Approved ZIL Karatel-M

TheFlyingPotato

New member
Sep 2, 2020
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Model: ZIL Karatel-M

Mobility: At a whopping 160 mph for an armored vehicle, the Karatel-M was capable of being used as a reconnaissance vehicle on the battlefield, and often served as a transport for commanders on the front line. It's suspension is able to handle aggressive and evasive driving across all manner of terrains even at high speed. The civilian version's lack of composite armor plating gives it a higher top speed of 180 mph, and features the very same suspension.

Vehicle Type: MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected)

Passenger Capacity: 8, 2 Crew (1 Driver, 1 Gunner)

Accessibility: Military version restricted to Russian government and certain export clients, unarmed and unarmored civilian version available on most markets.

Weapon Systems:
  • Remote-Operated Roof Mount: The Karatel-M's main weapon system is a roof mounted remote operated turret that is operated from a gunnery station between the driver and the passengers. The targeting system is 'smartlinked', allowing for the gunner to interface with the weapon via an interface plug, displaying targeting information to a cyber optic if need be. The weapon features manual controls, including a fully functional fire control system that utilizes a laser range finder to automatically zero targets for the operator. The fire control's optics feature both thermal imaging and night vision modes .The weapon mounted can either be a 12.7x108mm machine gun or a 40mm grenade launcher with airburst capabilities. The weapon's ammunition is fed from inside the cabin from armored hoppers. Both the machine gun and grenade launcher options feature a dual feed.
Manufacturer: ZIL

Intent: To give the SSO a rapid transport to patrol the perimeter of their facilities as well as give civilian and corporate characters a relatively inexpensive, robust and reliable vehicle capable of handling all sorts of terrain as well as being able to drive relatively quickly. Also to actually make a submission for a vehicle mentioned in the SSO faction profile.

Description: The original Karatel served the Russian Armed Forces and the FSB sometime in the late 2010s, and even then it was ahead of it's time. The Karatel-M is a rebuilt version bearing only superficial resemblance to the original vehicle. Both it and it's predecessor hold the record of being one of the fastest armored vehicles, and as far as MRAPs go the Karatel-M is one of the better protected vehicles. The vehicle's frame is resistant up to 14.5x115mm rounds and the armored glass panels are resistant up to 12.7x108mm rounds. The tires themselves are bullet resistant up to but not including 12.7x108mm rounds, and are run flats.

The Karatel features an on board encrypted radio system, a data uplink to the Russian command net which includes the ability to share data with other vehicles, a GLONASS receiver and a terrain following ground search radar. Passengers can link their own radios to the vehicle, allowing an increased radio range than personal radios tend to have, and passengers can even upload data using the data uplink. The vehicle is equipped a ground penetrating radar that's combined with an X-Ray back-scatter detector to search for mines, however when operating in a city such as Silicon Point the crew often turn off the warning system as it results in more than a few false positives.

The vehicle's driver has the option to interface with the vehicle using a smartlink, allowing the driver to make use of the vehicle's sensors to react faster to potential threats than they normally would be able to. The vehicle's controls however are controlled normally. The driver and the passengers all sit in specialized seats that minimize impacts, whether they be with other objects or the after effects of a mine or an IED. The vehicle features an automated extinguisher system in the engine compartment and near the self-sealing fuel tank.

While more expensive than many 4x4s available on the civilian market, the Karatel-M's civilian version offers safety and reliability in a robust package and for that reason has a loyal customer base in the United States. Those service members who've use the military version swear by it. All in all, the only problem with the Karatel is it's survivability under sustained high caliber fire, and the fact that given it uses run flats, which only really function for a short distance at a limited maximum speed.