Welcome to Gaia! ::

The vehicle has a carbon fiber and steel superstructure which supports the vehicle, which is not only lightweight but also serves as a strong backing to the armor. The carbon fiber and steel frame take up approximately 3 pounds per square foot, and helps to absorb energy of the rounds. Carbon fiber is stronger than kevlar and more fire resistant, but is less penetration resistant, which makes it ideal for a backing of armor but not as direct armor by itself. While by itself it has poor performance against firearms projectiles, it's much stronger when in a composite, and serves as a strong backing in particular to the dyneema and ceramics. Three variants of the vehicle exist, one which uses nearly half an inch of high strength and cryogenically treated AR500 steel, and behind it a dyneema and ceramic composite designed to stop armor piercing rounds that breach the steel (and usually tumble as the armor is spaced) that is 35 pounds per square foot, and two others that are a pure dyneema and ceramic composite that is approximately 10 and 17 pounds per square foot (when combined with the carbon fiber backing) respectively. Two are capable of stopping .50 caliber and 14.5mm armor piercing rounds, however the 17 pound ceramic-dyneema composite version is designed to stop only a handful of rounds in the same spot, and the ultralightweight 10 pound variant is only designed to stop armor piercing 7.62mm x 54mmR and .30-06 AP rounds. The ultralightweight and light variants are intended as paramodel for being deployed in helicopters and aircraft, while the heavy variant is intended for more general use or when deployed from large aircraft or naval craft. The basic frame and engine of the vehicle are used in all three vehicle variants, while the armor is primarily what differs. This gives a much faster acceleration and higher speed in the lighter variants. The vehicles vary in price from 300,000, to 450,000, to 550,000 dollars each depending on the variant. The vehicle uses both raised perforated and slat armor to help add extra protection and detonate shaped charge warheads before they come in contact with the armor below, providing protection against rocket launchers and other such weapons. The armor largely is not sloped, with only a slight degree of obliquity, except on the bottom of the vehicle where it uses a double V-shaped hull to help deflect explosive force outwards from IED's and land mines. The vehicles are similar to an MRAP or Humvee in terms of protection, and can carry up to 12 passengers in the transport configuration, or 6-9 in the weapon's configuration, which is primarily intended for 120mm mortars. The vehicle is capable of towing a 155mm Howitzer or 240mm mortar weapon, but does not have the weapons attached to it.

Being a hybrid electric, the vehicle is substantially more energy efficient than most vehicles of a similar type, and consumes 70% less fuel than a standard diesel engine. Sharing commonality with the Fed BRAVO, the vehicle obviously uses a smaller engine than is technically viable for the vehicle, but due to the electric capacitors, can accelerate just as quickly, since the energy is conserved in the electric storage devices (I.E. batteries and capacitors), rather than gotten directly from the engines. Small amounts of electricity can also be sapped away from the vehicle in order to power the electronic systems of the vehicle or devices worn by soldiers, or to connect directly to a makeshift military base or local power grid, or the soldier's equipment, essentially serving as a mobile generator, so long as fuel is sufficiently provided. In the same manner, it can be dug into a defensive position to provide extra protection for a stationary location, such as a base or military headquarters which also being quickly deployed when necessary.

The internal armor of the frame is made up of steel and carbon fiber, serving as a composite backing to the main armor, which helps to both absorb energy of projectiles and serve as a spall lining, and support the weight of the armor serving as the frame of the vehicle. Behind this are several layers of composite material and energy absorbing polymers, that act similarly to non-explosive reactive Kanchan armor, which help disrupt the penetrators of armor piercing rounds. The vehicle has 3 versions of The Slat armor, or caged armor, is designed specifically to stop shaped charge weapons, such as shaped charges, which are essentially used to pierce heavy armor, such as those found on tanks. If there is space between the shaped charge explosive and the armor, then it is likely to dissipate in mid air, and thus the shaped charge's effectiveness is largely diminished by reducing it's stand-off distance; as a result, the armor can stop an RPG-7, and a large variety of armor piercing rocket launcher rounds that if in direct contact with the armor would likely penetrate through. It is also useful against armor piercing 40mm grenades, which can defeat most forms of steel armor. The V-shaped hull, raised wheels, and sloped armor helps to deflect rounds, which in particular makes it more effective against land mines, as it is raised high enough above the ground and shaped properly to deflect the blast outwards. Finally, the armor possesses a highly advanced assortment of nano-ceramics, based on the AMAP protection system. In combination with the rest of the external steel armor, it is capable of stopping a single, armor piercing 30mm x 173mm round in each 4 x 4 inch square tile in the armor. Arranged similarly to chobham armor, but with a lighter frame, the ceramics provide the last line of defense against armor piercing rounds, being underneath the rest of the armor, and thus while still being extremely durable for a ceramic, their capacity to only handle a few rounds in the same general area makes them best reserved as a last resort. This ceramic armor is spaced from the steel armor, acting as a form of spaced armor in which the round tumbles and fragments before reaching the ceramic armor below, increasing it's effectiveness, particularly against shaped charge weapons. The windows and translucent parts of the vehicles utilize aluminum oxynitride, which is significantly stronger and more resistant than bullet proof glass.

In addition to this, the vehicle is expected to be used in conjunction with a wide variety of advanced electronics. From the boomerang sniper detection system, to the longbow radar (used specifically with the AMG-114) and counter-mortar radar systems, and widely utilized computer systems, connected to the land warrior system, the vehicle is generally expected to use state of the art technology in nearly every aspect of it's performance. Most notably, the vehicle makes extensive use of cameras and automated weapon systems. While the vehicle sports translucent parts of it's armor as windows, these are generally covered up with stronger armor, as TV and computer displays provide the view to the outside world, instead of exposing the driver or troops behind the window. The cameras are covered in the same aluminum oxynitride as the windows, as to provide substantial protection without compromising the visual capabilities of the driver. In addition, the weapon systems of the vehicle are entirely automated, and the users who operate them are entirely within the vehicle, to avoid exposure to enemy fire. The Iron curtain system is designed to shoot down oncoming missiles, which is highly effective against RPG's but also is effective against fast-moving anti-tank missiles like the AGM-114.

All in all, they are roughly a million dollars per unit. In combination with thermal optics and smoke screens, as well as a smoke generator, the vehicle has fairly effective concealment capabilities, as well, and can see through such smoke screens using the infrared vision capabilities, as well as during the day and night. The vehicle is meant as a light troop transport, and is the primary transport unit for the average squad. The vehicle is generally deployed along side more powerful vehicles, or as a support vehicle for infantry. It comes in a number of variations, from anti-air craft and medical variants, to the most common, the troop transport version. The vehicle notably sports a characteristic "honeycomb" airless tire, which is more impact resistant, flexible, and stable than traditional fires, and in addition is substantially more resilient. Bullets can generally pierce soft tires, and filled with air, are likely to deflate quickly, mitigating their effectiveness; however, because the newer tires depend on a honeycomb like structure to support them, instead of easily deflatable tires, they can remain solid even after significant destruction, such as 40% of their mass is removed. Regardless, the Stryker series of vehicles can continue to operate even without tires, running on nothing but the metal hubcaps, although this accelerates wear and tear on the vehicle.





Hybrid Engine
The engine is a heavily modified Ford 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 diesel engine, that shares commonality with the Mk. 32 Mod 1 RIPSAW. Despite being slower and carrying a substantially higher payload, the engine performs well with the vehicle, although it is slower than in the RIPSAW or FED Bravo design. The engine utilizes a 180 gallon fuel tank, and with the hybrid engine design, has roughly a 900 mile range at 40mph, or a 400 mile operational range.The front axle is powered by an electric motor, while the rear-wheel-drive is linked to a hybrid fuel-powered and electric system, for a road-coupled parallel hybrid drive system.

The Engine essentially powers an electric hybrid unit, which then goes on to power the vehicle, making the vehicle technically electrically powered, but uses a gasoline powered engine. These designs often result in higher fuel efficiency, due to the ability to maximize engine designs and adjust for acceleration without directly or immediately altering the engine or it's RPM. The vehicle also sports a fuel injector, and a number of improvements, including turbochargers, over the original engines.

The Hybrid design is fairly similar to the FED BRAVO. The design allows the vehicle to consume 70% less fuel, and as a result reduces the logistical supply and range of the vehicle. This translates to roughly 3 times the range the vehicle would have without. With this design, the vehicle gets around 4.1 mpg city and 7.1 mpg highway, and some 3-4 MPG off-road.



Armor
The vehicle utilizes the Advaced Modular Armor Protection system, which is a successor to the MEXAS. The high strength ceramic tiles, which arranged in a chobham style format, are used to help stop high strength armor piercing rounds, such as shaped charges and KE projectiles, which are aided by the previous steel and kanchan armor which absorbs and fragments the previous rounds before reaching the more fragile ceramic armor below. This ceramic armor is arranged in a chobham style format, which is 4 inch ceramic tiles embedded within a high strength aluminum matrix which helps to absorb and deflect the energy for the ceramics, increasing their strengthen. With the outer armor using approximately 3/4 of an inch AR500 steel, it's more than capable of stopping most armor piercing .50 caliber or 14.5mm rounds. It is slightly stronger than the previous ATI-500 steel, and uses twaron and dyneema as a backing over kevlar, which is more fire resistant than kevlar but just as strong, which became a serious problem in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Behind this are multiple layers of energy absorbing composites and polymers, similar to Kanchan armor, that works like reactive armor, but is non-explosive, being reusable and preventing collateral damage. It also has an added benefit if disrupting and stopping armor piercing penetrators and shaped charge jets, making the armor more resistant to anti-tank threats and aiding the ceramic armor below. Approximately 315 mm (12.4 in) of Kanchan armor weighs the same as 120 millimetres (4.7 in) RHA while providing the same protection as 12.4 inches of RHA, giving it much higher strength than steel alone. The armor is similar in strength to the MRAP and Stryker, with the MEXAS, and should theoretically be stronger at the same weight or lighter weight with the Advanced Modular Armor Protection armor.

The armor is similar to the M117, in that it is sloped on both sides; it is additionally, sloped underneath the vehicle, with a monocoque V-Hull, as to deflect the blast of land mines away from the vehicle, as similar to the RG-33, or MRAP "cougar", and is a monocoque v-hullI design. In addition to this, the armor uses caged "Slat" armor in order to better help protect from RPG's, and prematurely detonates warheads before they can come in contact with the armor below. On top of this is the iron curtain active defense system, which helps to shoot down missiles before they come in contact with the armor. Extremely reliable, capable of targeting multiple weapons at once, fast moving projectiles, and with very little collateral damage, it is an ideal way to disrupt or stop shaped charge weapons, especially lightweight anti-tank missiles, and it works against the RPG-7, as well as newer weapons such as the RPG-29 and RPG-32.

As a result of the design, shape, and material, it provides substantial protection against RPG's, light arms, heavy arms, and mines. Behind this are several layers of composite material and energy absorbing polymers, that act similarly to non-explosive reactive Kanchan armor, which help disrupt the penetrators of armor piercing rounds. With five layers of defense, the iron curtain active defense system to shoot down missiles, slat armor to prematurely detonate warheads, the kanchan armor to absorb armor penetrating warheads, spaced armor to give space for such rounds and explosive force to be diffused, and finally the ceramic armor underneath, the armor is very well protected against shaped charges and low-end armor piercing kinetic energy rounds, capable of stopping 30mm and 40mm DU armor piercing rounds, although only a few round in the same spot due to the brittle nature of the ceramic armor.


ALON (Aluminium oxynitride)
Aluminium oxynitride (AlON) is a transparent ceramic composed of aluminium, oxygen and nitrogen. It is marketed under the name ALON and described in U.S. Patent 4,520,116. It is 4 times harder than fused silica glass, and 85% as hard as sapphire. The material remains solid up to 1,200 °C (2,190 °F). When formed and polished as a window, the material currently (2005) costs about US$10 to US$15 per square inch (~ US$20,000/m²).

The material is composed of three parts, an outer layer that's exposed to gunfire and made of baked aluminum oxynitride, a middle layer of glass, and a rear layer of polymer backing. The aluminum armor can deflect rounds from small-caliber weapons and still be more clearly transparent than bullet-resistant glass that's been shot, it also passes a much more important test -- it resists .50-caliber armor-piercing bullets and anti-aircraft weapons that typically use .30-caliber rounds, and is roughly half the weight and thickness of traditional ballistics glass.



Electronics
The System is operable with the Land warrior operating systems. In addition, it carries a GPS. The radio system is also compatible with the MARS system, and as well include a microwave and radar communications disk and radios. The vehicle charges the electronics of the soldiers, serving as a sort of mobile generator with the hybrid engine producing electricity for the men. The weapon systems of the vehicles are electronically controlled and remoted operated, generally by the CROWS II or Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station program, which not only protects the crew member by removing their need for exposure, but also allows them to operate a greater number of weapons without having to change position. Despite the plethora of weapon systems on the vehicle, only a certain number can be fired at any given point in time, based on which systems the weapons operator chooses. These weapons can also be operated by passengers in the vehicle, to free up operating control needed by the weapons operator.

As an intelligence counter measure, the vehicle sports a Boomerang Anti Sniper acoustic orientation device, intended on finding the location of incoming shots, using an array of speakers. This information is relayed directly to soldiers through the land warrior system, alerting them to the presence and location of enemy fire. With a very adept radar system, similar to the Longbow Apache radar, it can target multiple moving vehicles at once, and can intercept enemy vehicles, from aircraft to tanks, with missiles if necessary; this radar system is used to aim the AGM-114 hellfire missiles, and is useful in anti-aircraft targeting features to aid the 40mm bofors in anti-aircraft attacks, as well as help locate enemy vehicles in general. Various FLIR thermal vision cameras are used to help locate enemy forces as well, and can be used to detect and automatically avoid missiles and incoming artillery. The same radar system can be combined with additional radar systems to serve as mortar and artillery battery radar,

The vehicle also comes with built in flood lights, laser strobes, infrared laser lights and strobes, and other equipment which are designed not only to illuminate the target, but also be used as a form of non-lethal weapon. The laser strobes and flood lights can be used to blind the target and will automatically track enemy forces, shining light at the enemy, where as the infrared lights can be used to help soldiers see at night with night vision and thermal infrared cameras, and particularly help soldiers see in smoke. UV lasers also exist in the event UV tracking systems are utilized, but Infrared lasers can in theory be used to ignite particularly flammable substances at close range and over time (such as tents or fuel), but make poor weapons in general. The lights are designed to flash a subject not only to blind them but to disorient them, switching between various levels of brightness and using specifically programmed pulses of light to prevent the eye from adjusting to the surrounding environment and to disrupt the user's senses, in similar effect to a flash bang. The lights can be used to replicate the appearance of the muzzle flash of rifles, or mimic other signatures, serving as a decoy to distract the enemy from softer targets. The can be used in replace of flares, which reduces the consumption of equipment in the field, and be used to direct artillery or air strikes. In addition, the lasers can be programmed and used to automatically track and disrupt aircraft, but as this is illegal in warfare is only expected to be used in events of total war or as acts of desperation. The lights work best at night, but have notable effective during the day, especially if shined at targets indoors. While of minor importance overall tactically except in the use of anti-aircraft purposes, strategically it's a small feature that can come in handy in specific circumstances, particularly to stun or disorient the enemy or to help track certain types of targets.


Armament
The vehicle is capable of using a wide array of weaponry, as can be fit on the CROWS II, Defender, and ARROWS automated firing systems, and can utilize a multitude of other automated weapons systems. The primary weapon of the vehicle is the 30mm M230 machine gun and .50 Caliber BMG machine gun, with a secondary 6.5mm machine gun and and 2 anti-tank and 2 anti-aircraft missiles, and 60mm mortar which is externally mounted. The 30mm Chaingun functions both like an automatic grenade launcher and armor piercing autocannon, firing both air-bursting 30mm rounds with similiar power to 40mm grenades (but a longer range), and armor piercing 30mm rounds designed to penetrate the armor of other APC's. 30mm armor piercing rouds can pierce over an inch of armored steel and most armored personnel carrier, as well as smaller vehicles such as humvees or technicals, and the same weapon can also transition to air-bursting grenades. Coaxially mounted is a .50 caliber machine gun, designed for general anti-armor and buildings purposes, with a larger volume of rounds in comparison to the 30mm gun, but being weaker. The .50 caliber machine gun is only situationally useful against modern APC's, and cannot penetrate medium APC armor such as the Stryker, and thus is necessarily augmented with a more powerful gun. As the 30mm gun is only marginally larger than a .50 caliber machine gun, or 120 pounds vs. 80 pounds, it is easier to mount the weapon on the vehicle. The rate of fire of the gun is typically artificially reduced to 300 RPM in comparison to 600 RPM in comparison to the Apache helicopter, and the weapon uses a slightly longer barrel to generate more power, also being slightly heavier and using a heavier profile barrel. It is remote controlled similiar to the apache helicopter, and the assistant driver adjacent to the driver typically controls the entire weapon turret, with the .50 caliber machine gun and missiles, as a single unit, while a back up 6.5mm machine gun can be mounted on the same turret or separate from it. It is possible to have two 6.5mm machine guns.


1 x 30mm M230 Chaingun
2 x FIM-92 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
2 x Javelin Anti-tank missiles (Detachable)
1 x M224 60mm Mortar
1 x 6.5mm LSAT machine gun, or M240, M134 minigun, M249 machine gun