From the time of the Second Wold War, the Soviet military loved missile artillery. This was shared by the new Soviet military when it was revitalized after the restoration of Soviet leadership. Most previous Soviet self-propelled missile launchers had been wheeled but it was decided that the new missile vehicle would be treaded. It was also decided that the T-255 tank would be used as a basis for the missile launcher design to reduce costs. It would also allow for reduced logistics due to the design sharing many of the same parts with the main tank fleet. The T-255 tank is considered very adaptable and, along with the missile vehicle, the tank is used as a basis for the 2S268 self-propelled Artillery.

The design was authorized in 2058 to support the new tanks which were then entering service. The first prototype was completed in 2060. The design was first shown in a military parade in 2062. At the same time, the government controlled Soviet media declared the vehicle to be another part of the Soviet Military and at the same time stated that the Soviet Military was the most advanced and powerful military in the world. Due to delays is retooling, full scale manufacturing was delayed until 2064. It increased in number over the next several decades and manufacturing continued even after the HTM-285 hover missile launcher was introduced. While not produced in the huge numbers of the T-255 tank, it was produced in relatively large numbers. Few TM-262 Missile Tanks were sold to other governments so virtually all were found inside of the restored Soviet Union. There was a lighter missile vehicle design which the Soviet leadership preferred to export. The export design was also favored by the Navy / Marines because more could be carried on amphibious vessels.

Like most military hardware, most TM-262 Missile Artillery Tanks were destroyed with the coming of the Rifts. Still, many survived due to their large numbers with many of the surviving missile tanks being housed in protected bunkers. The missile tanks have been found by mercenaries who use the design to support their own tank forces. In this same role, the TM-262 is used in New Sovietskiy forces. Due to the missile tank not fitting with their tactical doctrine, the TM-262 is very rare in Warlord service. Several manufacturers in Poland make repair parts for these missile tanks and Triax produces repair parts and upgrades for the T-255 tank which many will also fit the missile tank.

As previously listed, the basic chassis is that of the T-255 Main Battle tank with a heavy missile launcher replacing the main turret. The engine from the tank is also retained and has a top speed of around 105 kph on roads. Contrary to many people's opinions, treaded vehicles, especially those constructed from the new alloys and composites, do not suffer abnormal number of breakdowns from the cold. The Warlords consider Cyborgs to operate better in cold environments but breakdowns for cyborgs are actually greater than for most tanks. Unlike the 2S268 Self Propelled Artillery, the TM-262 was not designed with a governor to reduce top speed. It was expected that the missile tank would be required to keep up with the main tank forces. The armor from the T-255 was retained and as a result the TM-262 is incredibly tough. The troop compartment from the T-255 was not altered in the TM-262 but troops are rarely carried and usually additional supplies are carried. In some cases, the TM-262 has acted as almost supply trucks for the T-255 and carried additional ammunition and food for the crews of the T-255 tanks that they were operating with. Electronics is reduced compared to the T-255 but the missile tank carries more systems than the mobile artillery which is also based on the tank's chassis. One reason for this is due to the fact that the missile tank doubles as an anti-aircraft missile battery. The missile tank also carries the systems carried on most robot vehicles.

The main weapons of the missile tank are twelve long range missile tubes mounted where the main turret is mounted on the T-255 tank. The missile launcher is well armored so that the individual launchers cannot be easily destroyed. Unlike the American Morgan Missile Vehicle, medium range missiles cannot be substituted for the long range missiles. As partial compensations, the medium range missile launchers carried on the T-255 are retained to give the missile vehicle medium range firepower as well as long range firepower. No mini-missile launchers are carried for short range firepower. The light gun mount carried on the turret of the T-255 is moved to the main hull. The light gun mount is controlled by the commander and can be controlled from inside the tank. It is designed to be used against both ground troops and attacking aircraft. Early models carried a 10-mm rail gun but was replaced by a pulse laser in later models. The pulse laser has the advantage of unlimited payload and is based on the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle. Unlike the T-255 tank, an automatic grenade launcher was not fitted instead of a rail gun or pulse laser.

Model Type: TM-262
Vehicle Type: Missile Artillery Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
Troop Carrying Capacity: four soldiers in full gear (No cyborgs)

M.D.C. by Location:

	[1] Tractor Treads (2):	100 each
	Long Range Missile Battery (Top):	250
	[2] 10 mm Commander Heavy Rail-Gun (Hull - Early Models):	50
	[2] Commander Pulse Laser Mount (Hull - Later Models):	40
	Medium Range Missile Launchers (2, sides of hull):	80 each
	Multi-Option Jammers (2):	25
	[2] Headlights (2):	10 each
	Rear Troop / Cargo Door	100
	[3] Main Body:	550

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 is unsalvageable.

Speed:
Ground: Maximum speed on land is 65.2 mph (105 kph) on roads and 49.7 mph (80 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 tracks to propel tank over the surface of the water but is not designed for deep water use. Using the tracks, the T-255 can travel on the surface of water at 11.2 mph (18 kph/9.7 knots).
Maximum Effective Range: Effectively unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply with 5 year duration) Armored Vehicle carries about two weeks worth of supplies emergency rations onboard.

Statistical Data:
Height: 12.1 feet (3.70 meters) to top of missile battery.
Width: 12.5 feet (3.80 meters)
Length: 28.9 feet (8.80 meters)
Weight: 75.5 tons (68.5 metric tons).
Power Source: Nuclear fusion reactor; Must be refueled every five years, otherwise effectively unlimited.
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. In cargo compartment, up to 1000 lbs (453.6 kg) can be carried instead of troops or ammunition.
Black Market Cost: 10.5 million credits was the production price originally; Remaining tanks sell for double that (21 million credits). Many of these tanks remain in service with the New Sovietski and a few are in the hands of Russian Warlords.

Weapon Systems:

1. Hull Weapon Mount (1): The missile tank has a special mount for weapon on the top of the hull forward of the long range missile launchers. The mount 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 10 mm heavy rail gun but was later replaced by a pulse laser. The mount was designed so that it can be controlled from within the turret so the commander would not be exposed to hostile fire.
   1. 10 millimeter GSR-10 Heavy Railgun: The Soviet military was unable to make an effective liquid propellant weapon and instead developed, some say stole, a rail gun design for their existing vehicles. The mount was designed so that it can be controlled from within the turret.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,920 feet (1,500 meters)
      Mega Damage: Single shot does 2D4 and 20 round burst does 1D6x10+10
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner
      Payload: 1,200 rounds (60 bursts).
   2. Pulse Laser Mount: Replaces the medium rail-gun in later models and many older models replace the rail gun as well when refitted. The Laser fires four shot bursts and is capable of destroying missiles and inflicting serious damage on aircraft. The weapon is also useful against armor and infantry. Laser is similar to the S-500 Cyclone Pulse Laser Rifle with extended range.
      Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters).
      Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 MD for four shot burst.
      Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner (Commander)
      Payload: Effectively unlimited.
2. Long Range Missile / Rocket Launcher: Located on the top of the missile tank, where the gun turret is on the T-255, are twelve missile tubes with the ability to carry a total of twelve long range missiles. Unlike the launchers on the American "Morgan" missile vehicle, the launchers cannot fire medium range missiles. Missiles can be used against both surface targets and against aircraft. The launcher can rotate 360 degrees.
   Maximum Effective Range: As per long range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per long range missile type (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two or four.
   Payload: Twelve (12) Long Range Missiles.
3. Medium-Range Missile Launchers (2): Two medium range missile launchers are mounted on the sides of the main body of the missile tank. Each mount has two actual missile launch tubes. Both launchers are usually controlled by the gunner, but can be fired by the driver or commander if the gunner is injured. They are usually outfitted with High-Explosive, Fragmentary or Plasma missiles. The launchers can engage air and ground targets.
   Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only (Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of Fire: One at a time, or in volleys of two.
   Payload: 4 missiles, 2 in each launcher.
4. Multi-Option "Shtora-8A" Jammers (2): These are multi-purpose jamming devices designed to stop incoming missiles and confuse an enemy targeting the TM-262
   Effect: Each firing launches two Chaff rockets, two Flare rockets, and the tank begins emitting a large cloud of smoke, both standard and Anti-Laser Prismatic Aerosol; The Chaff rockets detonate and spread Chaff over the area, the flare rockets floating down by parachute; Effects last for one minute (4 Melee rounds.) The Chaff rockets have a 20% chance of interfering with the course of enemy missiles each (40%, total) that are radar guided so that they miss the tank. The flares have the same percentages, except with IR-guided missiles. The Anti-Laser prismatic aerosol reduces damage by half for any laser beam striking the tank (With the exception of X-ray lasers but not variable frequency lasers; X-Ray lasers suffer no damage modifiers, and variable frequency lasers simply cannot compensate for the variables involved), and adds a +4 difficulty to targeting the tank with a laser guidance system or visually.
   Rate of Fire: Usually once every four melee rounds; Effects are not cumulative.
   Maximum Effective Range: Around the tank only; Rough distance of 80 ft (24 m) around tank.
   Payload: Sufficient for twelve firings; One of each type of jamming option from each side of the vehicle.

Sensory Equipment:
The tank carries all standard equipment of a robot vehicle plus this special equipment:

• Anti-Aircraft Radar: Range of 10 miles (16 km); Capable of tracking up to 10 targets simultaneously, this radar serves to guide the 10 mm Rail-gun / Pulse Laser in engaging aircraft (+2 to targeting aircraft and missiles with the weapon), and providing early warning of incoming aircraft and missile attacks; The radar can be programmed to shut off immediately if it detects an aircraft firing a missile, incase the missile is a radar-homing HARM type. The radar is highly ineffective against ground targets (-60% to sensor rolls.)
• Data-interlink transmitters: For using targeting data from scout vehicles for firing the Anti-Tank missiles or Sabot rounds. Bonus varies on the quality of the data being provided, but all data would allow the tank to fire over obstacles if the scout vehicle is in the right position. The normal effective battlefield range is 5 miles (8 km).
• Full Infrared viewing mode: Range of 2 miles (3.2 km), with IR searchlight (+3 to detecting targets with IR when in use, however, +3 to detecting the TM-262 with IR equipment when in use, as well.).
• Two Periscopes: Has up to x100 magnification for commander and driver to view out of while maneuvering the vehicle. Visual targeting sight with same magnification possible for gunner.
• Laser targeting system: For long range missile launchers, range of 2,000 meters.

[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 2003, Kitsune. All rights reserved.