Engineering Vehicle

Description
Engineering units are vital to any unit's operations as they are able to not only construct buildings, runways, and defensive works, but also for their expertise in demolitions. Engineering units frequently make use of engineering vehicles to make the jobs they're called on easier to perform. Most engineering vehicles consist of an oversized engine that enables the equipment to perform at higher capacities. A common addition is a special overdrive system that prevents the motor from burning out.

One of the most popular vehicles is a dual shovel which allows the controller to operate each shovel independently while seated in a small rotating turret. The vehicle can remain in a single location longer with each shovel operating on a different section.

Other popular vehicles include bulldozers, trenchers, and cutters. Cutters in particular are useful not just for removing trees but other vertical obstacles that may prevent the unit's vehicles from moving forward.

One of the notable uses of engineering vehicles in combat occurred in 2978 in a battle on Loric. The 12th Star Guards was attempting to relieve some elements of the Eridani Light Horse and had broken through Marik lines, but soon found additional forces guarding a river. The Guards engineering unit quickly began constructing a pontoon bridge to allow crossing. Marik aerospace fighters and Long Tom artillery harassed the engineers, destroying three pontoon bridges before they could be completed. Despite having lost almost every engineer to hostile fire, the engineering unit managed to complete the bridge just before their last engineering vehicle was destroyed - allowing the Guards units to relieve the Eridani Light Horse forces.

Equipment & Capacities
Engineering vehicles do not normally carry armament. By default, they only carry the equipment necessary to perform the task required of them, but crews may modify the vehicles with small arms or even heavy weapons.

The Engineering Vehicle is equipped with a Backhoe in the turret, with a Lift Hoist is mounted in its rear. The vehicle's chassis is protected by 2.5 tons of standard military grade armor. Powering vehicle is a 240 Rated ICE engine, allowing it be propelled upwards of 90 Kph.

Variants
Each of the different types of engineering vehicles - Power Digger, Dual Shovel, Trenchcutter, and Digger - differ wildly in the types of operations they best support. There are additional modifications made to almost every base type of vehicle to support a unit's specific needs.

Common Variants

 * Engineering Vehicle (Autocannon) : Introduced in 2500, this model has all of its standard equipment removed in favor of a Class 20 Autocannon with 1 ton of ammunition. This variant is intended to clear obstructions. BV 2.0=423


 * Engineering Vehicle (Flamer) : This ancient variant which was introduced in 2025, includes a Backhoe in the front of the vehicle. Vehicle features 4 Vehicle Flamers, with 2 forward and 2 in its turret. The flamer variant is intended to clear out vegetation. BV(2.0)=196

Note
The Engineering Vehicle was originally introduced in Technical Readout: 3026, which predates the current construction rules. The vehicle is noteworthy in that it was constructed in the same method as a Combat Vehicle and not as Support Vehicles are. The vehicle's Basic Metal Plate Standard is equal to typical military grade standard armor. Also, when introduced construction equipment was never detailed in BattleTech core books. Original Record sheets and entries for vehicle profile it having only having "Equipment" under Weapons and Ammo section.