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Main | Content Index
HELL'S HAMMERS - ELITE REPULSORTANK UNIT
by Darth Bedar - See more by this author
Source: Imperial Sourcebook
Last updated on 1 March 2001.
Era
Era: Rebellion
Alignment
Alignment: Empire

BATTALION ORGANIZATION

The battalion consists of the battalion command and three armor troops, backed up by a reconnaissance troop. The three armor troops are employed to break through and capture enemy positions, relying on the mighty repulsortanks to achieve their objectives. The reconnaissance troop serves a dual role: to probe enemy positions and to protect the flanks of the armor troops during advances.

Each armor troop is led by a captain and consists of four squadrons. A squadron contains four repulsortanks led by a lieutenant and is the smallest unit deployed by the Hammers. Depending on the situation, squadrons may operate independently or be massed together with other troops to literally "hammer" through enemy defenses.

The 'tanks are crewed by highly trained troopers led by a sergeant. The crew is equipped with helmets containing wide-spectrum viewfinders, passive infrared sensors, and computer-linked fire control targeting sensors. Although the crews are not expected to fight outside their 'tanks, they are equipped with blaster carbines and pistols for defense in the event of a breakdown or being knocked out by enemy fire. These personal arms also come in handy in an attempted takeover of a ‘tank, such as the incident on Zyrteck Besh.

The recon troop comprises three squadrons of heavily armored Hammerhead airspeeders and one squadron of fast moving but lightly armored Aratech 74-Z speeder bikes. The recon squadrons operate independently of each other, allowing them to cover a wider area. The speeder bikes are equipped with a single laser cannon for defense purposes. Their riders are expected to retreat in the face of enemy fire, but often act as fast-moving infantry reserves in the heat of battle.

Before the armor advances, the recon troop explores the area ahead, reporting on the difficulty of the terrain to be traversed by the 'tanks, probing enemy positions, and noting the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy. The recon units are not designed to capture and hold ground. In the event of concerted opposition they are instructed to report on enemy positions and return to the main unit.

When the armor advances, the recon unit is positioned on the flanks of and slightly to the rear of the attack force. In this formation the recon units are able to keep the armored attack force informed of any enemy troop movements which threaten to cut off the unit or otherwise endanger its advance. In the event of any enemy attack in the flanks, the recon troop's airspeeder squadrons fight to protect the exposed 'tanks, but fall back as soon as the armor is able to bring their exposed weapons to bear.

Until the unit is returned to full regimental strength, "Rancor" Johans personally commands the battalion. His command group is therefore larger than would normally be found in a 'tank battalion. It consists of his personal squadron of four 'tanks, a communications wagon, a gun battery, and artillery units.

The gun battery consists of four Golan Arms DF .9 Mobile Emplacement Guns and two Golan Arms DF .1 Spray Blasters. The battery provides fire support and air defense fire for the battalion. The mobile repulsorlift-mounted guns can be rapidly moved into position to protect the battalion during enemy counterattacks, or to add their firepower to the battalion's 'tanks during advances. The gun battery is a recent addition to the unit, and is indicative of the more independent role that the unit has gained under Johans' leadership.

Long-range artillery support for the Hammers is provided by the ADT-32N Repulsorlift Turret, designated the “Pounder.” The Pounder's main weapon is the missile cannon, a combination of a mass driver and a missile launcher. It works by propelling a high explosive projectile with a guidance computer down the barrel using magnetic induction, so the path is frictionless. The induction mechanism also spins the projectile incredibly fast, in order to give it the range it does. As soon as the projectile leaves the barrel (in about 0.06 seconds), its boosters fire, launching the projectile to approximately 70 km altitude. The onboard guidance computers coordinate with GPS satellites (either enemy or friendly), providing 3 meter accuracy; friendly recon craft, providing 8 meter accuracy; or the launcher itself, providing 15 meter accuracy. Upon impact at over 6000 m/s, the warhead shatters and explodes, causing maximum damage in a relatively small area, with other damage slightly less around the point of impact. The Pounder's other weapon is a light blaster cannon for defense while the turret is moving to a new location. While at a location, the Pounder disengages its repulsorlift engines completely, and grapples itself to the ground tightly in order to keep from floating off. It also has elemental armor, which, while having only 1/100 the strength of molecular armor, and 1/10000 the strength of quantum armor, is still quite strong - more than strong enough for the highly maneuverable Pounder. The powerplant of the Pounder is rated for a craft twice the size of it, but barely has enough power to operate the cabin instruments because of the 'lifts, missile cannon, thrusters, and many other craft systems.

In addition to the combat tanker crews and artillerymen, the battalion contains 40 support personnel responsible for supplying the unit in the field and for maintaining its equipment. Thirty technicians work on the unit’s vehicles, keeping them functioning and repairing battle damage. A group of 10 engineers, equipped with Flatliner heavy repulsorbarges, recover disabled and damaged 'tanks and carry out any field fortifications required.

The unit relies on Imperial starships to carry them from system to system, but they usually use the medium troop transports Golden Sun and Striker (assigned to the Hammers with a Naval crew) for this duty. On arriving in a system, the unit is transported to the surface in armored and shielded landing barges. After landing, the unit quickly moves out to begin its attacks. Usually one of the first units in, the Hammers are also one of the first units to be withdrawn once victory has been assured. This unit gets little rest however, as it is soon en route to its next assignment.


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Vorin Solaar and a Firrerreo friend - d20
16 July 2001, 07:54 pm EST

D6 is nice, don't get me wrong, but can I have the stats in d20 please!!!!!!
---.---.69.159
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