MG144-TarF04 Chieftain Mk T5D MBT

Tarrainian Federation

144th (10 or 12mm)

Platoon of four vehicles supplied.

Size (Bounding Box, assembled): 76.1mm x 26.2mm x 22.8mm

The Chieftain Mk T5D is the most recent version of Tarrainian refits of the FV40210 Chieftain Mk 20 tank hull. The FV40210 looked very similar to its ancient namesake, though the similarities were superficial – part of the 22nd and 3rd centuries’ stylistic call-backs to the earliest age of armoured warfare.

The modern T5D, however, bears somewhat less of a resemblance. The Mk T5D’s primary armament is a trio lazer cannons. Rated at Tier 20 and with a 3km effective range in standard atmosphere, this gives the T5D a solid punch against modern MBTs. This is backed up by a rocket pod, which fires three-rocket bursts, with 30 rockets in total. The rockets and only of moderate strength (and three-rocket burst is rated at Tier 19), but it significantly helps in stripping the shields of more advanced tanks, like the Herosine Empire Eques (the tank it is most likely to face).

Finally, the most marked difference to its predecessor is the addition of the automated 20mm rotary cannon. This provides both anti-infantry capability and point-defence. Rated at Tier 8, this system is quite capable of dealing with heavy enemy infantry and very light vehicles and can even assist with shield stripping in a pinch, something the older traditional HMG automatic turrets of the previous decades could not do.

The T5D does not itself have shields, and its armour is relatively light for a modern MBT. What armour it has is supplemented with the low-tech solution of added ERA blocks.

The Mk T5D supplements to the newer Leopard 2X8. The latter has more penetrative power than the Chieftain, but less shield stripping capability. Thus a Chieftain platoon will usually attempt to assist the Leopards by reducing the enemy shields before the Leopards engage to deal the killing blow.