RAPTAR

The Rapid All-Purpose Tactical Assault Rover, or R.A.P.T.A.R., is a specialized Polaris armored utility assault vehicle designed and produced by Mars Corps Armor, for use by the United Space Command Armed Forces; frequently used by the Tactical Orbital Defense Troopers as fast reconnaissance and agile assault vehicle. The RAPTAR’s original design is taken from the Polaris MRZR Alpha 2 & 4 platforms with an added .50cal mounted turret in the rear, variants can be adopted with a variety of loadouts.

History

[coming soon]

Overview

Design details

RAPTARs can use a four-wheel or all-wheel drive system, with active 4 or all-wheel steering, a Automatic transmission and a 6 cylinder turbo hydrogen-injected ICE. The ICE powers an infinitely variable transmission. RAPTAR variants can have a top speed of 125 kilometers per hour (78 mph) or 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph). and its hydrogen tanks can power a maximum range of 790 kilometers (490 mi).
All RAPTAR vehicles are designed to travel both on and off-road, in all weather conditions though it is regarded as a huge, unwieldy, difficult to steer vehicle — until a user learns how to drive it properly. The RAPTAR has superb traction on off-road terrain and an updated braking system alongside enhanced suspension. With proper application of the hand, or "e-brake" the RAPTAR can actually turn on a dime. Massive disc brakes and its automatic braking systems allow the vehicle to come to a near immediate, but controlled stop should the driver be ejected or choose to leave the vehicle. The RAPTAR is prone to rolling over on tight corners.
The base model of the RAPTAR has no doors and has a total seating of two (though additional personnel can be carried in the cargo bed, be it a single gunner or a few additional riders). The instrumentation package available to the driver or passenger include GPS, navigational assistance, emergency beaconing and dataports. The RAPTAR has armor plating covering the vehicle's chassis and the front of the mounted turret capable of resisting conventional heavy machine gun fire and improvised explosive devices, as well as providing limited protection from enemy small arms fire. The RAPTAR's armor plating is comprised of ballistic polycarbonate and carbon nanotubes, built upon an ogrium frame. However, USC service personnel typically believe the vehicle could benefit from an armor upgrade.
Earlier RAPTAR models used in the late 25th century employed a pneumatically-powered swivel mount for the turret, though this was later changed to a hydraulic-powered mount.

Variants

Given the RAPTAR's extensive service life, the vehicle has seen dozens of alterations and produced variants. The rear weapons assembly and cargo section are removable and replaceable, allowing the same basic chassis to be converted for different field roles without requiring an entirely separate vehicle family. Although some RAPTARs are used solely for transportation, most are armed and have a multi-mission capability, with variants capable of performing reconnaissance, utility, armed escort, communications relay, recovery, tactical supply, and rapid assault support roles. Open-frame configurations are commonly used by reconnaissance and Tactical Orbital Defense Trooper units requiring fast deployment and rapid dismount capability, while enclosed-cab variants are more frequently utilized for convoy escort, patrol, or hazardous environment operations. Major variations are informally named by their production package, though crews often identify them by weapon fit, armor layout, or mission role.
The armament of a given RAPTAR vehicle typically decides its designation, with the most ubiquitous being the M99 chaingun seen on Chain RAPTAR configurations. Other common weapon fits include the G57 rocket turret, P21 Gauss cannon, or the G65 rocket launcher. Stock RAPTARs lacking any mounted armament are commonly referred to as Scout RAPTARs. Other RAPTAR variants also exist, one of the more common ones being the Transport RAPTAR fitted with an extended seating row and enclosed driver compartment and side-mounted detachable .50cal machine guns. Some RAPTARs are additionally created for specialized operational environments including Polar RAPTARs fitted with insulated engine systems and traction modifications, and Expeditionary RAPTARs equipped with expanded hydrogen storage and reinforced cargo racks.

RAPTAR

Production information

Manufacturer

Mars Corps Armory

Designer

Mars Corps Armory

Product line

RAPTAR

Model

TAS-28

Cost

₵57,400

Technical specifications

Length

118 inches

Width

69.5 inches

Height

74 inches

Mass

[coming soon]

Maximum speed

125 km/h (78 mph)

Engine(s)

8.5 L liquid-cooled Turbo hydrogen-injected internal combustion engine

Hull

Ballistic polycarbonate, titanium, carbon nanotube

Armament

M99 chaingun

Crew

1 drive, passenger, and gunner

Usage

Role(s)

Armed escort, quick evasion, anti-personnel

Affiliation

United Space Command