| APAGear II Archives | Volume 2, Number 9 | October, 2000 |
There's been a long time since Dynamic Systems wanted its revenge on
Territorial Arms and it seems that the time has finally come. Since the
2nd Interpolar War the AST wanted to have a gear that could outmatch any
of the Northern models and especially the feared CEF Frames, both on
Terra Nova, on Caprice and in the space around these planets. They didn't
issued a bid for submission but rumors had it that they wanted such a
gear. Dynamic Systems following sales of some Desert Viper Mk.2 to the
Black Talons had enough fund to finally release their long awaited next
generation gear in anticipation of an AST order. This took form in the
DSX-Alpha Crotale the next step in Terra Novan gear design. A rather
squat gear the Crotale continues where late model Black Mambas and
Snakeyes left. That is achieving stealth and concealment while having a
potent and abordable gear that is easy to strip and repair in the field
while taking gear design a step forward. The trick is that Dynamics used
many off-the-shelf tuning parts for Hobby Hunters and Hobby Jägers and
the high performance Salamander gears and cramped them in a small and
sturdy chassis. All the frames spars are made of a new composite called
Flexsteel that wields extraordinary strenght while being quite
ductile. Basically what Flexsteel will do is absorb the shock of a step
and redirects it in a forward movement much like a spring. This allows
for extraordinary maneuvrability while not sacrificing armor and
sturdiness. Not only the frame is high-tech the engines are too. New
Windhill micro V-engines are installed on the back of the gear, next
generation engines they are half the size of the Black Mamba WV-930TC
while still providing 90Hp more. That makes for the best maneuvring gear
yet to walk on this face of Terra Nova lot better than Cheetah and as
Dynamic Systems officials state more than the Cheetah Mk.II.
Not only the chassis is good but the electronics are very advanced. The most prominent feature of the Crotale is the twin sensor booms that provides target data for the Micro-Pilum missiles. These can be extended in much the same way as the ones on the Naga and they serve the same purpose. Most of the electronics are off-the-shlef too based on the best Paxton surveillance security systems.
[NOTE: Click on the image of the Crotale to see a larger version, 39.2 kB download. -Ed.]
The DSX-Alpha has undergone a very long and protracted design phase with lots and lots of prototypes. This is said to have crumpled Dynamic Systems but the recent sale of Desert Viper has jumpstarted Dynamic's finances. They have produced three final production gears and they travel them in most Gear shows around the planet. They displayed the gear to the AST procurment officials and to the Curia. There seems to be a certain interest but not much rumors have surfaced whether the gear will be selected or other contenders will be asked to submit designs. Territorial Arms is hot on the Brahmin Cobra and Brahmin Mamba, knowing that TA is something of a political Goliath compared to Dynamic it remains to be seen if the Crotale has some future. If the gear is not selected it could mean the end of Dynamic Systems and the end of gear competition in the South with TA as the sole monopoly.
Name: DSX-Alpha Crotale
Production code: Not in service yet
Production type: Limited Production
Cost: 28,826,333 dinars
Manufacturer: Dynamic Systems Co.
Use: 3rd generation trooper gear
Height: 4,0m
Width: 2,9m
Average armor thickness: 55mm
Armor material: armoplast w/ RAM
Standard operationnal weight: 7 000kg
Primary movement mode: walker
Secondary movement mode: wheels
Deployment range: 650km
Sensor range: 140hexes/7km
Communication range: 600hexes/30km
Powerplant: Windhill Mikros
Horsepower: 700Hp
Threat Value: 5 087
Offensive Value: 9 325
Defensive Value: 3 657
Miscellaneous Value: 2 280
Size: 6
Original Default Size: 17
Model Lemon Dice: 4
Indv. Lemon Dice:
Crew: 1
Bonus Actions: 0
Primary Move Mode: Walk
Combat Speed: 6
Top Speed: 12
Secondary Movement Mode: Ground
Combat Speed: 10
Top Speed: 20
Maneuver: +2
Sensors: +2
Communications: +2
Fire Control: +2
Light Damage: 18
Heavy Damage: 36
Overkill: 54
Availability Threshhold:
Max Number on Field:
Name Code Arc Ammo Rucker MR-1000 MAC fwd 30 Micro-Pilum AGM fwd 4 Vogel-8 MRP12 fwd 12 GL-02 APGL f.fwd 4 GL-02 APGL f.fwd 4 HG-H4 HHG fwd 2 VU-11 VB fwd -
Name Rating Game Effects Hostile Environment Protection - Desert, Vacuum Manipulator Arm x2 7 Can punch Airdropable - Can be airdropped Autopilot - Act as level 1 pilot Target Designator AUX 4 Can designate targets for guided weapons Stealth 2 Add rating to concealment Low Profile - Add +1 to concealment Back-up Sensors - Abosrb first Sensor hit Back-up Fire Control - Absorb first Fire Control hit
Name Rating Game Effects - - -
Name Rating Game Effects - - -
[Click on the image of the Crotale to see a larger version, 37.2 kB download]
| APAGear II Archives | Volume 2, Number 9 | October, 2000 |
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