the shape of things to come

TRACKED VEHICLES
The tracked vehicle category includes combat engineering vehicles,
construction equipment, cargo transports, recovery vehicles
and so on. To be considered for this category, units must mass
less than 200 tons. Power plants are not evaluated separately due
to the number of available options.
Noncombat tracked vehicles often perform battlefi eld engineering.
Equipped with an array of rock cutters, manipulators, chainsaws
and bulldozers, they are used to erect (or to demolish) temporary
fortifi cations. Other tracked vehicles include some models of heavy
BattleMech recovery units and arctic exploration craft.
CellCo Ranger UPU 3000 (Quikscell Company)
In the 3050s, the Jade Falcons’ push into the Inner Sphere
threatened to put Quikscell out of business. When the FedCom
Civil War started, industry skeptics gave Quikscell long odds of
surviving. Apparently the industry skeptics are lousy odds-makers,
as Quikscell is thriving in the postwar market. Sales of their
LRM and SRM carriers are up, and their government-sector products
are slightly ahead of sales projections.
The ’67 Ranger’s success is a product of Quikscell’s marketing. In
a time when newer and better are almost synonymous, Quikscell
marketed the Ranger as a simple solution to complex problems. The
vehicle is fundamentally unremarkable, but that feature is what most
endeared it to PTI’s test team. Its simplifi ed design reduces maintenance
time, and common components minimize repair costs.
The Ranger received low scores on every comfort category
available, but was well received otherwise. Competing units in
this class featured popular targeting and tracking systems, such
as the Maxell TA55, and other high-priced features. The Ranger, by
comparison, is priced less than some ground cars. Though technically
inferior, its performance earned it an honorable mention in
this category.
Functionality: μμμ
Quality: μμμμμμ
Value: μμμμμμ
Sherpa Armored Truck (Earthwerks-CC)
Earthwerks fi rst entry in this review comes in the unusual form
of a half-track. The Sherpa continues to suff er from sub-standard
range for a support vehicle, costing it dearly in several categories.
Surprisingly, it remains quite popular.
Powered by a Capellan produced GM petrochemical engine, the
Sherpa boasts a Dynatec 270 series fi re control system and two tons
of military-grade Riese 100 armor. With seven tons of fl atbed cargo
space it is comparable to the venerable J-27 Ordance Transport.
Although the latter boasts better speed, the Sherpa stood up to
a Defi ance P5M Laser in testing, perhaps explaining its popularity
with ordinance offi cers to the consternation of quartermasters.
Robust construction aside, the Sherpa falls in the middle as
compared to other units. The cab interior is what generations
of soldiers have come to expect from military equipment. Open
panel construction provides easy access to a plethora of wiring
harnesses. Functional dials and readouts adorn a simplistic console,
and climate controls are sub-standard. Suspension is tight,
giving passengers a rough ride. When operating at fl ank speed
over broken ground our test gunner achieved a deplorable 28%
hit rate versus stationary targets.
Functionality: μμμ
Quality: μμμμμμ
Value: μμμ
VTOLS
Only craft that mass 60 tons or less are considered in this category,
though such craft may employ vectored-thrust or rotary-wing
propulsion styles. Vectored-thrust aircraft use special directional
nozzles to control their engine exhaust, creating thrust and producing
lift along diff erent axes. Rotary-wing VTOLs use one or
more primary propellers (rotors) to provide lift, with tail rotors to
produce latitudinal thrust to counter the main rotor’s spin.
Support VTOLs operate in an assortment of roles shared by
hovercraft. Heavy-lift VTOLs, like the NETC’s Skyhook, can transport
’Mechs and combat vehicles alike, though they frequently
ferry supplies from protected stockpiles to the rear echelon.
RTC-215M Swiftran (Cal-Boeing)
This year’s “Lemon Award” winner, the Swiftran, produced by
Cal-Boeing, has a long history of sub-par performance. In an eff ort
to correct its problems, the ’67 model employed a new computerized
stabilizer for its tilt-rotor operation, but unfortunately for
anyone who owns one, a software glitch can cause the assembly
to seize if the engines are rotated at speeds above 21.6 kph. As
a result, Cal-Boeing has issued a recall for all ’67 models manufactured
prior to June 29. Defective units can be serviced at any
authorized outlet, or a fi eld service kit can be ordered through
Cal-Boeing.
The paramedic equipment that comes standard with the
Swiftran functioned adequately in tests, but Cal-Boeing has
replaced the ’66 model’s gear with a lower-quality kit from a
new subcontractor. In addition, the duraplast seats have been
swapped for canvas web designs, and other similar corners have
been cut. Overall, the testers found the Swiftran met all its functionality
claims, but at a signifi cant cost in quality and value.
Functionality: μμμμμμ
Quality: μ
Value: μμ
Pegasus Passenger VTOL (Blackstone BattleMechs)
It’s been more than twenty years since a manufacturer has a
fi rst model year product place favorably. Expectations were high
when Blackstone announced the Pegasus VTOL, and to the delight
of corporate executives in the Lyran Alliance, they delivered.
Designed with the working professional in mind, each seat
is equipped to provide a comfortable working environment in
transit. The main cabin has a fore and aft lavatory, automated
beverage service, and adequate—if not spacious—leg and elbow
room.
The Pegasus is powered by whisper-quiet electric fuel cell engines,
giving passengers a peaceful commuting experience without
the need for expensive sound baffl ing technologies. With an
impressive 2,000 km range and seating for 100 passengers, the
Pegasus is a laudable alternative to maglev commuter trains in
many markets. The lack of armor has kept it out of the military sector
so far, but Blackstone has hinted they may make an armored
model (with reduced passenger capacity) available in 3069.
Functionality: μμμμμ
Quality: μμμμ
Value: μμμμμμ