ATC (Armored Troop Carrier)

Notes: This is basically a larger and faster version of the PBR, designed to be the waterborne version of the APC. It is also quieter, and has semi-stealth characteristics (radar, sonar, and IR detection is one level harder). They are also equipped with lightweight ceramic armor panels that greatly increase the protection over that of the PBR. To decrease the amount of crew required, the ATC is equipped with less weapon mounts; however, the ATC can also carry a larger raiding party.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$456,000

D, A

3.08 tons

12.16 tons

6

Radar, Sonar, WL/IR Searchlight

Open

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Size

Armor

110

25

240

23

Sup

2

H6 W6 S1

Length

Draft

Mnvr

Accl

Min Crew/Opt Crew/Pass

10.97

1.07

6

10

1/2/+15

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

None

None

2xM-2HB (F, R)

1500x.50

LCAC

Notes: The LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion), is a large landing craft primarily used by the US Marines (and to a much lesser extent, the SEALs) for the landing of large amounts of troops or large vehicles onto shorelines or short distances inland. It is an air-cushion vehicle (hovercraft). Though not designed for long distance operation over land, it is nonetheless capable of it, and able to clear obstacles of up to 1.22 meters at full speed with a full load. It is also a RO-RO (Roll On, Roll Off) craft, with ramps in the front and rear to unload troops and vehicles or cargo. The normal cargo capacity is about 55 tons, but an overload of over 68 tons (such as an M-1A1 tank) can be carried at a reduced speed and higher fuel consumption.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$1,411,000

AvG

(Normal) 54.43 tons, (Overload) 68.04 tons

113.4 tons

5

20

Radar, Sonar, Thermal Imaging

Enclosed

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

(Normal) 165, (Overload) 145

(Normal) 60, (Overload) 50

18297

(Normal) 15140, (Overload) 17480

Stnd

P(28)

HF4 HS4 HR4

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+1

Fair

M-2HB (F), M-2HB (R)

1500x.50

LCM-6/8

Notes: The LCM (Landing Craft, Mechanized) is an amphibious assault craft used by the US Marines and by US Army forces, as well as by some of its allies, such as South Korea and Taiwan, who use large numbers of them. Both may be transported aboard larger vessels to a combat zone, them used for the actual amphibious landing. The LCMs are basically large open-topped flat vessels to transport large amounts of cargo. Though they are not armed when issued, many crews installed a variety of pintle or otherwise improvised mounts around the hull. They are equipped with a large crane for loading, which has a capacity of 31.57 tons. They are capable of beaching themselves for the offloading or troops, then removing themselves from the shore. Troops and cargo leave by the large ramp at the bow.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Though these vessels had mostly been replaced by the LCAC and helicopters in US forces, they came into more use later in the war as helicopters and the fuel for them became scarcer.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

LCM-6

$175,000

D, A

31.31 tons

62.42 tons

8

WL Searchlight

Open

LCM-8

$269,000

D, A

55.22 tons

95.5 tons

8

WL Searchlight

Open

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Size

Armor

LCM-6

36

8

2907

(LCM-6) 510

FD

4

H3 W2 S2

LCM-8

48

11

2907

440

FD

4

H3 W2 S2

Vehicle

Length

Draft

Mnvr

Accl

Min Crew/Opt Crew/Pass

LCM-6

17.07

0.99

4

3

2/5/+80

LCM-8

22.46

0.99

4

4

2/5/+200

LCU

Notes: The LCUs were replaced largely by hovercrafts and/or helicopters in most First-World nations, and most Third-World nations did not have the capability to project force that would require such a craft; consequently, most vessels such as LCUs were used by countries in the middle of the economic range. Two types of LCU are illustrated below: the smaller LCU-1600 class and the larger LCU-2000 class. Both have living compartments for its crew, including sleeping quarters, a galley, a shower, a clothes washer and dryer, and a lounge. These vessels are capable of beaching themselves for cargo unloading and then removing themselves from the shore. They can be used as makeshift bridges by placing themselves astride a suitably-dimensioned body of water and dropping both the front and rear ramps.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Most of the LCU’s available in the Twilight War were built in the 1970s or later. Later in the war, they came into more use by countries such as Russia, China and the US, both to replace hovercraft losses and to replace the large fleets of helicopters and the fuel required to move them.

Vehicle

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

LCU-1600

$1,146,000

D, A

170 tons

545 tons

15

WL/IR Searchlight

Enclosed

LCU-2000

$2,286,000

D, A

350 tons

1087 tons

15

WL/IR Searchlight

Enclosed

Vehicle

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Size

Armor

LCU-1600

48

11

25400

148

FD

5

H5 W4 S3

LCU-2000

48

11

50600

294

FD

5

H5 W4 S3

Vehicle

Length

Draft

Mnvr

Accl

Min Crew/Opt Crew/Pass

LCU-1600

41.15

2.74

4

4

3/11/+400

LCU-2000

53.04

2.74

4

4

5/13/+800

M-5 RACV

Notes: This vehicle does not exist in real life.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The RACV (Reconnaissance Air Cushion Vehicle) is a modern development of the Vietnam War era SK-5. The vehicle is fitted with upgraded electronics, navigation equipment (including inertial navigation and GPS), heavier armament, and improved protection. They were initially produced for US Navy riverine (brown water) patrol units, and used primarily in Korea, the Middle East, and the northern shores of Europe. Less than 250 were built before the November Nuclear Strikes, and only a handful after that point, with perhaps 25 being used on the west coast of the United States and another 10 on the Gulf Shore, primarily in Texas and Louisiana to counter Mexican sabotage teams. The M-5 has a casemate mount in the forward compartment mounting a German-designed 20mm Rh-202 autocannon. This turret has a limited traverse; it may traverse to 45 degrees of center in either direction. On both sides of the autocannon is a ball mount for a Mk-19 grenade machinegun; these weapons may fire only to the sides, and they have an arc of 180 degrees. On top of the superstructure is a turret mounting two M-2HBs; this turret has a full 360 degrees of traverse. There is a hatch on either side of crew compartment, on the M-2HB turret deck, and on top of the deck or the forward compartment.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$112,000

G, AvG, A

400 kg

9 tons

6

18

Image Intensification, Radar

Enclosed

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

150

55

250

50

Stnd

P(8)

HF2 HS2 HR2

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

20mm Rh-202, 2xMk 19, 2xM-2HB

500x20mm, 800x40mm, 2000x.50

M-22 PCAC

Notes: This vehicle does not exist in real life.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This is a personnel carrier hovercraft primarily used by special operations forces for insertion of teams onto beaches and other terrain not suited for most combat vehicles. As such, the PCAC (Personnel Carrier Air Cushion) was used extensively by US Navy SEAL teams, US Marine Recon, British SBS, and German Kampfschwimmer units, and it is rumored that a few were seen in the hands of Israeli special operations units as well. They were another rare commodity in the Gulf War, with perhaps 200 being used, and less than 50 being retained in the Continental US. The PCAC has a front ramp for discharge of troops, two hatches on the front deck, and a small turret on the front deck behind these hatches (the same as used on the AAPV-7A1).

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$180,000

G, AvG, A

400 kg

9 tons

3+8

18

Image Intensification, Radar

Enclosed

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

150

55

250

50

CiH

P(8)

TF6 TS4 TR4 HF2 HS2 HR2

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Fair

Mk 19, M-2HB

350x40mm, 1000x.50

Mark V Special Operations Craft

Notes: Primarily designed for use by US Navy SEALs, the Mark V is also used by Marine Recon units, and to a lesser extent, other US and NATO special operations units. The Mark V can be disassembled and flown on two C-5 aircraft to the theater of operations, or moved by amphibious assault ships, along with a complete set of weapon options, spare parts, and support modules, as well as two complete crews. The Mark V is semi-stealth capable, being one level harder to detect by radar, sonar, or IR, 50% quieter than a comparably-sized conventional boat, and one level harder to target with radar, sound, IR, or fire and forget weapons. They are capable of inertial or GPS navigation even across trackless waters, and have very secure encrypted frequency hopping radios for communication at short, medium, long, and satellite ranges. The weapons listed below are typical loads, but any weapon that may be pintle-mounted may be placed on a Mark V’s weapon mount. The mounts have some stabilization built in.

Twilight 2000 Notes: Only 12 of these boats were available to the US at the start of the Twilight War, with perhaps 4 more used jointly by British and Dutch units. They were constructed very rapidly during the Twilight War, with about 50 more being built up July 2000.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$960,000

D, A

3 tons

51.71 tons

18

Radar, Sonar, FLIR, Image Intensification

Shielded

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Size

Armor

200

46

9842

2050

Sup

3

H10 W8 S6

Length

Draft

Mnvr

Accl

Min Crew/Opt Crew/Pass

25

1.52

7

20

1/6/+16

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Basic

ASP-30 (RS), M-134 (LS), 2xM-2HB (F), Mk-19 GMG (R), Twin Stinger Launcher (R)

850x30mm, 5000x7.62mm, 3000x.50, 650x40mm, 8xStinger SAM

PCF

Notes: The PCF (Patrol Craft, Fast) is an update of the Vietnam-era swiftboat, used for pursuit and interdiction of boat and shore traffic. Though some similar designs are used by other countries, the primary users of this type of vessel are the US Navy, NATO navies, and allied Middle Eastern navies. They are more heavily armored than the PBR. The PCF is equipped with a range of long, medium, and short-range radios for communicating with different military forces. They have shotgun microphones, a video recording system and camera. Comprehensive navigation equipment is installed to allow autonomous function. A psyops system with a tape-based, CD-based, or digital recorder was installed to play messages over a loudspeaker is installed, and the loudspeaker could also be used by the crew. A 6kW generator is installed to allow the various systems to operate with the engines off. The PCFs are equipped with a 227-liter tank for water for drinking and personal hygiene. The 81mm Gun/Mortar is a trigger-fired, breech-loaded version of the standard 81mm mortar.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$800,000

D, A

4.6 tons

21.34 tons

12

WL/IR Searchlight, Radar, Sonar, FLIR, Image Intensification

Enclosed

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Size

Armor

130

30

3140

450

Sup

3

H5 W4 S4

Length

Draft

Mnvr

Accl

Min Crew/Opt Crew/Pass

15.64

1.2

6

12

1/6/+12

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+2

Basic

2xM-2HB (Top of Superstructure), M-2HB/81mm Gun/Mortar Combination (F), Mk-19 GMG (R), MAG (Rear Sides)

20,000x.50, 130x81mm, 1200x40mm, 20,000x7.62mm

XM-23 AACV

Notes: This vehicle does not exist in real life; it probably wouldn’t even work in real life, with that cannon!

Twilight 2000 Notes: This was an experimental assault craft pressed into production before it was really ready. The approximately 50 copies made before and during the Twilight War were used for coastal raids and for escort of other personnel and equipment carrying hovercrafts during assaults. The AACV (Assault Air Cushion Vehicle) was made by modifying an M-5 RACV to carry the complete turret of the Cadillac Gage Stingray tank on the front deck. Though the gun used in this turret is a reduced recoil model, it’s recoil is still severe for a small hovercraft, and every time a shot is fired, the crewmembers operating the AACV must make a Difficult: Vessel (Hovercraft) roll; failure means that the AACV rolls in the opposite direction of that which the gun is pointed, and the AACV must stop for 3 phases while the crew regains control. The gun is fed from an autoloader, and as the autoloader is not able to handle vertically-stored rounds, the AACV cannot carry WP rounds for the gun. This autoloader was also an experiment, rushed into production; after every shot, a D10 must be rolled, with a result of 1 meaning the autoloader is jammed, and manually clearing the autoloader takes at least 6 phases and an Average: Heavy Gun roll. The turret does not have full traverse; instead only having 270 degrees.

Price

Fuel Type

Load

Veh Wt

Crew

Mnt

Night Vision

Radiological

$250,000

G, AvG, A

300 kg

14 tons

3

20

Passive IR, Image Intensification, Radar

Enclosed

Tr Mov

Com Mov

Fuel Cap

Fuel Cons

Config

Susp

Armor

150

55

325

80

Trtd

P(12)

TF40 TS20 TR28 HF10Cp HS6Cp HR4

Fire Control

Stabilization

Armament

Ammunition

+4

Fair

105mm NATO Gun, MAG, M-2HB (C)

24x105mm, 2400x7.62mm, 1100x.50BMG