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Description
ZHUKOV II (AA)

The Zhukov was made famous by Wolf's Dragoons in the waning days of the Succession Wars as a more versatile alternative to Aldis Industries other major design, the Demolisher.

As with many manufacturers, Aldis tried to take advantage of the glut of military sales following the Clan Invasion, but largely gave up with trying to pace advancing technology by the 3070s. The platform itself was running into inherent limitations.

And so it would stay for decades, selling a a very modest rate, especial in the "mech light" days of the Pax Republica. All this would change with the enactment of the Fortress Republic protocols by the RotS.

Cut off from outside sales, the Aldis factories on Terra had to come up with a way to stay relevant, or risk having to shutter their factories. Plus, behnd the Fortress, the RotS was gearing up it's war machine as never before, there were profits to be had and Aldis Industries board of directors would be damned if they were going to miss them.

The decision was made to create a fully modernized vehicle, leaning into the LBX variants, but on a new, lighter, faster cutting edge chassis.

Weighing in at only 60 tons the new Zhukov II is a full 20% lighter than the original, giving it significant logistics and tactical advantages, by being able to travel roads and bridge the former could not, with a new track design a full 25% less ground pressure per sq foot, and it's lighter weight also allowing transport vehicles to devote more tonnage to parts and ammunition.

Powering the new vehicle would be a new Combat Fuel Cell. While limiting it's range slightly compared to other engine choices, it allowed a top speed 10 kph higher than it's predecessor, for less weight, and in it's largely defensive role, extended travel range was a tertiary consideration at best.

The new compact chassis would be armored in 8 tons of ArcShield Supreme Heavy Ferro Fibrous Armor. While not quite as thick as the previous armor package it still provides significant protection to the 3 man crew, especially with the CASE protected magazine.

Offensively the twin Luballin LB-10X autocannons were retained, fed by an autoloader from a 4 ton magazine, giving twice the firepower of the original. More importantly, they would be tied into a Krupp supplied Garret D2J anti-air radar and targeting system, providing staggering accuracy vs airborne threats. Tied to this is a multispectrum Searchlight, allowing even more effectiveness in nightfighting, etc.

The gun mount itself provides a fantastic range and speed of elevation and depression, but if the vehicle has a flaw, it's that this system is more exposed then the older version and hits around the gun mantlet are more likely to damage the weapons and or jam them in their current bearing. Attempts to rectify this universally came at expense of their speed of tracking and range of motion, and so as such the strategios have decided it's a worthwhile risk in it's given role. Though if they find themselves pressed into more traditional armored combat fighting, this decision may prove fatal to crews.

One trade off is the SRM rack was removed entirely, though crews generally felt they were largely superfluous to begin with. In it's place is a Sperry Browning Machine gun, protecting the vehicle from potential infantry threats, instead.

The new vehicle impressed Jonah Levin and passed all trials with only minor iterations and revisions needed, and would enter production in 3139, adding a cheap, but effective dual purpose Medium Tank to the armies of the Republic. While it has not garnered any actual combat use yet, with the Fortress being brought down by Devlin Stone, it's only a matter of time before these new units receive their baptism of fire, though whether they will be scouring the air of Wolf or Falcon omnifighters remain to be seen.

*Quirks: Anti Aircraft Targeting, Searchlight, Exposed Weapon Linkage (LB10x)

Description
ZHUKOV II (AA)

The Zhukov was made famous by Wolf's Dragoons in the waning days of the Succession Wars as a more versatile alternative to Aldis Industries other major design, the Demolisher.

As with many manufacturers, Aldis tried to take advantage of the glut of military sales following the Clan Invasion, but largely gave up with trying to pace advancing technology by the 3070s. The platform itself was running into inherent limitations.

And so it would stay for decades, selling a a very modest rate, especial in the "mech light" days of the Pax Republica. All this would change with the enactment of the Fortress Republic protocols by the RotS.

Cut off from outside sales, the Aldis factories on Terra had to come up with a way to stay relevant, or risk having to shutter their factories. Plus, behnd the Fortress, the RotS was gearing up it's war machine as never before, there were profits to be had and Aldis Industries board of directors would be damned if they were going to miss them.

The decision was made to create a fully modernized vehicle, leaning into the LBX variants, but on a new, lighter, faster cutting edge chassis.

Weighing in at only 60 tons the new Zhukov II is a full 20% lighter than the original, giving it significant logistics and tactical advantages, by being able to travel roads and bridge the former could not, with a new track design a full 25% less ground pressure per sq foot, and it's lighter weight also allowing transport vehicles to devote more tonnage to parts and ammunition.

Powering the new vehicle would be a new Combat Fuel Cell. While limiting it's range slightly compared to other engine choices, it allowed a top speed 10 kph higher than it's predecessor, for less weight, and in it's largely defensive role, extended travel range was a tertiary consideration at best.

The new compact chassis would be armored in 8 tons of ArcShield Supreme Heavy Ferro Fibrous Armor. While not quite as thick as the previous armor package it still provides significant protection to the 3 man crew, especially with the CASE protected magazine.

Offensively the twin Luballin LB-10X autocannons were retained, fed by an autoloader from a 4 ton magazine, giving twice the firepower of the original. More importantly, they would be tied into a Krupp supplied Garret D2J anti-air radar and targeting system, providing staggering accuracy vs airborne threats. Tied to this is a multispectrum Searchlight, allowing even more effectiveness in nightfighting, etc.

The gun mount itself provides a fantastic range and speed of elevation and depression, but if the vehicle has a flaw, it's that this system is more exposed then the older version and hits around the gun mantlet are more likely to damage the weapons and or jam them in their current bearing. Attempts to rectify this universally came at expense of their speed of tracking and range of motion, and so as such the strategios have decided it's a worthwhile risk in it's given role. Though if they find themselves pressed into more traditional armored combat fighting, this decision may prove fatal to crews.

One trade off is the SRM rack was removed entirely, though crews generally felt they were largely superfluous to begin with. In it's place is a Sperry Browning Machine gun, protecting the vehicle from potential infantry threats, instead.

The new vehicle impressed Jonah Levin and passed all trials with only minor iterations and revisions needed, and would enter production in 3139, adding a cheap, but effective dual purpose Medium Tank to the armies of the Republic. While it has not garnered any actual combat use yet, with the Fortress being brought down by Devlin Stone, it's only a matter of time before these new units receive their baptism of fire, though whether they will be scouring the air of Wolf or Falcon omnifighters remain to be seen.

*Quirks: Anti Aircraft Targeting, Searchlight, Exposed Weapon Linkage (LB10x)