M-6 "Tornado" Medium Tank

(Version 1.00 - Last updated: 06/21/02)  

Background and RPG stats by Kenneth Olson

Based on a design shown in Robotech Episode 27 "Force of Arms"

BACKGROUND

The M-6 "Tornado" was developed by the United States Armed Forces during the Global Civil War of the 1990's to provide mobile units heavy firepower in a light, air transportable armored vehicle.   The Tornado can be deployed directly to the battlefield through a low-velocity air drop from its air transport.  Manned with a crew of three (commander, gunner, and driver) the tank is capable being air dropped to reinforce forward deployed units.  A C-130 is capable of transporting a single unit whereas the C-17, C-5, and later VC-33 "Tummy" capable of deploying three, four, and five units respectively. 

The Tornado has an unusual main armament consisting of a M127E1 150mm motion-stabilized sub-nosed smoothbore cannon/missile launcher.  The cannon is automatically loaded, thereby reducing the number of crew necessary to three, with the ammunition type chosen by the tank's commander.  The weapon fires conventional combustible-case ammunition as well as the MGM-51 anti-tank missile.  Ammunition for the conventional rounds include white phosphorus (WP) and high explosive anti-tank (HEAT).  The MGM-51 missile is armed with a High Explosive Anti-Tank warhead guided by a semi-active GPS/infra-red seeker which allows the weapon to engage targets indirectly. 

The Tornado is powered by a 800 horsepower 18.0 liter Cummins VTA-945T V-8 diesel engine with three forward and 1 reverse gears.  The unit has a top end speed of 70 kph on the road or 55 kph cross country, similar in speed to the M-5 "Dark Knight" for which the Tornado was to compliment.  The M-6 has an internal fuel capacity of 1,000 liters which gives the M-6 a combat radius of 450 km.

Armor protection is provided through an advanced titanium composite which, although does not provide the protection of NATO Chobham, it does offer an excellent protection to weight ratio.   Passive protection includes stowage of the main gun's ammunition in a bustle separated from the rest of the turret by fast-closing doors.  The bustle design is intended to reduce the secondary effects of a hit in the turret by blocking the explosion and venting it through roof blow-out panels.  A fire detection and suppression system covers both the crew and the engine compartments.  The pilot's compartment is fully pressurized to provide full nuclear, biological, and chemical protection to the crew at all times

The first five prototype units were delivered to the US Army in the spring of 1994 with the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment becoming the first operational unit in January of 1995.  Although lightly armored when compared to contemporary main battle tanks, the Tornado nevertheless proved to be a highly effective in engaging Eastern Co-prosperity forces indirectly thereby destroying them before they could come into range of their main weaponry.  A total of 754 units were produced from 1994 until production stopped with the formation of the United Earth Government and Defense Force in the year 2000.  Of these units, 350 were later incorporated in the UEDF battling anti-unification forces in over 20 engagements until all of the Tornados were placed in reserve in 2009.  Two hundred units were given to the Armies of the Southern Cross Tactical Division in 2013 and formed the bulk of their armored vehicles in their air mobile cavalry units engaging rogue Zentraedi forces in the Control Zone until they were all finally placed into mothballs once adequate supplies of mecha were available to combat units in 2017. 
 

RPG STATS

Vehicle Type: M-6

Class: Medium Tank
Manufacturer: Allison Division of General Motors Corporation
Crew: 3 (Commander in turret right rear, Gunner in turret left, Driver in hull front)

Service History:

United States Army and Marine Corps from 1996 until 2002

Robotech Defense Forces:  2002 until 2009

Southern Cross Tactical Corp:  2013 until 2020

 

MDC BY LOCATION:

		 
NOTES: 

1. * Depleting the MDC of the turret will kill the commander and gunner.  Depleting the MDC of the main body will destroy the mecha. 
2. ** Destruction of the Main Body will immobilize the unit.

SPEEDS:

MAXIMUM SPEED:

Road: 70 kph governed

Cross-Country: 55 kph

10-deg upslope: 35 kph

60-deg upslope: 10 kph

ACCELERATION:

0-32 kph:  5.5 seconds

OBSTACLE:

Vertical: .80 m

Trench: 2.10 m

Fording w/o preparation: 1.12 m

Fording w preparation: 1.8 m

 

STATISTICAL DATA:

LENGTH:

Hull: 6.80 m

Gun Forward:  7.00 m

WIDTH

w/o Skirts: 3.25 m

w Skirts: 3.40 m

HEIGHT

Turret Roof: 2.60 m

Top of Cupola: 2.70 m

GROUND CLEARANCE

Center: 0.35 m

Sides: 0.32 m

SUSPENSION:

Advanced torsion bar 6 road wheels with 15-in travel wheels

LENGTH OF TRACK ON GROUND

4.20 m

TRACK WIDTH

0.53 m

WEIGHT:

20,000 kg empty 

24,500 kg with combat load

CARGO:

Small area for crew belongings

ENGINE:

Cummins VTA-945T 1100-cu in (18.0-liter) liquid cooled, 4-stroke, turbocharged V-8 diesel, 3 forward and 1 reverse gears

MAX POWER:

800 hp at 2,600 rpm

POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO:

40.0 hp/metric ton

FUEL CAPACITY:

1,000 liters of diesel or petrol fuel

MAXIMUM RANGE:

Diesel:  450 km

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

1. 1 x M127E1 150MM MOTION-STABILIZED SUB-NOSED SMOOTHBORE CANNON/MISSILE LAUNCHER:  The M127E1 is unusual in that it is capable of firing both conventional anti-tank projectiles such as Armor-Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) and High Explosive Armor Piercing (HEAP) rounds or infrared/GPS guided High Explosive Tank (HEAT) missiles.  Conventional 150mm rounds have a higher damage potential over the HEAT missiles; however, they require line of sight to the target whereas the HEAT missiles have a longer range and the capability of striking targets out of sight if cued but a lower damage potential.  The weapon makes use of an autoloader which eliminates the need for additional personal to act as a loader for the cannon.  The cannon can fire sustained rates up to 12 rounds per minute and has an internal capacity of 45 rounds.  An AN/VVG-10 laser range finder is fitted to the commander's cupula and provides target quality coordinates for the weapon while a HP-127 combat computer helps the commander and gunner to target the weapon and stabilizes the cannon while the unit is moving. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Assault
   • SECONDARY PURPOSE: Anti-mecha
   • RANGE: 1500/4000 m (shells/missile)
   • DAMAGE: HEAP 2D4*10, APSSDS 1D6*10, and HEAT missile 1D4*10 per shot 
   • RATE OF FIRE: 3 times per melee
   • PAYLOAD: 45 rounds (Typically 30 conventional rounds and 15 HEAT missiles)
   • NOTES:  APSSDS crits on 17,18,19,20.  HEAP and HEAT missile crits on 19,20.
   • NOTES: HEAT missile +1 to strike

    

2. 1 x 7.62 mm MACHINE GUN: Located on top of the main turret the 7.62mm is controlled by the commander of the tank.  Although the weapon is not capable of inflicting damage to armored vehicles it can disable lightly armored vehicles and personal. 
   • PRIMARY PURPOSE: Anti-personnel
   • RANGE: 900m
   • DAMAGE:  5D6 SDC per shot, 1D6*10 per short burst (5 rounds), or 3D4*10 SDC per long burst  (10 rounds)
   • RATE OF FIRE: Equal to the number of attacks of the commanding officer
   • PAYLOAD: 2500 rounds

    

3. HAND TO HAND COMBAT:.  As a vehicle the Tornado can not engage in physical combat as a mecha can.  However, the vehicle can ram or crush items in its path. 
   • Ram (30 kph):  3D4 MDC
   • Ram (60 kph):  6D4 MDC
   • Crush (only effective against small targes): 1D4*10 MDC

STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THE TORNADO:

• COMBAT COMPUTER HP DIGITAL BALLISTIC COMPUTER: The combat computer aids the gunner to identify and track specific enemy targets.  The combat computer stabilizes the main gun while the vehicle is in motion. 
• LASER TARGETING SYSTEM (AN/VVG-10): The CO₂ laser range finder is eye safe and provides range estimates up to 8,000 meters from the target with an accuracy of less than 10 meters. 
• NAVIGATION (SMITH INDUSTRIES POS/NAV SYSTEM):  Provides inertial as well as navigation through the global positioning system
• OPTICS (NIGHTVISION): Range 1500 meters. A passive light image intensifier that emits no light of its own, but relies on ambient light which is electronically amplified to produce a visible picture.
• OPTICS (TEXAS INSTRUMENTS THERMAL IMAGER): Range 2000 meters. A passive optical heat sensor that detects infrared radiation projected by warm objects and converts that data into a false-color visible image. The system enables the pilot to see in the dark, in shadows, and through smoke, and also adds a +10% bonus to pilots using a tracking skill.
• RADIO/VIDEO COMMUNICATION: Long range, directional communications system with satellite relay capabilities. Range: 100 miles (960 km) or can be boosted indefinitely via satellite relay.
• SELF-DESTRUCT: To prevent capture the pilot can activate the Tornado self-destruct system, which will cause the vehicle to explode after a delay of up to 60 minutes (time is set by the pilot). The explosive damage is contained within a 50 foot (6 m) area and inflicts 3D4*10 M.D. to everything within the radius of the explosion. All internal systems are obliterated.
• SMOKE DISPENSERS (M250): 2 x 6 barrel smoke dischargers (24 rounds each).  Smoke is mixed with engine exhaust to provide cover up to 20 meters away from unit.
• STANDARD SURVIVAL KIT: All RDF vehicles come equipped with a portable survival kit. Inside the small reinforced box is a medium-sized flashlight, two hand flares, one rocket flare, a compass, infrared distancing binoculars, a small mirror, a pocket knife, dehydrated and concentrated food (can be stretched into a five day supply for one person) and basic first aid items (aspirin, bandages, disinfectants, etc.)
• TACTICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM: The Tornado's cockpit is pressurized to provided the occupants with full nuclear chemical and biological protection. 
  

COMBAT BONUSES FOR TORNADO: 

• Number of attacks equal to the combine number of the pilot, gunnery officer, and commander
• +1 to strike targets less than 30 kph; however, the unit is incapable of engaging units with speeds greater than 150 kph
• +1/+2/+3 to dodge above 15/30/45 kph.

Random Hit Locations

When there is an equal chance of hitting both sides from 1d6

• 1-3 hits the right side
• 4-6 hits the left

When there is a preferred side, roll 1d10

• 1-8 hits the preferred side
• 9-10 hits the opposite side

SOURCES USED IN CREATION OF DOCUMENT

• Federation of American Scientists (FAS.org):  M551 "Sheridan" entry
• Palladium Books "RDF Field Guide": Tornado entry

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