Vickers AS100 Braveheart II Self Propelled Howitzer:
The AS90 was originally developed as a private venture with the first prototype being completed in 1986. In 1989, the new artillery system entered the competition for replacement for the aging system that were then in service. While the United States retained their M109 Howitzers, Great Britain wanted an updated and more modern self propelled howitzer. Some features of the new system were heavier armor, a higher rate of fire, and better electronics including an advanced fire control computer. Unfortunately for the United States, the replacement for the M109 was canceled and the M109 Howitzers were asked to soldier on for far longer than expected. The AS90 Howitzer were later upgraded to 52 caliber from the original 39 caliber weapon giving it an extended range although rate of fire was still less than the German PzH 2000.
When the "Mega-Damage Revolution" as it is sometimes called swept the world, Great Britain, like most of the world found themselves in need of new armored designs taking advantage of the new materials. The Germans developed the PzH 2100 while the United States finally ordered a modified version of the Crusader gun systems which had been developed at the turn of the Twenty-First century. The British followed the example of other nations and developed a new mobile artillery system based on their AS90 system with the new designation of AS100. There was some consideration given to simply purchasing United States Crusader Gun Systems but it was decided to use an indigenous design. Other designs which the British military had developed from older designs include the Challenger III tank which was developed from the Challenger II design but mounted a 140 mm cannon in the place of a 120 mm cannon. While the new British self propelled howitzer was being developed, a number of AS90 were refitted with the new armor but they were retired as soon as the AS100 reached operational levels although some were sold to allied nations.
It was well known that both the American Crusader and the German PzH 2100 would use fuel cell systems and the Challenger III was planned with a fuel cell system as well. Fuel systems had developed to be extremely safe and efficient since their first introduction. As a result, they have a longer range than the original diesel fueled AS90. The transmission allowed for a slightly greater top speed but there was no considerable increase in top speed. Top speed on the AS100 was increased to around 60 kilometers per hour compared to around 55 kilometers per hour for the AS90. The AS100 was constructed of the new high strength composites and alloys coming into service at the time and was much better able to withstand damage than its predecessors although still not anywhere near as tough as the new Challenger III Tank. The main weaponry was unchanged from the Long Barreled 52 caliber version with the exception that it now use advanced ammunition types. The 155 mm used standard artillery rounds which were identical to those fired from other mobile artillery. The AS100 retains the same amount of ammunition as the AS90 with a total of forty-eight rounds. The AS100 is fitted with an auto-loader system to retain a high rate of fire and does not require stabilizing spades to fire. The original AS90 mounted a .50 caliber machinegun on the roof of the turret for use against attacking troops and against aircraft. This was retained on the AS100. In the American Crusader the weapon was later replaced by a liquid propellant weapon but the AS100 retained the old style machniegun. The British military had problems with liquid propellant weapons and the AS100, as a support vehicle, was not seen as a high priority. In addition to the machine gun, the AS100 mounts two mini-missile launchers on the sides of the turret. These were designed as an emergency self defense weapon. Like most combat designs, the AS100 mounted smoke grenade launchers.
The British military began developing a replacement for the AS100 which featured a fusion reactor instead of a fuel cell system and an electro-thermal howitzer in place of the standard howitzer. The design was canceled in the early stages and it was decided that the British military would adopt the Galahad self propelled. There was much disagreement with the decision to adopt an American system but it was much less expensive. The AS100 was put into reserve status as the American design came over in large numbers but the AS100 was still considered very useful and was retained. Due to the use of high tech alloys and composites, the self propelled howitzers were virtually immune to stress and environmental factors. As a result, most of the howitzers were still operational when the Rifts effective devastated the world. Some of these survived the coming of the Rifts including a few which have been recovered by mercenaries. While many mercenaries prefer missiles over conventional artillery, conventional artillery is far less expensive to operate even with extended range projectiles. Many of these owners have had the machine gun replaced by either a pulse energy weapon or by a rail gun. Other crews have replaced the fuel cell system with small fusion reactors which give the design virtually unlimited endurance.
Model Type: Vickers AS100 Braveheart II
Vehicle Type: Self Propelled Howitzer
Crew: Five (Driver, Gunner, two loaders and Commander).
M.D.C. by Location:
| [1] Tractor Treads (2): | 50 each | |
| Howitzer Turret: | 160 | |
| Howitzer Barrel: | 80 | |
| [2] 12.7 mm Machine Gun (right side of turret): | 20 | |
| Mini Missile Launchers (2, turret): | 30 each | |
| Smoke Dispenser (2): | 20 each | |
| [3] Main Body: | 300 |
Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the Howitzer 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] 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.
[3] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is
completely shut down and is unsalvageable.
Speed:
Ground: Cruising speed on land is 37.3 mph (60 kph) on roads
and 28 mph (45 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%.
Maximum Range: 310 miles (500 km)
Statistical Data:
Height: 9.84 feet (3.0 meters) to top of turret.
Width: 11.15 feet (3.4 meters)
Length: 23.62 feet (7.2 meters) for main body and 36.75 feet
(11.2 meters) with gun forward
Weight: 52.9 tons (48 metric tons) combat loaded
Power Source: Fuel Cell System
Cargo Capacity: Minimal storage space in pilots compartment;
about three feet (0.9 m) in side dimensions for extra clothing, weapons,
and personal items. Three carbines and one hand-held missile launcher with
four loads each are stored in a compartment in the crew compartment.
Black Market Cost: 3 million credits to build. The mobile artillery
usually double to triple that to buy one today. If fitted, any extra weapons
systems will add to the cost of the tank.
Weapon Systems
Sensory Equipment:
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 2004, Kitsune. All rights reserved.
