Centipede

Centipede.jpg
Centipede Scout Car
Production information
Manufacturer Gienah Combat Vehicles[1]

Red Devil Industries[1]

ScolTek Associates[2]

Production Year 3054[3]
Mission Scout
Type Hover
Cost 541,100 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 20
Armor ProtecTech 6
Engine VOX 75 ICE
Speed 130[1] km/h
Crew 2
Communications System Scuti Dualcom
Targeting Tracking System Scuti Dualtar with Beagle Active Probe
Heat Sinks 3 single
Armament
BV (1.0) 163[4]
BV (2.0) 168[5]


Description[edit]

The Centipede Scout Car was initially introduced in 2825, as an 8 wheeled vehicle which came in Internal combustion engine and Fusion engine variants, which was deployed in the Lyran Commonwealth in similar roles as the Swift Wind was used for within the Capellan Confederation. As compared to the Swift Wind however, the Centipede had extra communication antennae, which helped it facilitate transmissions between more than one JumpShip in different areas of space.[6][7] [8][9]

A hover variant of the Centipede, was later produced by Gienah Combat Vehicles & Red Devil Industries, in 3053. The vehicle in both wheeled and hover versions was intended for reconnaissance ahead of its command unit, spotting hidden units. The hover variant of the Centipede, while based on the wheeled version,[10] was created to replace production of the Skulker Scout vehicle, since Clan Ghost Bear had captured Alshain and, subsequently, the older vehicle's production facilities, in 3051. This hover Centipede first saw service with AFFC forces in 3054. The vehicle was produced at Gienah's plant on Gienah and Red Devil's plant on Pandora. However, the vehicle earned a reputation for the poor quality of Red Devil-produced vehicles.[11]

During the Jade Falcon Incursion in 3064, the vehicle's Pandora factory fell to Clan Jade Falcon. Vehicle production completely stopped in 3068, when the Gienah plant was severely damaged by Free Worlds League mercenaries.

Deployment[edit]

The initial wheeled versions of the Centipede, were used by the Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces, as well as by mercenaries such as the Eridani Light Horse.[12]

In relation to the later hover variant, on test runs the vehicle was deployed with the AFFC. The first notable action came from the hover vehicles used on Saiph in 3054 by the Fifth Lyran Guards. The Fifth Lyran Guards fought off a raid by the Free Worlds League's First Free Worlds Guards. The outnumbered Lyran forces utilized their Centipedes to scout ahead and keep League forces from ambushing them. The Centipedes were used during the two-week siege to scout the League forces' rear areas.[11]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The hover Centipede is protected by 3.5 tons of standard armor. The vehicle is equipped with a single Defiance B3M medium laser in the front. It is also fitted with a rear-mounted Zippo vehicular flamer for anti-infantry use, with a ton of fuel. However, for the Centipede's principal task of scouting, it has been fitted with a Beagle Active Probe. Using its 130 km/h maximum speed, the hover car is able to outrun anything it may conceive as threat and report back to its allies.

Variants[edit]

  • Commando
    An updated variant, this version of the Centipede was released in 3074. It carries four tons of Glazed Armor for protection, as the engineers thought it would likely take fire from energy weapons. A Guardian ECM Suite confuses enemy targeting systems as well. Additionally the Centipede Commando is equipped with an Armored Motive System that makes it less vulnerable to destroyed hoverskirts. Engineers also replaced the expensive fusion reactor with a Nissan Electric 95 Fuel Cell power source that can propel the Centipede Commando at up to 140 km/h. The standard weapons were replaced by a pair of turret-mounted Magshots. These ballistic weapons allowed engineers to remove the power amplifiers and heat sinks needed by other Centipede versions while still providing some harassing fire capability. BV (2.0) = 455[2]
  • SRM
    Also introduced during the FedCom Civil War in 3062, this is a battlefield-created variant. All the Centipede's original equipment is removed in favor for six front-mounted twin-tubed short range missile launchers and a ton of ammunition. The vehicle's armor has been slightly increased from the base model. BV (1.0) = 301,[13] BV (2.0) = 431[14]
  • Wheeled Fusion
    Introduced in 2825, this was the initial 8 wheeled fusion engine variant of the Centipede, from the Lyran Commonwealth.[6][7][9]
  • Wheeled ICE
    Introduced in 2854, this was a Lyran Commonwealth ICE powered variant, of the original 8 wheeled Centipede scout.[6][7][8]

Notable Crewmembers[edit]

See: Category:Notable Centipede Scout Car Crewmembers

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Tausendfuß.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ a b c Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 56: "Centipede Scout Car"
  2. ↑ a b Experimental Technical Readout: Steiner, p. 10 "Centipede Commando"
  3. ↑ MUL online date for the Centipede
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 70
  5. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, p. 57
  6. ↑ a b c Technical Readout: 3025 Centennial Edition, p. 176
  7. ↑ a b c Technical Readout: 3025, p. 176
  8. ↑ a b MUL online entry for the Centipede Scout Car (Wheeled ICE)
  9. ↑ a b MUL online entry for the Centipede Scout Car (Wheeled Fusion)
  10. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025 Centennial Edition, pp. A-24
  11. ↑ a b Technical Readout: 3058, p. 12
  12. ↑ Mercenary's Handbook, p. 80
  13. ↑ a b Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 71
  14. ↑ a b Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 13

Bibliography[edit]

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