During the time just before the coming of the Rifts, there were many new designs being introduced. One of these was the Iwo-Jima class troop transport. As a result of this breakneck production schedule, the first versions of the Iwo-Jima were little more than prototypes. This could clearly be seen by the fact that the vehicle had very light armor for a vehicle expected to make amphibious assaults. This version was not meant as the final production model but it is the most common listing for the Iwo-Jima. As well, the original model of the Iwo-Jima was the most commonly sold version and so is used as the example for the armored hover transport.

Like the Merovingian tank, the U.S. Marine Corp. was working on improved models of the Iwo-Jima. While only the first few improved models of the Iwo-Jima had entered marine service, they were well received and the New Navy continued producing the vehicles after the coming of the Rifts. The Marine Corp. actually finally decided on two models. The improved models all have better armor than the original model. Part of this is due to the use of stronger alloys but the models also sacrifice either weapons or troop space for further improvement in armor. One of the main goals of the designers was to increase armor without decreasing the top speed. The armor is similar to that fitted to the Merovingian tank and is resistant to both laser and plasma weapon. To reduce costs, the Iwo-Jima was not designed using radar absorbing materials designed to increase a vehicle's stealth. The Iwo-Jima can be fitted with additional external armor but the armor slows the vehicle down slightly. This armor can be used on older versions of the Iwo-Jima once special bolting points are added to the vehicle.

All versions of the Iwo-Jima are powered by fusion reactors and while slower than army designs at the same time by about 50 miles per hour, it still had virtually unlimited range. Still, while about the same speed as army tracked vehicles, it could maintain full speed over most fairly level terrain. The Iwo-Jima carried all sensor systems common with most United States combat vehicles. As well, the vehicle was designed with life support so that the crew could survive in most hostile environments.

The most commonly produced model sacrifices the main turret for additional armor. This is the troop transport model. It retains the nose mounted light pulse cannon and the short range missile launcher for additional armor. In addition to armor, the troop transport version carries additional short range missiles for the light missile launcher. It is expected that the vehicle support troops on the ground. The vehicle retains the ability to carry ten soldiers in full gear or six troops in power armor. It does have a reduced crew of two due to not needing a gunner for the main turret.

About one in three models produced is made as a fighting vehicle. It retains the turret with the heavy Ion Pulse Cannon but has medium range missile launchers instead of long range missile launchers. There was no need seen for the long range missiles. The light missile launchers are retained and like the troop transport model, the payload of short missiles was increased. The light pulse gun is also retained for self defense of the vehicle. Similar to the way the late Twentieth Century M-3 version of the Bradley traded troops for additional ammunition, the fighting vehicle version of the Iwo-Jima trades space and weight for troops for additional armor and short range missiles. It can carry six troops in body armor or four soldiers in power armor. Unlike the troop transport version, it retains a crew of three.

The New Navy has begun considering further upgrades for the design. While the armor for the upgraded Iwo-Jima is considered reasonable, the top speed is not what is desired. Even at time of introduction, the top speed was considered barely adequate. The new navy is looking at replacing the engine with one far more powerful. This engine would give the vehicle a top speed of about 120 miles per hour. While still slower than army designs that were coming out at the time of the rifts, this would still improve top speed by 20 miles per hour.

Model Type:	MIFV-99A1-APC	Troop Transport Variant
	MIFV-99A1-AT	Fighting Vehicle / Ion Pulse Cannon Variant

Vehicle Type: Troop Carrier / Infantry Fighting Vehicle

Crew:	MIFV-99A1-APC	Two (Driver & Gunner/Commander)
	MIFV-99A1-AT	Three (Driver, Gunner, & Gunner/Commander)
Troops:	MIFV-99A1-APC	10 (6 in power armor)
	MIFV-99A1-AT	6 (4 in power armor)

M.D.C. By Location:

USMC MIFV-99A1

Armor Package:

MIFV-99A1-AT Fighting Vehicle

	Ion Pulse Cannon (in turret):	100
	Medium Range Missile Launchers (2, turret):	100 each	+25 (125 total)
	Weapon Turret:	150	+50 (200 total)

	[1] Light Ion Gun (1, front):	50
	Short Range Missile Launcher (1):	80	+20 (100 total)
	[1] Headlights (4):	8 each
	Side Troop Doors (2):	120 each
	Pilots Compartment:	150
	Troop Compartment:	120
	[2] Hover Thruster Units:	175
	[3] Main Body:	380	+150 (530 total)

Notes:
[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a "called shot", but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] Destruction of the hover unit will cause the vehicle to be no longer under the pilots control.
[3] If all the M.D.C. of the main body is depleted, the vehicle is completely shut down and is unsalvageable. The armored hovercraft takes half damage from plasma and laser weaponry. External armor plates are also laser and plasma resistant.

Speed:
Hover Speed: Main vehicle: Can hover at ground level at from a hover to up to 100 mph (160.1 kph) over both land and water. Minimum hover height is 2 feet (0.6 meters) and a maximum altitude is 20 feet (6.1 meters).
With External Armor Package: Can hover at ground level at from a hover to up to 90 mph (144.8 kph) over both land and water. Minimum hover height is 2 feet (0.6 meters) and a maximum altitude is 16 feet (4.9 meters).
Can hover over water and most other relatively flat terrain.
Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited (Nuclear Fusion power supply with 15 year duration) Hover Transport carries about two weeks worth of supplies emergency rations onboard.

Statistical Data:
Height: MIFV-99A1-APC: 9.8 feet (3.0 meters) and MIFV-99A1-AT: 12 feet (3.65 meters)
Width: Both: 10 feet (3.05 meters)
Length: Both: 25 feet (7.62 meters)
Weight: MIFV-99A1-APC: 36 tons (32.7 metric tons) empty and 44 tons (39.9 metric tons) fully loaded and MIFV-99A1-AT: 39.5 tons (35.4 metric tons) empty and 45 tons (40.8 metric tons) fully loaded. Add 8 tons (7.2 metric tons) for external armor package.
Power Source: Nuclear with 15 year fusion reactor.
Cargo Capacity: MIFV-99A1-APC: Can carry 5 tons of cargo instead of troops. MIFV-99A1-AT: Can carry 3 tons of cargo instead of troops.
The transport also has a small storage space for crew. This includes weapons, armors, and emergency supplies.
Black Market Cost: MIFV-99A1-APC: 24.5 million credits. MIFV-99A1-AT: 45.8 million credits. Both models are rarely sold. Add 2 million for the external armor package. Original Iwo-Jima class transports can be purchased for 40 million credits and are more easily available. The external armor is available for them as well at 2 million but reduces top speed by the same amount and is not laser and plasma resistant.

Weapon Systems:

1. MIFV-99A1-AT Fighting Vehicle:
   1. Heavy Ion Pulse Cannon: Retained in the fighting version of the vehicle but is removed in the armored personnel carrier version of the vehicle. The mount is short ranged but very powerful and since an energy weapon, it has a virtually unlimited payload. Mainly designed to be used against tanks and heavy vehicles but is also capable against aircraft and missiles. The turret can rotate 360 degrees and has the ability to angle up to 60 degrees and both barrels move as one unit. The Ion Pulse Cannon is controlled by the fighting vehicle's gunner.
      Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,830 m)
      Mega Damage: 3D4x10 per blast
      Rate of Fire: Four times per melee round.
      Payload: Effectively Unlimited
   2. Medium-Range Missile Launchers (2): Two medium range missile launchers are mounted on the sides of the turret of the combat vehicle and replace the long range missile launchers. Each mount has two actual missile launch tubes. Both launchers are usually controlled by the gunner, but can be fired by the driver or commander if the gunner is injured. They are usually outfitted with High-Explosive, Fragmentary or Plasma missiles. The launchers can engage air and ground targets. This armored vehicle uses an automatic loading system and additional missiles for reloads.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Mega-Damage: Varies with missile types, medium range missiles only Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
      Rate of Fire: One at a time, or in volleys of 2, or 4.
      Payload: 8 missiles, 4 in each launcher.
2. Light Ion Pulse Gun: Mounted in the nose in all versions of the armed vehicle. The weapon's primary purpose is use against infantry but is effective against missiles and to a lesser extent both aircraft and other armored vehicles. While the army used lasers as secondary weapons, the Navy and Marines generally preferred Ion weapons.
   Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,200 meters)
   Mega-Damage: 1D6x10 per pulse.
   Rate of Fire: Equal to combined hand to hand attacks of pilot or commander.
   Payload: Effectively Unlimited.
3. Light Missile Launcher: This weapons are mounted behind the cockpit and the main turret of the Hover vehicle. This weapon has a limited payload but is useful again other armored vehicles, reinforced bunkers, and as a defensive weapon against incoming missiles and slow moving aircraft. Short Range Missiles are usually a mixture of 50% Armor Piercing and 50% Plasma. Launchers can lock onto multiple targets at the same.
   Range: As per short range missile type Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Mega Damage: As per short range missile type Go to Revised bomb and missile table).
   Rate of fire: One at a time or in volleys of two or four and can be used up to twice per melee.
   Payload: 16 short range missiles total.

Sensory Equipment:

Sensory equipment is mounted on a retractable mount that can be extended 6.6 feet (2 meters) to extend sensors when hull down. The hovercraft carries all standard equipment of a robot vehicle plus this special equipment:

• Radio/ Video Communications: Long range, directional, has a range of 500 miles with short range directional radio of 5 miles (8 km).
• Laser Targeting System: Range is 2 miles (3.2 km) and gives +1 to strike with long range weapons.
• Combat Computer/ Targeting Computer: Assist in the tracking of targets.
• Radar: 50 miles (80 km), can identify 96 targets and track 48 as low as 500 feet (152.4 meters). Same as robot's Maxi-Radar.
• Full Life Support: Protects pilots and tanks from heat and radiation and gives a breathable atmosphere inside the tank for up 48 hours in vacuum and three weeks with scrubbers.
• Spotlight: Range: 600 feet (182.9 meters)
• Thermo-Imager: Range: 2,000 ft (609 m). Finds the infrared radiations of things that are warm. Also enables pilot to see in smoke, shadows and darkness.
• Nightvision Optics: Range: 2,000 ft (609 m). Uses light amplification to make a picture. Emits no light but will not work in absolute darkness. System can be dazzled by sudden bright lights but does not physically blind the pilot.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune ).

Copyright © 2002, Kitsune. All rights reserved.