SM Tank Destroyer

SM1.jpg
SM1 Tank Destroyer
Production information
Manufacturer Luthien Armor Works
Production Year 3068[1]
Mission Striker/ Close Range/ Urban Combat
Type Hover
Cost 3,095,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 50 tons
Armor Advanced Compound Beta
Engine 165 Fusion
Speed 129 km/h
Crew 4
Communications System Unit 2J2 "Basher"
Targeting Tracking System Able-Seven Sensor Suite
Heat Sinks 10
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,204[2]
BV (2.0) 1,585[3][4]


Description

The SM1 Tank Destroyer was designed as a speedy infighter by scientists from Clan Nova Cat. The machine is a cheap and effective combat vehicle. The vehicle has unique "glass" dual cockpits on the front of the vehicle that are functionally identical while mounting a smaller anti-infantry turret just behind its left side cockpit.[5] The vehicle's unique split cockpit design allows the cockpit modules to eject from the vehicle. Due to its appearance, the SM1 was dubbed the "Suicide Machine" by its first pilots because they felt over-exposed with the tank's all ferro-glass cockpit.[6]

Following their integration with the Draconis Combine in 3060, Clan Nova Cat found its advanced manufacturing capacities lacking due to the harsh realities of living in the Inner Sphere. Thus the Clan decided to begin to embrace the Inner Sphere's combined-arms doctrine of combat.[5]

Working with Luthien Armor Works, as it did with the Shoden project at LAW's defunct facilities on Irece, this facility began to produce the SM1 Tank Destroyer in 3065. Clan Nova Cat provided the advanced technology from their own factories after upgrading LAW's facilities on Irece. The deal with LAW gave the Clan shares in the manufacturing plant itself, and purchasing rights for the SM1's first five years of production.[5]

The vehicle was accepted by Nova Cat Galaxies after the performance of volunteer crews. After the vehicles were first introduced, several appeared in the ranks of the Draconis Combine's local Ryuken regiment, which they have apparently won through trials.[5]

Weapons and Equipment

The SM1 mounts a deadly Type 10 Ultra Autocannon/20 fixed in its nose. The gun has over six tons of ammunition. The tank also mounts four Series 2C Light Machine Guns in its small turret for anti-infantry work.[5]

Variants

  • SM1 Telos 
    Originally developed by Clan Nova Cat, the DCMS took over development of this model. All the weapons and armor have been removed, and replaced with Vehicular Stealth Armor. The main weaponry was replaced with a single Extended LRM-15 launcher and five tons of ammunition. A single Machine Gun and half ton of ammunition complete the weapons loadout. A Guardian ECM Suite is used to power the stealth armor. The ammo is stored in a CASE protected bay.[11]

Sightings

Design Quirks

The SM1 Telos variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[11]

References

  1. MUL online date for the SM Tank Destroyer
  2. Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 24
  3. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 131
  4. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 248
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 130
  6. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 134-135
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 104
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 249
  9. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 105
  10. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 250
  11. 11.0 11.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Phantoms, p. 9
  12. Jihad Turning Points: Luthien, p. 1, "Manifest Destiny"
  13. A Bonfire of Worlds, p. 134

Bibliography