The Iron Maiden was always a popular product from Iron Heart Industries but there was a perceived lack of long range firepower by some potential purchasers. There was a quest to look for ways of improving the vehicles firepower including the addition of more missiles but none of these schemes even went beyond the discussion stage. While researching in Pre-Rifts sources, he discovered a design of a tank which was armed with a pair of 20 mm cannons in addition to the tank's main gun. This idea evolved into the design for the Iron Gauntlet medium tanks. In the book the engineer discovered several other interesting design including a Russian combat troop transport designated the BMP-3 which was armed with both a 100 mm cannon and a 30 mm chain cannon. This design became the inspiration for developing a new turret for the Iron Maiden. The name Iron Maiden was retained instead of taking a new name like the Iron Gauntlet version of the Iron Fist tank.

As might be expected, the Iron Maiden II shares virtually all components with the original Iron Maiden Armored Personnel Carrier. The only real change to the design is the development of a completely different turret. Instead of developing a prototype, it was decided to go directly to pre-production versions of the Iron Maiden II. This both saved development costs and time. It was also decided that no new weapon systems would be developed for the same reason. The first pre-production rolls from the factory only a little over a month after it was developed. A total of six pre-production Iron Maiden II vehicles were produced with two nuclear, two electrical, and two combustion powered versions. The pre-production versions were sold virtually immediately and the facility was being readied for full scale production when the Coalition captured Iron Heart Industries. Like with the Iron Gauntlet version of the Iron Fist, the design was to supplement the original Iron Maiden not replace it and they shared the same production facilities. Twenty more Iron Maiden II armored vehicles were in the final stages of production when the Coalition captured and only the original six pre-production models were ever completed. This might have been the end but Golden Age Weaponsmiths help with parts of the development and also became interested in the design themselves. While they do not produce the Iron Maiden II, or the original Iron Maiden, they do produce the turrets to upgrade to the Iron Maiden II design. It is also believed that they have an interest in converting the Iron Fist tank into the Iron Guantlet.

In appearance, the Iron Maiden II is little changed from the original model. Still, several important changes had to be made to the design of the turret. Instead of the standard 30 mm cannon of the Iron Maiden, the more lightweight 30 mm cannon carried on the Iron Weasel was selected. Iron Heart did not produce any heavy cannons smaller than the 120 mm and it was too large for the design. As well, no groups in North America produce a 100 mm cannon but Golden Age Weaponsmiths produces a 105 mm cannon. This could be squeezed in and was adopted for the Iron Maiden II. Eventually, it was planned that Iron Heart would begin producing copies of the 105 cannon. An auto-loader based on the one carried by the Iron Fist was developed for the 105 mm cannon. Payload for the 30 mm cannon is reduced to 600 rounds from 800 and a total of 25 rounds for the 105 mm cannon are carried. The hull mounted light laser and mini-missile launchers are retained. Due to the additional weapon systems, the Iron Maiden II is a bit heavier than the original.

Like the standard Iron Maiden combat vehicle, it was planned that the Iron Maiden would be available with a conventional combustion engine, a high capacity battery system, or with a fusion reactor. Like with most Iron Heart designs, most were conventionally powered with a gas turbine system which can burn a variety of different fuels although diesel and kerosine are the preferred fuels. The gas turbine is highly efficient and get better fuel economy than even diesel powered tanks from the beginning of the Twenty-First Century. Most of the versions which have been refitted by Golden Age are powered by nuclear engines and of course give virtually unlimited range. The crew is still two although there was some consideration given to a three person turret.

It can still haul a semi-trailer or other vehicles, or be converted into a traveling vehicle for two people with a built-in cargo bay (10 x 10 ft with a 7 foot / 3 x 3 x 2.1 m ceiling, and can still haul an additional trailer).

Model Type: APC
Class: Infantry Assault and Transport Vehicle
Crew: Two: pilot and gunner
Troop Transport Capabilities: 10 troops

M.D.C. by Location:

	Weapon Turret:	150
	M68A1 105 mm Cannon Mount (In Turret):	120
	IH-280-LW 30 mm Chain Gun (In Turret / Coaxial with 105 mm)	50
	MLRS-24 Mini-Missile Launchers (2):	40 each
	Smoke/Gas Dispenser (2):	15 each
	Laser Turret (1):	60
	[1] Main Body:	320
	Reinforced Crew Compartment:	100
	[2] Treads (2):	60 each

Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. from the main body will shut the tank down completely, rendering it useless.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the tank until it is replaced: replacing a tread will take 1D6 X 10 minutes by a trained crew (2 replacements are carried aboard) this is only possible are the vehicle is not under attack at the time.

Speed:
Ground: 70 mph (112.6 kph), on land; it cannot travel on or underwater. 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%.
Underwater: Buttoned up, it can travel under water at 30 mph (48 km) for Electrical and Nuclear Versions.
Maximum Effective Range: 400 miles (640 km) with a full tank of fuel (Diesel or Gasoline) or via electric motor before needing refueling / recharging; unlimited if nuclear (10 year life).

Statistical Data:
Height: 9.75 feet (3 meters)
Width: 10 feet (3 m eters)
Length: 25 feet (7.6 m) for hull and 29 feet (8.8 meters) with 105 mm cannon forward
Weight: 22 tons (20 metric tons) fully loaded
Cargo: Storage space for extra clothing, weapons, and personal items; 10 rifles of any type, 4 rocket launchers (either CR-1 or WI-23) and 24 mini-missiles stored in locked overhead compartments.
Power System: Combustion or electric engine or nuclear.
Black Market Cost: 3.2 million with gas turbine engine, 3.6 million for one with an electric motor, 15 million with nuclear engine (life-time of 10 years). Upgrading at Golden Age costs 1.5 million credits.

Weapon Systems:

1. M68A1 105 mm Cannon: Very similar to the cannon carried on the M-1 Abrams but is of a smaller caliber. Mounted Coaxial with the 30 mm auto cannon. Weapon is designed to use against heavily armored targets. It can fire a variety of loads, including high-explosive (HE), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), armor-piercing explosive (AP),and armor piercing sabot-discarding solids (APSD). The turret can rotate 360 degrees and the gun can elevate 75 degrees. Fired by the main gunner and has an automatic loading system.
   Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1828 meters) for direct fire and indirect fire range of 20,000 feet (6,000 meters).
   Mega-Damage: High Explosive (HE): 1D4x10+10 with a blast radius of 15 feet (4.6 feet), High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT): 2D4x10+10 with a blast radius of 8 feet (2.4 meters), Armor Piercing (AP): 6D6 with no blast radius, and Armor Piercing Sabot-Discarding (APSD): 1D6x10+10 with no blast radius
   Rate of Fire: A Maximum of four (4) attacks per melee.
   Payload: 25 rounds.
   Bonuses: Has a special fire control computer that helps to aim the cannon. Gives +1 to strike with cannon and vehicle does not have minuses to fire when tank is moving.
2. IH-280-LW 30 mm Ramjet Chain Gun: Lighter weight version of the cannon carried in the Iron Eagle attack helicopter and mounted Co-axial with the 105 mm cannon. Golden Age substitutes a 300 Bushmaster mount with identical characteristics. The 30 mm cannon fires heavy ramjet rounds with armor piercing warheads which inflict as much damage as most heavy rail guns. The ramjet rounds inflict great damage and can quicky punch through the front armor of a tank or the main armor of a giant robot. In addition to being effective against other combat ground vehicles, it is also quite effective against aircraft.
   Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,830 meters).
   Mega Damage: 2D6x10 for a burst of 20 rounds, 3D6 for each round.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunner's hand to hand attacks; each burst counts as one melee action.
   Payload: 600 round drum magazine (30 bursts.) The cargo area has up to four additional drums instead of passengers. Reloading is done inside the vehicle and takes two melee rounds (30 seconds) for two crewmen or passengers and six melees (90 seconds) if only one person is involved or the people aren't trained in the reload procedure.
3. IB-34L Laser Turret (1): This weapon is mounted on the bow of the tank and can be fired by the driver as a secondary weapon. The weapon consists of two laser cannons firing simultaneously at the same target. In vehicles without nuclear engines, the laser is powered by a rechargeable battery.
   Maximum Effective Range: 4000 feet (1200 m)
   Mega-Damage: 6D6 M.D. per dual blast.
   Rate of Fire: Can shoot up to six times per melee.
   Payload: 1000 dual blasts. Unlimited if vehicle has a nuclear engine.
4. MLRS-24 Multiple Launcher Rocket System (2): An MLRS-24 mini missile launcher is built into each side of the combat vehicle. Launcher is primarily controlled by gunner but can be controlled by the pilot as well. Each holds 24 mini-missiles and can rotate 360 degrees and can be raised 60 degrees.
   Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini-missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type. Typically armor piercing and plasma (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 4, or 6 mini-missiles.
   Payload: 48 total, 24 mini-missiles in each launcher.
5. Smoke/Gas Dispenser (2): A smoke/gas dispensing unit is attached to each side of the APC. The dispenser releases a dense cloud of smoke that covers a 40 foot (12.2 m) area in front of the vehicle. It can also release tear gas.
   Payload: 20 total; 10 charges each; typically all smoke.

Note:

Standard features include a short-range radar (5 miles/8 km), laser targeting (+1 to strike), combat computer (+1 to strike), long range and short-range radio, loudspeaker, radiation detector, light radiation shielding, and an environmental crew compartment with air-conditioning, heating, oxygen supply and an air purging, purification and circulation system.

[Coalition TM, Iron Heart Industries TM, Northern Gun TM, Phase World TM, and Triax TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2005, Kitsune. All rights reserved.