Zorro Heavy Tank

Zorro Heavy Tank

Mass: 60 Tons

Chassis: Standard

Power Plant: 280 XL Fusion

Cruising Speed: 54 km/h

Flank Speed: 86 km/h

Armor: Compound VM20 Ferro-Fibrous

Armament:

26.5 tons of pod space

Manufacture: Hell Star Alpha

Primary Factory: Various

Communication System: Built 1700 /5 Tacticom

Targeting/Tracking System: KBC Starsight Model 5.1

Introduction Year: 3057

Cost: 9,632,188 C-Bills

Overview

In almost every clan outside of Hells Horses, armored vehicles have been condemned to second-line or solahma units. Even in such roles, clan science and technician castes have improved or exceeded the old SLDF tanks and support vehicles still in use or storage. Early designs such as the Mars, Kokou, Ares and Odin have proven themselves more than capable to match raiding Omni Mechs. Unfortunately only three Omni Tanks were ever developed before Operation Revival, with none of them above 50 tons.

With Ilkaun McKenna Edict of Reactivation, Clans Hell Horses and Star Adder opted to work together on a number of conversion projects. Seeing each other using the lion’s share of tanks in the clan home worlds, Khans Malavai Fletcher and Cassius N’Buta believed their clans would produce superior results. Many of these projects simply held to the wording of the edict with simple conversions of left over SLDF Royal tanks with clan equivalent weapons and equipment. But after a review of total current and planned conversions, noticeable holes in certain roles and weight classes were unavoidable.

Following the trend of other clans, the Hells Horses and Star Adder science caste were set with a goal. Figure out how to convert an series optimal tank chassis for omni technology. Utilizing old data from the Spirit Walker and Night Chanter still in second line circulation, the science caste members assigned to the project opted for a chassis in the heavy tonnage range for their first attempt. The Demon tank was then picked for the chassis due to the higher weight of fire power and flank speed over the Pike.

Work began in earnest in the middle of 3055. The first variants of the new tank were directed to mimic the Royals already in stock. Quickly the project ran into problems of possible future doctrine necessitating the turrets to be reinforced. Once reinforcement and further omni-capable modification was applied to the front and sides of the tank, the biggest point of conjecture of the new design came over its name. The Adders wanted the name to reflect an SLDF unit of the clan’s inception. The Horses wanted to hold the tradition of greco roman naming with a calvary specific theme. A compromise was eventually called after one member of the team made a suggestion. A character who was noted as a superb horseman and also held a nickname of “desert fox”. The new tanks would henceforth be listed as the Zorro.

Capabilities

Opting to reuse as much of the parent design, the team assigned to the Zorro opted to stick with the wheeled chassis and 280 rated extralight fusion engine. This helped keep the 86 km/h top speed, and deemed a necessity of convenience to keep the project on time. General internal structure was also changed little outside the omni tech required, and newer clan standard CASE in the body, and easier access to internals components for maintenance. The first major change was to switch the 10.5 tons of standard plate to clan ferro-fiberous armor, giving a modest increased protection focused on the sides, rear and turret. With 26.5 tons left for weapons and equipment, the Zorro was believed it could match any innershere mech in its weight class. In order to help counter the increased use of VTOL craft by the inner-sphere powers, the KBC Starsight Model 5.1 was fitted to the turret.

Prime

Holding to the project’s early goals, the prime configuration would opt to mimic the Royal Demon it was replacing with all clan spec weapons. A gauss rifle in the turret would provide its primary weapon. Medium pulse lasers were mounted on side sponsons. A slight change was made to mount a single streak SRM 6 pack instead of a trio of streak SRM 2s to the front. 3 tons of ammunition was set for the gauss rifle and 1 ton for the streak SRM. With the noticeable tonnage left, an AMS was mounted to the turret as well as both an active probe and ECM suite to the body. Against the Royal, the Zorro Prime would be found to cost about 3 million C-bills more to build. This cost was deemed acceptable when accounting for the increase of firepower, overall protection, and new E-War capabilities.

Alpha

Configuration A was proposed to fill in the need for indirect fire support. A trio of LRM 15s with artemis fire control was mounted with two in the turret, and the third in the front mounting. 9 tons of ammunition tries to keep the launchers fed. The two sponson medium pulse lasers remain from the prime.

Beta

Beta configuration was deemed to fill in needed artillery support. Much like the Thor, a thumper is mounted to the turret with 2 tons of ammunition allowing the tank to fill both fire support and AA roles. An AMS is mounted to the turret for added protection. To help coordinate its fire among its cluster, 8 tons of comms gear was added. The full capabilities allowed the Zorro B to act as a faster version of a full Long Tom train.

Charlie

The Zorro Charlie is noted as a city fighter or infantry hunter. The turret retains the AMS, but mounts a LB-X 10 auto cannon with two tons of reloads. For protection against infantry, flamers were mounted to the side sponsons, and a pair of vehicle grenade launchers were mounted to the front. An active probe helps find hidden units among city blocks.

Delta

In a need for long range direct fire support, the delta configuration has a ERPPC mounted to the turret, and ties it to a targeting computer. For back up at medium ranges, a ER medium laser is mounted to the front. Persuading any fast flankers, the sponson mounts are armed with a SRM 6 pack, each fed by 1 ton of ammunition. For protection the turret AMS is backed up by a ECM suite.

Echo

By 3062 the distribution of the new missile systems made by clan Coyote finally reached large enough numbers to be slotted into the new designated Zorro E. Unsure on how best to use the new missiles, four ATM 3 launchers were mounted into the front of the tank while four medium pulse lasers and a fifth ATM 3 were installed into the turret. Five tons of ammunition tries to feed all launchers with variation of ammunition types.

Hotel

Configuration Hotel was created in 3059 once the new Heavy Lasers began distribution among Star Adder logistic channels. Seen as a combination of the C and D, the Zorro H mounts the new Large Heavy Laser in the turret and ties into a targeting computer. For close range back up, a pair of Streak SRM 6 launchers are mounted to the front, with each fed by their own ton of ammunition. For protection the turret mounted AMS is backed up by A-Pods mounted to all sides. An Active Probe helps find hidden units and infantry, while a turret mounted TAG can spot for danger close artillery and air-support.