M50 Kasjare
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The M50 Kasjare is a main battle tank developed by Tom and Thomas Systems for the Holy Lanlanian Army. The tank first enered service is 1550 and replaced the M32 Liger. Various versions have served in armed forces across the globe, predominantly with the Holy Lanlanians and their allies. It first saw combat in the Gable Intervention with the Holy Lanlanian Army.
All models currently employ angled turret armor, digital fire control systems, a fully stabilized main gun and coaxial machine gun, and advanced night vision and sighting equipment. It is capable of engaging moving targets while moving over rough terrain.
Contents
History
The M50 Kasjare was designed with the wide open fields that dominate Brigidna in mind. The Holy Lanlanian military believed that, aside from the odd overseas dictatorship or other rogue state, the most likely threat to the empire would come from the mainland.
Development of the M50 Kasjare began in 1542 and was completed in 1549, entering service the next year. The program went over budget twice, though the military continued development in order to field a tank purpose-built for newer, improved technologies.
In 1553, Valland expressed interest in the vehicle to replace the Leonard I, and the two countries reached an agreement a year later. The Vallish Army production plant in Duncan, Valland began production in 1557.
Design
Protection
The M50 Kasjare uses various methods of defense to protect both itself and its crew, including active and passive. The tank is protected against nuclear, biological, and chemical agents. It is considered one of the safest in the world..
Armor
The M50 Kasjare employs the Holy Lanlanian-developed RESH composite armor armor sheets, with incorporated depleted uranium. Individuals sheets can be removed when damaged. The tank was designed to easily attach reactive armor panels both on and off the battlefield. The panels themselves can have individual bricks if necessary. slat armor provides additional protection against rocket-propelled grenades.
Camouflage
Factory M50s are painted in forest CARC paint unless produced for another environment. When possible, they are painted mechanically in pre-designed fractal skins for better camouflage. Many units near major cities have been painted for urban environments.
Concealment
The turret is equipped with two six-barrel smoke grenade launchers. The smoke releases by these launchers blocks both visual and thermal imaging. The driver can also trigger a thick smokescreen by releasing fuel onto the turbine exhaust, though this is discouraged when using jet fuel as it risks causing fire damage.
Active protective system
The M50 is equipped with the Holy Lanlanian DUPS protection system. It first attempts to redirect incoming projectiles by disrupting their guidance system (effective against wire, radio, thermal, and infrared systems) by releasing a massive, condensed infrared signal. Failing such a softkill, the system intercepts the projectile within 20 meters with shotgun-like fire or its own rocket, depending on the perceived nature of the threat. The system automatically fires in tandem if it detects multiple warheads in close proximity to one another.
Damage control
The tank employs a halon firefighting system. The engine compartment's system can engage automatically if temperatures rise above Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 127. or be activated by the driver. There are also hand-held fire extinguishers around the tank, including by the crew and outside the ammo storage. The ammo itself is stored in blowout panels to protect the crew should the ammunition begin cooking off.
Additionally, the engine has been placed in the front of the vehicle, to serve as additional protection for the crew and to allow them to evacuate from a door in the back should it become necessary. Gas masks are stored in the vehicle.
Armament
Primary
The M50A2 Kasjare is equipped with the Arlington 125 mm M320 ETC smoothbore gun, which replaced the previous solid-propellent M300. It is capable of achieving muzzle velocity much greater than those of 140 mm guns without the recoil seen by such large caliber guns. Nearly all tanks have upgraded to field the new weapon.
Ammunition is stored in in the turret with the automatic reloader and gun. The gun is fully stabilized and can fire a wide variety of rounds, including specialized munitions.
Secondary
The M50 is equipped with three machine guns:
- A 12.7mm ME242 heavy machine gun on the turret roof, primarily to engage aerial targets. It is mounted on the ARROWS platform, allowing it to be fired from within the vehicles. An array of sights and advanced software assist in target detection and the system can be set to engage automatically. It can also be used as a close-in weapons system against incoming projectiles.
- An 8.4 mm ME164 machine gun on the turret roof. It is also mounted on the ARROWS and sees the same use.
- A third ME164 is mounted by the driver's hatch, though is also mounted on the ARROWS.
- An additional ARROWS station can be mounted on a hard point above the main gun.
- Missile or rocket packs can be attached to the side of the turret.
All weapon systems can be operated manually or from the main fire control system. The fire control system can lock out manual control.
Aiming
Fire control is done by the gunner and commander using digital, touch-enabled interfaces. The computer is feed by the multitude of sensors spread across the vehicle and automatically accounts for ammunition, angle, range, and the environment to best engage the enemy. It is capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneous, including vehicles, aircraft, and personnel.
All weapons can be targeted automatically. Secondary weapons can be set to fire automatically, while the main gun requires either the commander or the gunner's order.
It is capable of networking with the greater military for target sharing and guidance assistance.
Mobility
Tactical
The M50A2 is propelled by the Harzon TGT1200 multi-fuel turbine engine and the Harzon TT-60-AB six-speed automatic transmission. It is capable of a max speed of 72 km/h on-road and 50 km/hr off-road. The engine primarily uses jet fuel for logistical reasons, though can use diesel, kerosene, or gasoline.
The engine has been proven in combat and is considered quiet compared to other engines of its class. It's also 10% more efficient per mile than its predecessor, and up to 30% less consumption while idle. It's lighter and smaller, with approximately 30% few parts.
The auxiliary power unit can be charged in the field within forty minutes and can operate the systems for hours after the engine has shut down.
The tank has multiple handholds and other grips on the turret and rear to carry riders in tank desant when turret stabilization is deactivated. The inside of the vehicle has room for two extra riders, though this is rarely comfortable. Similarly, however, the DUPS and high-heat from the engine exhaust make it uncomfortable to ride outside.
It can climb over vertical obstacles over one meter high and ford water up to 1.2 meters without preparation or 4 meters with a snorkel.
Strategic
Due to its large weight, the M50 has serious strategic challenges. The HL-2 Galebreaker can carry an M50 and up to two armored personnel carriers, allowing the aerial deploying of armored strike teams. The T-80 Mïster II and T-140 Almista can carry one and two respectively, allowing for limited aerial transportation. Most are consequently moved long-distances overland by heavy transport trucks or cargo ships by sea.
Contrary to rumors, the Kasjare has few inherent issues with transportation on rail or roadway. It's road pressure, approximately 13.3 psi, is about average for tanks and so the vehicle has no need for specially reinforced roads. While the Holy Lanlanian military does forbid too many heavy vehicles attempting to cross bridges—of certain age and size—simultaneously, such policy is purely to avoid unnecessary risks.
It is speculated these rumors surfaced online after an accident in rural Gynavae was publicized. A Kasjare tank had fallen sideways into a ditch after a small landslide following heavy rainfall. It was eventually retrieved by a crane; there were no injuries.
Variants
M50A1 Kasjare
The first production model. "Several hundred" are left in storage and are available of export.
M50A2 Kasjare
The latest model, which entered production in 1561. It saw increased standard armor; upgrades to multiple systems; a new, more efficient engine; a new main gun; and greater secondary-armament option.
M50E Bara
The M50E is an engineering model. It can be equipped with a bulldozer, mine flail, or mine plow in the front or mine-clearing line charge rockets overhead. It's primary use is in assault for the purpose of removing obstacles, including minefields. It is additional armed with am ARROWS 12.7mm ME242 on the turret.
M50B Hjat
The M50B is an armored bridge layer variant designed to deploy 70 tonne bridges. It greatly increases tactical options, as the bridges are strong enough to tolerate the M50 moving at 18 km/h. It's armed with an ARROWS 8.4mm ME164 for self-defense.
M50C Hjat 2
The M50C Hjat is an M50B1 equipped for vehicle recovery. A main winch can produce up to 98 tonnes-force pull, while a crane can lift up to 6.5 tonnes. It is also armed with an ME164.
Type 66
The Akitsan and Novangian version of the tank developed in 1565. It has been modified for the improved performance in a jungle climate environment, after joint research between the H.L.E., Akitsu, Valland, and Novange.
Operators
- Template:Country data Flag-HLE.png Holy Lanlanian Empire: developer and primary producer. Has several hundred M50A2 in its military forces, and nearly as many M50A1s available for export.
- Template:Country data Flag-VAL.png Valland: user since 1555 and producer since 1557. Has been licensed to produce both M50A1s and M50A2, though may not export without approval by the H.L.E.
- Template:Country data Flag-FLO.png Florinthus: user of the M50A1 since 1559. Has not upgraded to the M50A2.
- Template:Country data Flag-KYR.png Kyrland: delivered several dozen M50A1 by the H.L.E. in 1560.
- Template:Country data Flag-KAV.png Kave: delivered several dozen M50A1 between 1552 and 1558.
- Template:Country data Flag-NOV.png Novange: ordered several dozen Type 66 from the H.L.E. in 1564.
- Template:Country data AkitsuFlag.svg Akitsu: ordered a few hundred Type 66 in 1564 after trials between it, the H.L.E., Valland, and Novange.
