French Weygand Missile Vehicle:
Because the French government had not upgraded much of its military during the first half of the Twenty-First century, the state of their forces dropped to deplorable levels. The majority of their equipment was old, worn-out, and outdated. The resurgence of colonial Britain in 2055 "woke up" the French government and made them realize that they had lost their status as a world power. To make up on lost ground, the French government funded and enormous military build-up program to re-equip its military in all areas. The army, navy, and air force all received funding for projects, especially those dedicated to colonial expansion and enhancing global presence.
In 2058 the French army put out a requirement for a missile artillery vehicle capable of being transported by air and deliverable by parachute to support armored and infantry units. The Weygand Missile Vehicle was named after General Maxime Weygand, Chief General Staff Army (1931-1935), Vice-President Supreme War Council (1931-1935), Inspector of the Army (1931-1934), Commander in Chief Orient Theater of Operations (1939-1940), Commander in Chief Allied Forces in France (1940), and Commander in Chief North Africa (1940-1941).
The design was required to be capable of providing fire support for ground troops and armor. In addition to being used as artillery, missile vehicles also filled important air defense functions. To make production easier and to reduce costs, it was decided that a standard chassis would be used. The hull of the Giat Industries Chevillon Light Tank was chosen for its light weight, multi-armor capability, and relatively inexpensive price. Like the Chevillon light tank, the Weygand can be fitted with three levels of protection. In combination with the new series of super-strength armor materials, the design was capable of being configured for the type of combat expected. An added bonus was that the armor was easily replaceable when damaged in combat.
In its base or Level I armor configuration, the Weygand could be low-velocity airdropped from a transport aircraft. Utilizing the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) developed by the Americans, a Level II armor configured vehicle could be delivered to the battlefield by aircraft. Level III vehicles were delivered by landing ship or actually landing the transport aircraft. The vehicle’s standard configuration was with Level II armor.
The profile of the vehicle was very low with the entire front end sloped with the missile turret mounted low on the hull. Both crew members were seated side by side in the hull with the turret behind them. A small but powerful nuclear reactor was located in the rear of the vehicle and powered all the systems and propulsion.
The vehicle mounts a large missile launcher in place of the main turret on the on the Chevillon. This launcher does not have a reload but has a total of eight cells for missiles. A long range missile can be replaced by two medium range missiles, but long range missiles were the most common carried ordnance. Behind the turret on either side of the hull was a raised section that housed a mini-missile launcher. Each of these flush mounted launchers carried sixteen missiles. Intended primarily for anti-missile defense, crews would switch some of the fragmentation rounds for AP or Plasma rounds, giving the vehicle a considerable anti armor punch should it encounter enemy armor. Also during the 2080s, an anti-personnel system similar to the British Claymore mine system was installed after several tanks were lost to mass infantry attacks. Lastly, a pair of smoke dispensers were mounted on the turret to help confuse laser-guided missiles and to conceal the vehicle.
The new Inter-Vehicular Information System allowed targeting data from one vehicle to be transmitted to every other vehicle fitted with the system within a 6 mile radius. This allowed incredible force multiplication for the French armored, power armored and airborne forces. One very common tactic was to have one or two vehicles keep their sensors active and transmit targets to other vehicles who's sensors were off. Once enemy fire began targeting those vehicles, they would shut down their sensors and exit the target area. Other vehicles would activate their own sensors and take the place of the first vehicles. The ability to track and fire on enemy targets without exposing themselves to active sensor detection kept many of the French forces from enemy detection. Only when open combat came about would every vehicle within a unit have their sensors on.
Model Type: Giat Industries Weygand Missile Vehicle
Vehicle Type: Light Tracked Missile Vehicle
Crew: Two (Driver and Commander).
| M.D.C. By Location: | Level I: | Level II: | Level III: |
| [1] Tractor Treads (2): | 80 | 80 | 80 | |
| Tread Skirts (2): | --- | 80 | 120 | |
| Multiple Missile Battery: | 150 | 250 | 300 | |
| Mini Missile Launchers (2): | 75 each | 100 each | 150 each | |
| [2] Smoke/Gas Dispensers (2): | 20 each | 20 each | 20 each | |
| [3] Main Body: | 325 | 425 | 525 |
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] 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 unsalvageable, but crew and troops may survive in their
reinforced compartments.
Speed:
Ground: 93.2 mph (150 kph) maximum road speed; 74.6 mph (120 kph)
maximum off-road speed. 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: On the surface at 40.4 mph (65 kph) or underwater (Buttoned up)
at 19.9 mph (32 kph)
Maximum Range: Unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply with 10 year duration)
Statistical
Data:
Height: 14 feet (4.2 meters)
Width: 10 feet (3.0 meters)
Length: Main Body: 27.5 feet (8.5 meters)
Weight: Level I: 34 tons
Level II: 36 tons
Level III: 39 tons
Power Source: Nuclear (Should have an average lifespan of 10 years).
Cargo Capacity: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew.
Black Market Cost: Not available, should go for about 45/55 million
credits when in good condition.
Weapon Systems:
Sensory Equipment:
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc.]
By Kamikazi (kamikazi_gm@hotmail.com).
Copyright © 2003, Kamikazi. All rights reserved.
