Pandion

Description
The Pandion Combat WiGE is a combat vehicle produced by General Motors for the Federated Suns starting in 3078. The inexpensive vehicle was designed by GM to help ramp up sales to keep the company going during the Jihad. First developed at its plant on Salem, the vehicle production was spread out to another plant on New Valencia and later at a rebuilt plant on Kathil. GM attempted to win an Infantry transport contract with the Republic of the Sphere's military in 3084. Despites Pandion's APC variant outperforming the Draconis Combine's Giggins APC, the contact was awarded to the Combine. Seen as a backroom deal made with the Combine, GM began a smear campaign against the Giggins' quality.

Weapons and Equipment
The Pandion's 120 rated XL Fusion Engine allows it move at rapid speeds up to 162 km/h. Its hull is protected by 4 tons of StarSlab/4 Ferro-Fibrous Armor, with most armor protection concentrated in the front of the vehicle.

The vehicle's main weapon is its pair of Extended Range Medium Lasers mounted in the turret. Also found in the turret is a Streak 4-tubed Short-Range Missile Launcher which has a ton of ammunition feed it.

The vehicle has also been fitted with a Beagle Active Probe to allow it to spot enemy units.

Variants

 * Infantry : This variant that was based on the original prototype used in GM's bid to attain the RAF's infantry transport contract. This production variant was introduced in Introduction Year::3078, and has the base model's SRM launcher and associated ammunition removed for an Infantry Transport Bay for a Squad of Battle Armor. Troopers would exit from the Vehicle's rear-mounted door.  While the ER Medium lasers are retained, the missile ports in the turret are also retained to fool opponents into believing it is the more heavily-armed standard model. BV(2.0)=507


 * C3 : This is a true spotter variant of the Pandion developed in Introduction Year::3078, which like infantry model completely resembles the base model. The baseline's ER Medium Lasers are removed in favor of a TAG in the turret and a C3 Slave Unit in the hull. BV(2.0)=373


 * 3135 Upgrade : This Pandion upgrade uses Vehicular Jump Jets for increased maneuverability.


 * 3145 Upgrade : Slower than other Pandion models, this version uses Medium Re-Engineered Lasers to defeat heavy armor. These lasers are equipped with Laser Insulators.