XM-2 MBT
| XM-2 | |
|---|---|
 XM-2 on patrol on the savanna | |
| Type | Main Battle Tank |
| Place of origin |  Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2011 - present |
| Used by | Blackhelm Confederacy |
| Wars | Battle of Port Blacksand Confederate Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Goldeneagle Defensive Works |
| Manufacturer | Goldeneagle Defensive Works |
| Unit cost | $6.21 million |
| Produced | 2011 - present |
| Specifications (XM-2) | |
| Weight | 56 tonnes |
| Length | 32 feet (9.75 meters) |
| Width | 12 feet (3.66 meters) |
| Height | 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | Modular ceramic-aramid shell with armor panels |
Main armament | "Bolter" 120mm smooth bore ETC cannon |
Secondary armament | 2 x Kord .50 machine guns Doomani AAT.X Acer ATGM |
| Engine | Griffincrest multi-fuel turbine 940 horsepower |
| Suspension | Tracked |
| Speed | 45 mph on road, 35 mph off road |
The XM-2 is a Confederate designed tank based heavily upon the previous XM-1 main battle tank imported and built under contract from the nation of Pythagria. The XM-2 was the Confederate government's attempt to address several of the problems with the previous tank design, as well as to remove some of the more expensive, often frivolous additions that were placed on the former vehicle. The effect was a much more cost efficient, effective piece made to dominate the modern battlefield.
Armament
For a primary weapon, the XM-2 utilizes the "Bolter" 120mm smooth bore ETC cannon of its predecessor, enabling it to bring a powerful cannon onto the field. For a secondary armament, it uses a single .50 caliber Kord coaxial machine gun, as well as another .50 caliber Kord on the roof. The anti-tank missiles on the XM-1 were also replaced with by a Doomani AAT.X Acer launch system. The top machine gun, much like the two found on the XM-1, is protected by a transparent aluminum bubble. Also, as in the XM-1, missiles can be reloaded from within the tank. One of the primary differences between this and its predecessor is the removal of the Florernst turrets, which were found to be very unreliable, yet expensive and added unnecessary weight to the vehicle. These were replaced with the locally made Brabeum active protection system, which is designed to destroy incoming munitions with a shotgun like spray. Finally, the tank has an aerosol grenade discharging system which is set off when the crew receives warning that they have been painted by an enemy weapons system.
Concealment
The turret is fitted with two six-barreled smoke grenade launchers. These can create a thick smoke that blocks both vision and thermal imaging. The engine is also equipped with a smoke generator that is triggered by the driver. When activated, fuel is sprayed into the hot turbine exhaust, creating the thick smoke.
In addition, the XM-2 can also reduce its infrared signature via the installation of temperature controlled wafers that blanket its exterior. This chameleon's skin of sorts, allows the tank's skin to match the infra-red signature of its surroundings. It does this by processing what small infrared sensors mounted around the tank detect, and then displays a pattern on the tank's honeycomb-like covering that best matches the infrared data collected. These wafers can also be used like pixels, as each can be manipulated in temperature. This allows for the tank to use active infrared camouflage, such as tiger stiping its infrared signature in the jungle, or making it flat like the sand in the desert. The XM-2 also lowers its infrared signature through cooling and dispersing the exhaust from its engine.
Armor
The XM-2 has an entirely different armor composition than the overly complex one on the XM-1. Instead, the XM-2 has a modular ceramic-aramid shell, capable of providing protection of blasts from up to a 155mm artillery shell within the front portion of the hull and turret. Additional armor panels can be mounted on the turret and hull, which are designed to provide full protection against projectiles. The hull of the vehicle provides protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines, and the entire vehicle will be covered with radio wave absorbent material.
Damage control
The tank has a built in firefighting system to automatically extinguish any fires that break out inside the crew compartment. The engine compartment also has a firefighting system that is engaged by pulling a T-handle located on the left side of the tank. On top of these measures, the crew compartment contains small hand-held fire extinguishers to manually extinguish fires as well. Fuel and ammunition are stored in armored compartments with blowout panels to protect the crew from the risk of the tank's own ammunition cooking off if the tank is damaged — the main gun's ammunition is stored in the rear section of the turret, with blast doors that open under power by sliding sideways only to remove a round for firing, then automatically close
Sensors/Electronics
The XM-2 uses the Great Eye sensor system (cameras, IR, etc.) of its predecessor, however the VIOLA supercomputer has since been removed. A laser dazzler was also installed on the vehicle, allowing it to temporarily blind opposing crews. The tank is also equipped with nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection equipment, an automatic fire fighting system, and an electromagnetic-counter mine system. That system emits an electromagnetic pulse to disable magnetic mines and disrupt the mine's electronics before the tank reaches them.