M912 DraftHorse

"*The DraftHorse is as much a part of the CORE as boots, guns, and tasteless coffee."*

## Specifications

### Design Details

The M912 FAV DraftHorse is the CORE's primary ground vehicle, used for its scouting and reconnaissance capacity, or as an integral part of a mechanized infantry unit; the M912 has been a part of the CORE's armored vehicle fleet for two centuries and is the most recognizable vehicle in their arsenal. It is a highly mobile, all-wheel-drive, all-wheel-steering, ICE-powered (Internal combustion engine) vehicle equipped with a continuously-variable transmission.[4]

The M912 is a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle capable of going over any obstacle without much difficulty; under the hood is a forward-housed low-profile liquid-cooled hydrogen-injected ICE I/C plant, coupled with an infinitely variable transmission (IVT). According to a marine's quote, it has a 36-inch ground clearance, The C.T. fuel is burned at very high temperature with a synthetic carbon/silicon catalyst to achieve even better fuel consumption. This hydrogen engine is the standard among all CORE ground-based vehicles, having replaced the use of fossil fuel-based engines some 150 plus years ago.

The M912 is capable of travel 790 kilometers or 490 miles before it needs to be refueled. Inexperienced drivers can find the M912 to be a huge and unwieldy vehicle, but it is actually very fast and highly maneuverable in the hands of a skilled driver. With the proper application of the hand, or "e-brake" the M912 can actually turn on a dime. Massive disc brakes and its automatic braking systems allow the vehicle to come to a near immediate, but controlled, stop, should the driver be ejected, or choose to leave the vehicle. The DraftHorse's tires have moved away from previous inert-gas pocket inflation with equally burst-proof single unit nanotube skeletons. They provide the buoyancy and ride of gas-pocket tires but are nigh-indestructible. The relatively massive tires are a joint project between Michelin-Vance and AMG.

The M912's design places it into the Jeep family of vehicles; it has no doors and has a total seating of two or three. The M912's description as a reconnaissance vehicle is, at best, an understatement; the M912 has both offensive and defensive capabilities. The M912 can be configured to become a troop carrier, armament carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, or communications vehicle. All M912-based vehicles are designed to travel both on and off-road, in all weather conditions.

The M912 DraftHorse contains no armaments of its own. Instead, it features an extended tray covered in a protective rollcage which provides room for several personnel in the rear section along with one driver and a passenger in the front seats.It has an SLED spot light on top of the roll cage. A high-powered spotlight is also fitted to the DraftHorse.

Unlike other DraftHorse variants, the M831 lacks any standard armament, As such, a driver must rely on of his passengers' armament for offensive and defensive firepower. The usage of a troop compartment instead of a turret affords a 360 degree overlapping field of fire: this can be used to deadly effect when passengers carry an even distribution of anti-personnel and anti-vehicle weapons. Unfortunately, passengers riding behind the cab are highly exposed to enemy fire, much like the gunners on more typical DraftHorse variants.

### Advantages

The M912 is the workhorse of light infantry ground vehicles; it is adaptable to almost any situation, maneuverable, and is arguably the most customizable vehicle with the most variants in the military's fleet, similar to the older jeeps used in conflicts prior to the End War. It is able to reach top speeds of 78 MPH and, more importantly, swings around rapidly to allow the gunner a better angle on a prospective target. The mounted M41 chain gun can cut down heavily armored infantry within seconds, this also applies to shielded infantry as well. With enough controlled fire from the 12.7X99mm armor-piercing rounds, the M41 can easily rip through the armor of a Covenant Ghost and destroy it. The DraftHorse's titanium armor, though light, is tough enough to take at least one fragmentation grenade and keep rolling and can withstand small amounts of energy weapon fire. It also makes for an impervious recon and transportation vehicle, able to make a smooth getaway or rapid infiltration if necessary. It can run on pure water, or urine if necessary, allowing it to be deployed in many different environments while maintaining the vehicle's fuel is less of an issue.

### Disadvantages

Due in part to its speed, the M912 is prone to roll over. It is vital that the driver can get in and out of dangerous situations without flipping the hard-to-right vehicle. The open nature of the DraftHorse always puts its driver and passengers at risk as a good marksman can easily take down the driver or passengers of the M912. A well thrown frag grenade can flip a DraftHorse, which will knock the driver and passenger out of the vehicle. Although the armor of the M912 is tough, a couple of direct hits from grenades or a well placed rocket will destroy it immediately. Therefore, it is essential that the driver take advantage of the DraftHorse's speed to avoid enemy fire.

## Usage

The M912 served as the CORE's go-to ground vehicle for under 8 decades following its official adoption by the DRA in 68 B.E. It was at this time the Z-12 prototype was given the formal designation of M912. The DraftHorse has since had over a dozen major variants, with military surplus models becoming extremely common throughout the allied nations. This, combined with the parts commonality and shared handling characteristics of the similarly-common Spade truck ensures that most recruits are familiar with the DraftHorse prior to joining up - with knowledge of how to use and maintain a DraftHorse required by all CORE service personnel regardless of branch, duty or station.

The commonality of DraftHorse in the colonies was a key strategic advantage to the CORE during the early years of the Extinction War, and dozens of Draft-Horse variant templates were kept aboard the factory modules stored inside the St.McCarthy  The DraftHorse saw constant use throughout the war from the Harvest campaign to the Fall of Cadia. Outside of CORE service, the DraftHorse sees common usage by the City Defense Forsce and paramilitary/ law enforcement services such as the Esztergom Police Department.