Re: Infantry Walkers! and More Grav Bikes

Brian spake thusly upon matters weighty: 

> On Thu, 19 Nov 1998, Kenneth Winland wrote:
> 
> >  
> >	What do people think about infantry walkers?
> > 
> >	I love 'em.  They have that "sci-fi" feel to them, they can be
> > moderately well armed, and they have a good deal of mobility.  True,
they
> > don't have much in the way of armour, but they are cheaper than a
tank
> > (well, in theory).	Nice close infantry support...
> > 
> 
> In DS2, I use Size 1 Walkers as heavy weapons support for my Powered
> Armour. They can drop in from orbit with the PA, and provide GMS/H &
MDC/2
> support than is much appreciated at times.

What I think of as an "infantry" walker would be too small to be a 
GMS/H carrier. I think of them (similar to grav bikes) as 0.5 size 
vehicles. A size 1 walker would be a bit larger and I consider size 
1-3 walkers combat walkers (size 2 ATST) , and size 4 and 5 are 
transport walkers (I'm looking at using an ATAT model - huge- for 
SG2).  

To me, a size 0.5 infantry walker is a platform on which MLPs, SAWs, 
GMS/Ps (maybe GMS/L), HMGs, GAC/1 or RFAC/1, autoGLs, and a few other 
such things might be mounted (but obviously not altogether). I give 
them 3 spaces. Not big enough for a GMS/H.  

SImilarly, a grav bike is size 0.5. With 3 spaces, It could mount a 
centerline RFAC/1. But I charge a space for the crewman in this case 
as the bike is short on interior space. And if the bike has room for 
an extra passenger, there goes another space. Leaving 1 for a SAW. 

But it occurs to me you might (as bike crew) want that space for a 
medkit, ammo, water, bike tools, etc. Since you are a mounted 
cavalry unit.... so it may be that only the occaisional bike (1 per 
squad) as suggested carries a SAW or other HW as fire support. Maybe 
some of his buddies carries some ammo for it. 

Another interesting Grav Bike idea. Three or four bike hunter/killer 
formations.  one or two unarmed scouts (perhaps using the extra space 
to justify enhanced or even superior sensors to hunt for targets 
during pop ups and such) and two gun bikes with a centreline GMS/L, 
RFAC/1, twin SAW, DFFG/1 or HEL/1 and fire control.  Used similar to 
Kiowa/Cayeuse and Cobra/Appache combos. (On a smaller scale). Good 
for hit and runs against light armour and against infantry or PA. 
(Not for protracted battles - assault gun tactics - hit, then run). 
Can also call arty from the scout bikes. 

> Low armour values? They have (AFAIK) the same armour rules as any
vehicle
> - so any light vehicle would be as vulnerable, or nearly. I run a
light
> tank in SG2, Size/Armour 2...it tends to die as well. Sg2 is rough on
> vehicles.

Especially things with low armour. Put an MBT up against infantry 
without specialist anti-armour (Armour 3-5 versus penetrations at 
most D12x2) the MBts look pretty darn tough and surivable. Especially 
if they have good ECM or PDS to foil missiles. And put decoys aboard 
and that adds more protection.	

> In DS2, my Walker arm tends to take ridiculous casualties in every
> operation. I generally figure that 3/4 of them will die everytime they
> drop in...but while they're alive, they provide valuable fire support,
and
> diversions for the PA to get down to the real work.

Of course, where do you crew your IWs from? 75% is high casualties...
 
> >	On an ancillary note; how do you all find vehicles in SGII?  Do
> > they have a high survival rate on table?
> 
> Depends. My Size 4 IFVs either die horribly or cut infantry to bits,
in
> about equal proportions. Killing the GMS/L trooper in your target
squad
> with the first firing action certainly helps...Having an entire PA
squad
> volley IAVRs at you really hurts...

I picture GMS/P as the max that normal guys can carry and it hits no 
harder than an IAVR (yes volley fire of IAVRs sucks... don't get so 
close... use your infantry in front of you to deter this). GMS/L I 
view as TOW like small launchers (Considering doubling the Harlequin 
SAM launcher at a GMS/L Team for my OU until someone makes tripod 
GMS/L). GMS/H I see as equivalent ot Hellfire or the like - a nasty 
nasty missile, but not particulary portable - maybe on a small 
wheeled chassis like my GMS/H Air.  Or in a dedicated AA battery. 

If I let the infantry carry GMS/L, that would sure cut down the 
lifespan of even heavy AFVs. I think infantry with GMS/L (TOW type) 
would be encumbered.... good for static defense, but not carried 
normally. 

> Orbital drop troop support. Only vehicles that can do orbital drops
along
> with PA.

And some infantry backup in woods and other tough terrain. Not too 
hot in swamps. 
 
Tom.  
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Thomas Barclay		     
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