Saladin

This article is about the hovertank. For other uses, see Saladin (disambiguation).
Saladin TRO3026.jpg
Saladin Assault Hover Tank
Production information
Manufacturer Scarborough, Ltd.[1][2][3]
Production Year 2942[4]
Mission Raid/Defense
Type Hover
Cost 911,625 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 35 tons
Armor ProtecTech 4
Engine ConLee 105 ICE
Speed 129.6 km/h
Crew 3
Communications System Scarborough Talky-2
Targeting Tracking System Scarborough Assault-1
Heat Sinks None
Armament

1x Autocannon/20

BV (1.0) 483[2]
BV (2.0) 596[3][5]


Description[edit]

Built by the same company that made the Saracen and Scimitar, the Saladin was Scarborough Manufacturers' last medium hover tank. It is unlike its brothers in that the Saladin does not mount a turret, and its only weapon is a heavy, short-range AC/20. Since it's vastly different from the company's other hovercraft, buyers were quite skeptical about purchasing it; Scarborough had to offer incentives like free training and transportation. Soon it became as cheap as the Saracen and spread throughout the whole Inner Sphere.[1][2][3]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

With a top speed of 130 km/h, and sporting a Scarborough Original 20 Autocannon/20, it is by far the fastest land vehicle to mount such a devastating weapon. Unlike other vehicles, which have turrets, the tactics for using the Saladin are different. They're best used to make passing runs like aerospace fighters: rush toward the enemy, close in and fire, then continue past and turn back for another run. Therefore the armor layout is different: the majority of the Saladin's armor is located at the front, while the vehicle's sides and rear are left comparatively vulnerable.[1][2][3]

Variants[edit]

  • Armor 
    This 2960 variant drops one ton of ammunition for an additional ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 594[6]
  • LB-X 
    This 3061 variant of the Saladin replaces the AC/20 with an LB 20-X AC. Crews usually carry a ton of cluster rounds and two tons of solid slug rounds. BV (1.0) = 638,[7] BV (2.0) = 760[8]
  • Ultra 
    Another simple upgrade, this 3064 version uses an Ultra AC/20 as its main weapon instead of the LB 20-X. BV (1.0) = 691,[9] BV (2.0) = 760[10]
  • Clan Cargo 
    During the Clan Invasion, several Saladins were captured by the attacking Clans. The Clans saw no use for them in their military, so the Technician Caste removed the autocannons and replaced them with a large (17 ton) cargo bay and more armor protection. The Clans used these vehicles from 3050 to transport troops, parts, and ammunition to the front lines without worrying about being injured. BV (2.0) = 150[11]
  • Saladin Ifrit 
    This custom refit uses a fusion engine to provide a top speed of 140 km/h. It also uses experimental Vehicle Jump Jets to provide a jump capability of 270 meters. This required the removal of the LB 20-X autocannon normally used; Instead the Saladin Ifrit uses a Snub Nose PPC paired with a Targeting Computer to inflict damage. Though the maximum damage inflicted per engagement has dropped, the increased speed, maneuverability and battlefield endurance has more than compensated. BV (2.0) = 955[12]
  • Saladin Mk II 
    The Saladin was later given a complete overhaul and entered service with the DCMS as the Saladin Mk II.[13]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Saladin Ifrit variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[12]

Notable Vehicles[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Technical Readout: 3026, pp. 32–33: "Saladin Vehicle Profile"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, pp. 36–37: "Saladin Vehicle Profile"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 46–47: "Saladin Vehicle Profile"
  4. MUL online date for the Saladin
  5. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 78
  6. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 81
  7. Records Sheets: Upgrades p. 11
  8. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 76
  9. Records Sheets: Upgrades p.11
  10. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 77
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 75
  12. 12.0 12.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery, p. 7
  13. Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 11
  14. Technical Readout: 3039, p. 46: "Light Vehicles - Saladin Assault Hover Tank"

Bibliography[edit]