Field Artillery Drones

Field Artillery Drones Field Artillery Drones

Ares ADRD (Artillery Delivered Recon Drone)

The ADRD is perhaps one of the most unusual designs, if not original. The concept is to allow field units to deliver a reconnaissance unit to the battlefield rapidly, or to add another designator to the battlefield. The system is fired out of a standard 155mm/52 barrel, and incorporates a shell casing allowing it to be fired either out of towed or self propelled howitzers. The shell is designed to protect the drone from the enormous shock when fired out of a cannon. Upon reaching the designated area, the shell splits open and a drogue chute opens to slow the drone down. Then the parachute stabilizes the drone, then after descending to the desired height, the contra-rotating rotors flip open, the parachute is ejected, and the drone can resume normal flight. Four retractable legs are added to allow the drone to be recovered and reused. Normal tactics dictate that the system be deployed as needed. However, a howitzer would nominally carry two as a mission requiring a ADRD is only as needed, not for every combat situation. This would only be used if a FO is down, or the FO needs an extra set of eyes. Such FO's carry either a remote control deck or have a cranial remote deck installed.

The drone itself has a contra rotating design, with small rotors designed to give it maximum maneuverability in all conditions. The bottom of the drone mounts a sensor head that offers 360 degree coverage. The imaging camera can see in low-light, and thermographic spectrums. Mounted to the right is a laser designator, allowing it to designate for guided munitions. It is electrically powered, reducing the need for costly fuel and allowing rapid field recharging. This can be fired from both towed and self propelled howitzers.

Round stats:

Type	Weight	Availability	Cost	Street Index
Special	35	30/3 mths	As drone (See below)	3

Drone stats:

Handling	Speed	Accel	B/A	Sig	Autonav	Pilot	Sensor	Cost
2	80	12	0/0	6	4	4	1	261,000Ą

Cargo: 1 CF
Load: 5 kg
Fuel: Electric (250 PF)
Economy: 2.5 km/PF (Idle: 5 min/PF)
L/T Profile: See above/VTOL
Other Features: Battletac FDDM, Laser Designator, Remote Contol adaptation, Remote control interface.

MOWAG RPV-23 Mobile Indirect Fire System (MIFS)

The RPV-23 Mobile Indirect Fire System (MIFS) is designed for light fire support to mechanized and small units. The core of the system is the turret mounted Ballista system. It is mounted on a MOWAG 8 x 8 chassis that is similar in shape to the MLCV and LAV-62 chassis. However, it is quite smaller, and about the size of a a kid's wagon. This allows it to get to other areas that most other vehicles cannot get to. Additionally, the vehicle is powered electrically, improving it's signature, and allowing it to operate with more flexibility, without having to use costly fuel. It has one large battery in the middle of the vehicle to effect rapid recharging in the field. One simply has to remove the battery and replace it with a fully charged one to keep it in the field. It has a high Pilot system, and the latest in Autonav systems to ensure that the vehicle does not get lost or confused during a situation. It is slightly armored to protect it from small arms fire. It is highly maneuverable in both rough and clear terrain, giving it high marks for capability. Furthermore, the use of the Battletac IVIS system allows superior control in a drone network.

The RPV-23 mounts a mini-remote turret that mounts the Special Munitions Ballista missile system. It is mounted on an arm mount that allows full capability when firing at targets. The arm can retract to reload a new missile after a new one is fired. It is fed by a 10 round magazine that can hold all types of Ballista missiles in any order. The drone can accept indirect fire data through the use of the Battletac FDDM system.

Handling	Speed	Accel	Body	Armor	Sig	Autonav	Pilot	Load	Cost
3/3	50	5	2	3	8	4	4	10	150,528¥

Economy: 1 PF per kilometer (Idle: 2 min/PF)
Fuel: 80 PF
Sensors: Advanced (3)
Other Features: Remote control interface, rigger adaptation, Battletac FDDM, Battletac IVIS
Armament: One mini remote turret with Special Munitions Ballista missile system with 10 rounds.
Weight (Combat): 174 kilograms.

MOWAG Remote Automatic Mortar System

The RAMS is a lightweight, mobile fire support system developed jointly by Oerkilon and MOWAG out of Switzerland. Using the same configuration as the LAV-45 used by the Special Security Group, and shrinking the size, MOWAG has developed an effective way of providing support on the battlefield.

The chassis is a standard 8 x 8 wheeled layout, to allow lighter weight and high mobility as well. An amphibious package is installed to provide it with extra mobility, rather than having to set up bridges and allowing it to stay with it’s unit. Fully capable of traversing most ground, the RAMS’s wheels are designed to be protected from shell splinters, fragments, and other objects. The wheels also feature shock absorbers, and hydraulics mounted with the wheels allows it to raise itself 5 cm to clear obstructions. Extendable jacks mounted in the front and rear also stabilize the vehicle when firing.

The RAMS mounts an Advanced sensor system, as it is not designed to be used in a full combat area, rather the system be behind the lines, providing cover for it’s troops. ECM and ECCM likewise is not mounted, as they can be protected by other assets that have the systems installed. Other systems, like the Battletac FDDM Receiver, are standard equipment on the RAMS, as well as weather and other instruments that are necessary for firing in a position. Mounted to the right side of the mortar system is an M990 counter battery radar, which is used in counter battery operations. This system can detect by itself for the RAMS operator where incoming shells are coming from, approximate distance, and allows him or her to respond to a mortar or artillery attack. This is protected by armor, and can only be used for counter battery operations.

The M780 mortar system is mounted on a medium remote turret, with ammunition capacity of 30 rounds. The rounds are selectable by type within the magazine, allowing the RAMS to carry a mix of ordnance and use it effectively. The magazine has three ammunition bins with five rounds each. The weapons computer can select a certain type of round pre-loaded in the magazine. The most common type are usually standard HE and laser guided rounds, with smoke as a secondary choice, only for quick covered withdrawals. Other rounds, depending on the mission, are usable, with commonality with the popular M-12 mortar. The turret has a traverse of 360º, and the weapon barrel can elevate up to +75º, and there is no allowance for depression below 0º. This is normally used for travel only, with the weapon barrel in the front position. A new extended ICM round has been developed, the M209 ERHE round, allowing troops to provide support to troops at least 8 kilometers away, allowing the RAMS to quickly stay out of harms way. When in firing position, the whole upper assembly elevates the weapon, keeping the ammunition and firing mechanism in one section, reducing the chances of the weapon jamming at a critical moment.

Handling	Speed	Accel	Body	Armor	Sig	Pilot	Load	Cost
4/4	60	9	4	6	4	2	-	157,912Ą

Economy: 8 km per liter
Fuel: Gasoline (55 liters) (Idle: 1.5 hrs/liter)
Sensors: Advanced (3), Counter-battery Radar.
Cargo: 0 CF
Other Features: Signature Improvement (2, Thermal Suppression), Off-road Suspension, Battletac FDDM Receiver, Counter-Battery Radar, Amphibious Package (Level 3, Speed 45 in water).
Armament: Medium remote Turret mounted M780 mortar with 30 rounds ready to fire. Ammunition is carried in ammo canisters, sectioned off by 5 rounds in three bins, to provide automatic selection while firing. No other weapons mounted.

The RAMS special feature is the M780 mortar. Unlike the M-12 mortar described in Fields of Fire, the M780 can fire three rounds per Combat Phase, using standard burst fire rules, but do not increase the damage like firearms, instead rolling each shell as they go to their target. The gunner may also fire single shots as well. It requires a Free Action for the weapon’s computer to select the round the driver wishes to use. Replacing the Magazine, which is basically three ammo bins holding five shells, requires two Complex Actions to remove/replace, and four Complex Actions to fully reload.

The M990 Counter-battery radar system is mounted on the right side of the M780, allowing the system to engage in counter-battery fire without other assets. To do this, the radar uses range and direction tracking algorithms to determine where the shot came from. As soon as this information is gained, the computer will instruct the best round to use, and then fire at the determined target. To role-play this, roll 8 dice against a TN of 8. This is not modified by weather, but is when there is ECM around, modify it by the ECM Rating.

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