M577 Armored Personnel Carrier

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The M577 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) is a troop transport used by the United States Colonial Marine Corps. The M577 evolved from the Marine 70 battlefield deployment strategy, which proposed a requirement for a low-cost lightweight APC capable of being transported into combat aboard the UD-4L Cheyenne Dropship.

Designed as a multi-role vehicle within a lightly-equipped rapid-reaction force, the M577 is mobile and well armed. However, the rigid design restrictions and compromises imposed by the need to be drop-transportable have resulted in a lighter, less capable vehicle than other APCs currently in US service.

Because of the USCM requirement that the vehicle's combat weight be kept below 15,000 kg, the M577's components were designed to be as lightweight as possible. The chassis chosen for the prototype was based on that of the M570 family of wheeled vehicles which, in the late sixties, was being developed for use in a variety of roles, mainly as a prime mover and mortar platform. The APC is built around a 4 x 4 wheeled layout, powered by a 286 kW multi-fuel gas turbine engine which generates a power-to-weight ratio in the region of 19.7 kW/kN.

Although the wheeled configuration does not give as rugged a cross country performance as a tracked vehicle, it does offer considerable savings in terms of weight penalties and reliability. Each of the massive 159 cm diameter wheels receives power independently from the engine via a fully automatic, electronically-controlled transmission system. The tires are armored against small-arms and splinter, and their pressure is controlled by a central regulation system. This allows the driver to reduce the vehicle's ground pressure over soft terrain by deflating the tires, whilst still being able to re-inflate them for road travel.

**Purchase TN:** 73 (To Build) 49 (New) 32 (Used)

**Restriction:** Mil (+3)

• • A M577 Armored Personnel Carrier requires the Pilot Ground Vehicles Skill to be operated.

• • The M577 Armored Personnel Carrier has vehicle mounted weapons, these vehicle weapons require the Vehicle Weapon Proficiency feat.

• • A M577 Armored Personnel Carrier can drive over any object at least 1 size category smaller than the tank. Anything run over by A M577 Armored Personnel Carrier takes 12d6 damage. Characters and creatures run over by A M577 Armored Personnel Carrier are considered stunned, and prone. (Vehicle Trait)

• • The M577 Armored Personnel Carrier has Headlights (provide illumination 5 x that of 2 flashlights), and seat-belts (+2 bonus to saves made to avoid injury during a collision).

• • The M577 Armored Personnel Carrier has a 4 wheel suspension as a base, this is an extremely efficient way of moving across the ground meaning a car can go 1 ½ its base movement as single move action. (Vehicle Trait)

• • *4x4 Drive:* A Car with 4x4 Drive ignores half the speed reduction when traveling over rough terrain.

***Accommodations***

• • 13 Seats

***Power System***

• • Internal Combustion Engine (PL 5)

***Vehicle Systems***

• • 4x4 Drive (PL 5) **• •** Supercharger (PL 5) **• •** Fuel Economizer (PL 6) **• •** 10 Unit Fuel Tank (PL 5) **• •** Automatic Fire Control System (PL 5) **• •** Class I Sensor Array (PL 5) **• •** Life Support System (PL 5) **• •** Utility Flare System (PL 5) **• •** Radio Transceiver (PL 5) **• •** Anti-Accident System (PL 6) **• •** Radiation Shielding (PL 6) **• •** Targeting System (PL 6) **• •** 2x Republic Electric RE700 20mm Gattling Cannon (PL 6)