GEVs (WIG)

WIGs (GEVs) used by the Russians are quite amazing. They can carry
brutally heavy loads for incredible distances at high rates of speed.
One of the best cargo transports available. They can handle open
bodies of water with waves of reasonable size.

A friend's father was working on the specifications to legalize these
vehicles in Canada. There was a schism - no one wanted them! The Coast
Gaurd didn't want them called a water vehicle (they fly) and the CASB
(or whoever) didn't want them as planes because they fly lowlowlow! It
ended up the air guys got them. Had to... these beasties (some models)
can hop to over 500m. That's enough to clear many obstructions. It is
basically a big hop I believe and not a sustainable height - 10m more
like. They use Ground Effects to help sustain them as an airborne
object.

Two comments about ACV/GEV and Grav in GZG:

The timeline canon text indicates Grav is in general use by 2183.
Common I believe was the word used (if needed, I'll hunt up the
specific reference). If it is common, does not necessarily mean it is
cheap. But it may make things like the grav-packs far more feasible.
Or not. But it isn't due to a lack of Grav in the canon universe. I
think you'll find most regular force armour units use Grav by this
point.

There is no reason to imagine that the GEV isn't a hybrid VTOL that
uses the skirts to help it lift most of the time - it can then hop
over obstacles, climb hills, etc as it doesn't NEED the skirts, it
just gets a big efficiency of fuel out of using them and lets it pile
on more armour.

As for the comments about not using GEV MBTs as they sink in swamps...
they'll sink a HECK of a lot slower than a tracked MBT. In general, if
we assume that a GEV probably has at least 50% more area under the
plenum than a tank has track area (probably safe), then for the same
ground pressure we can support twice the weight of armour and systems.
That's quite an advantage.

One thing I don't think has been mentioned is wheeled and tracked
tanks probably can out accelerate a GEV. It probably builds up speed -
turbines need to come up to speed, etc. Whereas wheeled and tracked
vehicles have a real good grip on the ground and can apply "pedal to
the metal" quicker. Not much impact in the game, but just some
interesting fluff.

Thomas Barclay
Software UberMensch
xwave solutions
(613) 831-2018 x 3008