Overview While the popularity of BattleMechs fluctuated during the Succession Wars, main battle tanks experienced several intermittent periods of resurgence as a less expensive, but potent, substitute. The Demolisher, Manticore, Patton, Rommel, and Von Lucknertanks were but a few of the models designed for such armored and combined- arms operations. The Capellan Confederation, finding itself caught in an ever-tightening trap between the Free Worlds League and the Federated Suns, was gradually losing system after system. Desperate at the worsening strategic situation, House Liao's military staff needed a way to stop advancing ground forces quickly and cheaply. Unable to field comparably sized forces of heavy tanks and BattleMechs, they sought a cheap, easily- produced vehicle capable of destroying these large, expensive targets. (Demolishers and Von Luckners serving with House Davion posed particular dangers.) After some consideration, the Liao leaders decided this inexpensive new vehicle, classified as a tank destroyer, would have to be faster than the average heavy tank and capable of inflicting massive damage at close range; nothing else would matter. The Predator tank destroyer was their solution. Though the Predator was neither the first tank destroyer built nor the last, it represents perfectly the design philosophy for such vehicles. Combining low cost, a very specific combat assignment, a minimal need for mission endurance, and a simple design to be easily mass-produced, the Predator is still being manufactured by House Liao. It continues to serve in many tank destroyer and local defense battalions throughout the Capellan Confederation. In addition, at least several thousand have been sold, loaned, appropriated, or captured by the other Successor States, various mercenaries, and Bandit Kings. Capabilities The Predator, as its name might imply, is designed to hunt; enemy tanks are the intended prey. Though the Predator is considered only a medium vehicle in terms of tonnage, the Q-Bearn Model 400 Autocannon carried gives it firepower equal to tanks half again as large. In fact, every system on the Predator was designed and fitted around the Model 400, a weapon so bulky that its armature and framework make up much of the forward undercarriage on the Ceresplex T1 7 chassis. Although the weapon is very powerful and very effective against many heavy and most all lighter tanks, the severe shortage of ammunition carried on board has caused numerous problems in combat. So much so, in fact, that some Predator platoons operating from fixed-defense positions often keep a loaded ordnance transport nearby for quick resupply. The absence of a turret and unique suspension make for an interesting arrangement; instead of aiming the weapon when the Predator crew wishes to fire, the entire tank destroyer is aimed in the direction of the target. Due to this unusual mounting, the autocannon on a stationary Predator can be traversed less than 30 degrees in the forward arc of fire. (Thus, if the suspension is damaged, the Predator is rendered virtually harmless.) On the plus side, the autocannon can be elevated from 25 degrees to minus 10 degrees. This negative elevation permits hull- down and defilade fire, as the autocannon can actually shoot at targets below the tank destroyer's position (such as directly downhill, when the Predator is near the top of a ridge). The unconventional armor distribution is another much-discussed feature. Nearly two-thirds of the armor is mounted in front, with much thinner armor covering the sides and rear. This is in keeping with the 'front- aimed-forward' design of the tank destroyer. Nevertheless, it is a source of contention with some, and clearly a potential trouble spot for anyone who crews the Predator. The rear-mounted VOX IC engine has worked well on this vehicle, providing excellent acceleration and maneuverability and a top speed of almost 90 kph. (It also gives the Predator balanced weight distribution throughout the chassis.) The communication and tracking systems were designed and produced by a local Capellan-branch consortium formed by Magna (the weapons firm) and VOX (the power plant manufacturer), the first time these two corporations have ever joined forces. The resulting designs were unspectacular, but inexpensive to maintain or replace, and certainly adequate for the job. In fact, everything about this tank destroyer is "workmanlike" rather than "elegant." Hastily designed and cheaply built, it has fulfilled its combat objectives well, but without flourish or any sense of glamor. One only has to ask the four-man Predator crew whether any expense was made for their comfort--then stand back, as they respond in unexpurgated detail. Battle History The Predator, like most tank destroyers dating from as long ago as 20th Century Terra, was designed to destroy targets its own size or larger. This is most often accomplished by deploying large numbers of them in the tanks' direct path of advance, then engaging from a defensive position, preferably one offering protective cover. Being tracked, they can go anywhere tanks can go. Thick frontal armor and a relatively high speed may even allow the Predator to close with its target-while withstanding enemy fire-until it is in position to shoot, often with killing effect. Predators do make excellent "ambush" vehicles for urban combat, as they engage tanks (and even BattleMechs) in a deadly game of hide-and-seek. Tank destroyers, the Predator included, are primarily defensive vehicles, however. With limited ammunition and thin side armor, they often do not survive for long during prolonged attacks. Variants Predator variants are virtually impossible to manufacture because of the integral chassis placement of the autocannon, and other design features make the task equally unlikely. Any reduction in armor directly jeopardizes the crew, the selection of a smaller engine offsets the Predator's speed advantage vis-a-vis conventional tanks, any smaller weapon minimizes the tank destroyer's combat effectiveness, and so on. As peculiar as this design may be, it becomes utterly unworkable with any substantial modifications.  Notable Vehicles and Pilots Lieutenant Toni "the Tyger" Lee This petite, demure woman is a Predator platoon commander assigned to a House Liao tankdestroyer unit on the planet Tikonov. When encountered in social situations, the plain-featured Lee is polite and even somewhat shy. In combat, however, her personality is instantly transformed into that of a battle-hardened veteran, as she efficiently barks orders to the crew of her Predator, known as the Song of Sorrow. The Predator, maintained in excellent condition, is painted a dull gold overlaid with a brown-and-white tiger-stripe pattern. Though Lee despises her current assignment on this world, she carries out her duties unfailingly and without complaint, an example she strongly encourages among her subordinates. Since she assumed command, her platoon has been responsible for seven confirmed enemy kills and 13 damaged, compared with only one Predator loss. STATS Mass: 45 tons Chassis: Ceresplex T17 Movement Type: Tracked Power Plant: VOX IC-225b Cruising Speed: 57.7 kph Flank Speed: 86.9 kph Armor: Starshield Armament: 1 Q-Beam PLC Model 400 Autocannon Manufacturer: Ceres Metal Industries Communications System: Magna-VOX KS2525 Targeting and Tracking System: Magna-VOX TTS4000 Cost: Cb 893,563 (new); approximately Ch 760,000 (used) Type: Predator Movement Type: Tracked Tonnage: 45 45 Cruise Speed: 5 Flank Speed: 8 Engine: 20 Rating: 240 Type: I.C.E. Control: 2.25 Lift/Dive/Rotors: 0 Power Amplifier: 0 Heat Sinks: 0 0 Internal Structure: 4.5 Cargo: 0 Turret: 0 Armor: 48 3 Location Points Front 30 Lt./Rt. Side 6/6 Back 6 Weapons and Ammo: Type : Facing : Tons AC/20 Front 14 Ammo (AC) 5 Front 1  Back to BattleTechnology 5 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1988 by Pacific Rim Publishing. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com