Difference between revisions of "Gabriel (Combat Vehicle)"
Sarna News
(copyedited, added variants & BV & references) |
m (moved Gabriel to Gabriel (Combat Vehicle): It is a combat Class Vehicle) |
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Revision as of 22:57, 21 September 2009
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| Gabriel | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Bowie Industries |
| Mission | Reconnaissance |
| Type | Hover |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 5 tons |
| Armor | Bowie Ferro-Aluminum |
| Engine | VOX 25 Fusion Engine |
| Speed | 243 km/h |
| Crew | 1 |
| Armament |
1 x Medium Laser |
| BV (1.0) | 175[1] |
| BV (2.0) | 198[2] |
Contents
Description
Originally designed as an experiment by a team of aerospace engineers at Bowie Industries in 2712, the Gabriel surprised many with its viability as much as for being virtually a ground-based Aerospace Fighter, becoming the fastest ground vehicle to see service in the SLDF.
The Gabriel's main role is as a recon and intelligence gathering unit, usually carrying information back to the parent unit thanks to its high speed, with an advanced communications and sensor equipment for longer-ranged satellite network transmission. While the Gabriel only carries a single ton of armor, instead of standard or even Ferro-Fibrous plate, the designers used Ferro-Aluminum armor, normally reserved for Aerospace Fighters. The front, back, and turret have the bulk of this meager protection, at the expense of sides.
The Gabriel's most infamous "feature" stems from pilots who accidentally discovered how to angle the forward fans to such a degree so that pitch-back noise would make the craft emit the sound of a wailing trumpet. To produce the trumpet sound makes the ride extremely rough and the practice is discouraged, but remains a favorite method of announcing a pilot's return to the garrison.
Armament
Though designed for reconnaissance and not combat, the Gabriel does carry a single turret-mounted Maxell TR Medium Laser. While the design team was intrigued by the possibilities of a turret, in another example of their aerospace engineering sensibilities, the weapon features a automatic target-acquisition system similar to those on Aerospace Fighters. The turret swivels toward the closest threat, leaving it to the pilot to aim at a certain part and then fire. The pilot can override the system, but the logic algorithms have proven very successful.[3]
Variants
- ERSL - The first of two variants that date to the late 3060s, the ERSL is built on Dicallus and is popular with Taurian Concordat militia units based in cities. The simple modification replaces the Medium Laser with a pair of ER Small Lasers.[4][3]
- TDF - The second Taurian variant, the TDF replaces the Medium Laser with a pair of Rocket Launcher 10s.[4][5]
References
- Combat Operations
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), pp. 3-4
- Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 84-85
- Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 148-149