Don’t need an Armored Personnel Carrier, but still want to move around the battlefield without becoming a target drone? These heavy-duty vehicles range from combat cars to borderline military aircraft. Most military hovercrafts are knock-offs of the CS AFC series of vehicle. Nuclear engines are standard, along with extra armor, speed and enhanced VTOL abilities. However, Northern Gun has also
combined their usual tenacity for duplication with creativity to bring some formidable original products to the market as well.
NG-750 Nightstalker
Without a doubt, the Nightstalker is a truly original design and a best seller for Northern Gun. The Nightstalker takes advances in hover craft technology taken from CS models and combines it with Northern Gun’s longstanding tradition of hover cycle excellence, utilizing new high-tech materials to make an outstanding scout and light assault vehicle. Since its arrival on the market in early 109 P.A., Northern Gun’s production facilities have barely been able to keep up with demand. The vehicle is frequently out of stock at NG Dealerships, and it usually sells at a thirty to forty percent premium. What makes the vehicle so revolutionary is its use of stealth technologies. Using an improved version of the "Whisper" hover system found on the NG-230 Prowler hovercycle, the Nightstalker moves with a barely audible hiss when traveling at speeds below 30 mph (48 km). This enables those with the prowl skill to move the vehicle silently with only a -10% modifier to prowl.
In addition to the "Whisper" system, the vehicle is designed with sharp angles making it look more like a fighter jet then a low flying vehicle. The angles are designed to deflect radar emissions away from the source, giving the Nightstalker a low profile on most radar screens. Combined with radar absorbing paint and construction materials, the vehicle is almost impossible to spot. When hovering low to the ground or flying at treetop level, the Nightstalker can evade all but the most sophisticated radar systems. Even the weapons systems are designed with stealth in mind. Each one is concealed inside the body of the hover craft and designed to pop open when used. These concealed weapons not only keep the radar profile low and give the vehicle excellent aerodynamics for top speed, they also make it hard for the opponent to judge the caliber of the vehicle before it is too late to respond.
The Nightstalker is already a big hit with IDF Special Forces and reconnaissance groups, and it’s gaining notoriety with some of the major militaries. The Coalition has purchased a few hundred for use in border strikes and stealth raids, often painting the CS skull motif onto the nose of the vehicle. Despite the treaty, Northern Gun has even unwittingly supplied a large order of Nightstalkers to Free Quebec. Through a front company, Liberty Arms, the independent nation-state sees the vehicles as a tactical advantage in any ‘first-strike’ scenario against the CS.
Class: Light Assault Vehicle Crew: One pilot and one gunner. M.D.C. by location:
Concealed Mini-Missile Launchers (2) - 80 each Front Windshield - 30
Side Windows (2) - 15 each Doors (2) - 40 each
*Bottom Hover Jets (5) - 50 each *Rear Jets (3) - 50 each
**Side Jets (4) - 50 each ***Main Body - 210
*Destroying one of the bottoms jets will reduce speed by 10%, destroying one of the rear jets will reduce speed by 30%. These targets are small difficult to hit, requiring a called shot at -2 to hit. **Destroying one of the side jets will render the prowl functions ineffective. These targets are small difficult to hit, requiring a called shot at -2 to hit.
***Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body complete destroys the vehicle. Speed
Maximum Speed: 180 mph (290 km), cruising speed is considered to be 60 to 100 mph (96 to 160 km). VTOL capable, can hover stationary, and has retractable landing gear.
Maximum Altitude: 1000 feet (305 m)
Maximum Range: Nuclear power supply provides decades of life. The Nightstalker can be flown continuously for 36 hours without fear of overheating.
Statistical Data Length: 20 feet (5.4 m) Weight: 2.4 tons
Special Bonuses: The NG-750 provides a +5% to all piloting rolls. The driver can apply his or her prowl ability (if they have one) to piloting the NG-750 when trying to avoid detection (close to the ground, along cover, in shadows, etc.) If the pilot doesn’t have a prowl skill, the base ability of the vehicle is 15%. In order to prowl, the vehicle must be moving below 30 mph (48 km). Due to stealth construction, the Nightstalker creates a -15% Read Sensory Instruments penalty to those trying to detect the vehicle with radar. Other forms of sensory detection are more effective and only face a penalty of -5%.
Sensors & Equipment of Note: Long and short range radio, infrared optics, radar, and combat computer. Power Supply: Nuclear.
Cost: 2.2 million credits. Weapons Systems
1. Concealed Double Barrel Laser: Beneath the nose of the vehicle is a laser-guided, retractable, double barreled laser cannon. The nose gun can rotate along a 180 degree arc in front of the vehicle. +1 to strike from laser targeting.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Vehicle. Secondary Purpose: Assault.
Mega-Damage: 4D6 M.D. per simultaneous blast. Rate of Fire: Standard.
Range: 2000 feet (610 m). Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
2. Concealed Mini-Missile Launchers: (2) A pair of mini-missile launchers are mounted on each side of the vehicle.
Primary Purpose: Anti-Vehicle. Secondary Purpose: Anti-Personnel.
Mega-Damage: Varies with missile type; typically loaded with armor piercing (1D4xlO M.D.) missiles. Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, three, four or five.
Range: About one mile (1.6 km). Payload: 20 total; 10 per each launcher.