Before designing the Iron Thunder light tank, Iron Heart Industry already produced two very popular tanks designs, the Iron Hammer and Iron Fist tanks. The problem was that the tank was considered very expensive and several customers showed an interest in a light tank design. As well, several designers created wheeled designed which fill the role of light tank as well. The design which was eventually produced was the Iron Thunder class light tank. The light tank is similarly armed to the Iron Fist medium tank but carries a smaller payload. Production only began a few months before the Facilities was captured by the Coalition and a relatively small number of light tanks were produced. It is believed that all unfinished light tanks were scrapped by the Coalition and no other manufactures seem to be interested in producing the light tank design. The tanks are only operated in limited numbers but the light tank is liked by the mercenaries who operate them. The tank is lightly armored but is as heavily armed as most giant robots.

Instead of creating an all new design, the light tank is based on the Iron Maiden Armored Personnel Carrier. The light tank shares as many components as possible from the Iron Maiden but the frame and transmission is reinforced to handle the additional weight of the tank. The Iron Thunder is available with nuclear power and in conventional electrical and combustion engines. The engine is supercharged to retain the top speed of the Iron Maiden in a slightly heavier vehicle but is otherwise the same engine. The fusion reactor was manufactured outside of Iron Heart factories and is similar to those mounted in many civilian vehicles. Armor is about equal to the Iron Maiden but the tank's turret is slightly better armored. Electronics are similar to those carried in the Iron Fist tank although some systems are reduced due to space constraints. There is no space in the tank for troops or any personnel beyond the crew of three. The light tank has some of the weaknesses of the Iron Maiden such as being unable to travel over water but the use of components from the Iron Maiden allows a reduction in design time as well as retooling manufacturing facilities.

The Iron Thunder mounts a 120 mm smoothbore cannon similar to the Iron Fist but with additional recoil suppression systems to allow the cannon to be fired in a smaller frame. The cannon is a pre-rifts design derived from the M1A2 Abrams tank. Payload is reduced compared to the Iron first with only 30 rounds. Like the Iron Fist, the Iron Thunder has an auto-loader system. Beside the main cannon is a laser cannon which is carried on the front of the Iron Maiden but is moved to the turret in the light tank. The side mini-missile launchers of the Iron Maiden are retained in the design of the Iron Thunder. These launchers give the light tank a very powerful short range punch with a large payload. Some crews have stated that they prefer the heavy missile payload of the Iron Thunder over the weaponry carried on the Iron Fist medium tank.

Model Type: IH-20B
Class: Light Tank
Crew: Three: one driver, a gunner, and a commander.

M.D.C. by Location:

	Weapon Turret:	160
	120 mm Smooth Bore Cannon (Turret):	100
	Laser Turret (Coaxial):	60
	MLRS-24 Mini-Missile Launchers (2, Sides):	40 each
	Smoke/Gas Dispenser (2, Sides):	15 each
	[1] Main Body:	320
	[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%.
Maximum Effective Range: 400 miles (640 km) with a full tank of gasoline or via electric motor before needing refueling; unlimited if nuclear (10 year life).

Statistical Data:
Height: 9.0 feet (2.7 meters)
Width: 10 feet (3 meters)
Length: 25 feet (7.6 meters)
Weight: 24 tons (21.8 metric tons) fully loaded
Cargo: Minimal storage space; about four feet (1.2 m) tor extra clothing, weapons, and personal items. Three Wilk's 447 laser rifles and two WI-23 missile launchers with five loads each are stored in a compartment behind the driver's seat.
Power System: Combustion or electric engine or nuclear.
Black Market Cost: 1.6 million with combustion engine, 2.2 million for one with an electric motor, 16.5 million with nuclear engine (life-time of 10 years).

Weapon Systems

1. IH-B-LR Low Recoil 120 mm Smooth-bore Cannon: Very similar to the Iron Fist's main cannon but has special recoil suppression systems to allow it to be fired on such a small tank. 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 tank has a special auto-loader system for the 120 mm cannon. The turret can rotate 360 degrees and the gun can elevate up to 60 degrees. Fired by the main gunner.
   Maximum Effective Range: 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) for direct fire with discarding sabot round, 6,000 feet (1828 meters) for direct fire with all other rounds, and indirect fire range of 26,250 feet (8,000 meters).
   Mega-Damage: (HE): 1D6x10 with a blast radius of 20 ft. (HEAT): 2D6x10, blast radius of 10 ft. (AP): 1D4x10. (APSD): 3D4x10 (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration)
   Rate of Fire: A Maximum of 3 attacks per melee.
   Payload: 30 rounds.
2. IB-34L Laser Turret (1): This weapon is mounted in the turret beside the main cannon and is fired by the gunner as a secondary weapon. The weapon is used against infantry and light targets no worth a shot from the main gun. 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: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
   Mega-Damage: 6D6 M.D. per dual blast.
   Rate of Fire: Can shoot up to six times per melee.
   Payload: 1000 dual blasts if conventionally powered. Unlimited if vehicle has a nuclear engine.
3. 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 or commander 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.
4. Smoke/Gas Dispensers (2): A smoke/gas dispensing unit is attached to each side of the Light Tank. 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.

Special Equipment:

All Iron Heart Armaments tanks have 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 © 2003, Kitsune. All rights reserved.