V2.00ÿÿ4BHercules Engineering VehicleM230ô ‚rPÀ@À@€?GM 003 — — —— 6Ttran5    5Zippo@ Passenger Bay€@Powered Armor Bay @ Cargo Bay81Produced during the days of the Hegemony and later the Star League for the Corps of Engineers, the M230 Hercules Engineering Vehicle was originally created to serve as a dedicated armored personnel carrier for engineers in the field. The design eventually evolved into a multi-role vehicle, serving as an APC with recovery and repair among other engineering duties possible. Though the Succession Wars took a horrible toll on the Hercules, with the recent technological renaissance in the Inner Sphere Caterpillar Heavy Industries has restarted production. § Despite the mass of only 45 tons, the Hercules is one of the larger vehicles, comparing in size to massive tanks such as the Demolisher or Behemoth. The Hercules uses a tracked chassis, with four, independent wide treads. This not only allows the Hercules to cross nearly all types of terrain, but it allows for a wider distribution of loads, reducing ground pressure. The forward section houses the crew and passenger cabin, which can seat fifteen people. The cabin can also store extra equipment. Instead of hard, uncomfortable benches, the Hercules has partially reclinable cushioned seats, allowing for a hardworked engineering squad to take a quick rest. Behind the crew/passenger cabin is the exoskeleton locker. This locker is features four stalls for exoskeletons, such as CHI's own C5000 model. Indeed, each Hercules comes with two C5000 Exoskeletons. When locked into the stalls, the exoskeletons' batteries can be recharged off the fusion engine, giving a near limitless source of power. The rear of the Hercules is taken up by a massive flatbed, with optional built in enclosures. The Hercules features two winches, one at the front and the other at the front of the flatbed. Each winch is capable of pulling a fifty-ton load. The Hercules also makes use of a boom lift hoist, capable of lifting twenty tons. The flatbed can tilt sixty five degrees, allowing the winch pull loads onto it easier. The 270 rated Fusion Engine was selected for a variety of reasons. Formost, it allows the Hercules to pull 50 ton loads at approximately thirty-three kph. The engine can also recharge the onboard exoskeletons, as well as any nearby vehicles, used to power the systems on 'Mechs. When stationary, the Hercules' engine can act as a camp power source. Mounted ontop of the crew cabin is a flamethrower, used to clear fields. Mounted at each corner are deployable outriggers, allowing the Hercules to anchor and become a stable platform for lifting and pulling. Mounted at the front are a pair of electrically operated smoke dischargers, as well as bank of eight highpowered floodlights. The rear of the cabin also has four adjustable floodlights. For protection, the Hercules carries three and a half tons of standing plating, over better than 50% protection. The armor is also the point most attacked by critics, citing that the Hercules has trouble standing up to fire while engaging in front line operations, a typical duty for the M230.  The Royal Star League Corps of Engineers had their M230's fitted with the more advanced ferro-fibrous compound armor. CHI also makes a version of the M230, which uses a 8x8 wheeled chassis. New M230 Hercules have their Exoskeleton stalls reworked allowing them to hold powered armor such as the newer Sapper and Pioneer designs. Modifications include allowing the operator to fit into the suit without the need for a full team. The front winch can be replaced with a dozer blade, allowing the Hercules to build earthwerks.  øThe M230 Hercules Engineering Vehicle saw extensive service with both the Hegemony Engineering Corps and the Royal Star League Royal Corps of Engineers. The Succession Wars took a horrible toll on both men and material, with the Hercules suffering the same fate as many of its fusion brethen. Engines were ripped out to power the more important 'mechs. Those Hercules which weren't completely cannibalized made use of less efficent turbine or diesel engines, reducing pull power or armor protection. Designed by DocCaterpillar Heavy IndustriesTerra(Main), Various (Unknown) (Unknown) Motorola T9 TT4 series[ none ]