LCT-73 Tornado

The **LCT-73 Tornado** is an air-mobile light combat tank used by the UEDF and other forces.

## Background

First developed during the early stages of the Global Civil War, the LCT-73 Tornado was intended to be a highly mobile light tank that could be rapidly deployed through airdropping. This requirement forced several compromises to the design in order to ensure that it would be small and light enough to fit in contemporary transport aircraft. As a result, the tank ended up being somewhat under-gunned due to its small main cannon. Attempts to upgrade it with a more powerful weapon disrupted by the Civil War.

None the less, the Tornado ended up proliferating widely during the Global Civil War, and was used by a number of different nations and factions. It often saw use as a heavy recon vehicle or in infantry support roles, ones to which it was suited. However, it was usually outclassed by other tanks in direct engagements. By the end of the conflict, Tornados were in use worldwide.

Due to how widespread it had become, the Tornado was selected by the UEDF for their forces as an interim design until the development of more advanced weapons. The vehicle was paired with the VC-27 Tunny, which allowed it to be rapidly deployed to conflict zones. As such, it saw considerable use in actions against AUL forces, although the UEDF preferred the Stridsvagn 134 as a fast attack vehicle. The relative failure of its intended replacement, the M2-AA Slepnir meant that the Tornado stayed in UEDF service longer then expected.

Those examples that survived the Rain of Death were pressed into service with the UEDF, the Southern Cross and other powers. The latter would eventually replace theirs with the M-4 Highlander and M-21 Anaconda, both of which were far more capable vehicles. Despite being technologically obsolete, but Tornadoes (and knock-off copies) would endure in the arsenals of various local forces until the Invid Invasion.

## Capabilities

The Tornado was designed from the outset to be a lightweight combat tank for rapid-reaction and airmobile forces. This goal meant that a number of compromises had to be made in its design to keep it compact and light enough to be air-dropped. The result was that the Tornado was relatively lightly armoured and armed compared to other tanks. Throughout its career, the Tornado was hampered by its underpowered main gun, an issue that was never really addressed. However, as a tank, its mobility was only surpassed by advanced vehicles such as the Stridsvagn 134 and VBT-1 Centaur.

Due to its compact size, the Tornado only had a three-man crew, consisting of a driver, gunner and commander/technician. The main cannon was fed by an advanced autoloader, giving it a high rate of fire relative to other weapons in the class. The tank's crew were equipped with various optics to support them, including night vision, thermal and a laser sight/rangefinder. Communication systems consisted of a short-range battlefield radio. The UEDF never updated their Tornadoes with more advanced systems, although many saw refits and sporadic updates during their lives.

The armor of the Tornado was composed of an advanced titanium-steel alloy. The armor stops all small arms fire, provides good protection against heavier infantry weapons, such as a 12.7mm machinegun round, and fair resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round. The Tornado provided full protection from nuclear, biological, and chemical hazards, using an overpressure crew compartment environment activated by radiation and hazardous chemical sensors, or manually when biological warfare conditions are anticipated. The internal consumables supplies could provide air filtration for one week maximum.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **90mm Snub-Nosed Cannon:** Mounted in the turret. Feed is automatic via an autoloader, firing at a sustained rate of 25 rounds/minute, faster for short periods. The turret stores up to 50 rounds without resupply. Mix of shells is mission-dependent. Maximum effective direct-fire range is 4km, indirect fire possible out to 12km at maximum accuracy. This weapon is fully recoil-compensated.

* **7.62mm Machinegun:** Coaxially mounted on the main turret. The machinegun has an ammunition capacity for 5000 rounds.

* 2 **3-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:** LCT-73

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Mecha:** 1
	+ **Structure – Mecha:** 2
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed:** 75 kph / 120 m / 12 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **90mm Snub-Nosed Cannon:** The Tornado's Main Gun is a snub-nosed 90mm cannon. While less powerful than other main cannons, it boasts a higher rate of fire and can attack targets out to Medium Range. [B5][E][H]

* **Machine Gun:** The Tornado 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 Tornado 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 Tornado is equipped with smoke discharges it can use to help conceal its profile. [H]

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

* **Generic:** The stats for the Tornado can be used to represent other conventional tanks.

### Equipment Suites

* **Smoke Mortar:** The Tornado 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

Design Notes