Zephyr (Combat Vehicle)

This article is about the hovertank. For other uses, see Zephyr.

Zephyr
Production information
Manufacturer	Grumman Industries
Production Year	2621
Mission	Dragoon / Cavalry
Type	Hover
Technical specifications
Mass	40
Armor	Grumman CRT Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	GM 185 fusion engine
Speed	146 km/h
Crew	3
Communications System	Systems X
Targeting Tracking System	Bundesweyth Target Acquisition Gear
Heat Sinks	10 single
Armament	3 x medium lasers 1 x SRM-6 1 x small laser
BV (1.0)	640
BV (2.0)	904

Description

Designed in 2620 to be a medium-duty, fast response, infantry support tank, the Star League Defense Force instead saw the Zephyr as the perfect support vehicle for its Chaparral Arrow IV artillery tank.

When the SLDF's Quartermaster Command was considering accepting the Zephyr for service, the SLDF vehicle corps was looking for a ground-based design that could carry the successful Guardian ECM suite to assist in setting ambushes for the Chaparral, with the SLDF ordering Grumman to add the system to its tank. Powered by a GM 185 fusion engine and clad in seven tons of a Grumman CRT ferro-fibrous armor, the Zephyr boasts above average armor and speed for its weight and support role.

Grumman restarted production of the design after the unveiling of ComStar's Com Guards and, after the Word of Blake took control of Terra (3062), Grumman received a large infusion of capital to develop a revamped C3i version. Further funding also resulted in Grumman expanding production via a new plant opened on New Earth in 3066, to keep up with increasing demand from the Word of Blake's Militia and Protectorate forces.

Weapons and Equipment

Not intended for front-line combat, the primary weapons of the Zephyr are a trio of Sorenstein IV medium lasers mounted alongside the Alloran target acquisition gear in the turret. Supporting firepower comes from a Shannon SRM-6 rack mounted in the vehicle's nose supplied with two tons of reloads and a single rear-mounted Harmon small laser to provide cover when fleeing combat. The Clan Invasion-era model utilized different brands (a Thor SRM-6, Bundesweyth TAG, and Bowie Electronics brand lasers) but otherwise carried identical weaponry to the Star League era models.

Variants

• Original 

  The original pre-Guardian Zephyr carried an extra half-ton of armor and an additional rear-facing SRM-2 with a ton of missile reloads. BV (2.0) = 896

• C3i 

  The first of the Blakist commissioned variants downgrades the SRM-6 rack for a Streak SRM-2 launcher, freeing up weight for C3i computer. BV (2.0) = 820

• LRM 

  A less common variant among the Blakists' Protectorate forces, it drops all the standard equipment and weapons in exchange for a C3i system, a pair of turret-mounted ER medium lasers and two nose-mounted LRM racks. Its nickname "Pug" stems from the blockier appearance born of these missile launchers. BV (2.0) = 867

• Royal 

  The upgraded model used by the SLDF Royal units enhances the tank's support role by replacing the short range missile launcher with a Narc missile beacon and two tons of ammunition. BV (2.0) = 811

• Zephyr EC 

  Developed by Clan Blood Spirit in the Golden Century, this version of the Zephyr uses an Improved SRM-6, two prototype ER medium lasers and ferro-fibrous armor. (Note: EC is an abbreviation used by historians to designate "Early Clan" designs.) BV (2.0) = 967

• Omni-drone primary configuration 

  Developed by The Republic of the Sphere in 3096, this OmniVehicle removes the standard weaponry and replaces the crew compartment with a fixed drone operating system, Angel ECM suite, and Improved one shot SRM-2 on all configurations. The top speed and armor protection remain the same as the standard Zephyr. The improved one shot missile launcher fires to the rear, and there are four tons of pod space available in the turret. The primary configuration's turret carries a Light PPC and PPC capacitor. BV (2.0) = 676

• Omni-Drone Alternate Configuration A 

  The turret on this configuration mimics the standard Zephyr weapons loadout, carrying a TAG and three medium lasers. BV (2.0) = 686

• Omni-Drone Alternate Configuration B 

  More of a recon unit, this configuration mounts a Bloodhound active probe and ER flamer in the turret. It feeds information back to friendly forces by using a body-mounted C3 slave. BV (2.0) = 509

• Omni-Drone Alternate Configuration C 

  A close combat version, this configuration carries four M-Pods in the turret. BV (2.0) = 478

Gallery

• 

  Original Zephyr from TRO:2750

• 

  Upgraded Zephyr from TRO:3050 Upgrade

• 

  A Zephyr in urban terrain from CCG

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War
• Technical Readout: 2750
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3075
• Technical Readout: Golden Century