Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Approved Vehicle Molegun Self-Propelled Artillery

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OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: Sub a vehicle.
Image Source: Here.
Canon Link: N/A.
Permissions: Permission for all ArmaTech gear and all other subs made by Laira Darkhold's writer here and here.
Primary Source: N/A.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Manufacturer
: Archangel Research and Design.
Affiliation: Archangel Research and Design.
Market Status: Closed-Market
Model: Subterranean SPA 1a
Modularity: Ordnance fired by main gun is highly configurable.
Production: Limited
Material: Durasteel, Duranium, Reinforced Duraplast, electronics, vehicle components.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Classification: Droid Artillery
Role: Artillery
Size: Large
Weight: Very Heavy
Armaments: Extreme
  • Plasma drill array.
  • 310mm Heavy Howitzer
  • 1x E-Web Heavy Repeating Blaster or equivalent secondary weapon such as a Rotary Cannon.
Defenses: High
  • AE-CML1 Dampening Chaff
  • ACS-404 Active Protection System
  • ECM Module
  • Large armoured compartment to shield the cannon from being damaged while in transit underground. When deployed it falls down the sides of the vehicle to boost protection for rear wheels.
  • Deflector Shield
  • Cap Drains and De-Ionizer suite
  • Ionization Buffer
  • Smokescreen launchers
Maneuverability Rating: High
Speed Rating: Low
Propulsion: Tracks and wheels
Minimum Crew: Droid Brain
Optimal Crew: Droid Brain
Passenger Capacity: N/A
Cargo Capacity: Low

SPECIAL FEATURES
  • The howitzer fires 310mm shells. Essentially, any shell of this calibre can be loaded into the weapon and fired. Examples are standard high-explosive shells, airburst/shrapnel, armour-piercing, smoke, proton shells, white phosphorus or incendiary shells. Others are ion, cluster munitions, EMP, cryoban warheads, Cacophaziner shells and gas. Capable of being loaded with chemical warfare agents such as coma gas, FEX-M3 nerve gas or the gasuous variant of the Hurlothombric Compound.
  • ACS-405 Long Range Sensor Suite
  • Target Acquisition And Tracking System
  • Unity Processing Matrix. Powered by the digitalised essence of the condemned. Essentially acts as an intelligent droid brain. The machine is able to handle exponentially more calculations, predictions and tactical situations, leading to an increased efficiency. Among other things, this results in increased tactical awareness and predictive powers. The entire vehicle is automated.
  • Anti-Slicing Countermeasures
  • When deployed the cannon telescopically extends into the firing position in order to puts its targets under fire. Main cannon can be synced to laser designators used by spotters, drones etc. Droid brain can receive data from allied units to overcome any gaps. For example, if a droid infantry unit is pinned down within firing range but outside of optimal sensor range, the droids' own data can provide a better firing solution. Targeting can be supported by data from spotters, orbiting ships, satellites or drones if available.
  • Propulsion is somewhat unconventional as it features tracks and rear wheels. However, this means it drives like a forklift and is able to turn on a dime. With the tracks the rear wheels can also turn opposite of the steering wheel so that the back end shifts position around the tracks. Thus it turns just like a forklift where the back end pivots around the front tracks.
STRENGTHS
  • Subterranean. Advanced drilling equipment allows the vehicle to travel underground. This can allow it to evade detection and ambushes while it positions itself to bombard the enemy. It is also helpful for avoiding enemy counterfire.
  • Boom. The SPA's cannon is incredibly powerful. It can fire a variety of rounds and is a very potent weapon that is perfect against heavy fortifications, enemy columns, buildings etc. Moreover, the howitzer can fire ten rounds in a minute, or up to six in a twenty second bursts. A battery of these can be devastating. If need be its drill can tear through most vehicle armour with ease, though this only effective at close range.
  • Controlled by an intelligent droid brain. Combined with advanced fire control and guidance systems, this enhances the artillery walker's accuracy even without the use of spotters, though these obviously augment it even further. The entire walker is automated.
  • While big and heavy, the tracks and wheels give it a great turning radius.
WEAKNESSES
  • Big and heavy. Burrowing underground is not instantaneous, and difficult to accomplish while under heavy fire. Tracks are usually slow and the vehicle is heavy, so while it has a good turning radius, it is not fast. The vehicle is a bit faster underground, but cannot fire its howitzer then.
  • Range. Though featuring a good battlefield range, the howitzer lacks the range of missiles.
  • Tremors. A vigilant enemy will know something is coming from the growing sound of the drill and the crushing of rocks coming from below. Even if they don't know where it will emerge it's hard to conceal unless a diversion covers it.
  • Although it has good armour, the SPA is vulnerable to air strikes while above ground. This means it still needs escorts.
  • Ion weapons are, of course, the best way to combat droids, and this SPA is no different. It has protection, but big ion cannons, artillery grade EMP and ion bombs etc. are a problem.
DESCRIPTION

Artillery is devastating on the modern battlefield. Most utilise turbolasers because they have less ammunition problems or missiles due to their greater accuracy. However, there is still a place for explosive shell weapons, not the least due to their versatility. Moreover, they are easy to make and store; they are effective at area bombardment, and they are simpler to maintain.

The Molegun Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA) is built on a robust and simple SPA chassis, allowing it to move over both road and off-road environments. What sets it apart from conventional SPA designs is its ability to travel underground. This is also beneficial for the application of shoot-and-shoot artillery tactics, as it improves the vehicle's ability to move away from a compromised location after firing and thus avoid counter-battery fire.

To achieve this it has been given advanced drilling equipment based on that used for the Hellmaw Subterranean APC. Subterranean transit can allow it to appear in unexpected locations, bypass enemy strongpoints and avoid aerial ambushes. A large armoured compartment shields the cannon from being damaged while in transit underground. The cannon telescopically extends into the firing position in order to puts its targets under fire. Moreover, the vehicle features tracks and rear wheels. This is very unorthodox, but it drives like a forklift and is thus able to turn on a dime, which gives it a great turning radius. However, it does not excel in terms of speed due to its weight.

As is typical for many Archangel designs, the SPA is controlled by an intelligent droid brain that utilises the digitalised minds of undesirable organics. The organics have been terminated, and their essence has been rendered down and converted into a part of an elaborate computer system. This does not constitute an AI, as it lacks any form of independence, but it has allowed multiple organics to be forged into a single powerful piece. The machine is able to handle exponentionally more calculations, predictions and tactical situations, leading to an increased efficiency across the board.
 
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