Hetzer

Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun
Production information
Manufacturer	Quikscell Company Ceres Metals Industries
Production Year	2887
Mission	Close Range / Urban Combat
Type	Wheeled
Cost	664,000
Technical specifications
Mass	40
Armor	StarSlab/6
Engine	CitiCide 140 internal combustion engine
Speed	65.8 km/h
Crew	3
Communications System	Johnston Q-Band
Targeting Tracking System	Scantrex Dual Tac
Heat Sinks	None
Armament	1x Autocannon/20
BV (1.0)	376
BV (2.0)	565

Description

Patterned after an ancient tank from Terra's World Wars, the Hetzer Wheeled Assault Gun was designed as a cheap, self-propelled artillery-piece to be stationed on worlds deemed worthy to defend, but not valuable enough to station a complete garrison force or even BattleMechs. Its primary and only weapon is in the front, meaning the unit lacks a turret, making it difficult to employ in roles other than defensive ones. Also, its wheeled chassis restricts its mobility. Due to its decent protection of six tons of standard armor and its Crusher SH Cannon, combined with its low price, the Hetzer is still a valuable asset for poor commands and is especially popular throughout the Periphery. However, Quikscell Company is largely known for its poor manufacturing standards, resulting in many Hetzers being shipped with only half their components installed or even completely lacking some of them. Crews reportedly refused new Hetzers meant to replace their older ones, because they couldn't be sure that the new models would work properly.

Weapons and Equipment

Drawing all firepower from a massive Autocannon/20, the Hetzer can easily blast through thick armor, whether it's mounted on a BattleMech or vehicle. Also, the tank carries four tons of ammunition, enabling it to obliterate a number of enemies before being forced to reload. Its downsides include its limited firing-arc, its complete dependence on a short-range weapon, a lack of backup weaponry, and mediocre speed.

Variants

• AC/10 

  This field refit introduced in 2893 exchanges the autocannon for a smaller class 10 version with five tons of ammunition. The armor is also increased slightly. BV (2.0) = 536

• Laser 

  Quikscell produced no variants, but that did not stop commands who fielded the Hetzer from modifying it. The "Laser" variant first seen in 2889, replaced the autocannon with four medium lasers and an additional ton of armor. This gave it greater survivability and longevity. BV (2.0) = 520

• LRM 

  The "LRM" variant introduced in 3001 turned the Hetzer into a long-range support vehicle. It mounted a pair of LRM-15s and four tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 657

• SRM 

  Instead of the autocannon, the 2957 "SRM" variant utilized five SRM-6s and three tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 630

• Scout 

  This variant first seen in 3014 tried to expand on the Hetzer's usefulness. Its ammunition is cut in half allowing for a Remote Sensor Dispenser to be installed. BV (2.0) = 553

• LB-X 

  Introduced during the FedCom Civil War, the original Assault Cannon is replaced by an LB 20-X AC variant with five tons of ammo. The I.C.E was replaced with a Fusion Engine. Furthermore the vehicle is better protected by the increase of its armor at the flanks and the rear. BV (2.0) = 767

• Sealed 

  This Hetzer variant uses Environmental Sealing to protect the Protectorate Militia crew from toxic threats on the battlefield. To make the vehicle independent from fuel the Internal Combustion Engine was replaced by a fusion engine. The standard autocannon is replaced by a Rotary AC/5 with 3 tons of ammo, and a C3i system allows it to share targeting data with its colleagues. BV (2.0) = 775

• Fuel Cell

  An evolution of the original Hetzer, the Fuel Cell upgrade of the Hetzer is meant to deliver an Ultra AC/20 with 4 tons of ammunition to the front line as quickly as possible. BV (1.0) = ???? BV (2.0) = 900

• Clan

  A Rasalhague Dominion version of the Hetzer, shared with the Wolf Empire, this Hetzer is protected by Clan Ferro-fibrous armor with a standard 140-rated ICE. As a main gun, a HAG/30 with 20 shots provides long range fire support. BV (1.0) = ???? BV (2.0) = 1,051

Custom Variants

• Jagdpanzer II 

  This is an Experimental Technology variant of the Hetzer which was introduced during the Jihad. The vehicle features six tons of Vehicular Stealth Armor and a Guardian ECM to help protect and hide the Jagdpanzer from its opponents. The original Assault Autocannon is removed in favor of an Ultra version with four tons of ammo. The vehicle has two Machine Guns, each mounted on a Sponson-type turret on either side of the vehicle. Lastly, the vehicle's engine is exchanged for an extralight fusion engine, which increases the vehicle's flank speed to 80 km/h. BV (2.0) = 1,009

Notes

• The Hetzer appeared in Dragon Magazine in 1986, predating Technical Readout: 3026. Except for some slight text edits the TRO:3026 entry was identical to the original article.

Gallery

• 

  Original Hetzer from TRO:3026

• 

  Hetzer from RG:iClan vol. 29

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: Boondocks
• Objectives: Capellan Confederation
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Technical Readout: 3026
• Technical Readout: 3026 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3085