Work In Progress GAAW-60 Thundercat

[Rara Gowisi]

Image Source​

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Manufacturer: Si Tech
• Affiliation: Galactic Alliance
• Market Status: Closed Market
• Model: Galactic Alliance Assault Walker Model 58 Thundercat
• Modularity: No
• Production: Minor
• Material:
  • Impervium
  • Vardium Steel
  • Seigurium
  • Durasteel
  • Reinforced Duraplast

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Heavy Walker
• Role: Forward Assault
• Size: Large
• Weight: Very Heavy
• Armaments: Very High
  • Heavy Beam Cannon
  • Flak Auto Cannon
  • Side Mounted Grenade Launchers
  • Top mounted Rocket Pod
  • Back mounted mortar
• Defenses: Very High
  • Composite Armor Plating
    • Layer I - ERA plating [Anti-AP]
    • Layer I.5 - Laser Reflective Coating [ Energy Dispersion]
    • Layer II - Impervium Plating [Kinetic Dispersion]
    • Layer III - Seigurium Plating [More Kinetic Dispersion]
    • Layer IV - Vardium Steel Plating [Energy Dispersion]
    • Layer V - Durasteel Plating [Energy Dispersion]
    • Layer VI - Reinforced Duraplast Plating [Energy Dispersion and Anti-Ion shielding]
  • Heavy Shielding
    • Particle Shield Generator
    • Ray Shield Generator
    • Ion Shield Generator
    • Molecular Shield Generator
  • Frosties Smoke Launcher
  • Missile Deactivation Transmitter
  • Electronic Countermeasure Suite
  • Flare Launcher
  • Chaff Launcher
  • Sealed Ammo Storage
• Maneuverability Rating: High
• Speed Rating: Very High
• Propulsion: Bipedial
• Minimum Crew: 3
  • Driver
  • Commander
  • Gunner
• Optimal Crew: 7
  • Commander
  • Driver
  • Comms Officer/Drone Operator
  • Main Gunner
  • Grenade Launcher Gunner
  • Rocket Pod Gunner
  • Mortar Gunner
• Passenger Capacity: 6
• Cargo Capacity: None

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Autoloaders for everyone!: Designed to ease the work for the crew, each of the weapons is designed with a series of autoloaders that allow the crew to load the armaments from within the cabin.
• I see you...: Armed with the latest in Sensor arrays, the Thundercat's cabin can see anything from infra-red to night vision, and allows for rapid 360 target location and acquisition.
• Full Rotation: Unlike other walkers, the Thundercat was designed with a rotating cabin and fixed gun, allowing for the Thundercat to return fire quickly after being hit from behind.

STRENGTHS

• Big Gun, Number One: The side-mounted Heavy Beam cannon was designed to take out everything it hits, and whatever was behind it. Also now able to create a composite beam with a fellow Thundercat, adding to it's deadliness.
• Flak Cannon FTW: Designed to deal with heavy infantry with heavy firepower, the side mounted flak cannon is designed to hit hard and fast against flying or otherwise armored infantry.
• Defends Itself: Between it's rocket pod, grenade launchers, and mortar, the Thundercat is capable of protecting itself for boarding actions.
• Crunchies: This walker is very heavy. Do not get stepped on.
• EMP Resistant: Due to it's internals being wrapped in a reinforced duraplast shell, the electronics are all resistant to anything short of a directed EMP blast.
• Mines? That's Cute: Due to the heavily armored legs, and the space from the cabin, mines rarely dissuade forward movement.
• Sealed Ammo Storage: The cargo bay, which holds the ammunition for the mortars and rocket pods, is sealed behind an impervium door. Should the ammo compartment be hit, the crew will most likely survive.

WEAKNESSES

• Off Center: The main gun is to the left of the cabin, making aiming it a bit counterintuitive.
• Crunch: This walker is very heavy. As a result, it is susceptible to loose terrain.
• Armor Dependent: While the heavy shields are designed to take quite the beating, the main defense of the Thundercat is primarily it's impervium armor. Should the enemy have heavy anti-armor, this could be problematic.
• Power Sink: The Heavy Beam Cannon, while an incredibly effective weapon, does require a lot of energy to fire in sustained fashion. This forces the users to choose between shields and the main gun.
• Only Two Legs: Should one of the two legs be knocked out, the whole thing will come tumbling down.

DESCRIPTION
Following the Invasion of Tython, the GADF requested a full redesign of the Thundercat to allow the walker to keep up with other vehicles. Decreasing the armor thickness, as well as investing in Kiffu electronics, the Thundercat was finally capable of allowing his motors the power to keep up with the tanks and light walkers of the rest of Si Tech's catalog.