Basilikoi Klibanophoros Anti-Gravity Tank
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:24 pm
I finally got around to taking better pictures of the Klibanophoros. Here's the MOCpages link: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/317598
The Basilikoi military relies heavily on combined-arms. Its infantry is the solid core of its army, but the offensive arm is the cavalry. Consisting primarily of anti-gravity tanks, the cavalry has light, medium, and heavy arms. The Klibanophoros is the current mainstay of the heavy cavalry.
The Klibanophoros boasts a heavy cannon for its main gun. A gravitic-accelerated kinetic penetrator, using artificial- and anti-gravity to propel a depleted uranium sliver to inordinate velocities, the main gun is more than capable of defeating even the heaviest of enemy armor, without the weaknesses of a warhead (vulnerable both to point-defense weapons and to reactive armor) or a directed-energy weapon (vulnerable to electromagnetic shielding and absorbtive armors). This same technology powers the bulk of the empire's weaponry, with the main exceptions being ship-based point-defense, where directed-energy is preferable, and the highly-classified Fire Storm devices.
The main gun is capable of significant depression and elevation, and the turret boasts a smooth, 360-degree rotation. The two side-mounted rifles are capable of engaging targets in all directions, though generally only one or the other can bear on a single target. What truly sets apart the Klibanophoros from most other Basilikoi tanks, though, is that it mounts a Fire Storm projector. This powerful but unstable weapon allows the Klibanophoros to destroy nearly any foe, though it must close to a dangerously short range before it can employ the device, and the swarm of exotic particles is hazardous to friend and foe alike.
Its armor is very thick, composed of ceramics fired in the hottest temperatures achievable by Basilikoi technicians. Though not as carefully sloped as that of the Menaulion, it still manages to provide superior all-around deflection and is sufficiently thick that it can withstand several direct blows from typical enemy anti-tank weaponry without failing.
The crew accesses the interior via a rear-mounted hatch. To attempt to mitigate the potential vulnerabilities posed by any gaps in the hull, the hatch is heavily reinforced.
The driver sits in the heavily-fortified forward portion of the hull, with the most extensive sloping to maximize deflection. The gunner sits immediately behind him, under the turret that is his primary responsibility. Each control station is capable of performing the other's duties, but given the number of weapon systems available, it is by far most effective when both crewmen are free to concentrate on their own duties.
The turret mounts into the top of the Klibanophoros very easily and securely, allowing for quick maintenance without sacrificing durability.
The Basilikoi have found that few enemies can stand against a heavy cavalry charge, but when one proves intractable that is when the infantry come in. Should the Klibanophoroi be repelled, they can fall back into the protection of their infantry, at which point they can turn and provide fire support, or reform for another charge. Though not ideal as pursuit or screening forces, the heavy tank is very good at the job for which it was designed.
The Basilikoi military relies heavily on combined-arms. Its infantry is the solid core of its army, but the offensive arm is the cavalry. Consisting primarily of anti-gravity tanks, the cavalry has light, medium, and heavy arms. The Klibanophoros is the current mainstay of the heavy cavalry.
The Klibanophoros boasts a heavy cannon for its main gun. A gravitic-accelerated kinetic penetrator, using artificial- and anti-gravity to propel a depleted uranium sliver to inordinate velocities, the main gun is more than capable of defeating even the heaviest of enemy armor, without the weaknesses of a warhead (vulnerable both to point-defense weapons and to reactive armor) or a directed-energy weapon (vulnerable to electromagnetic shielding and absorbtive armors). This same technology powers the bulk of the empire's weaponry, with the main exceptions being ship-based point-defense, where directed-energy is preferable, and the highly-classified Fire Storm devices.
The main gun is capable of significant depression and elevation, and the turret boasts a smooth, 360-degree rotation. The two side-mounted rifles are capable of engaging targets in all directions, though generally only one or the other can bear on a single target. What truly sets apart the Klibanophoros from most other Basilikoi tanks, though, is that it mounts a Fire Storm projector. This powerful but unstable weapon allows the Klibanophoros to destroy nearly any foe, though it must close to a dangerously short range before it can employ the device, and the swarm of exotic particles is hazardous to friend and foe alike.
Its armor is very thick, composed of ceramics fired in the hottest temperatures achievable by Basilikoi technicians. Though not as carefully sloped as that of the Menaulion, it still manages to provide superior all-around deflection and is sufficiently thick that it can withstand several direct blows from typical enemy anti-tank weaponry without failing.
The crew accesses the interior via a rear-mounted hatch. To attempt to mitigate the potential vulnerabilities posed by any gaps in the hull, the hatch is heavily reinforced.
The driver sits in the heavily-fortified forward portion of the hull, with the most extensive sloping to maximize deflection. The gunner sits immediately behind him, under the turret that is his primary responsibility. Each control station is capable of performing the other's duties, but given the number of weapon systems available, it is by far most effective when both crewmen are free to concentrate on their own duties.
The turret mounts into the top of the Klibanophoros very easily and securely, allowing for quick maintenance without sacrificing durability.
The Basilikoi have found that few enemies can stand against a heavy cavalry charge, but when one proves intractable that is when the infantry come in. Should the Klibanophoroi be repelled, they can fall back into the protection of their infantry, at which point they can turn and provide fire support, or reform for another charge. Though not ideal as pursuit or screening forces, the heavy tank is very good at the job for which it was designed.