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Maxton Ltd. Cestus Series Light Tank

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Description

Overview

The original cestus tank was proposed in 2003 as a low cost mass production tank for replenishing the armored forces of earth after a major confrontation with the Soviet Union.  Overall it can be said that the original model was a light tank by weight but a medium by armament. The basic design was that of a primary weapon with supporting anti-personnel weapons or in short the epitome of tank design.  The tank design was upgraded in 2045 in preparation for the likelihood of the events of the mass exodus and thus we have the models represented in this entry. The modern tanks of this line have been upgraded to operate in the same array of environments and also include an enviro-protective suite which allows the tank to operate on planets with little or no atmosphere for as long as six days.

Capabilities

As of this writing, the Cestus line of tanks bears five primary variants and has seen deployment across SSC and DHR territories. The DHR fields two variants of the tank whereas the SSC fields its own custom model. Two other variants are available for sale to paramilitary and military buys if their credentials can be verified. That said the tanks of this line are best known for their durable and practical design. While not as large as some of the tanks fielded across the galaxy the tanks of the line are inexpensive to maintain, easy to produce and are composed of battle tested components with specific internal modification to make them parts-insensitive.

A prime example of the flexibility of the design can be seen in the case of a Spharai tank company on the SSC colony world of Hossent which have been modified to run external combustion engines, (steam powered) simply because of solar radiation often damaging electronics. More drastic modifications have been seen where police agencies have purchased a few tanks and modified them to be non-lethal or even as mobile communications centers. Certain regional Fire departments have modified the tank to act as a heavily armored fire fighting vehicle replacing the cannon with a high power water or foam delivery system. These are just the beginning, militias, National Guard units and garrison units have also made major modifications.

Sphairai (Trans: ‘Practice’*)
The basic model itself is a simple design, it bears a primary ballistic armament supported by four anti-personnel weapons of varied sizes. The design’s intention is as an introduction to the use of tanks in general by a potential buyer. To that it is its reasonably armored, able to attain a top speed of 151.2 miles per hour on roads and has a generous munitions allowance. For veteran users the tank simply makes for an excellent scout, trainer or as a true ‘cavalry’ asset in employing blitzkrieg type maneuvers.

Myrmex (Trans: ‘Limb Peircer’)
The Myrmex is noticeably more sophisticated then the Sphairai on numerous accounts. While they share the same size fusion power plant, the same spaced armor the myrmex has additional applique armor added to increase overall protection. The real difference comes with the fact that instead of modular-ballistic weapon mounts, the Myrmex has modular energy weapon mounts. Likewise the targeting system of the tank is a different model to handle the differences in operating energy weapons versus ballistic ones. It also should be noted that the Myrmex is slightly slower moving due to the added weight of the applique armor.

Cestus (Trans: ‘Striker’)
The only vehicle in the line that SSC exclusively claims is the actual Cestus model from which all the other models in the line are derivatives of.  It should be noted that the Cestus is a collaboration between Maxton and First Sun Technologies. This of course means the tank is going to have some interesting equipment on board. From images we can see that the turret has ben relocated to the front of the hull which means the engines have internally been moved to the rear of the hull. Visible armament seems to consist of an eight-tube missile launcher system in the turret and several energy weapons spread across the hull for anti-personnel use. The strange aspect of the tank is the raise structure behind the turret. While no credible source as confirmed the purpose of the structure other than to perhaps block turret traverse it is thought this is a new form of the vaunted Ezra’s Wheel stealth system. Unverified accounts have said that the tank has the ability to teleport itself as well. If the latter account is true then the Cestus is quite possibly the only such unit to do this, and a significant strategic asset.


Deployment

At the current time the Cestus series is largely only seen within DHR or SSC space. Its presence is especially noted in SSC rear garrisons and on outposts where heavier units are not possible or practical.


[*Authors Note: Technically the term refers to a type of practice boxing glove used in the Ancient Greece, thus the tank in question is a basic model for those not ready for the more advanced Myrmex.]
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