Overview: Designed specifically for the urban combat zone, the Mauler and the Interloper have proved by survival their place in war. Designed 120 year ago, the two vehicles had the same design team. The intention was to create a cohesive recon and attack team. At the same time, Avalon Arms' designers hoped that each vehicle would perform well on its own. With few exceptions, these vehicles have served well in both roles for over twelve decades. Capabilities: The Mauler's main function is as a cheap defense measure for an urban fight. A Federated Autocannon and two Holly SRM Racks give the Mauler enough punch to ably fill this role. As it mounts eleven machine guns, it also fills the secondary role of infantry suppression with surprising ability. Its electronics systems are standard gear which has proven its sturdiness in centuries of different vehicle designs. The feature that makes the Mauler unique is its easy ride tread system. This system has sold more Maulers than any other feature of the tanks. The tread system is wide and low to spread out the tank's 75 tons. In addition the entire outer tread is encased in rubber to avoid damaging the streets. The combined effect is to reduce by 90% the damage done to city streets by a tank of its weight class. The addition of a micro command post with room for ten combat troops ensured the Maulera place on the battlefield as a well-constructed multi-task city fighter. Designed as first-line defense for 'Mech and tank units the Interloper has proven suitable in this role. The parameters of the weapons systems, armor requirements, and electronics systems were decided even before the frame was designed. In the end it was decided to purchase Striker tank frames from Valiant to defray the cost. With a proven sturdy frame, Avalon's designers were not afraid to load it down with the sturdiest gear they could produce. Each of the two Avalon supershock SRM racks is encased in 2 feet of high density plastic before the armor is applied. The mini turrets on all seven machine guns are built with triple redundancy circuits and hydraulics. The eight tons of StarSlab armor are welded on with overlapping anti-buckle plates. The end design results in a heavy set blocky looking Striker tank. Yet design performance marks the Interloper as 50% more durable than its cousin the Mauler. A mixed armor company of the Tenth Federated Commonwealth Regimental Combat Team was responsible for the defense of a large industrial center on Royal during the Kurita Counteroffensive in the 3039 War. The unit consisted of four Mauler Cititanks, four Interloper Urban Scouts and four Savannah Master Hovercraft. The commander of the company didn't expect his position to be attacked but prepared his personel for the worst as a good exercise. His preparations paid off when one of the Savannah Masters skirting the center reported a medium 'Mech company approaching up the road. Using the Savannahs in a classic luring attack, the hovercraft lured the Kuritans further into the city. They were cautious of a trap, but when the light Interlopers rolled out in ambush the Kuritans threw caution to the winds and began in earnest to hunt down the eight light tanks. The Interlopers used their heavy construction to imitate a rout. The damage to city structures was high, but the effect was convincing. The Interlopers successfully led the majority of the 'Mech company right into the guns of the Maulers. Notable Guns and Vehicles: Captain Arthur Howser, the Grounded Revenant Commander of the tank company responsible for the defence of Kanawa Industrial Center, his classic tactics destroyed half a 'Mech company before they forced the rest to withdraw. Captain Howser has a PhD in Star League history. When reporters ask where he got his medals, he therefore says, "I found it in a box of crackerjacks." Despite his modesty, Howser is known already as one of the ten best historians of the Star League in Davion space. His command tankwas named in honor of General Kerensky's famous Orion. The only non-factory parts are a spare ammo feed box for one of the turret machine guns. Captain Howser has been known to load this with paint filled bullets which he reportedly uses to mark targets. Lt Scott Barnet, Demolishing Derby Commander of the Second Tank Platoon, Barnet was the man that led the mad dash 'Mech retreat during the defense of the Kamura Industrial Center. While driving the vehicle himself, Barnet was personally responsible for destroying 37 light posts, 2 utility towers, 10 parked cars, 1 park fountain and 150 garbage cans. Demolishing Derby suffered no damage from the wild driving that led the Kuritans to believe that the unit was routing. Back to BattleTechnology 16 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1992 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com