M2-AA Slepnir

The **M2-AA Slepnir** is an early laser-armed tank used by the UEDF.

## Background

Much like the F-200 Mistral, the M2-AA Slepnir was an early effort at combining Robotechnology advances with existing Earth technologies. Rather than being an adaptation of an existing design, the Slepnir was an entirely new vehicle that was built from the ground up to use a laser cannon as its main weapon. The weapon was powered by an internal battery system and displaced the traditional main cannon. This allowed the elimination of the loader crew position, reducing the tank to a three-man crew. However, the rest of the Slepnir's design was conventional and built on pre-existing technologies.

Unfortunately, the Slepnir proved to be a victim not only of rapidly evolving technologies, but also of an over-estimation of its capabilities. While the laser possessed some advantages, it also was inferior in many ways to the main guns mounted on other conventional tanks such as the 120mm cannons used by the Dark Knight and Stridsvagn 134. Furthermore, the Slepnir's cannon proved to be unreliable in the field and very maintenance-intensive. Finally, as said, the design was rapidly displaced by the advancement of technology. Within a few years, the UEDF had access to the semi-transformable Centaur Hover Tank and the Destroids, which out-performed it in every way.

Production was curtailed, but those extant Slepnirs were kept in service with the UEDF with some seeing action against the AUL. Most of those were destroyed in the Rain of Death, but some survived and were pressed into service by those groups that emerged in its wake. The Slepnir was used by the Army of the Southern Cross, and its design was influential in the creation of their own laser-armed M-4 Highlander tank. However, in general, it was found that the Slepnir was too slow and too lightly-armed to face off with Zentraedi Mecha. The last examples were retired by 2018.

## Capabilities

The main reason for the Slepnir's existence was to serve as a platform for a first-generation battlefield laser weapon. While the tank used a conventional fuel system for propulsion, the laser was powered by an internal battery system. The laser was mounted in the turret, displacing the traditional main cannon found on other tanks. The weapon offered a number of advantages, chiefly that it was not dependent on conventional ammunition. Not only did this reduce the weight of the vehicle and eliminate one of the crew positions, but it also meant that the Slepnir was not at risk of ammunition explosions. However, the weapon was also less powerful than expected, and in many ways its performance was inferior to conventional weapons. Furthermore, the laser was temperamental and highly maintenance-intensive.

Otherwise, the Slepnir's design was entirely conventional and offered little advancement over pre-existing tanks. The tank had full off-road capabilities, and possessed a limited amphibious capability. It featured a three-man crew (driver, gunner and commander) who were equipped with night-vision and thermal optics, as well as a laser rangefinder for the main cannon. Communications were provided by a contemporary radio set that very quickly fell behind the curve of technological advancement, however the comparative failure of the design meant that the UEDF made little effort to replace it.

The armor on the front of the Slepnir is composed of advanced Chobham laminar reinforced by a heavy depleted Uranium mesh on the outer plate. This combination makes it effective against projectile and explosive weapons, as well as being capable of defeating attacks by energy weapons. The armor stops all small arms, heavy infantry weapons fire, and light mecha-mounted weaponry, provides excellent resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry and provides good resistance to heavy mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Centaur’s 120mm smoothbore shells. The armour on the sides and rear was thinner, providing less overall protection.

In addition, the Slepnir was equipped with a sealed crew compartment that offered full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards. The internal consumables supplies can provide atmosphere for one week maximum.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **High-Powered Beam Cannon:** Mounted in the turret in place of the traditional main cannon. Produces high-energy shots with a maximum rate of fire of approximately 15 shots/minute. Higher rates of fire are possible but will overheat the cannon and risk inflicting damage to it. Powered from an internal battery.

* **Anti-Personnel Grenade Launcher:** Mounted on the right side of the turret. Fires anti-personnel grenades for self-defence.

* **12.7mm Machinegun:** Mounted the commander’s cupola turret. The machinegun has an ammunition capacity for 500 rounds.

* **6-shot Smoke Dischargers:** Mounted on the top rear of the main turret. Capable of firing a smoke grenade up to 50m.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** M2-AA

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Mecha:** 2
	+ **Structure – Mecha:** 3
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed** – **Ground:** 60 kph / 100 m / 10 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **High-Energy Beam Cannon:** The Sleipnir’s main cannon is a high energy Beam Cannon. It’s an early version of the Tomahawk’s main weapon. It is limited to Medium range and ignores 1 point of the target's armor. [H] [P1]

* **Mortar:** The Sleipnir can launch grenades which inflict 3x light damage and fire up to Short range. The weapon has three shots. [B3] [H]

* **Machine Gun:** The Slepnir is equipped with a light-class Machine Gun for defence. A Machine Gun ignores 2 armour against light targets and inflict 2x light damage. [H] [P2]

### Features

* **Crew:** The Slepnir has a crew of 3: 1 driver, 1 gunner and 1 commander/technician. If one crew is missing or injured, then it may still operate but will take penalties to maneuvering and sensor skill rolls.

* **Smoke Launchers:** The Slepnir is equipped with smoke discharges it can use to help conceal its profile [H]

* **Terrestrial:** The Slepnir can only be used in an Earth-like environment

### Equipment Suites

* **Smoke Mortar:** The Slepnir comes equipped with the ability to launch smoke. This helps the tank advance into or leave a combat zone. Use this benefit to defend against enemy fire.
	+ **Uses:** 2
	+ **Skill:** 3