M-1985 HIMAT Tank

M-1985 HIMAT Tank

The M-1985 "Wildcat" High Mobility Amphibious Tank is the main Light Battle Tank for the Confederate Military. It is cheap to produce, manufacture, and lightweight enough to be transported on most transport rotary and air assets. It is battle-tested in multiple theatres of war and has provided countless Confederate Military soldiers across all branches with invaluable protection and security. It is primarily designed for Airborne and Expeditionary assignments. It was acquired through agreement with the Imperial Drakonian Army and customized for Confederate Military use through collaboration with Marquesan.

History

The Felis Silvestris was adopted by the Imperial Army in 1985. It was opened to foreign sale shortly thereafter. Named for the Gholgothic Wildcat, the tank first saw action with the 1st Expeditionary Legion in 1989 during the Troubles in Golania. Throughout the years it served in Oregia in 1994, East Turkestan in 2003, in Disia in 2011 during the Varathron War and Great Gholgothic War. Designed as a light, fast, high mobility vehicle, the Wildcat saw success in Imperial Army's most elite units, the Expeditionary and Airborne Legions. Though a strategic success, the tanks light armor and aggressive usage gave it significant casualty rates.

The Wildcat saw replacement in the Imperial Army in the early 2010s with the adoption of M-2010 Felis Catus line of infantry fighting vehicles. It replacement was variant of that line, the M-2011 Felis Chaus Medium Tank. It continues to be used by the Volunteer Drakonian Army, the Territorial Army of Mille Mortifere, the Disian Colonial Army, and more recently wide usage across all military branches of the Confederate States of Anagonia designated as the refitted variant, the M-1985 "Wildcat" HIMAT Light Battle Tank.

Description & Refit Collaboration

Around 2029 CE, the Confederate States Military, in collaboration with various domestic Anagonian companies as well as overseas companies from the Marquesan Shogunate in Esvanovia, gathered together to refit the M-1985 to be competitive in the modern age. The original, pre-refit M-1985 had served the Confederate Military with distinction in several peacekeeping efforts across the globe, however its outdated electronics capabilities as well as outdated systems presented a problem for the modern military machine and general logistics. This problem was solved through a year-long effort, combining the experienced capabilities of the following domestic and international companies:

• Anagonian Motors – for the engine components
• Anagonian Electronics – for updating generalized electrical systems
• Netane Kinetics – for all other electronic systems and weapons
• Papeete Steelworks – for hulls and rolling gear
• Arioi Engineering & Design – for technical design, consultation, analysis, and testing facilities
• Viti Levu Powerplant Works – for powertrains and related components

The project was initiated on September 9th, 2029 CE as Chief General Elliot Armstrong reached out to the Marquesan States to apply their experience and technical expertise to updating the M-1985. A strong partnership was formed between the domestic Anagonian companies and their personnel as well as Confederate Military personnel, working closely with Marquesan companies and personnel through a year-long effort in redesigning and maintaining sensible components. The result was delivered on September 12th, 2030 CE as the updated M-1985 "Wildcat" High Mobility Amphibious Tank. The refit combined the best attributes of the original M-1985 design and upgraded them to a more productive and all-around Light Tank platform that could move and maneuver through various know terrain obstacles with troops on the ground. The most prominent change that of refitting the M-1985 from a standard, infantry support Light Tank to a mobile amphibious assault platform capable of delivering the necessary firepower to expected future engagements with ground force support.

In addition to the overhaul of its internal systems, the M-1985 was refitted to include a carry cage on the back of the turret, providing additional storage space for mission-essential equipment. The cage was designed to hold stowage boxes and fuel canister holders, allowing for extended operational range and improved logistical support during prolonged missions. These enhancements not only increased the vehicle's operational efficiency but also provided troops with additional resources for sustained combat scenarios, making the M-1985 a versatile and resilient platform in amphibious and land-based operations.

M-1985 "Wildcat" Specifications

M-1985 "Wildcat" High Mobility Amphibious Tank; Side view.

Designation

Nomenclature
Designation	M-1985 "Wildcat"

Classification

Classification
Type	High Mobility Amphibious Tank (HIMAT)

Weight and Crew

Weight and Crew
Armored Weight (Unloaded)	49,824 lbs (22,600 Kilograms)
Crew	4 (Driver, Commander, Gunner, Loader)

Dimensions

Dimensions
Length	20.6 feet (6.30 Meters)
Width	9.8 feet (3.00 Meters)
Height	8.8 feet (2.70 Meters)
Turret Height	2.2 feet (0.70 Meters) (Manned)
Ground Clearance	1.6 feet (0.50 Meters)

Construction

Construction
Hull Material	Welded 2619 Aluminum (High-Cu) 60/50mm Monocoque
Armor	Frontal Arc: Proof to <40mm AP Sides and Rear: Proof to <30mm AP

Mobility

Mobility
Range	480 Kilometers (6.8 Hours @ 70 Km/H)
On-Road Speed	70 Km/H (43 MPH)
Off-Road Speed	50 Km/H (31 MPH)
Water Speed	10 Km/H (6.2 MPH) (Propelled by Tracks)

Powerplant

Powerplant
Engine	Anagonian Motors AM-1608-TT
Power Output	640 kW
Type	Twin-Turbocharged 16.0L 8-Cyl Diesel/Electric
Classification	Multifuel Diesel-Electric Powerplant
Layout	70° DOHC V8 w/ Integrated Hydromatic Transmission

Performance

Performance
Vehicle Power/Weight	38 Hp/Ton
Suspension	Torsion Bar
Final Drive	Live Tensioned Amphibious Track
Track Width	400 Millimeters (15.7 inches)
Unprepared Fording Depth	1.80 Meters (5.9 feet)
Maximum Obstacle Height	0.80 Meters (2.6 feet)
Maximum Trench Crossing	2.0 Meters (6.5 feet)
Maximum Gradient	50%
Maximum Side-Slope	35%

Optics and Sights

Optics and Sights
Commander's Optics	L/WIR Thermal Periscope ("False Daylight" Full-Color Night Vision)
Gunner's Sight	L/WIR Thermal Gunsight (Automatic Firing Solution & Barrel Laying)

Post-Refit Additions

New Additions
Turret Carry Cage	Refitted to include a carry cage on the back of the turret, providing additional storage space for mission-essential equipment.
Stowage Boxes	Integrated stowage boxes within the turret carry cage for holding supplies, tools, and additional ammunition.
Fuel Canister Holders	Added fuel canister holders within the carry cage, allowing for extended operational range by carrying extra fuel reserves.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency	The new additions support prolonged missions, improving logistical support and sustainment during combat scenarios.

Main Armament

Main Armament
Gun	Confederate Armory CA105/L62HVR
Classification	High-Velocity 105mm Rifle, Direct-Fire
Rifled Length	6.510mm (62 Calibers, 21' 4")
Ammunition	50-Rd Magazine (20 APFSDS, 20 SAPHE, 5 Illum, 5 Canister)
Cyclic Rate-Of-Fire	10 Rounds Per Minute (Manual Loading)
Elevation, Depression & Traverse	Elevation: -8° / +18° Traverse: 360° in 12 Sec @ 30°/Sec
Point Target Range	6,000 Meters (3.73 Mi)
Area Target Range	10,000 Meters (6.21 Mi)
APFSDS Muzzle Velocity	1,500 M/Sec (Mach 4.37)
SAPHE Muzzle Velocity	1,200 M/Sec (Mach 3.5)

Secondary Armament

Secondary Armament
Commander's Gun	Netane Kinetics HMG15.67/2
Country of Origin	Marquesan Shogunate, Esvanovia
Classification	14.9x118mm Twin-Barrel MG
Point Target Engagement	3,000 Meters (1.86 Mi)
Area Target Engagement	5,600 Meters (3.48 Mi)
Dispersion @ Max Engagement	0.50 Milliradians (2.8 Meters)
Rate of Fire (Automatic)	660 Rds. per Minute (Cyclic)
Cartridge Dimensions/Weight	14.9x118mm, 109.5 Grams
Muzzle Velocity/Energy	1,021 M/Sec (Mach 2.98) / 57.15 kJ
Magazine Specifications	Replaceable, 200-rd Linked Belts per Ammunition Box