New Sovietskiy BTR-290 Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle:

The BTR-80 Wheeled Infantry Fighting vehicle was the mainstay of the Russian Forces before the reformation of the Soviet Empire. The larger and heavier BTR-90 was developed as a replacement with heavier armor but was never manufactured in large numbers. It usually filled special roles. By the time the Communists took power back, the BTR-80 design was simply getting too old to maintain and showed a multitude of weaknesses compared to other wheeled armored vehicle designs.

In many ways, this situation worked out for the best. While some BTR-80 and BTR-90 vehicles were refitted with the new alloys and composites, it was decided that a whole scale upgrade of the vehicle would not be cost effective. Instead, it was decided that a new wheeled combat vehicle would be produced. Of course, in typical Soviet fashion, it was decided the BTR-90 design would be used and that the new super strong alloys and composites would be used. In the basic design, the vehicle was otherwise identical. It was designated the BTR-290 and called a brand new design but this was from the case.

Compared to tracked designs that filled the same role, the BT-290 had the advantage of being quite a bit faster. It had a top speed of around 100 kilometers per hour compared to around 70 kilometers per hour for the tracked BMP-3 and BMP-5 designs. The eight wheeled design also had a greater range with a range of around 800 kilometers compared with around 600 kilometers for the refitted BMP-3. All designs were amphibious compared to the American Stryker wheeled combat vehicle. The use of new alloys and composites meant that the vehicle required far less maintenance that the designs it replaced. As a result, the crews liked the vehicle. Of course, those were not always concerns of the government or senior military leaders.

Due to the economic situation of other countries, especially much of the Third World, only fairly limited numbers were exported. As well, there were Western designs as well as Chinese designs which competed directly for the market. Production was ended around 2060 with the design being replaced by the BMP-8 design. While tracked, the BMP-8 had a similar top speed. The BMP-8 replaced the BMP-5 design at the same time.

The BTR-90 was not taken out of service or sold to other nations to clear the design. A few were scattered around the globe but most stayed with Soviet territories. Instead, the vehicle was transferred in large numbers to security forces. As a wheeled design, the BTR-290 was much less rough on roads than the design which replaced it. The firepower of the design was also quite able to deal with most opponents. The only real problem with the design was the power system. Diesel designs were becoming outdated. Just before the coming of the Rifts, there was discussion of replacing the old diesel engine with an advanced electrical propulsion system.

These vehicles were scattered around the New Soviet Union when the Rifts came and destroyed much of the world that was. Many were destroyed but many survived as well. Some ended up in the hands of the New Sovietskiy military forces where they serve valuably even today. It would also be one of the easiest designs for them to reproduce due to the designs basic simplicity. Some also serve in the hands of various warlords. A few even ended up the hands of various mercenary groups. It is quite unlikely that this wheeled combat design will be retired any time soon.

The vehicle has a single turret which mounts four separate weapon systems. This gives the vehicle incredible flexibility and one reason for its popularity. The turret can rotate up to 360 degrees and gun mount can elevate up to 75 degrees. The main gun is a 30 mm 2A42 auto cannon with five hundred rounds of ammunition. A fire control system allows the wheeled vehicle to engage helicopters. There is a coaxial mount. This was at first filled by a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun but this was considered under powered. The weapon was replaced by a 5 mm GSR-05 Medium Railgun. Payload was also increased from two to three thousand with the rail gun. Also in the turret is a 30 mm AG-17 automatic grenade launcher with four hundred rounds of ammunition. Finally, the vehicle mounts two box launchers each with eight mini-missiles. Often, when involved in security operations, these are not carried. For additional self defense, the vehicle is fitted with missile jammers on the sides of the turret.

The BTR-290 is operated by a crew of three normally and has the capacity for up to seven troops in the troop compartments. Both compartments are protected from NBC warfare but does not have full life support. The engine is mounted in the rear of the vehicle which prevents there from being a rear hatch. Instead there are hatches on either side of the troop compartment. There is a single firing port on each side of the troop compartment which are able to be closed when not in use. There are no fittings for the powering of energy weapons compared to many newer vehicles.

Model Type: BTR-290
Vehicle Type: Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
Troop Carrying Capacity: Seven soldiers in full gear (Five human sized Cyborgs)

M.D.C. by Location:
[1] Wheels (8):40 each
[1] Water Jets (2):20 each
Weapons Turret:100
30-mm 2A42 Automatic Cannon (Turret):50
[2] Co-axial 7.62 mm Machine Gun (Turret, Early Model):10
[2] Co-axial 5-mm Rail-Gun (Replaces Medium Machine-gun):25
[2] Coaxial Automatic Grenade Launcher (Turret):40
Mini-Missile Launchers (2, sides of turret):30 each
Multi-Option Jammers (2):25
[2] Headlights (2):10 each
Reinforced Crew Compartment:80
Reinforced Personnel Bay:80
Side Hatches (2):80 each
Top Hatches (2):80 each
[3] Main Body:320

Notes:
[1] Up to one tire can be destroyed on each side of the vehicle without any appreciable loss in mobility but top speeds with be reduced by 10%. If two tires on a side are destroyed, the vehicle is reduced in top speed by 20% and has a -25% to piloting rolls when being operated off-road. Destruction of a water jet will prevent water travel.
[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: Maximum speed on land is 62.1 mph (100 kph) on roads and 37.3 mph (60 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%.
Water Capabilities: Uses water jets to propel tank over the surface of the water but is not designed for deep water use. Using the water jets, the BTR-90 can travel on the surface of water at 6.2 mph (10 kph/5.4 knots).
Maximum Range: 497.1 miles (800 km)

Statistical Data:
Height: 9.78 feet (2.98 meters)
Width: 10.50 feet (3.20 meters)
Length: 25.06 feet (7.64 meters)
Weight: 23.0 tons (20.9 metric tons) fully loaded
Power Source: Conventional, Diesel
Cargo Capacity: Minimal storage space in pilots compartment; about three feet (0.9 m) in side dimensions for extra clothing, weapons, and personal items. Two carbines and one hand-held missile launcher with three each are stored in a compartment in the crew compartment. Without troops, can carry up to two tons in troop compartment.
Black Market Cost: 2.8 million credits was the production price originally; Remaining Armored Vehicle sells for double that (5.6 million credits). Many of these combat vehicles remain in service with the New Sovietski and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords.

Weapon Systems:

  1. One 30-mm 2A42 Automatic Cannon: Mounted in the turret as the main gun and the turret can rotate 360 degrees and can elevate up to 75 degrees and depress down 5 degrees. Cannon can be used against low flying aircraft as well as other ground vehicles. The standard ammunition has been replaced by high density ramjet ammunition which inflicts heavy damage and enables the BTR-290 to hold its own against other armored vehicle's weapons.
    Maximum Effective Range: 6,560 feet (2,000 meters / 2 kilometers).
    Mega Damage: 1D6x10 for a short burst of 10 round burst and 2D6x10 for a long burst of 20 round burst, 3D6 for each round.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the gunner (usually 4 or 5).
    Payload: 500 rounds (50 short bursts or 25 long bursts)
  2. Coaxial Light Secondary Mount (1): Weapon is Co-axially mounted with the 30-mm main gun. The original 7.62 long Russian round, while longer and more powerful than the standard Soviet 7.62 Kalishikov round was still considered under powered by most crews. Eventually, the weapon was replaced by a medium rail gun but many crews still preferred a heavy rail gun.
    1. 7.62 mm PKT Medium Machine-guns (1): Carried on the original BTR-90 Combat Vehicle and while underpowered was not replaced until a 5 mm rail gun was developed in the second half of the twenty first century. The American Bradley quickly replaced their medium machine-guns with liquid propellant weapons. While special ammunition was developed, the crews of the armored vehicle still greatly disliked this weapon.
      Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters)
      Mega Damage: One round does 1 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 3D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 2D4 M.D.C.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: Carries 2,000 rounds (100 bursts) for the Coaxial mount
    2. 5 millimeter GSR-05 Medium Railgun: Finally developed as a replacement for the medium machine-gun. It was much preferred by vehicle's crews but was still considered underpowered compared to other tank mounts.
      Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 meters)
      Mega Damage: One round does 1D4 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or 6D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 4D6 M.D.C.; Forty round full bursts do 1D4x10
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: Carries 3,000 rounds total (75 full bursts or 150 half-bursts) for the Coaxial mount.
  3. Coaxial Mounted AG-17 Automatic Grenade Launcher: Weapon is very similar to the WI-GL21 Automatic Grenade Launcher produced by Wellington Industries and the American Automatic Grenade Launcher operated around the same time but uses a larger grenade and is heavier in design. 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. Points the same direction as the main 30 mm cannon of the BTR-290.
    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 (Driver) - Single Shot or Ten round bursts.
    Payload: 500 Rounds.
  4. Turret Mounted Mini-missile Launcher (2): Mounted on the turret on of the BTR-290 Wheeled Combat Vehicle are mini missile launchers. These launchers are designed for rapid fire use to engage heavy tanks and giant robots. These weapons are designed to be able to destroy enemy vehicles quickly. Smoke warheads are often carried for special purpose uses. Weapon is mainly controlled by the tanks gunner but the pilot also has controls.
    Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini-missile type; Usually armor piercing or fragmentation are carried (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
    Mega Damage: Varies with mini-missile type; Usually armor piercing or fragmentation are carried (Go to Revised bomb and missile table.)
    Rate of Fire: One at a time, or in volleys of 2 or 4.
    Payload: Each launcher carries 8 mini-missiles for a total of 16 Mini-missiles.
  5. Firing Ports (2): The BTR-290 has two firing ports that allow soldiers in the troop bay to fire their guns out of the vehicle with one on either side. Firing ports can be closed in order to make the vehicle a sealed environment. Firing ports are fairly small and grenade launchers and missile launchers cannot be fired from firing ports.

Sensors:

Special Notes:

[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.]

Initial Concepts by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).

By Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

Copyright © 2009, Kitsune. All rights reserved.

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