Destrier

Description
The Destrier Siege Vehicle is an advanced Super Heavy Combat Vehicle which was first produced for the Federated Suns in the first decade of the thirty-second century. Designed while the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns embraced a defensive doctrine, the Destrier is an exception to that policy. The Destrier uses a combination of its staggering tonnage worth of armor and firepower to attack facilities or catch unsuspecting forces in deadly ambushes. The Destrier and its Ballista artillery trailer's combined tonnage make it diificult to be sent into action quickly.

The vehicle was deployed for the first time during the Federated Sun's invasion of the Capellan Confederation during the Victoria War. One such engagement during the conflict was in 3104 on Spica. A company of Destriers were used to ambush elements of the 3rd McCarron's Armored Cavalry and forced their comrades to retreat. The Destriers were used as a last line of defense against the invading Draconis Combine forces in the 3140s.

Weapons and Equipment
Designed as a hard hitting, if slow moving combat unit, the Destrier boasts 37 tons of Hardened Armor. To help overcome the armor's staggering weight and drag on the vehicle's movements, it has a 400-rated XL Fusion Engine. The engine is strong enough to tow its usual trailer, the Ballista, and its array of communication and artillery launchers with its own Trailer Hitch.

The Destrier's main firepower comes from its dual mounted Mydron Model L Long Tom Cannons, which are backed up by a pair of Bright Blossom Extended Range Medium Lasers all mounted in the turret. The vehicle utilizes six GM Light Machine Guns as light defense against regular infantry. Grouped in pairs, each of these weapons are mounted on all sides of the vehicle. The left and right flank guns are mounted in Sponson Turrets instead of fixed positions. A 4-ton Infantry Compartment is provided to deploy infantry squads or Battle Armor as part of its defensive complement. To aid in the vehicle's protection, the Destrier mounts a pair of MainFire Point Defense Anti-Missile Systems, one fixed to the rear with the other in the main turret. Among the Destrier's other equipment include a Guardian ECM Suite to help provide an electronic screen, one-ton's worth of Communication Equipment, and a single C3 Slave Unit for coordinated firing solutions.

Ballista Artillery Trailer Description
The Ballista Artillery Trailer is a purpose built trailer intended to be used in tandem with the Destrier. The trailer provides long-range fire support and can act as a communication center while its parent vehicle provides its firepower closer-ranges.

While not possessing a motor system of its own, the 100 ton trailer's standard Fusion Engine is sufficient to power its array of weapons.

The Trailer has a turret mounting for its main weapon, a pair of Arrow IV Artillery Launchers, which also includes 40 rounds worth of ammunition. Backing up these long range weapons is a pair of ER Medium Lasers also found in its turret. As with the Destrier, the Ballista has the same arrangement of Sponson Turrets mounting anti-infantry Light Machine Guns and fixed position Ani-Missile Systems in side and rear firing arcs. The Ballista is armored with Hardened Armor just like the Destrier, and also includes CASE which protects the vehicle and crew from ammunition detonations. It has a 4-ton infantry compartment which allows it to provide its own basic defense against infantry and light vehicles.

Another feature of the trailer is its electronic capabilities. It too shares use of a Guardian ECM Suite and C3 Slave Unit with the Destrier. However, it also has a more powerful allotment of communication equipment (4 tons) to give it the ability to better coordinate battlefield operations.

Design Quirks
The Destrier (Main Vehicle) is subject to the following Design Quirks:
 * Improved Targeting, Long Range
 * Oversized
 * Non-Standard Parts
 * Poor Performance