M1E5 "Giraffe" Abrams (HG FM 2-15)

M1E5 "Giraffe" Abrams
Country of Origin: United States
Image by Game Designers' Workshop (source: American Combat Vehicle Handbook (GDW, 1990), p. 49).
Image is used without permission.

Specifications

Type: Concept main battle tank Manufacturer: General Dynamics Land Systems Division

Armor Material: "Chobham" armor with depleted uranium inserts Armor Thickness: Equivalent to 600mm of armor-grade steel (more on some faces)

Height: 2.67 m Length: 9.83 m

Weight: 57,880 kg Maximum Speed: 72 kph on-road

Powerplant: Avco-Lycoming AGT-1500 multifuel turbine Horsepower: 1500 shp

Description

Size: 13 Total Actions: 3

Offense

Weapon Code Arc S M L EX Acc FC Dam Qty ROF Special Ammo

M256 120mm/46-cal smoothbore cannon MTC (see
New Weapons) T 7 14 28 56 0 +1 x25 1 0 HEAT 20

M256 120mm/46-cal smoothbore cannon MTC (see
New Weapons) T 7 14 28 56 0 +1 x25 1 0 Armor-Piercing, -1 DM / range band 20

Coaxial MAG 7.62mm machinegun LMG T 1 2 4 8 0 +1 x3 1 +4 Anti-Inf 5000

Defense

Primary Movement: Ground 4/8 (48 kph) Secondary Movement: N/A

Maneuver: -2 Armor: 25 / 50 / 75

Miscellaneous

Crew: 4 (Driver, Commander, Gunner, Loader) Deployment Range: 400 km

Sensors: +1 / 3 km Communications: +1 / 20 km

Perks: Automation (Rating 2), Backup Communications, Backup Fire Control, Backup Sensors, HEAT Resistant Armor (Rating 3), Low Profile, Reinforced Armor (Front Arc, Rating 8), Smoke Launchers (12 shots, AUX) Flaws: Traceable Emissions (Rating 1)

Defects: None Lemon Dice: 4

Notes

Ammunition load assumes a "split load" of half HEAT and half armor-piercing rounds.

This Abrams concept variant is based on the "M1A2 Abrams III 'Giraffe,'" which appeared in the First and early Second Editions of the Twilight: 2000 roleplaying game. When the game was first published in the mid-1980's, there was a great deal of interest in equipping tanks with automated turrets, which replaced one or more crewmembers with machinery. This fad did not survive the decade, however, and the M1A2 Abrams that actually entered production is represented here.

This writeup is thus presented for fans of Twilight: 2000's "Giraffe", as well as for players who'd like to try something a little different.

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Specifications
Type: Concept main battle tank	Manufacturer: General Dynamics Land Systems Division
Armor Material: "Chobham" armor with depleted uranium inserts	Armor Thickness: Equivalent to 600mm of armor-grade steel (more on some faces)
Height: 2.67 m	Length: 9.83 m
Weight: 57,880 kg	Maximum Speed: 72 kph on-road
Powerplant: Avco-Lycoming AGT-1500 multifuel turbine	Horsepower: 1500 shp

Offense
Weapon	Code	Arc	S	M	L	EX	Acc	FC	Dam	Qty	ROF	Special	Ammo
M256 120mm/46-cal smoothbore cannon	MTC (see New Weapons)	T	7	14	28	56	0	+1	x25	1	0	HEAT	20
M256 120mm/46-cal smoothbore cannon	MTC (see New Weapons)	T	7	14	28	56	0	+1	x25	1	0	Armor-Piercing, -1 DM / range band	20
Coaxial MAG 7.62mm machinegun	LMG	T	1	2	4	8	0	+1	x3	1	+4	Anti-Inf	5000

Defense
Primary Movement: Ground 4/8 (48 kph)	Secondary Movement: N/A
Maneuver: -2	Armor: 25 / 50 / 75

Miscellaneous
Crew: 4 (Driver, Commander, Gunner, Loader)	Deployment Range: 400 km
Sensors: +1 / 3 km	Communications: +1 / 20 km
Perks: Automation (Rating 2), Backup Communications, Backup Fire Control, Backup Sensors, HEAT Resistant Armor (Rating 3), Low Profile, Reinforced Armor (Front Arc, Rating 8), Smoke Launchers (12 shots, AUX)	Flaws: Traceable Emissions (Rating 1)
Defects: None	Lemon Dice: 4