HT-96 Ballista Heavy Tank
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HT-96 Ballista Heavy Tank
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HT-96 Ballista Heavy Tank
In the mid-2090s, the Mechani Union's defense industry saw the rapid rise in armored vehicle combat around the world as various powers armed up and began fighting wars at a rapid rate. As such, a new wave of armored vehicle design and development began.
The Ballista was developed by MMI's design board as the first heavy tank of Mechani make- a dedicated vehicle for testing a 140mm heavy AT cannon (previously limited to static artillery positions and naval vessels) on tanks. Thus, the HT-96 was born.
Technical Information
The HT-96 Ballista is a mandible-prong style tread tank with no robotics in its drive system (unlike the similarly developed MBT-X4 Tigris IV), instead using a traditional static suspension system for its chassis. However, it borrowed the overall layout of the X4 type tanks, resulting in a combat central 'thorax' module of the chassis surrounded on the left and right by fore and aft tread 'mandibles' covered in outer layers of armor in addition to the inner 'thorax' section's hull armor.
The interior holds two crew, a driver/commander and a gunner, as the turret is 100% automated.
Secondary propulsion is provided by a pair of Juno jet turbines, and they in addition to onboard batteries, fuel cells, and solar panels, comprise the power system for the tank.
The Ballista's weapons complement is quite large, with the main 140mm gun an imposing sight, while the secondary 30mm quad cannons and ATGM system make it extremely versatile in combat against other tanks and surface targets.