Black Eagle (T-12M1/2) Main Battle Tank (Export Variant):
(OMZ/Italo Industries/Triax/Various Governments)
The Black Eagle was originally a development of the T-80, though so considerable rebuilt as to be called a new design, intended for export use. It featured numerous machine guns and the standard 125 mm smoothbore cannon. The design was rejected by the Russian government, preferring to go with the more capable T-95 tank. It was exported to India, China, Korea, and numerous other countries.
The design had many standard Soviet features and the backbone older 125 mm smoothbore that had served a variety of countries throughout the world extensively. What wasn't standard was the entire layout of the turret and crew compartment. Because of lessons learned from the Gulf War and the Serbian conflict, it was decided that the crew needed to be separated from the ammunition and the auto loader in order to improve their survivability. In previous designs the auto loader and its carrousel were located in the middle of the crew compartment, and an ammunition fire invariably resulted in the death of the crew.
As a result of the redesign the turret of the T-12 features an, especially for a Russian design, rather large bustle. In the bustle all of the ammunition was stored horizontally, and an entirely new auto loader selected and slid the rounds into the breech of the gun. The entire auto loader and ammunition store were separated from the crew compartment by a large armor plate, which meant that even after an enemy hit ignited the ammunition, the crew had a good chance of survival. It also meant that with the new auto loader design, the T-12 had an even lower profile than previous tanks.
However, during the 2012 war with the Ukraine, the Russian government needed more tanks, and fast, so they took over production of the T-12 and requested a version of the Black Eagle armed with a 152-mm main gun in place of the 125 mm main gun and the co-axial machinegun.
Quick production of this variant, designated the T-12U, began, in time to see service during the war. The T-12U became a popular tank in the reformed SSSR, but the story of the original Black Eagle T-12 and later T-12M1/2 is not over by far.
The Black Eagle, sold to such nations including China, North Korea, Vietnam, India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Argentina and South Africa became an exceptionally popular tank all over the world, and very common. Though production was no longer available after the year 2012, the Indian government, desperate to rebuild it's tank forces after the disastrous war with the USA, purchased rights to produce the original T-12 design.
China shortly followed suite, and then Argentina. Finally, after South Africa began to recover from the affects of the Pandemic, they, too, got a license for building the T-12, however, from China instead of the new SSSR; The license of the design by China to other countries without authorization occurred during the border war between the People's Republic of China and the new SSSR in which the SSSR annexed Mongolia, in a time when the PRC could care less about Soviet patents.
These were all based on the original export model "Black Eagle" as opposed to the 152 mm armed T-12U being used in the SSSR.
When the "Mega-Damage" revolution came around, as the popular media termed the scientific revolution in construction materials and the quantum leap in conventional weapons power that followed, countries began to have their T-12s converted into T-12M1s and later the T-12M2, both designs originally fielded by China for refitting of their own T-12s, and similar to the SSSR's refit of the T-12U.
Additional tanks of the T-12M2 design were built as well, and saw service extensively in Africa, South America, Asia, Central American, and to some extent the Balkans region of Europe.
Though not as good as the T-12UM1, the Black Eagle T-12M1 and T-12M2 are excellent tanks which has improved anti-aircraft and anti-personnel capabilities over the T-12UM1, though they lack in anti-tank capabilities compared with that version. The T-12M2 variant also features an ejectable missile box launcher for SRMs in place of the ejectable fuel tank on the pre-MDC, non-nuclear T-12 and the Gas Turbine powered T-12M1.
On modern day Rifts Earth, refitted T-12s, and Pre-Rifts T-12M1s and T-12M2s can all be found, and have the same capabilities, and the refits of the T-12s were virtually total in all respects. In addition, however, the major industry based in the former country of Argentina, Italo Industries, manufactures the T-12M2 variant to this day, making it very common in the Silver River Republics and relatively common in northern South America, Central America, and even the vampire Kingdoms of Mexico and the Pecos Empire in the former state of Texas. It also manufactures an upgrade kit for the T-12M1 to bring it up to T-12M2 standards.
In addition to this, Italo Industries has recently begun to work with the Republic of Colombia to begin construction of a T-12UM1 based Black Eagle with a 152 mm main gun, as well.
Oddly enough, for a company renowned for the most advanced, powerful designs on Earth, Triax also has a production line for the Black Eagle T-12M2, relatively small, but enough to provide parts and replacement vehicles for T-12M2s being used by the satellite states of the NGR, and also, an upgrade kit for the T-12M1 to bring it up to T-12M2 standards. There was a plan to also begin production of the T-12UM1 for sale to the New Sovietskiy, but the massive military buildup of the NGR in preparation for all-out war with the Gargoyle Kingdoms has prevented this from happening, though it could in the future.
The T-12M1 and T-12M2 "Black Eagle", when counted with the SSSR-used T-12UM1 variant, are, combined, the most numerous tanks still in existence on Rifts Earth.
Model Type: Black Eagle T-12M1 and T-12M2.
Vehicle Type: Main Battle Tank
Crew: Three (Driver, Gunner, and Commander).
| M.D.C. By Location: | T-12M1 variant: | T-12M2 variant: |
| [1] Tractor Treads (2): | 90 each | 100 each | |
| [2] Weapons Turret: | 275 | 275 | |
| 125 mm smooth-bore gun: | 75 | 75 | |
| 10 mm turret mounted Railguns (2): | 50 | 50 | |
| 5 mm Railgun: | 25 | 25 | |
| Multi-Option Jammers (2): | 25 | 25 | |
| Reinforced Crew Compartment: | 150 | 200 | |
| [3] Main Body: | 425 | 425 | |
| [4] Ejectable SRM Box Launcher: | 10 |
Notes:
[1] Depleting the M.D.C. of a tread will immobilize the tank until
it is replaced. Replacing a tread will take 1D6x10 minutes by a trained
crew (2 replacements are carried on board) or three times as long by the
inexperienced. Changing the tread is only advisable when the vehicle is
not under attack.
[2] The Weapons turret is unmanned by the crew, and can be destroyed
without otherwise damaging the vehicle. This makes the tank very survivable,
and it can retreat and have a new weapon's turret fitted relatively quickly.
[3] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is
completely shut down and is unsalvageable.
[4] The strap-on SRM launcher is available ONLY for the T-12M2 variant,
and is made of MDC reinforced SDC materials, and so SDC weaponry can damage
it. Once the missiles have been expended, or in an emergency, before
they have been fully expended, the launcher can be ejected from the tank.
Though disposable, they do not have to be disposed, and can be re-used
indefinitely. However, while the launcher is on the tank, the turret cannot
rotate into an rear arc of 40 degrees, as the barrel will be blocked by
the launcher. The launcher does NOT have to be used with the tank; It is
purely an optional feature.
Speed:
Ground: 55.9 mph (90 kph) maximum road speed; 43.5 mph (70 kph)
off-road.
Maximum Range: T-12M1: 403.9 miles (650 km) worth of
fuel at maximum speed, either for Road or Off Road, plus up to 217.5 miles
(350 km) more with a large strap-on rear fuel tank that is ejected before
going into battle.
T-12M2: Unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply;
5 years.)
Statistical Data:
Height: 7.15 feet (2.18 meters) to top of commander's cupola.
Width: 18.33 feet (3.59 meters)
Length: 28.9 feet (8.8 meters) not including gun barrel
Weight: T-12M1: 65.5 tons (59.4 metric tons). T-12M2:
66 tons (59.9 metric tons)
Power Source: T-12M1: Gas Turbine; provides power for
all electrical systems through a generator as long as it has fuel; Fuel
supply lasts for a range of 403.9 miles (650 km) at maximum speed (Either
Road or Off Road), and an additional 217.5 (350 km) off the fuel in the
large disposable (And ejectable) rear-mounted gas tank. T-12M2:
Nuclear fusion reactor; Must be refueled every five years, otherwise effectively
unlimited.
Cargo Capacity: Minimal, enough for equipment with crew
Black Market Cost: 3,000,000 Credits to build the T-12M2 (Only
version still under construction; T-12M1s used to cost 2,000,000 credits
to build), usually 3 million credits to buy a used T-12M1, or 4 million
credits to buy a used T-12M2. 5 million to buy a new T-12M2 built by Italo
Industries or Triax. Kits from either company for upgrading a T-12M1 to
T-12M2 standards cost, depending on who the kit is purchased from (Direct
from manufacturer, retail, etc) 750,000 to 1,250,000 credits.
If fitted, any extra weapons systems will add to the cost of the tank;
T-12s are usually found very heavily modified, though they are quite common
without modifications as well.
Tank crews often personalize them with their pay in the armies of the
assorted governments and kingdoms that use the Black Eagle.
Availability: The tank's T-12M2 variant is still in production
in South America by Italo Industries, and is considered to have excellent
available in South America. In Central America and Europe, consider the
tank to have good availability; Slightly better in Europe, as Triax has
limited production of the T-12M2. In Africa and southern/eastern Asia,
fair availability. In the former SSSR, the tank is virtually unheard of;
The T-12UM1 variant of the Black Eagle T-12M1/2 is used there. The main
differences are in railgun armament and the size of the main gun; The two
types are easily confused, and the T-12M1/2 variation is even more confusing.
The T-12UM1 is also reasonably common in Europe, further muddling things.
Availability in North America is poor, while in Australia, the tank is
unheard of.
The T-12M1 variant is becoming increasing uncommon as they are modified
to T-12M2 standards.
Weapon Systems:
Mounted in the
turret. The Black Eagle enjoys a +2 to strike for the main gun using the
laser targeting sight (not for the ATGMs). The Black Eagle can also fire
the AT-20 ATGW through the 125-mm gun; Truly a multi-purpose weapon that
is considerably effective against enemy armor and robots alike.
Maximum Effective Range: Direct fire range is 6,561 feet (2,000
meters). Has a quadrant site that allows the Sabot (APSD) rounds to be
fired indirectly out to 30,839 feet (9,400 meters). Range for missiles
varies with short range missile type; Usually AP rounds are carried (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Mega-Damage: (HE): 1D6x10 with a blast radius of 20 ft. (HEAT):
2D6x10, blast radius of 10 ft. (AP): 2D8x10. (APSD): 2D4x10. (PLASMA):
2D8x10+5, blast radius of 20 ft. Mega-Damage for missiles is as per short
missile type; almost always Armor Piercing (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Rate of Fire: Twice per melee.
Payload: 50 gun rounds; Usually 11 HE, 11 HEAT, 11 AP, 11 APSD,
and 6 Plasma. An additional round can be stored, ready to fire, in the
main gun. If they are available, this is usually a plasma round so that
the tank can deal with a surprise attack of any type. The Plasma rounds
are VERY rare among the groups that still use the Black Eagle, so usually
substitute the Plasma rounds for additional rounds of other types, and
if a round is carried in the barrel, it will probably be HEAT. Also carried:
Ten AT-20 ATGWs; These are essentially a surface to surface version of
the standard Rifts short range missile. Armor piercing versions are standard,
though plasma and even fusion versions were made. All of these rounds are
stored horizontally stacked in the large turret bustle, and are ready to
feed into the autoloader. In essence, the bustle is part of the autoloader
assembly.
Bonuses: +2 to strike at all times with cannon shells from the
laser sight; No penalties to fire when vehicle is moving. APSD shells have
a +4 bonus for long range fire from the Quadrant sight, but only when the
vehicle is not moving. No Bonuses for firing the AT-20 ATGWs.
Maximum Effective Range: 4,920 feet (1,500 meters)
Mega Damage: Single shot does 2D4 and 20 round burst does 1D6x10+10
Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner;
usually the commander. Guns can also be operated by computer.
Payload: 1200 rounds (60 bursts) per gun; 2400 rounds total.
Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 feet (609.6 m)
Mega Damage: One round does 1D4 M.D.C. to M.D.C. targets or
6D6x10 S.D.C. to soft targets. Twenty round bursts do 4D6 M.D.C; Forty
round full bursts do 1D4x10
Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of gunner;
usually gunner.
Payload: Carries 4,000 rounds total (100 full bursts or 200
half-bursts)
Maximum Effective Range: Varies with short range missile type;
Usually HE or AP are carried (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Mega Damage: Varies with short range missile type; Usually HE
or AP are carried (Go to
Revised
bomb and missile table).
Rate of Fire: One, two, four, six, or eight SRM`s per melee.
Payload: Eight missiles, no reloads carried.
These
are multi-purpose jamming devices designed to stop incoming missiles and
confuse an enemy targeting the Black Eagle T-12M1.
Effect: Each firing launches two Chaff rockets, two Flare rockets,
and the tank begins emitting a large cloud of smoke, both standard and
Anti-Laser Prismatic aerosol ; The Chaff rockets detonate and spread Chaff
over the area, the flare rockets floating down by parachute; Effects last
for one minute (4 Melee rounds.) The Chaff rockets have a 15% chance of
interfering with the course of enemy missiles each (30%, total) that are
radar guided so that they miss the tank. The flares have the same percentages,
except with IR-guided missiles. The Anti-Laser prismatic aerosol causes
-3d4 damage to any laser beam striking the tank (With the exception of
X-ray lasers and variable frequency lasers; X-Ray lasers suffer no damage
modifiers, and variable frequency lasers do not suffer the penalty after
two test firings into the cloud to find the right frequency.), and adds
a +2 difficulty to targeting the tank with a laser guidance system or visually.
Rate of Fire: Usually once every four melee rounds; Effects are not cumulative.
Range: Around tank only; Rough distance of 80 ft (24 m) around
tank.
Payload: Sufficient for six firings; One of each type of jamming
option from each side of the vehicle.
Effect: Each firing launches two Chaff rockets, two Flare rockets,
and the tank begins emitting a large cloud of smoke, both standard and
Anti-Laser Prismatic aerosol ; The Chaff rockets detonate and spread Chaff
over the area, the flare rockets floating down by parachute; Effects last
for one minute (4 Melee rounds.) The Chaff rockets have a 20% chance of
interfering with the course of enemy missiles each (40%, total) that are
radar guided so that they miss the tank. The flares have the same percentages,
except with IR-guided missiles. The Anti-Laser prismatic aerosol causes
-4d4 damage to any laser beam striking the tank (With the exception of
X-ray lasers and variable frequncy lasers; X-Ray lasers suffer no damage
modifiers, and variable frequency lasers do not suffer the penalty after
two test firings into the cloud to find the right frequency.), and adds
a +4 difficulty to targeting the tank with a laser guidance system or visually.
Rate of Fire: Usually once every four melee rounds; Effects
are not cumulative.
Range: Around tank only; Rough distance of 80 ft (24 m) around
tank.
Payload: Sufficient for twenty four (24) firings.
Sensors:
Note on Variants: See the New Sovietskiy section and the writeup on the T-12UM1 for information on that variant. Go Here for the T-12UM1
[New Navy, New Sovietskiy, and TRIAX are trademarks
owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]
[ Rifts® is a registered trademark owned by Kevin Siembieda and
Palladium Books Inc.]
The Author thanks Mischa Campen for assistance in Turret and Auto-Loader Design.
Initial Writeup by Marina O'Leary (LusankyaN@aol.com ).
Minor Reformatting and revisions by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).
Copyright © 2000, Marina O'Leary. All rights reserved.
