M33-24-1 APC (TL 8)
In 2024, Tyler Motors, best known for their non-combat military vehicles and civilian construction equipment, started development of the X24-1, a large tracked APC intended for export. Production models first appeared in 2033. The most noticable thing about the vehicle was that it went back to the old battlefield taxi mold, long considered obsolete by major militiaries. However, the company had several reasons for doing so:
* Cost: A simple tracked APC could be produced at quite low cost.
The M33 (the full M33-24-1 designation is rarely used) is also easier and
cheaper to maintain than other APCs. Tyler Motors initially had set an
upper limit of $200,000 per unit, which the engineers nearly achieved.
* Survivability: The M33 is proof against all 7-8mm AP rounds
and most 10-13mm AP rounds. It offers full protection to the infantry from
HE and CHEM artillery shells and some protection from other shells (there
is an optional package that provides thin laminate plates, $2520 and 505
lbs for DR 30, that cover the roof of the vehicle, greatly reducing vulnerability
to ICM and SICM rounds). Additional bolt-on armor is available for the
sides ($1880, 940 lbs per DR 35 slab).
* Lethality: The M33 has three basic remote-controlled turrets
available. The standard turret, with 40mm grenade launcher and 7mmC minigun,
provides excellent suppression against hostile infantry and some capability
against light vehicles. A heavier turret mounts a 7mmC machine gun and
a 75mm low-pressure cannon; this allows the engagement of somewhat heavier
vehicles while still retaining useful anti-infantry capabilities. The final
turrets mates a 7mmC machine gun with a 20mm autocannon; this version is
the most effective against other APCs/IFVs but is not very useful against
most non-battlesuit infantry. Many mechanized platoons use the ratio of
3 AGL to 1 LC to 1 AC. It is noticable that no ATGMs are part of the armament;
Tyler Motors researchers firmly believed that these should be carried by
heavy weapon teams or specialized vehicles.
* Infantry Carrier: The engineer's main goal was to get as many
troops into combat as combat-ready as possible. Unlike most modern AFVs,
which carry only 4-6 infantry (in most cases, if more troops are carried,
conditions are normally very cramped), the M33 carries ten soldiers (though
it could carry a squad as large as fourteen if desired, with greatly reduced
efficiency) in reasonable comfort. It is also noteworthy that the M33 has
no side firing ports; they have never been especially effective and generally
result in soldiers wasting ammo. There are, however, two large rectangular
hatches over the passenger compartment which allows up to four soldiers
to stand up and fire out if needed. There is also a large ramp at the rear
for quick exits or entrances. The driver and commander also have their
own hatches.
* Performance: The M33 is reasonably fast and has excellent
off-road capabilities. It also performs very well in water, unlike most
AFVs, which are frequently just one wave away from sinking. The M33 can
carry another 6500 lbs before becoming overloaded.
There are many variants on the basic vehicle. The ones that require the least amount of alteration are mortar carriers, ambulances, cargo vehicles and command vehicles. The M33 has sold quite well, though this is more a factor of its low cost and ruggedness than any blessing of Tyler Motor's carefully researched tactical doctrines. Some buyers replace the thermograph with a 2.5 mile passive IR system, saving $17,500.
Subassemblies: body +4, full rotation turret +0, two tracks +4
P&P: 260 kW ceramic w/250 kW tracked drivetrain and two
125 kW hydrojets, one rE-cell, 120 gallons diesel (fire chance: 7) in four
30 gallon self-sealing tanks
Occ: 2 NCS (driver and commander/gunner) plus 10 NS (troops)
Cargo: 20 cf (4.97 cf empty)
| Armor | F | R/L | B | T | U |
| Body | 5/105 | 4/70 | 4/70 | 4/70 | 4/70 |
| Turret | 4/70 | 4/70 | 4/70 | 4/70 | 0/0 |
| Tracks | 4/25 |
Weaponry
Standard Turret:
40mm AGL [Tur:F] (148 HEDP, plus 148 as cargo in body)
7mmC minigun [Tur:F] (3000 + 3500 as cargo)
Option #1:
75mm light cannon [Tur:F] (17 HEDP, plus 17 as cargo in body)
7mmC GPMG [Tur:F] (300 + 350 as cargo)
Option#2:
20mm autocannon [Tur:F] (200 APDS, 200 SAPHE, plus same number as cargo
in body)
7mmC GPMG [Tur:F] (300 + 350 as cargo)
Equipment
Turret: thermograph (5 mile, Scan 15), laser rangefinder (5
miles), full stabilization for all turret weapons
Body: 2x medium range radio w/scrambler, light ampilification,
military GPS, two small computer with two terminals, fire extinguisher
system, twelve-man NBC kit, 6 dischargers (4 hot smoke, 2 flare), ST 100
winch
Statistics
| Size: 7'x6'x15' | Payload: approx. 3520 lbs | Lwt: 27,772 lbs (13.86 tons) |
| Volume: 884 cf (Size Mod: +4) | Maint.: 44 hours | Price: $209,900 |
HT: 12
HP: 1208 [body], 430 [each track], [turret]
| gSpeed: 56 | gAccel: 3 | gDecel: 20 | gMR: 0.75 | gSR: 7 | GP: very low (4/5) |
| wSpeed: 11 | wAccel: 4 | wDecel: 10 | wMR: 0.5 | wSR: 5 |
Design Notes
Frame is cheap, heavy for 550 cf body, 4 cf turret and 330 cf tracks.
Vehicle is sealed and has an improved suspension. Armor is standard metal.
New Weapons
40mm AGL: Use TL7 40mm grenade launcher (p.VE43), except 8d(5)
[4d] HEDP and 6dx2 [4d] HE
7mmC GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun): one long barrel, heavy
automatic, caseless ammo
Dam 6d+1, Malf Ver(Crit), Type Cr, SS 12, Acc 12, 1/2 Dam 750 yds,
Max 4000 yds, ROF 12; $1,200, 8.8 lbs
7mmC minigun: six long barrels, electric gatling, caseless ammo
Dam 6d+1, Malf Ver(Crit), Type Cr, SS 17, Acc 12, 1/2 Dam 750 yds,
Max 4000 yds, ROF 60
20mm autocannon: one long barrel, heavy automatic, caseless
ammo
APDS ammo: Dam 6dx5(2) Cr, Malf Crit, Type Cr, SS 30, Acc 14, 1/2 Dam
1250 yds, Max 5500 yds, ROF 10; $5.10 and 0.51 lbs per shell
75mm light cannon: one very short barrel, slow autoloader, low
powered
Dam 5dx15(10) HEDP, Malf Ver, Type Cr, SS 20, Acc 12, 1/2 Dam 440 yds,
Max 2950 yds, ROF 1/3, $7,100, 95 lbs