Round 2! This week we have the Ritterlich and the Terrans. I realized after posting last week that the six Mil-Net kitbash models were actually released with one-page descriptions and I had simply misplaced the articles. As these articles were originally hosted on Mil-Net which remains offline, I will include descriptions of these models based on the official background in these posts.
Armadillo: The Armadillo brings the KDM "steel-pounding" philosophy to an APC. Armed with powerful direct fire missiles and twin machine gun mounts, the Armadillo is nearly as much of a threat as the infantry it carries. Gunports allow its cargo to amplify its firepower even further, while well-protected treads enable it to cross the most rugged battlefield. Bearing more armor than some heavy tanks, the Armadillo offers the best infantry protection money can buy.
Eagle: Another initial offering by NTG, the Eagle is a versatile attack gunship that barely made it to market in time. The engineering team was challenged to design a gunship unlike anything KDM had ever produced in under a year. Acknowledging that most of their effort would have to go towards the airframe and propulsion systems, NTG executives arranged to license a number of KDM weapon systems for utilization on the new aircraft. Several loadouts were considered before the team settled on a pair of GGCs for suppression fire and dogfighting, plus a Piranha direct fire missile system for performing strikes against hard targets.
En-35R: Conceived before NTG was even founded, the En-35R was among the designs announced at the UCOR's inauguration. Originally modeled after the RMI Chieftain, the final design instead featured twin laser bolt guns, allowing it to perform suppression and anti-reconnaissance roles. Lightly armored, it relies on its small size and high speed for protection.
Lukas: The Lukas is another of NTG's early products. A relatively unremarkable APC in most respects, its primary selling points are its high speed (especially in comparison to KDM alternatives) and the firing ports which allow the infantry inside to fire from relative safety.
Rüdegern: Rounding out NTG's initial offerings is the Rüdegern, a moderately armored AFV equipped with a gatling gauss cannon for excellent performance against hard and soft targets. Lacking the capabilities of a true reconnaissance vehicle, the Rüdegern instead acts primarily as a rapid response unit, providing suppressing or supporting fire wherever it is needed.
Condor: The Condor is something of an experiment by SyRaM in the airborne APC market. The UFF wanted a high-capacity troop transport to provide a native alternative to aging Hedgehogs and Badgers, but was more concerned with maneuverability and operational costs than orbital transition capability. SyRaM responded by utilizing a gunship-style airframe, giving the Condor a major advantage in weight and fuel consumption over similarly sized space-capable transports. It is by far the largest transport gunship ever produced, and provides the UFF with a unique solution for delivering their expert infantry to the front lines.
Talon II: A comprehensive upgrade package produced exclusively for the Terran military, the Talon II features a major breeder upgrade which makes full use of its relatively large chassis for an ESM CAV. The increased power output is dedicated primarily to the EST and ECM systems, boosting their effective range beyond all but the Borsig-Spline Recluse. The remaining surplus power provided an increase in maximum combat speed and the ability to support the more powerful Render IV LBGs, a perennially popular retrofit on older models.
Thunderhawk: Expecting significant conflict with the Rach in the coming war, the UFF found itself lacking a super heavy CAV of their own to take on the K-W Emperor. Lacking the time to develop an entirely new CAV, SyRaM responded by making several straightforward modifications to their existing super heavy, the Thunderbird. They stripped out the advanced computer systems that provided targeting data to the Siege indirect fire missiles and replaced the missiles themselves with the powerful Tower II direct fire missiles developed for the Starhawk VI. The reduction in ammo weight and power requirements resulted in a substantial increase in speed.
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