Stingray Dynamics "Stingray III" Light Tank:

The Stingray light tank was originally developed in the later part of the Twentieth Century as a light tank design which would have the firepower of a main battle tank while having excellent mobility. Of course the tank was extremely lightly armored but was otherwise an excellent design. It was produced by produced by Textron Marine and Land Systems Division which was formerly Cadillac Gage. While the light tank was not operated by the United States Military, the design was purchased by the Thai military. There was an improved version of the Stingray know as the "Stingray II." It had improved mobility and armor.

Due to a lack of sales, the manufacturing facility was due to be decommissioned but it was bought up by a number of investors, mostly military engineers, who named the new company "Stingray Dynamics." They were able to convince several smaller nations to purchase the light tank and sales kept the company in business. Still, the company scraped by for many years. It was always of the verge of bankruptcy.

The fortunes of the company changed overnight. Suddenly, the invention of new explosives and new high strength materials made all previous designs obsolete. The various clients wanted to have their designs upgraded with the new materials. Still, the engineers wanted more than that. Borrowing heavily, Stingray Dynamics was able to develop a new tank design based off the Stingray which used the new technology being introduced. They also decided that the design would be specifically designed to be more affordable.

The designers decided that the tank would use a fuel cell system as well as being armed with liquid propellant weapons. Many other designs were considering electromagnetic designs and fusion power plants. While consider by most to be more effective designs, they were also far more expensive. It was determined that even though the main gun could fire liquid propellant rounds, it would be able to fire conventional rounds as well. This would allow the tank to use the huge stocks of 105 mm ammo that already existed. The liquid propellant would be stored in the shell casing to allow this. It would only be mixed at the last moment before firing. The weapon did feature an automatic loading system which allowed the reduction of the tank's crew from four to three. The commander could chose a liquid propellant weapon or an automatic grenade launcher. The automatic grenade launcher was more popular with most commanders. While incredibly tough due to the new composite materials used, there was an external armor add on to further increase the ability of the tank to take damage.

At the same time as the new design, being called the "Stingray III", was being introduced, a large number of upgraded old Soviet designs were being sold and a design was needed to counter it. The new light tank design which the engineers at Stingray Dynamics fit the new for a design to deal with the upgraded Soviet designs and was extremely affordable. As a result, sales took off and suddenly the company was a success. It was found that the tank did extremely well against old Soviet T-80 and T-90 tanks. As well, due to not being a refitted design, the Stingray II was not a maintenance nightmare like the Soviet designs. Other features including an armor upgrade package which allowed the tank to make more damage. Even so, the design was not sold to the United States Army or Marines except for a small number for evaluation purposes.

Throughout production, the design was improved. The armor was improved and the tank could withstand more damage. With the introduction of high capacity batteries, they introduced a battery powered version. While the battery powered version had decreased range, it is easier to operate in most conditions because it can simply be recharged at a power plant such as a fusion reactor. While the main gun was retained with a liquid propellant charge, the coaxial and commander mounts were modified so that a pulse laser could be mounted instead. The pulse laser was fully automatic and carried its own high capacity battery. While the pulse laser was preferred for the coaxial mount, most commanders continued to prefer the grenade launcher. A short range missile or a mini-missile launcher was also designed for the light tank to increase its firepower. The new weapons were available as an upgrade to older versions of the Stingray III as well.

Production continued until the coming of the Rifts with large numbers having been produced since its introduction. When the world was devastated from the magical storms, a large number of Stingray III light tanks were at the factory, rail heads, and sea ports waiting for shipment. Few were destroyed in the cataclysm and many of these were grabbed by those who survived the horrible events. A large amount of main line military hardware was overseas and was destroyed. While many were destroyed in fighting, a surprising number actually survived to present. Many of those who survived have found their way into the hands of mercenary companies where they continue to be operated hard. A scattered number can still be found around the world in addition to what had been the United States.

While most Stingray III tanks were powered by a high capacity batteries by this time, there was still a large number powered by fuel cells. Many of them have been jury-rigged with conventional diesel power plants and some have even have fusion plants installed in the original power plants space. There was for many years no company which were known to produce liquid propellant weaponry. Because of this, most main guns fired conventional rounds. Those that still had light liquid propellant mounts have replaced them with either conventional weapons replacing them or light laser weaponry was mounted in their place. Some crews have also jury-rigged missile launchers on tanks that did not originally carry them. For a while, Iron Heart Industries manufactured a similar design in the Iron Thunder although the Iron Heart tank is based on an Armored Personnel Carrier design and is armed with a 120 mm conventional cannon.

Amazingly, the factory complex which produced these tanks survived the coming of the Rifts although abandoned. A group of Operators have managed to bring the facility back to operation. The use the same name as the original company, "Stingray Dynamics." At first production was slow but production has been steadily increasing. As might be expected, much of their initial production went into repair parts and they repair and upgrade the Stingray III as well. They also began producing the additional upgrade package. The engineers were able to figure out how to produce the liquid propellant ammunition after several failed attempts. As well, Wellington Industries now produces liquid propellant ammunition for the 105 mm cannon as well. The AGL-40 Grenade launcher is replaced by the equivalent Wellington model and their performance is virtually identical. Most customers seem to prefer the electrical powered version with uses a high capacity battery but the company produces the fuel cell version as well. The company had several of their engineers go to Archangel Heavy Industry to learn the physics behind the system. There are several customers who have purchased large numbers of these light tanks including several mercenary companies. Likely more have been drawn to the company with the destruction of Iron Heart Industries.

Recent the company introduced a new model of the Stingray. They have designated it the "Super Stingray" and it is armed with an electromagnetic rail gun instead of a liquid propellant main weapon. As well, power is provided by a fusion reactor. Of course, the fusion powered model is far more expensive and many customers have avoided the tank due to its cost. As a result, while there have been steady sales, sales have not yet reached expectations.

Model Type:	Stingray III	Initial Model
	Stingray III-B	Upgrade Model

Vehicle Type: Light Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).

M.D.C. By Location:

Stingray III

Stingray III-B

Armor Package

	[1] Cupola 8 mm Liquid Propellant Mount	45	45
	[1] Cupola AGL-40 Auto Grenade Launcher:	50	50
	[1] Cupola Pulse Laser Mount:	50	50
	Main Turret:	160	180	+40
	105 mm Liquid Propellant Main Cannon:	80	100
	[1] Coaxial 8 mm Liquid Propellant Mount	30	30
	[1] Coaxial Pulse Laser Mount:	40	40
	Optional Mini Missile Launchers (2):	60 each	80 each	+20
	Optional Short Range Missile Launchers (2):	80 each	100 each	+20
	[1] Smoke / Gas Dispensers (2):	10 each	10 each
	[2] Main Body:	320	360	+100
	[3] Track Treads (2):	65 each	75 each
	Tread Skirts (2):			+80

Notes:
[1] 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.
[2] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and is unsalvageable.
[3] 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.

Speed:
Ground:
Standard: Cruising speed on land is 70 mph (112.6 kph) on roads and 60 mph ( 96.6 kph) off road maximum.
With Armor Package: Cruising speed on land is 65 mph (104 kph) on roads and 55 mph ( 88.5 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%.
Underwater: Can be equipped with snorkel to run underwater down to 15 feet (4.6 meters)
Maximum Range: Fuel cell versions have a maximum range of 600 miles (1126.5 km) Battery powered versions have a maximum range of 500 miles (804.7 km)

Statistical Data:
Height: 8 feet 4 inches (2.5 meters)
Width: 8 feet 11 inches (2.7 meters)
Length: Hull: 20 feet 8 inches (6.3 meters) Gun Forward: 30 feet 5 inches (9.3 meters)
Weight: 22.25 tons (20.1 metric tons) fully loaded but without external armor package. External armor package adds 1.5 tons (1.36 metric tons)
Cargo: Minimal storage space; about three feet (0.9 meter) tor extra clothing, weapons, and personal items. Three Wilk's 457 laser rifles and one WI-23 missile launcher with three loads each are stored in a compartment behind the driver's seat.
Power System: Electric (with a high capacity battery) or Fuel Cells
Black Market Cost: 2.6 million for original model and 3.1 million for upgraded model. External armor package costs 250,000 credits. Short Range or Mini-Missile launchers cost an additional 200,000 credits.

Weapon Systems:

1. USA-LP-105-A 105 mm Liquid Propellant / Convention Cannon: Weapon is designed with a special breach which allows it to fire both conventional ammunition and special liquid propellant ammunition developed for the light tank. The liquid propellant ammunition is self contained with the propellant in a casing. The propellant only mixes at the last moment. Still the propellant casing is shorter and more rounds can be carried. There were a variety of rounds developed for the weapon including high-explosive (HE), high-explosive anti-tank, armor piercing sabot-discarding rounds, and even a powerful plasma round. The turret can rotate 360 degrees and the gun can elevate 55 degrees. Fired by the main gunner and has an automatic loading system.
   Maximum Effective Range: Liquid Propellant Rounds: Armor Piercing Sabot-Discarding have a range of 11,482.9 feet (3,500 meters), 6560 feet (2,000 meters) for direct fire with most other rounds, and indirect fire range of 23,620 feet (7,200 meters). Conventional Rounds: 6,000 feet (1828 meters) for direct fire and indirect fire range of 20,000 feet (6,000 meters).
   Mega-Damage: Liquid Propellant Rounds: Armor Piercing Sabot-Discarding inflict 3D4x10+20 (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Can use High Explosive rounds that does 1D6x10+10 M.D. with a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters). High Explosive Anti Tank does 2D4x10+20 M.D. with a blast radius of 10 feet (3.0 meters). Plasma rounds inflict 3D4x10+10 with a blast radius of 20 feet (6.1 meters). Conventional Rounds: Armor Piercing Sabot-Discarding inflict 1D6x10+10 (optional rule is that cannon gets a critical on a natural 18, 19, or 20 due to its high penetration). Can use High Explosive rounds that does 1D4x10+10 M.D. with a blast radius of 15 feet (4.6 meters). High Explosive Anti Tank does 2D4x10+10 M.D. with a blast radius of 8 feet (2.4 meters). Plasma rounds inflict 2D4x10+10 with a blast radius of 15 feet (4.6 meters).
   Rate of Fire: A Maximum of four (4) attacks per melee.
   Payload: Liquid Propellant Rounds: 48 rounds. Conventional Rounds: 32 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 (Fire control also gives bonuses to Coaxial mount).
2. Coaxial Mount (1): Weapon is mounted is coaxial (beside the main cannon) which moves with the main barrel and targets the same target as the main gun. Originally a liquid propellant weapon was mounted but is was replaced by a pulse laser in many later models. The weapon shares the same fire control system as the main gun.
   1. USA-LPG-8-B Liquid Propellant Gatling Gun: This weapon is similar to the sub-machine-gun carried on the USA-GPA-01-D. This weapon's primary purpose is use against infantry and other lightly armored targets. The weapon can fire all types of burst available to machine guns except extended bursts. The weapon uses a special liquid propellant which delivers about four times the force of nitro-cellulose propellant and the weapon fires an 8 mm round.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
      Single Shot (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
      Ten Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 5D6
      Ten Round Burst on 1D4 Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
      Thirty Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6x10
      Thirty Round Burst on 1D8 Target (Costs 1 attack): 2D6
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 3,000 rounds (Can share ammo with other liquid propellant weapon for a possible total of 4,500 rounds)
   2. US M-220 Automatic Pulse Laser: Modified version of the pulse laser carried by troops as a squad automatic weapon until replaced by the M-260 Pulse Ion weapon. The weapon pulls its power from a special high capacity storage battery which allows for a huge number of shots before running out of energy.
      Maximum Effective Range: 1600 feet (610 meters)
      Mega Damage: 2D6 per single shot, 6D6 for a rapid fire three shot burst, or use machine gun burst rules for higher burst setting.
      Rate of Fire: Equal the secondary gunner's number of hand to hand attacks - Single Shot, Three Round Burst, and Extended Bursts (Use Machine Gun burst rules).
      Payload: 1,200 shots
3. Top Weapon Mount (1): The tank has a spindle to mount a weapon on the top of the turret which is normally controlled by the commander of the tank. The weapon is designed for use against troops assaulting the tank and against aircraft. Originally the weapon carried was a liquid propellant weapon but the weapon was replaced by a variety of different weapons. The grenade launcher was the favorite replacement weapon by many vehicle crews. Weapon mount is designed to be able to be controlled from within the turret.
   1. USA-LPG-8-B Liquid Propellant Gatling Gun: This weapon is similar to the sub-machine-gun carried on the USA-GPA-01-D. This weapon's primary purpose is use against infantry and other lightly armored targets. The weapon can fire all types of burst available to machine guns except extended bursts. The weapon uses a special liquid propellant which delivers about four times the force of nitro-cellulose propellant and the weapon fires an 8 mm round.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage:
      Single Shot (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
      Ten Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 5D6
      Ten Round Burst on 1D4 Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6
      Thirty Round Burst on One Target (Costs 1 attack): 1D6x10
      Thirty Round Burst on 1D8 Target (Costs 1 attack): 2D6
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander).
      Payload: 1,500 rounds (Can share ammo with other liquid propellant weapons for a possible total of 4,500 rounds)
   2. US AGL-40 Automatic Grenade Launcher: Weapon is very similar to the WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher produced by Wellington Industries but uses a slightly smaller round and the weapon itself is slightly lighter. Weapon was used in vehicles as well as being used in tripod mounts and used by power armors. Weapon can fire single shot or bursts of ten rounds and can inflict heavy damage when burst fired. The grenade launcher can use either a 40 round magazine or 200 round belt. The tank normally mounted two belts together to increase number of rounds to 400 rounds.
      Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914 meters)
      Mega-Damage: 3D6 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 12 ft and 5D6 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 3 ft, burst of 10 rounds does 2D4x10 for Fragmentation with a blast area of 40 ft and 2D6x10 for Armor Piercing with a blast area of 8 ft. Other special rounds are available.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (commander) - Single Shot or Ten round bursts.
      Payload: 400 Round Double Belt.
   3. US M-220 Automatic Pulse Laser: Modified version of the pulse laser carried by troops as a squad automatic weapon until replaced by the M-260 Pulse Ion weapon. The weapon pulls its power from a special high capacity storage battery which allows for a huge number of shots before running out of energy.
      Maximum Effective Range: 1600 feet (610 meters)
      Mega Damage: 2D6 per single shot, 6D6 for a rapid fire three shot burst, or use machine gun burst rules for higher burst setting.
      Rate of Fire: Equal the secondary gunner's number of hand to hand attacks - Single Shot, Three Round Burst, and Extended Bursts (Use Machine Gun burst rules).
      Payload: 1,200 shots
4. Optional Missile Launchers (2): Originally designed for the upgraded model but can be fitted to the original model as well. Have explosive bolts for quick detachment and can be changed out in about an hour with the proper tools.
   1. Short Range Missile Launchers:
      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. 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, 6, or 10 (all).
      Payload: each launcher carries 5 short range missiles for a total of 10 short range missiles. No reloads can be carried inside of the tank.
   2. Mini Missile Launchers:
      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. Typically armor piercing and plasma (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
      Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of 2, 5, 8, or 16 (all).
      Payload: each launcher carries 8 mini-missiles for a total of 16 Mini-missiles. No reloads can be carried inside of the tank.
5. Smoke Dispenser (4): Mounted on either side of the tank and launches smoke grenades. Some testing has been done using prismatic aerosol grenades to reduce the effect of lasers against the tank. As well, tear gas grenades can be used for special purposes.
   Effect: Creates a cloud of smoke 40 ft (12 m) in diameter (see other grenades for their effects)
   Maximum Effective Range: 1,200 feet (365 m)
   Rate of Fire: Two per melee
   Payload: Carries 6 smoke grenades per launcher (24 grenades total).

Sensory Equipment:
The tank does not carries all standard equipment of a robot vehicle but instead carries these systems:

• Radio/ Video Communications: Long range, directional, has a range of 500 miles with short range directional radio of 5 miles (8 km).
• Laser Targeting System: Range is 2 miles (3.2 km) and gives an additional +1 to strike with long range weapons.
• Combat Computer/ Targeting Computer: Assists in the tracking of targets.
• Full Life Support: Protects crew, troops, and vehicle from heat and radiation and gives a breathable atmosphere inside the tank for up 48 hours in vacuum and three weeks with scrubbers.
• Spotlight: Range: 600 feet (182.9 meters)
• Thermo-Imager: Range: 2,000 ft (609 m). Finds the infrared 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.

[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX 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 © 2006, Kitsune. All rights reserved.