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Alacorn MK VI Heavy TankAlacorn Mk VI Heavy Tank

Type/Model: Alacorn Mk VI Heavy Tank
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3050
Config: Tracked Vehicle
Rules: Level 2, Standard design
   
Mass: 95 tons
Power Plant: 285 Pitban XL Fusion
Cruise Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Armor Type: StarGuard VH Standard
Armament:
3 Norse-Storm Model 7D Gauss Rifles
Manufacturer:    New Earth Trading Company
   Location:    New Earth
Communications System:    CeresCom Recon Model 21-RS
Targeting & Tracking System: TharHes Digital Scanlok 347


Overview:
         The Alacorn dates back to the Star League-the New Earth Trading Company delivered the first Alacorns to the SLDF in 2587. These machines were deployed with SLDF forces in the Periphery, where the Alacorn earned a reputation as a dependable and effective tank. General Aleksandr Kerensky allegedly took hundreds of Alacorns with him during the Exodus. New Earth Trading Company continued producing Alacorns until the start of the Second Succession War, when a shortage of XL engines and Gauss rifles halted production. Recently New Earth resurrected the design, and the first of these new Alacorns reached Federated Commonwealth units in 3055. New Earth has already received numerous orders for Alacorns from mercenary units and small planets without 'Mech planetary-defense forces.

Capabilities:
         An XL fusion engine makes the Alacorn fast enough to keep up with most assault 'Mechs, and saves enough weight to mount substantial weapons systems and armor. Three Gauss rifles, mounted on a rotary turret that provides the tank with a full 360-degree firing arc, give the Alacorn devastative firepower. Five tons of Gauss ammunition let the Alacorn stay in combat for a long time. Thirteen tons of armor cover the Alacorn's chassis, providing the tank with excellent armor protection. The front of the Alacorn alone is protected by three tons of armor, making the Alacorn more heavily armored than Rommel and Von Luckner tanks.
         Such speed and armor protection does not come without a price, however. The suspension system suffers considerable stress when 95 tons of charging tank makes a 90-degree turn at 54 kph. To keep the vehicle working properly, tank crews must constantly check the track tension. If the track is too loose, the tank will shear its treads off on the first hard turn. If it is too tight, the road wheels and other suspension systems are liable to be damaged or destroyed.
         Adjusting track tension is relatively easy. The crew runs a taut string from the idler wheel in the front to the top of the drive sprocket. The tread hangs in a shallow arc under the string. If the lowest point of the arc is between 40 and 65 millimeters under the string, then the track is properly adjusted.
         Official gauges and rulers were issued to Alacorn crews to help them make these measurements, but troopers frequently misplaced them in the field. The tank crews then came up with an ingenious expedient, using the popular Pharaoh beer produced by a Federated Suns brewing company. Pharaoh beer is packaged in an unusual container shaped like a truncated pyramid, exactly 40 millimeters wide at the top and 65 millimeters wide at the base. Most Alacorn crews used these widely available cans as gauges to measure that critical distance when checking track tension. Because the internal pressure caused by the beverage inside the container slightly distorted its shape, however, only a freshly emptied Pharaoh could be used to make the proper adjustments. Not Surprisingly, Alacorn tank crews perform track maintenance frequently and thoroughly.

Deployment
         Alacorns are deployed with Davion and Lyran forces throughout the Inner Sphere.

Type/Model: Alacorn Mk VI Heavy Tank
Mass: 95 tons
Equipment:   Items Mass
Internal Structure: 50 pts Standard 0 9.50
Engine: 285 XL Fusion 2 8.50
Shielding & Trans Equip:   0 4.50
   Cruise MP: 3    
   Flank MP: 5    
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 5.00
Crew: 4 Members 0 .00
Turret Equipment:   0 4.50
Armor Factor: 208 pts Standard 0 13.00
    Internal Armor
    Structure Value
  Front: 10 50
  Left / Right Sides: 10 40/40
  Rear: 10 28
  Turret: 10 50
Weapons & Equipment: Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
3 Gauss Rifles Turret 0 40 4 50.00
TOTALS:   0   6 95.00
Items & Tons Left:       18 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 16,609,125 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,372
Cost per BV: 12,105.78
Weapon Value: 1,342 / 1,342 (Ratio = .98 / .98)
Damage Factors:    SRDmg = 39; MRDmg = 32; LRDmg = 21
BattleForce2: MP: 3,   Armor/Structure: 0 / 9
    Damage PB/M/L: 3/5/5,   Overheat: 0
    Class: GA,   Point Value: 14

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