Burke (Combat Vehicle)
Sarna News
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| Burke | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Foretechno |
| Mission | Fire Support, static defense vehicle |
| Type | Tracked |
| Cost | 3,075,625 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 75 Tons |
| Armor | Acbar 55 Ferro-Fibrous |
| Engine | GM 150 Fusion |
| Speed | 32 kph km/h |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armament |
3 x Particle Projection Cannons, Ten-Tube Long Range Missile Launcher |
| BV (1.0) | 597 |
| BV (2.0) | ??? |
Description & History
The Burke was created as a static defense vehicle for the Star League Defense Force in 2580. Foretechno corporation of Terra, had great difficulties producing the tank, suffering from off and on production runs up to 2650. In 50 years of uneven production, the maintenance for the vehicle became difficult. Ultimately the corporation was in grave trouble and was taken over by Leopard Armor in 2755.
The tank is note worthy for it devastating long-range firepower. However, due to its ponderous slow speed and lacking short ranged weaponry. SLDF frontline forces like the vehicle, but garrison forces highly prized it. Member-states of the Star League employed the Tank in their private armies.
Leopard Armor was destroyed in 2778 during Star League Civil War. This ended up cutting off support for Burkes in service of the Great Houses. With no support left for surviving tanks in Succession States, there was no Burke remaining by the end of the multiple century conflict.
Only in secret did ComStar's ComGuard units maintain a number of these vehicles operational in the Inner Sphere. The Clans, whom themselves are descendants of SLDF maintain a number of them as well, particularly in Clan Hell's Horses.
ComGuard put the tanks to good use Battle of Tukayyid in 3051. Word of Blake defectors took many of these tanks with them after the break with their brothers in Comstar.
It is thought the tanks extinction maybe at hand with Jihad fury of destruction cutting through the Inner Sphere.
Armaments & Capabilities
The Vehicle's main armament consists of three turret mounted Chalker Model 25 Particle Projection Cannons. These are backed up by a fixed forward LRM 10 launcher with a single ton of ammunition to supply it.
The vehicle is powered by a GM 150 Rated Fusion Engine, pushing the vehicle at a slow maximum speed of 32 kph. The Burke's slow speed is made up for slightly by its six tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor.
Variants
- Burke (Heavy PPC) - Word of Blake & ComStar forces upgraded their existing Burkes at the beginning of the Jihad. They replaced three PPCs with two Supernova Heavy PPCs in the turret, while the LRM10 was replaced by a Four-Tube Streak Short Range Launcher in front of the tank. It was given an additional two tons of Armor. A Improved C3 Network Computer System was installed to give the tank crew unprecedented targeting ability.