The SAAS-Harland SPG-M18 is a military vehicle in New and Improved Medici and fiction by GMRE.
Description[]
The SAAS-Harland self propelled gun model 2018 is the result of an order from the New Medici Military, who wanted a new mobile artillery system, capable of supporting infantry, as well as engaging armored vehicles from a safe range. It was developed by the SAAS company, in co-operation with the Harland Corporation, who supplied the turrets.
Performance[]
The vehicle has very impressive off-roading ability, however the turret gives it a rather high center of mass.
The gun is 155 mm and equipped with an autoloader. The autoloader has a 12-round magazine that allows for a shot per 2.2 seconds. After that the magazine needs reloading. The SPG-M18 is capable of both direct and indirect fire. Maximum effective range of the weapon is not disclosed, but reportedly, during direct-fire exercises, the system has defeated (or at least engaged) main battle tank targets at a range of 8 km, which is well beyond the effective range of most MBTs. This is done with the built in radar (revolving antenna on the turret roof) and/or lasers, depending on the target. Stereoscopic optics are also available, however that alone would have much less effective range. Realistically it would still need front-line units to report the positions of enemy tanks when sniping at this range, since the enemy vehicles are unlikely to be parked in plain sight.
The cab may look unarmored, but it's actually armored enough to protect from small arms fire and hand grenades. Protection from RPGs would require the more expensively armored cab and fence-like rocket deflectors.
The vehicle is also equipped with a soil spade at the front, to allow it to dig itself a better position.
Firing requires the lowering of 3 hydraulic stabilizer plates. 1 on each side and one at the rear. Firing with out stabilizers would severely limit the effective range.
Locations[]
The New Medici Military has ordered 200 of the vehicles by 2020. The first 25 were delivered in early 2018. These vehicles were split up between different bases to begin the training of crews.
Trivia[]
- Real vehicles it resembles:
- Tatra 813 (base truck).
- NORA B-52 (8x8 artillery truck).
- Rheinmetall HX3 10x10 artillery truck.