N-1A Multiple-Rocket Launcher Repulsor System
| N-1A Multiple-Rocket Launcher Repulsor System | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Multiple Rocket Launcher |
| Place of origin |  Thrashia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Thrashia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Bastion Arms Inc. |
| Manufacturer | Bastion Arms Inc. |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 38 tonnes |
| Length | 7.5 m (24.6 ft) |
| Width | 3.5 m (11.5 ft) |
| Height | 4.6 m (15.1 ft) |
| Crew | 3 |
| Rate of fire | Rockets: 12 rounds in < 20 seconds; Missiles: 2 rounds in 4 seconds |
| Maximum firing range | 180 km |
| Armor | Classified |
Main armament | Neukraft Launcher Loader Module |
Secondary armament | weapons mount |
| Engine | Repulsorlift |
| Speed | 380 km/h |
Development History
The New Era Weapons Development Program had an additional conditional provision for the creation of a missile or rocket launcher system. After much study and review of the after-action reports from the Great Chaos War, Imperial doctrinal experts saw the need for a wider range of weapon systems that are capable of engaging a variety of targets simultaneously. It was also felt that infantry and mechanized or repulsor mounted infantry needed additional weapon systems to increase their anti-vehicle and anti-air capability. Thus was the creation of the N-1A-MRLRS, using the same chassis as the N-1 ARPC. In place of the space that was taken up by two squads of infantry, the N-1A-MRLRS "Viper" is capable of carrying a significant personal supply of ammunition aboard. This includes dual-purpose munitions capable of engaging ground targets and anti-air munitions capable of engaging targets in low orbit.
Troopers have taken to nicknaming it the "Viper".
Weapon and Missile Launcher System
Giving the entire system its namesake is the Neukraft Viperine Launcher-Loader Module System, or simply the Viper Launcher. The Viper Launcher has twelve launch tubes that are turret mounted on top of the N-1-MRLRS chassis.
Doctrine for the N-1-MRLRS batteries is for the vehicles to spread out individually and hide until needed, then move to a firing position and launch their rockets, immediately move away to a re-staging point, then move to a completely new hiding position near a different firing point. These shoot-and-scoot tactics are planned to avoid susceptibility to counter-battery fire. One N-1-MRLRS firing 12 N20 rockets would drop 15,456 bomblets, and one N-1-MRLRS battery (nine vehicles) firing 108 rockets has the equivalent firepower of 33~35 battalions of standard cannon artillery.
The system can also fire NIE-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATacMS) missiles, which are contained in interchangeable pods. Each pod contains six standard rockets or one guided ATACMS missile; the two types can be mixed. The NIE-140 ATACMS Missiles are anti-tank and anti-fortification munitions. The munitions droid-loaded using an integrated, automatic winch system. All twelve rockets or two ATACMS missiles can be fired in under twenty seconds. One launch tube firing twelve rockets can completely blanket four square kilometers with sub-munitions. For this reason, the N-1A-MRLRS is sometimes referred to as the "Grid Square Removal System" (metric maps are usually divided up into 1 km grids); or informally among artillery personnel as "the finger of God", since a single launcher can sanitize an entire grid square, which is about the size of a fingertip on a typical map. A typical N-1A-MRLRS cluster salvo consisted of three vehicles each firing all launchers, with a single rocket per launcher. With each rocket containing 644 concussion grenades or thermal detonators, the entire salvo would drop 23,184 grenades in the target area.
The N-1-MRLRS also carry surface-to-air guided weapon (SAGW) concussion missiles that are capable of targeting ships in low orbit, as well as most all aerial targets. Similar to the ATACMS missiles in size, the SAGW Concussion Missiles are also kept in stock within the N-1-MRLRS, with standard doctrine requiring each to carry at least half of a full salvo; six missiles.
Defensive Capabilities
The N-1-MRLRS mounts an identical defensive system as that on the N-1 Repulsor Tank and the N-1-ARPC.
Details concerning the composite armor of the N-1 chassis system are classified. It does however mount a personal shield generator that allows it to better survive in battle environments where enemy artillery or aerial support is in abundance.
Defense against incoming missiles is provided by a soft-kill anti-missile system. The Millimeter Band Sensor System (MBSS) mounted on the turret is capable of operating as a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). The vehicle's droid-assisted computer in turn can triangulate incoming projectiles, immediately alert the vehicle commander, and fire off Visual and Infrared Screening Smoke (VIRSS) grenades, which can effectively block optical, infrared and radar signatures. Once the hard-kill AMS is installed, the radar system will also be responsible for tracking and targeting the incoming missiles for the AMS.
There is an optional hard-kill AMS that will enable the droid-assisted computer to launch anti-munition grenades capable of intercepting hostile missiles and projectiles as part of the overall active protection system. The hard-kill Active Protection System is an indigenously developed hard-kill active protection system designed to protect the N-1 from anti-tank threats. It uses a three-dimensional detection and tracking multi-spectral sensor imager to detect incoming threats. Warheads can be detected out to 200 meters from the tank, and a defensive rocket is fired to destroy them at 20–25 meters away. The system can neutralize rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles.
The N-1 also has a Sensor Warning Receiver (SWR) and sensor jammer. Four all-bearing Laser warning receivers (LWR) are also present to alert the crew should the vehicle become "painted", and the droid computer can also deploy VIRSS grenades towards the direction of the beam.
An automatic fire suppression system is programmed to detect and put out any internal fires that may occur, and atmospheric sensors alert the crew if the tank enters a hazardous environment. It can be sealed against even hard vacuum, as well as a general gamut of biological and hazardous scenarios.
Network Centric Considerations
- C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Droids, Computers, and Intelligence) uplink.
- PPS (Planetary Positioning Satellite) uplink.
- IFF/SIF (Identification Friend or Foe/Selective Identification Feature) System. If a proper response signal is shown by the target, the fire control system automatically identifies it as a friendly. If the target fails to respond to the identification signal, it is then declared as a hostile. A droid-assisted program ensures that false IFF signals are carefully curated and correctly targeted.
- Full Battle Sphere Command and Control Program (FBSCC) allows the vehicle to share its data with friendly units, including other infantry, armored vehicles, and aerial support. This ensures that unit commanders are able to tap into a wide range network of data, enabling better battlefield decision making.
- Each N-1-MRLRS is also equipped with four ID10 Seeker Droids that are capable of carrying out a wide range of missions under the direction of the vehicle commander.