MBT-62 Dark Knight

The **MBT-62 Dark Knight** is a Main Battle Tank used by the UEDF, AUL and other powers.

## Background

The MBT-62 was developed during the early Global Civil War as a supplement and replacement for various previous generation designs. While a largely conventional vehicle, it made use of advanced technologies to help improve performance while reducing service weight. This included the deletion of the loader though automation, which helped to reduce crew requirements. While this did make it more complicated than existing tanks, the Dark Knight's performance was seen as being well worth the price.

Due to its performance, the Dark Knight proliferated rapidly during the Global Civil War and saw service with numerous nations and factions. The vehicle proved to be quite capable in combat, and proved its worth in numerous engagements across the world. While not as advanced as some other designs, such as the Stridsvagn 134, the Dark Knight's reliability became a key asset as the conflict dragged on.

Thanks to both how widespread it had become and its reputation, the Dark Knight was selected by the UEDF as one of their standard tanks following their formation. Originally it had been intended as an interim design, but the relative failure of the M2-AA Slepnir and mechanical complexity of the Stridsvagn 134 meant that it stayed in frontline service even after the introduction of the Destroids. Due to their popularity, many Dark Knights were also fielded by the AUL, which lead to incidents of the tank facing off against itself in battle.

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 more advanced and capable vehicles. Despite this, Dark Knights (and knock-off copies) would endure in the arsenals of various local forces until the Invid Invasion.

## Capabilities

The design of the Dark Knight was a conventional one that built off existing main battle tank technologies and simply refined them. The use of a gas turbine engine allowed for a higher top speed than prior tanks, albeit at the cost of higher maintenance and fuel consumption. However, most commanders (and crews) saw this as being an acceptable tradeoff given the performance otherwise. The Dark Knight was fully amphibious, and could easily be adapted to different environments. In many ways, the tank's 'the same, but better' design influenced the Anaconda which replaced it.

While a pre-Robotechnology design, the Dark Knight did feature and advanced autoloader that improved the rate of fire on the main gun while eliminating the need for a dedicated loader position. The crew consisted of a driver, gunner and commander who also served as a communications technician. 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 Dark Knights with more advanced systems, although many saw refits and sporadic updates during their lives.

The armor on the Dark Knight is composed of a standard Chobam laminar developed in the late 20th century. This armor was designed to defeat projectiles striking the forward surfaces of main battle vehicles, and is also effective against beam weapons. The armor on the Dark Knight stops all small arms and heavy infantry weapons fire, provides good resistance to light mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the Zentraedi 22.3mm HE autocannon round, and fair resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry, such as the GU-11 55mm APFSDS round. The armor on the front of the turret stops all small arms, heavy infantry weapons fire, and light mecha-mounted weaponry, and provides excellent resistance to medium mecha-mounted weaponry, and fair resistance to heavy mecha-mounted weaponry.

In addition, the Dark Knight 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

* **120mm Motion-Stabilised Smoothbore Cannon:** Mounted in the turret. Feed is automatic via an autoloader, firing at a sustained rate of 16 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 5.3km, indirect fire possible out to 16km 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.

* (optional) 2 **MET Rocket Launchers:** Mounted on the sides of the turret. Each contains three rockets with blast/fragmentation rockets.

## Game Statistics

* **Required Rank:** 1

* **Designation:** MBT-62

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

### Weapons

* **120mm Main Cannon:** The Dark Knight's Main Cannon fires a massive 120 mm round at an incredible speed. It has Medium range but can target objects at farther ranges. The Cannon reduces a target’s armour by 1. Destroying the Cannon eliminates the Rapid Barrage equipment suite. [B5][E][H][P1]

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

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

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

### Options

* **MET Rocket Launchers:** The Dark Knight can optionally be equipped with a pair of Rocket Launchers mounted on the sides of the turret. These weapons can be used up to Medium Range, and can be fired twice. [B10][H]

### Equipment Suites

* **Rapid Barrage:** The Dark Knight's Main Cannon can rapidly fire its heavy rounds for a short period of time. At Medium range, the firing rate increases, but risks depleting the weapon’s ammunition. When all uses of this Skill have been used, the 120mm Main Cannon is considered out of ammunition and cannot be used until reloaded. [B5][P1]
	+ **Uses:** 3
	+ **Skill:** 3

* **Smoke Mortar:** The Dark Knight 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