The following material is an adaptation of a vehicle for MACROSS:GENERATIONS, an internet RPG sequel to the original Japanese MACROSS TV series (which became Robotech here in the U.S.). Please feel free to use, copy, and distribute it as you see fit. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

M-24 Black Phantom Infantry Fighting Vehicle

RPG Stats by Kamikazi ([email protected])

Layout Style Adapted from DAVE DEITRICH ([email protected])

BACKGROUND

The M21 Franks retains the basic shape of the M2A2 in its turret and gun, but the tracks have been replaced by a hovercraft propulsion system that can propel the IFV at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 kmph). The 20mm cannon has been replaced by a REB-23 from the VF-19 to increase its destructive capabilities. Rated against all armored vehicles, the IFV can stand up to anything short of mecha or MBTs. A coaxial grenade launcher is housed to the left of the main gun and used to combat infantrymen. Two mini-missile launchers are mounted on the sides of the main turret to provide an anti-aircraft capability. The machinegun on a top cupola can be used by the tank commander.

The Black Phantom's main purpose is not to duke it out with heavy vehicles and mecha, but to carry infantry to the battlefield and support them with heavy weapons. In this job it excels, though after several teething problems. The IFV is capable of carrying a squad of UN Army or Marine infantry over most terrains and backing them with missiles, grenades, and laser fire.

RPG STATS

Model Type: M-24 IFV

Class: Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Crew: 3; pilot, commander, gunners 

Passengers: 10 infantry in body armor or 6 power armor troops

(1)    Turret - 150
        Main Cannon - 75
        Coaxial grenade launcher - 50
        Mini-missile launchers (2) - 50 each
        Machine gun in cupola - 75
(2)   Fan Skirts(2) - 150 each
(3)    Main Body - 250

NOTES:

1. Depleting the MDC of the turret tears it off the vehicle, rendering all weapons in it useless and killing the commander and gunner. Targeting the turret requires a called shot at no further penalty.
2. Depleting the fan skirts will destroy the hovercraft system, grounding the vehicle and rendering it immobile. Field repairs will take 1D6 hours (and there is a 1-40% chance that the tank cannot be repaired in the field).
3. Depleting the MDC of the main body destroys the vehicle, rendering it useless. 

SPEEDS:

Driving on the ground: The hovercraft system can propel the tank to an incredible 200 mph (320 kmph)!

Flying: Not possible. The hovercraft system can lift the tank to a maximum height of 7 ft (2.1 m) about the surface before losing pressure and causing the tank to sink down. The M-24 can travel over swamps and mud, but cannot travel over water deeper than 5 ft (1.5 m) or it will sink.

STATISTICAL DATA:

Height:  ft ( m)

Width:  ft ( m)

Length:  ft ( m)

Weight: 

Cargo: A storage space for the crew, large enough for clothing and personal effects, and a weapons locker that holds three rifles, 12 clips and 15 grenades.

Power System: Nuclear, average energy life of 12 years.

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. Mauler REB-23 Laser Cannon: The three main types of ammo used in the M-24 include an armor-piercing solid round basically a metal dart traveling at 5000 mph (8000 kmph)! This round will rupture most armor plating (note: AP rounds are used only against tanks, APCs, and mecha: it would  almost never be used against infantry - too wasteful). Conventional high explosive (roughly with the same exploding power as a medium-range missile) and canister (a giant shotgun load, thousands of metal balls flying from the barrel) are used against buildings and infantry. The tank has a 60-round magazine with three sub-compartments; typically it carries 20 rounds of each ammo type.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Armor
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Assault
• RANGE: 4000 feet (1200 m)
• DAMAGE: 1D4x10 M.D.
• RATE OF FIRE: The laser can be fired in rapid pulses up to 4 blasts per round.
• PAYLOAD: Effectively Unlimited
  
  
2. Coaxial Grenade Launcher: These grenades are the M-24's primary anti-infantry weapon, and the gunner can actually have them drop on a target by illuminating the target with a laser-aiming point. A common tactic to deal with entrenched infantry is to drop a burst of grenades on them, flushing them out — right in time for a canister round. The grenades can be detonated in the air, making them a decent substitute for anti-aircraft and anti-missile “flak.”

• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-personnel

• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Defense

• DAMAGE: Each grenade does 3D6 M.D. to a 30 foot (9.1 m) area. A burst of three grenades does 3D6+6 M.D. to a 60 foot (18.3 m) area. A long burst (10 grenades; counts as two melee attacks) does 4D6+6 M.D. to a 100 foot (30.5 m) area

• RATE OF FIRE: Single shots, or bursts of 3 or 10 grenades

• RANGE: 4000 feet (1220 m)

• PAYLOAD: 120 total
  
  

3. Ramington M-89 12.7m Machine Gun (Cupola): Mounted on top of the turret, used for anti-personnel and anti-mecha work.
   
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-Personnel/Anti-Vehicle
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: 2000 ft (600 m)
   • DAMAGE: 1D6 short burst, 2D6 long burst, 4D6 full melee burst 
   • RATE OF FIRE: 4 short, 2 long, 1 full melee per round.
   • PAYLOAD: 1000 rounds (short-10 rounds, long-20 rounds, full melee-40 rounds)
    
4. Mini-Missile Launchers (2): These 6-shot missile boxes al­low the tank to engage low-flying aircraft, as well as act as an anti-missile defense system.
• PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-aircraft
• SECONDARY PURPOSE: Defense
• MISSILE TYPE: Any UN Spacy mini- missiles, except the High Maneuverability Mini-missile ) may be used. 
• RANGE: About 1 mile (1.6 km)
• DAMAGE: Varies with missile type.
• RATE OF FIRE: One at a time, or in volleys of two, four, six and twelve missiles.
• PAYLOAD: Twelve total, six per launcher
  

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE M-24 IFV:

• COMBAT COMPUTER W/HUD DISPLAYS: The M-24 is equipped with a combat computer that can store and analyze data during combat with hostile forces. The combat computer tracks and identifies specific enemy targets, and has a database of over 10,000 images stored in memory. The computer can identify and track up to 250 targets simultaneously.
• EXTERNAL AUDIO PICKUP: Range: 300 ft (91.5 m). A sound amplification system that can pick up normal conversation up to 300 feet away.
• HEAT AND RADIATION SHIELDS: Special shielding prevents the penetration of life threatening heat and radiation. A radiation detection and alarm system are linked with the shields and will sound an alarm if here is a rupture in the shields and what the levels of radiation are.
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM: Range:20 miles (32 km). Used for increased accuracy in the striking of enemy targets and is partly responsible for the tank's strike bonus.
• LOUDSPEAKER: A loudspeaker system is built into the vehicle, which can be used to amplify the commander's voice up to 90 decibels.
• OPTICS: INFRARED: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). This optical system projects a beam of infrared light that is invisible to the normal eye, but detectable by the tank's sensors. The system allows the crew to detect hidden/concealed objects by their IR reflectiveness. The beam will be visible to anyone with IR sensitive optics, however.
• OPTICS: NIGHTVISION: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• OPTICS: THERMAL IMAGER: Range: 2000 feet (610 m). A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 600 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture of a M-24 by the enemy, the pilot can activate the IFV's self-destruct system, which will cause the IFV to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the crew). The explosive damage is contained within a 20 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 1D6x10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated. 
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All UN vehicles come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for four person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The M-24's cockpit is pressurized to work in non-breathable atmospheres.

This page is maintained by Kamikazi