LCB-7

LCB-7

The LCB-7 (Loricatus Certaminis Bellator) is an 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) that was originally developed by the Empire of Exponent and later used by the Blackhelm Confederacy. Introduced in the late 1970s, the LCB-7 was designed to replace older APC models in the Exponent military, offering improved mobility, protection, and firepower. The LCB-7 saw extensive use during the Hesperidesian Revolutions, Hesperidesian Reclamation, and the 2007 Belkan War. Production of the LCB-7 was carried out by the Wennavua Machine Building Plant until it was succeeded by the LCB-90 in the late 2000s.

Development History

The LCB-7 was developed in the mid-1970s by the Empire of Exponent as part of its military modernization efforts. Following earlier conflicts where existing APCs were found to be inadequate against emerging threats, the need for a more capable vehicle became clear. The Empire sought to create a new generation of APCs that could provide better protection, mobility, and firepower for its infantry forces. The Wennavua Machine Building Plant was selected to produce the LCB-7, which entered service in 1978. The vehicle quickly became the standard APC for the Exponent military and was widely used during the Hesperidesian Revolutions, where its mobility and amphibious capabilities proved invaluable in a range of combat scenarios. Following the collapse of the Empire of Exponent in 1996 and the formation of the Blackhelm Confederacy, the LCB-7 continued to serve in the newly established Confederate Armed Forces. It played a significant role in the Hesperidesian Reclamation and was heavily used during the 2007 Belkan War, although by this time, its limitations in terms of protection and firepower were becoming apparent, leading to the development of the LCB-90 as its successor.

Design

The LCB-7 was designed to provide basic protection and mobility for infantry units. Its welded steel hull offers protection against small arms fire, shell fragments, and light anti-tank weapons. While not as heavily armored as later vehicles, the LCB-7 was considered adequate for its time, especially when equipped with additional applique armor options. The vehicle's 8x8 wheeled configuration provided improved mobility over earlier tracked designs, allowing it to traverse a variety of terrains with greater speed and efficiency. The LCB-7's amphibious capabilities enabled it to cross rivers and other bodies of water, making it a versatile vehicle for different operational environments.

Armament

The primary armament of the LCB-7 is a 14.5 mm KPVT heavy machine gun, mounted in a rotating turret. This weapon provides the vehicle with sufficient firepower to engage infantry, light vehicles, and low-flying aircraft. The turret is also equipped with a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun, which serves as a secondary weapon for engaging close-range targets. The LCB-7's weaponry, while effective for its time, was eventually deemed insufficient against modern threats, leading to the vehicle's gradual replacement by more heavily armed and armored APCs like the LCB-90.

Mobility

The LCB-7's 8x8 wheeled configuration gives it superior mobility, allowing it to navigate a wide range of terrains, from paved roads to rough, off-road conditions. The vehicle's diesel engine produces 240 horsepower, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 20.9 hp/tonne. This allows the LCB-7 to reach speeds of up to 80 km/h on roads and 35 km/h off-road. The vehicle's amphibious capability allows it to traverse water obstacles at speeds of up to 9 km/h, making it well-suited for operations in environments where rivers or lakes might otherwise hinder the advance of armored units.

Countermeasures

To protect its crew and passengers, the LCB-7 is equipped with basic countermeasures, including smoke grenade launchers that can create smoke screens to obscure its movement and reduce its visibility to enemy forces. The vehicle also features an automatic fire suppression system, which helps to quickly extinguish any fires that may occur inside the vehicle, thereby enhancing crew survivability. While the LCB-7's armor is relatively light by modern standards, it can be equipped with applique armor kits to improve its resistance against small arms fire and shrapnel. However, these measures were not sufficient to protect against more advanced anti-tank weapons, which eventually led to the vehicle's replacement.

Operational History

The LCB-7 served as a mainstay of the Empire of Exponent's armored forces throughout the late 20th century. It was heavily used during the Hesperidesian Revolutions, where its mobility and amphibious capabilities were key to the success of several major operations. The vehicle also played a critical role in the Hesperidesian Reclamation, as Exponent forces sought to reassert control over the region. Following the collapse of the Empire of Exponent and the formation of the Blackhelm Confederacy, the LCB-7 continued to serve in the Confederate Armed Forces. The vehicle was prominently featured in the 2007 Belkan War, where it was deployed in both defensive and offensive roles. Despite its age, the LCB-7 proved reliable and effective, although it was increasingly outmatched by newer, more heavily armed vehicles. By the late 2000s, the LCB-7 was gradually phased out of frontline service and replaced by the more modern LCB-90. However, the LCB-7 remains in service with reserve units and allied nations, where it continues to be used in secondary roles.

Variants

• LCB-7A: The original production model, featuring standard armor and weaponry.
• LCB-7C: Command variant, equipped with enhanced communication systems and a command suite for battlefield coordination.
• LCB-7M: Mortar carrier variant, armed with an internal 82 mm mortar system for indirect fire support.
• LCB-7B: An upgraded version introduced in the late 1990s, featuring improved electronics and additional armor.

Operators

• Blackhelm Confederacy: The primary operator from 1996, with the vehicle serving in various conflicts until its gradual phase-out in the late 2000s.
• Empire of Exponent (defunct): The original operator until its dissolution in 1996.
• Allied Nations: Several allied countries acquired the LCB-7, often customizing it to meet their specific operational needs. Many of these vehicles remain in service with reserve units or in secondary roles.