M-21 Anaconda

## M-21A Anaconda

The **M-21A Anaconda** is a main battle tank used by the Armies of the Southern Cross.

## Background

The Army of the Southern Cross had inherited a wide variety of different tanks, including Slepnirs, Dark Knights, Tornados and other designs. These vehicles represented a wide range of capabilities , many of which had not worked entirely as intended. While their own Highlander tank had represented an attempt at a more advanced design, the Southern Cross chose to create a second, more conventional tank to compliment it.

Compared to those prior tanks, the Anaconda was far less ambitious and entirely conventional in its design. The main difference lay in its use of advanced materials and technologies that had been developed since the arrival of the SDF-1 and then refined in the decade and a half since. As a result, the Anaconda was lighter and faster than its predecessors, but with no loss of capabilities or protection. Those few innovations included in the design were relatively unambitious and functional.

The Anaconda entered service with the Southern Cross in 2018, serving alongside the Highlander in their frontline forces. It proved to be highly effective during the Malcontent Uprisings when used against conventional opponents. Following the formalisation of the Southern Cross' role in the UEDF, the vehicle became the standard tank for the Tactical Corps, as well as the Civil Defense Unit, where it again replaced older vehicles. The Anaconda saw action in a number of the small conflicts and Southern Cross 'interventions' during the 2020s, where it proved its value, handily outclassing the older tanks it faced in combat. The Anaconda was also used by several UEG member-states, such as the Central African Union.

However, the moment the design is probably best known for is the role it played in B.D. Andrews' coup in the Far East Sector. CDU troops equipped with Anacondas aided in seizing control of Neo-Tokyo and directly attacking government facilities. They were also used in the final battle for Hameda Airport, where several Anacondas were destroyed during Mark Landry's counterattack.

For all its capabilities, the Anaconda fared predictably poorly against the Robotech Masters' Bioroids and Assault Dropships. The Bioroids were simply too fast and mobile for the Anaconda to compete with, while the Assault Dropships could simply bombard them from the air. Most of those that survived were destroyed during the Invid Invasion. Those that remained after that were rarely used by resistance forces since they were too large and slow-moving to effectively fight Invid mecha.

## Capabilities

For the most part of the Anaconda is of a conventional design that followed the design trends of Main Battle Tanks going back to the early cold war. The use of advanced materials allowed for superior performance over older tanks without compromising on protection. The Anaconda was fully amphibious and featured excellent all-terrain performance. Its design allowed it to be used in a wide range of environments, from jungles to deserts with little adaptation.

The armament was similarily mostly conventional. However, as a break from the norm, the Anaconda was armed with a trio of short-range surface-to-air missiles. These were added as a countermeasure against helicopter gunships, but also saw some use against Zentraedi Malcontent mecha. However, they proved to be quite ineffectual against Bioroids mounted on Hover Sleds. To support the weapons, the Anaconda was equipped with a short-range battlefield radar in addition to traditional optical systems and a laser rangefinder. Communications were provided by a contemporary radio and video system.

The armor on the front of the Anaconda 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 Anaconda 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. Typically the crew would be further protected through wearing Gusoku or LPAS body armour.

## Weapons and Equipment

* **120mm Motion-Stabilised Smoothbore Cannon:** Mounted in the turret. Feed is automatic via an autoloader, firing at a sustained rate of 22 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.

* **Surface to Air Missile Launcher:** Mounted on the right side of the turret. Features three short-ranged Hornet II SAMs for self-defence against aircraft.

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

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

* 2 **8-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:** M-21A

* **Division:** ASC-CDU, ASC-TC

* **Stats**
	+ **Armour – Mecha:** 2
	+ **Structure – Mecha:** 3
	+ **Resist:** 1
	+ **Hardware Points**: Basic
	+ **Speed:** 75 kph / 120 m / 12 Ground Units

### Weapons

* **120mm Main Cannon:** The Anaconda’s Main Cannon fires a massive 120 mm round at an incredible speed. It has Medium range but can target objects at farther ranges. Due to Robotechnology, loading is handled robotically. 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 Anaconda 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]

* **Light SAMs:** The Anaconda mounds light surface-to-air missiles in its turret for use against enemy aircraft. This weapon can only be used with an Equipment Suite.

* **No Melee:** The Anaconda cannot engage in melee except to make Ramming attacks.

### Features

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

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

### Equipment Suites

* **Rapid Barrage:** The Anaconda’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

* **Light SAMs:** The Anaconda carries three surface to air missiles for use in self-defence. These weapons can be used up to Long range. [B5]
	+ **Uses:** 1
	+ **Skill:** 3

* **Smoke Mortar:** The Anaconda 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