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Ishtar

Armament:

2 Series 2b ER Medium Lasers

1 Goalkeeper Anti-Missile System

1 Type KOV LB 10-X AC

1 Type 9 Ultra AC/10

1 Type XV "Crossbow" LRM 15 w/ Artemis IV

Manufacturer:    Various

   Location:    (Unknown)

Communications System:    Build 1685/3 Tacticom

Targeting & Tracking System: Series XXVI IWS

Overview:

         Because vehicle crews consider it too cumbersome, the Ishtar has never attained the popularity of the lighter, similar-use Hachiman. Personal preference aside, the Ishtar's deadly weapons array makes it a vital part of heavy armor units.

Capabilities:

         The original version of the Ishtar was capable of speeds up to 65 kph, but over the centuries since ilKhan Winson commissioned the design, the size of the power plant has been reduced in favor of a larger weapons load. The current version has a flank speed of only 54 kph, and its crews colorfully describe its handling characteristics as similar to those of a beached whale. Rather than maneuverability, it relies on armor and defensive systems to survive on the battlefield. The tank's first line of defense is the hull-mounted Goalkeeper anti-missile system, which can track and engage missiles inbound against the tank. Unfortunately, the system is positioned on the forward glacis of the tank, creating a dead zone for this important defense to the sides and rear of the vehicle.
         Controlled by the sophisticated Series XXVI Integrated Weapons System (IWS), the primary armament of the Ishtar is a pair of turret-mounted 75mm autocannons. Though both are capable of firing standard 75mm rounds, their loading mechanisms and barrels have widely differing capabilities. The loader of the smoothbore KOV-series cannon can switch between standard rounds and cluster ammunition, which the gunner may select up to the moment of firing. The Type 9 cannot switch ammunition types, but makes use of a clip-reload system that provides gunner-selected volley-style fire. Both systems use 20-round ammunition bins, but the differing barrel types prevent cross-loading of ammunition.
         A hull-mounted "Crossbow" missile launcher provides secondary firepower and can supply indirect fire in conjunction with a spotter. When used for direct fire, the low-power infrared designating laser of an Artemis fire-control system provides the missiles with course-correction data, increasing the number that hit the target. Standard practice places these missiles under the control of the tank's commander, but the IWS allows the gunner to aim and fire them as needed. The IWS also allows the gunner or commander to fire the twin lasers slaved to the driver's position, though the driver's IWS console does not allow him or her to control other weapon systems.

Deployment

         Clans Hell's Horses and Star Adder primarily manufacture and use the Ishtar, though every Clan fields a few and has the capability to build more. Current data indicates that the Nova Cats have established a very limited trade agreement with the Draconis Combine to exchange military hardware for Inner Sphere goods, and Clan vehicles have begun to appear in very limited numbers among DCMS forces, chiefly the Ishtar. There is no indication that the Nova Cats plan to trade Clan BattleMechs in this fashion.

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Type/Model:	Ishtar Heavy Fire Support Tank
Mass:	65 tons

Equipment:		Items	Mass
Internal Structure:	35 pts Standard	0	6.50
Engine:	175 Fusion	0	7.00
Shielding & Trans Equip:		0	3.50
Cruise MP:	3
Flank MP:	5
Heat Sinks:	10 Single	0	.00
Cockpit & Controls:		0	3.50
Crew:	5 Members	0	.00
Turret Equipment:		0	2.00
Armor Factor:	144 pts Ferro-Fibrous	1	7.50