti-infantry use that allows for all the bursts available to a machine gun except full melee. Replaces the 7.62 machine gun mount.
   Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 m)
   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.
3. Variable Missile Launchers (2): Mounted on either side of turret. System is replacement for original TOW launcher and 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.
4. Smoke Dispenser (2): Mounted on either side of the tank 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.
5. Firing Ports (7): The Bradley has seven firing ports that allow soldiers to fire their guns out of the vehicle. There are three firing ports on either side and one on the rear of the vehicle. Firing ports can be closed in order to make vehicle a sealed environment. Firing ports are fairly small and grenade launchers and missile launchers cannot be fired from firing ports. On fusion powered versions, the Bradley has power connectors so that troops can fire energy weapons without draining their energy clips.

Sensory Equipment:

• Radio/ Video Communications: Long range, directional, has a range of 500 miles with short range directional radio of 5 miles.
• 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.

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By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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