Prowler (Combat Vehicle)

Originally developed by Vitesse Vehicles of Terra in 2611, the Prowler was the most common hostile and exotic environment military grade exploration vehicles.

One of the most notable and long lasting multi-terrain vehicles, the Prowler was almost unsurpassed in its niche, the design proving popular enough for Vitesse to halt production and merely license the design to manufacturers across the Inner Sphere and Periphery. While never produced in large numbers, all post-Star League era Successor State militaries maintained a number of the vehicle for combat on their most inhospitable planets, ComStar's Explorer Corps purchased a massive number for its exploration teams, with production reportedly only ceasing after the Word of Blake's capture of Terra. The Blakists restarted production of the Prowler converted into an IFV during the desperate last days of the Jihad, with the Republic of the Sphere maintaining production for their own forces.

Powered by a Nissan 220 Fusion Engine, the sturdy Prowler was capable of traversing the most rugged terrain, and thanks to the inclusion of a duplex drive system, cross rivers and swamps with ease. The vehicle's hermetically sealed hull, plated in seven tons of military grade armor, provides the Prowler ample protection against natural and human threats. Mounting an advanced Beagle Active Probe, also of note is the Prowler's suite of sophisticated sensors and automated systems that enable the single driver to control the vehicle and and its weapon systems, though the vehicle's large four and half ton capacity cargo bay has a secondary weapons station along with its accommodations for both passengers and equipment.

Weapons and Equipment
While not designed for combat, the Prowler mounted a mixed array of lasers and missiles. Its main weapon was a turret mounted Snorri LRM-10 flanked by a Blankenburg Medium Pulse Laser on either side. A forward facing Guided Technologies SRM-2 launcher above the driver's compartment provides extra short-range punch. A ton of reloads for each missile launcher was considered more than enough for a vehicle never intended for front-line combat.

Variants

 * Succession Wars : Produced during the Succession Wars in Introduction Year::2863 and the loss of advanced technology, this version removes the Medium Pulse Lasers and replaces them with standard models. The Beagle probe was also removed. The extra room this provided was needed for a slightly larger crew. The rest of the space was taken up by an eight ton Cargo Bay. BV (2.0) = 703


 * ECM : A variation of the standard model developed in Introduction Year::2614, the Beagle probe was replaced with a Guardian ECM Suite to cover its own troops against detection. BV (2.0) = 788


 * WoB : The Word of Blake variant introduced in Introduction Year::3077 was built as an IFV, its cargo bay converted into infantry bay capable of carrying a full Battle Armor Level I or an even larger volume of normal infantry into combat. The weapons were changed to a MML Launcher supported by upgraded lasers and an M-Pod as a deadly last ditch defense. An Improved C3 Computer enhanced its abilities in combat . BV (2.0) = 697


 * RAF : The Republic Armed Forces developed in Introduction Year::3081 used a variant based on the Blakist version, using similar MML launcher and laser load, swapping the C3i system for a standard C3 Slave . BV (2.0) = 679


 * Sealed Prowler : This version fielded in Introduction Year::2960 trades the Amphibious Equipment for Environmental Sealing on the hull and turret. BV (2.0) = 680


 * Support : Built during the Succession Wars in Introduction Year::2878 this variant of the Prowler removes the Beagle probe and replaces the LRM-10 with a larger LRM-15. It also uses standard Medium Lasers to support troops carried in the four ton Infantry Bay. BV (2.0) = 799


 * Security : This Dark Age version developed in Introduction Year::3123 of the Prowler has a five ton infantry bay. It carries an SRM-2, LRM-10, and a TSEMP Cannon. It also carries a Beagle Active probe, and is powered by a Light Fusion Engine. BV (2.0) = 1,160


 * 3140 Upgrade : This Introduction Year::3140 Prowler is Fully Amphibious and has a four ton infantry compartment. It also carries a single MML-7 missile launcher and a TSEMP Cannon. BV (2.0) = 1,245