This is a fan-made contribution.
Production History[]
The Puma is a new medium infantry carrier billed as an IFV. While most APCs currently fielded by all sides are battlefield taxies whose weapons are a little more than an afterthought, the Puma aims to bring more firepower to the field in support of both its infantry as well as the MBT units to which it is attached.
Design Philosophy and Tactical Role[]
Built around the standard squadron of infantry, the foundations of the Puma were laid to maintain its usefulness in that role, with a combination of high acceleration, managing a Class 6 rating, as well as excellent protection in the form of 53 tons of armour. Shield ratings were also set to a respectable 70 flicker rate all around, while a Vulcan-III system rounds out the Puma’s defensive capabilities.
The question, therefore, came down to armament. Specifically, what types and combination of weapons would best provide the flexibility the Puma was aiming for, with the ability to engage enemy infantry and soft targets while stilling hitting hard against reinforced ones, all while also removing any enticement to an overzealous commander who might try to go toe-to-toe with a full fledged MBT.
To that end, the Puma is a rare grav tank that leaves the standard gauss cannon by the wayside in favour of the multi-barreled GMDC. Sporting no less than three of them mounted in a turret for maximum flexibility, the Puma is an imposing beast when it fully opens fire. Two massive GAU-18 Avenger GMDCs form the backbone of its assaultive force, supported by an equally impressive GAU-15 Equalizer GMDC. Supplementing the Puma direct-fire capabilities are two tried-and-true Holly-Denning TVLG-2 missile packs.
In the field, the Puma is often deployed either paired with two regular APCs to form a bolstered Platoon, or as a trio to create a strike infantry platoon. These latter units are often attached to Medium or Heavy Grav Armour platoons on a mission-by-mission basis for additional tactical flexibility. They are also used to protect supply and engineering platoons, providing added striking power to deter raids of opportunity.
Game Notes[]
The Puma is a non-cannon fan design by Kannik, using weapon systems from the Centurion Technical Update.