Puma (Combat Vehicle)
Sarna News
| |
| Puma Assault Tank | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Pandora 'Mech Works, Odin Manufacturing |
| Mission | Main Battle Tank |
| Type | Tracked |
| Cost | 5,919,713 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 95 |
| Armor | AmberStar Weave |
| Engine | Pitban 285 Fusion Engine |
| Speed | 53 km/h |
| Crew | 7 |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | 936[1] |
| BV (2.0) | 1,353[2] |
Contents
Description & History
The Puma was first conceived by the Star League's Regular Armored Command during the 27th Century. The combat vehicle was the response of a SLDF General to the rumors & fear of obsolescence of the traditional tanks in the midst of the development of the BattleMech as the League's primary weapon of war. The Puma itself greatly resembles the ancient tanks designs that were used during the Age of War.
The first production run of the vehicle started in 2650. The tank had mixed results in its early versions, in part because the company that designed it had previously worked with only 'Mechs. These early models suffered from environmental control malfunction and ammunition handling systems problems; temperatures inside the PMA-001 would exceed 120 degrees during combat. After the development headaches of the PMA-001 & 002, the combat ready model was finally ready for production, the PMA-005. However, its reputation had been tarnished by the earlier models' failures, and the design still suffered from design faults. The tank's edges were considered too sharp and its armor too steep to deflect shots, and the large number of subcontractors made acquiring spare parts a problem. The Puma's main strength was the sheer amount of firepower in could bring to bear.
Initially in the Star League Era, the tank commanders would use Puma tank lances in diamond formations, giving overlapping cover with its long-range weaponry. During the Succession Wars, the Puma had the distinction of being one few Star League designs to remain in production mostly in its original configuration. It been seen in service again in the 31st Century with both ComStar and the Word of Blake.
Put into production by the Blake in 3065, the tank was used for the foundation of their newly created Protectorate Militia. The Puma was put into action during the Jihad by the Blake Militias on New Avalon. Its newer configurations surprised the defending Davion forces with its capabilities.
Armament
The tank's main gun is its Donal PPC mounted into the turret. On both of its sides, it mounts a single Holly LRM-20 with twelve rounds between the two launchers. For close-in action, the tank has pair of Krieger Medium Lasers and a Holly SRM-4 mounted forward, with launcher's twenty five volleys stored in its main hull. In the rear, the Puma is protected with a Krieger Small Laser and anti-infantry Skylight Model 5 Flamer with twenty rounds of fire.[3]
Variants
- PMA-001 & 002's weaponry were identical to Star League production model PMA-005, with exception of their design flaws.
- PMA-007 - Designed for common use for the Protectorate Militia, the 007 mounts a Heavy PPC in place of its standard PPC. The variant has three MML-7s in place of the other missile launchers. The Amberweave armor is replaced by Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor and CASE is fitted to the ammunition bins. Its defensive armaments include a pair Machine Gun Arrays and a front mounted B-Pod. The tank uses a C3i Computer to tie Blakist's Level IIs together.[4][5] BV (2.0) = 1,308
- PMA-008 - Designed as a Blakist's command vehicle, the tank is rare vehicle, which sports significantly enhanced weaponry. The tank's main gun is a Targeting Computer-guided Extended Range Particle Projector Cannon, with three Artemis guided MML-9s backing it up. The vehicle mounts six Anti-Missile Systems and three Anti-Battle Armor Pods placed all around the vehicle to fend off infantry troops. It also carries a Guardian ECM Suite to foul up enemy electronics. The armor protection is enhanced with additional Heavy Ferro-Fibrous.[4][5] BV (2.0) = 1,631
- Puma (Royal) - This variant was used by the SLDF's Royal Divisions. It carried twin Streak SRM-2 missile launchers, replaced the standard PPC with an extended range model, and added Artemis IV fire control systems to the LRM-20s. The Small Laser was replaced by a Small Pulse Laser. To provide space and weight for these upgrades, the Royal Puma used an XL engine. BV (2.0) = 1,546[6]
Vehicle Gallery
Puma Tank in Combat
Puma Main Battle Tank
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References
- Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169