IFV-19 Minotaur

The IFV-19 Minotaur is a early 22nd century infantry fighting vehicle developed by the United Earth Federation. It was their primary infantry fighting vehicle that served with mechanized infantry units of the Federation army and, as a secondary role, provide support to the MBT-27 Centurions. 
==Development History==
The IFV-19 Minotaur was developed and designed for the mechanized infantry of the newly formed Federation army in the new age of interplanetary warfare. Part of its design was that it could keep up and support the MBT-27 Centurions introduced two years earlier. The entire development program was the second joint military development program in the UEF's history, after the MBT-27 Centurion but at a far smaller scale. Involved nations included the United States, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, South African Republic and Sweden. 
=== Origin ===
With the formation of the UEF there were many other stockpiles of varying infantry fighting vehicles and armored fighting vehicles from multiple other countries. Much like the MBT-27 Centurion's program, it was recognized there would be a need to consolidate everything into one universal vehicle to ease logistics across the broad in the event of a 'Space War'. The joint development program codename 'Minos Program' would be started in 2099. 
Much like the MBT-27 Centurion's development program, an existing vehicle was chosen as the basis for the IFV-19. The chosen vehicle of this was Sweden's CV92. 
== Design ==
=== Armament ===
==== Primary ====
Primary armament for the IFV-19 was the M40 40mm autocannon firing telescoped ammunition developed jointly by the United Kingdom, France and Sweden. The M40-1 used a complex autoloader, had a fire rate of 260 RPM and was capable of high elevation for urban environments but also gave it the ability to engage aircraft. The later M40-2 later increased this fire rate up to 290 RPM and also introduced smart munitions such as airburst and proximity fuses. The autoloader used in the M40 is a two-tube cylinder rotating chamber, resembling an revolver's cylinder. One tube is always loaded, the other tube would be rotated vertically down to a loading position and additionally further rotated horizontally to align with the shell loader, the process is then repeated clockwise for firing. 
The IFV-19 was also equipped with a missile launcher mounted to the left side of the turret with two tubes. This launcher would be folded down and the safety enabled while in long range cruises but could remain up and ready to fire while moving. The system was capable of fire on the move but would not fire at speeds above 38 km/h. 
The launcher and missile overall has 3 firing modes, from across all variants, direct attack, top down attack and proximity attack mode (also sometimes called indirect attack mode). Direct attack is the traditional and straightforward mode in which the missile goes directly to the target from the launcher. Top down attack has the launcher point at a slight upwards angle and the missile hitting the target directly from above, this mode uses lock, fire and forget guidance. While proximity attack or indirect attack mode is a hybrid of both, where the missile travels almost directly to the target and explodes mere meters above the target. Proximity attack has been used by some crewmembers against infantry behind tough cover such as foxholes and trenches, however later variants of the Minotaur removes this mode entirely in order to prevent crewmembers wasting it on infantry as the main cannon was later upgraded with smart munitions capable of proximity airburst, thus fulfilling the same role at lower cost.
===== IFV-19C Missile autoloader and new launcher position =====
Where previously reloading the missile launcher would require disengaging from combat and the crew to exit the vehicle, the C model introduced a new turret and launcher incorporating an autoloading system for the launcher. The autoloader is located at the rear of the turret with a armor plate separating it from the crew compartment. The autoloader has capacity for 8 missiles, not counting ones already loaded in the launcher. Loading is done when the launcher is moved into a small chamber, called the loading chamber, located right behind the autoloader's stowage. The chamber is separated by two, heat-resistant, hydraulic sliding doors, leading out of the vehicle and is where the missile launcher enters from. The launcher is moved into the chamber by two "hydraulic wheels" located on the pivoting arm mounts, one on each side. Once in, a set of hydraulic arms lined up onto the launcher's two tubes move the missiles in. 
The launcher, still the ML-2B, had to be relocated for this system rather than the side of the turret. It is now placed on a pivoting hydraulic arm capable of raising and lowering the launcher with the lowered position being both its loading and stowed position. This also gave the launcher an ability to fire over obstacles. The stowed position of the launcher is simply lowered down right outside the loading chamber. The launcher itself was also required to be equipped with an integrated camera for guidance, target acquisition and tracking.
==== Secondary ====
The IFV-19 was equipped with a single 6.8mm coaxial machine gun based on the LMG-15 and could be further mounted with an RWS on top for the commander. This RWS was usually seen mounted with either the HMG-7 .50 caliber heavy machine gun or another LMG-15. The M12 20mm autocannon was also available as an option but rarely seen.
== Variants ==
* IFV-19A - Initial and original production variant. Was widely produced and fielded by the Federation up until around 2220 when all models were upgraded to the B model standard that was initiated in 2220 as part of the same program that created the MBT-27B.
*IFV-19B - Improved variant introduced in 2220. It improved most components, such as a new improved fire control system, a improved M40-2 40mm autocannon with smart munitions, and a newer, more powerful engine, the Kron-4467. Additional armor panels were also added-on for improved protection. The ML-2 launcher was also improved upon, dubbed the ML-2B. The newer launcher and improved fire control system introduced a new dual firing mode for the system, a direct attack mode and top down attack. A later software upgrade and slight modification to the missile in 2208, gave it a 3rd mode, proximity attack mode.
*IFV-19C - A drastic upgrade program for the IFV-19 Minotaur. Its primary feature was a new, redesigned, turret and missile launcher system equipped with an autoloading system. Additionally, the M40 was replaced with the new M41, a more modern, lightweight and compact upgrade of the M40. Other improvements and/or upgrades include; increased survivability with the addition of extra add-on armor packages as well as a improved fire prevention system for both the engine compartment and the new autoloader's ammo stowage, a upgraded drive system; new and more powerful transmission and gearbox to handle the heavier weight.
**IFV-19C1 - A minor variation of the IFV-19C. Forgoes the complex missile launcher upgrade and turret redesign, opting to keep the original turret for cost and simplification reasons.
== Trivia ==
* The described launcher of the C variant and its ability to lower and raise to fire over obstacles is reminiscent of the M901 ITV while its placement on the turret with a gun is reminiscent of early tank-mounted rocket launcher systems such as the Sherman Calliope. Unlike the Sherman Calliope however, the launcher is not connected to the gun by an arm and only relies the turret to turn for traverse.
Category:Federation vehicles