Kangaroo Family

 
Hover Armoured Personnel Carrier

 

 

 

Introduction

 

The Kangaroo family of AFVs has proven to be a very popular and long lasting design. Based on a Bavarian design, subsequent Australian modifications produced a robust and iconic vehicle which remains popular to the current day, while Bavarian variants are also in widespread service. The Kangaroo-IV is now long out of regular service on Earth but can be found in many colonies on the frontiers or in remote parts of the core.  Evolved later models are still in service with frontline military forces. The highly publicised use of the vehicle by the Tanstaafl Free Legion on Aurore has once again raised the vehicle’s profile.

 

Narrative

 

Sergeant Mike Vincent swore colourfully as his helmet smashed into the jagged interior of the lurching Kangaroo. He’d started his military career riding around in Roos with 4RAR and had volunteered for special forces in part to get away from them, and now he was back in one. Like most armoured personnel carriers they were cramped and uncomfortable and the air cushioned ride could spark nausea in even the strongest stomachs. Their driver, an enthusiastic second generation Bavarian colonist from the eastern backwoods, was swerving dramatically through the stands of Broadtop trees on their way to the besieged ranch.

 

‘Two minutes!’ yelled Vincent over the screaming noise of the MHD turbine. The six dismounts were crammed into the old style seats in the back, three to a side, with their Russian assault rifles braced between their knees. The were the usual TFL mixture – grim faced volunteers from the militia, a highly professional Pole and two Texan wannabes seeking adventure. Vincent had come here to help train the TFL in long distance patrols and survival, but casualties had led him into the combat units.

 

Kees. Keep your eyes open. Lets try and get the first shot in.’ The taciturn Flemish gunner grunted in agreement, never taking his attention from the gunnery display. Vincent didn’t know the man’s background, but he got the job done and was ruthlessly efficient. Vincent checked quickly that the other two Roos were still in close formation. The Bugs were probably going to be ‘tactical’ when they arrived so they had to have all their firepower massed for maximum shock effect.

 

The 25mm cannon opened fire suddenly. Short staccato bursts rapping out from the remote turret punctuated by shell casings chinking off the roof.

 

The battle was on.     

 

Index

Kangaroo IV

LkPzTr-IV

Nantawarra

LkSpPz-3 Shattenkatze

Variants 

Layout

Weapons

Colour Plates
Acknowledgments

 

Kangaroo IV

 

The Kangaroo IV has its roots in an Australian defence capability requirement  raised in the early 2250s to replace the hover APCs then being used in Australian cavalry units in Australia and New Canberra. The key design requirement was a combination of speed, endurance, low signature and survivability. The Bavarian LkPzTr-IV design was used as the basis of the Australian model, hence the holdover of ‘IV’ in the nomenclature. There was a substantial redesign of powerplant, vectronics and armour composition that built upon the Garten designed LkPzTr-IV’s existing traits of endurance and simplicity.

 

The Kangaroo-IV was designed to operate over long distances in close concert with hover tanks and when the first prototypes proved successful large scale production was begun at the DMA factories at Benowa on the Gold Coast. The ‘Roo was popular in service, although there were several improvements made over the years in A, B and C models. The Kangaroo is still in service with the Australian Defence Force, but only in the liaison role or occasionally in low profile peacekeeping duties.

 

The original armament of a conventional 25mm autocannon, a close in defence system and four ball mounts capable of mounting a range of machine gun remained standard throughout its service in Australia. However one of the great strengths of the design was its flexibility and its ease of modification, and the Australians alone introduced a range of variants for reconnaissance, surveillance and fire support. Export customers would go even further in altering the range of weapon systems and roles.

 

Tanstaafl purchased 120 surplus Kangaroo-IVs from Australia in 2298 which arrived via a French freighter early in 2299. These Roos were armed with a French designed turret with heavy plasma gun and 25mm autocannon replacing the single cannon of the Australian version, otherwise few changes were made. The vehicles were delivered to the newly formed Tanstaafl Free Legion to equip their rapid response units and mechanised companies. The step change in combat power the Roos gave the Tanstaaflians made a great difference in their ability to keep pushing the Kafers away from the key areas.

 

The high level of media attention given to the TFL raised the profile of the Kangaroo again and surplus sales increased including further batches to Tanstaafl including support weapon modifications. A number of mercenary companies operating in the French Arm have recently acquired small batches of Kangaroos from Australia or other operators.

 

Another major operator of the early model Kangaroo-IV is Iran which operates the vehicle as the Gerdbâd or Whirlwind having acquired a large number of the vehicles surplus from Australia. The Iranians operate the vehicle within their second line divisions where its low maintenance burden is highly appreciated. The Iranians have a significant indigenous repair capability which is capable of building more Kangaroos from scratch.

 

Kangaroo-IV TFL

Type: Hover APC

Crew: Driver, gunner, commander

Weight 4000 kg

Armor: Plenum: 2 All Faces. 10

Armament: 2 DunArmCo Mini- 12 Machineguns in ball mounts, one on either side of the forward hull; CLP-1A

Plasma gun in remote turret; 25mm conventional autocannon in remote turret on top of main turret.

Signature: 5

Evasion: 6

Sensor Range: 10 km

Range Finder Bonus: +1

Cargo: 6 passengers and 2000 kg

Max Speed: 200 kph

Cruising Speed: 180 kph

Combat Movement: 420 m

Off-Road Mobility: Full

Power Plant: 0.5 MW hydrogen fuel cell

Fuel Capacity. 270 kg

Fuel Consumption: 15 kg/hr

Endurance: 18 hr

Price. Average price for the reconditioned Kangaroo-IV is Lv 45 000.

 

INDEX

 


 

LkPzTr-V

 

The Luftkissenpanzertrager-V is the brother of the Kangaroo-IV, both designs having derived from the LkPzTr-IV. The LkPzTr-V addressed the shortfalls of the LkPzTr-IV in a similar way to the Australian design, more powerful powerplant, new electronics and enhanced armour. The LkPzTr-V however entered service more than half a decade later due to general satisfaction with the earlier vehicle. The hull configuration of the LkPzTr-V and Roo is almost identical, making identification particularly difficult. The Bavarian fleet was primarily concentrated off world with the exception of Panzer Kavallerie Regiments deployed as rapid reaction units on earth.

 

The Central Asian War came as a rude awakening for the Bavarian military which had not had to fight on earth for many decades. Its tracked armoured units designed for home defence were hard fighting, but easily outmanoeuvred by the Manchurians and the PKRs shouldered most of the combat burden while the regular units reequipped with hovermobile vehicles better suited to the Steppes. The LkPzTr-V was probably the best regarded Bavarian AFV of the CAW but went through several modifications to enhance survivability. The LkPzTr-V Aufs E was the standard HAPC in the Bavarian forces during the Reunification War with France and still serves in most German reserve formations despite its replacement by the LkPzTr-VII and VII in regular formations.

 

The LkPzTr-V Aufs E is also the standard HAPC in most German colonial units still operating the LkPz-VIII hovertank. The German government retains a large war stock of these vehicles, but was beginning to sell off its older Aufs C and D models but is now retaining them to rebuild its colonial forces in the wake of the Kafer invasion. The new Flemish Army has also received a significant batch of LkPzTr-Vs.

 

The Aufs E model, designated LkPzTr-5E is also the frontline HAPC of the Freihafen military which inherited a large fleet from Bavaria. The Freihafeners are working on a modification of the design prior to the introduction of an entirely new design. Freihafen factories continue low rate production of the 5E to supply the growing Freiwehr and export customers.

 

LkPzTr-V Aufs C

Type: Hover APC

Crew: Driver, gunner, commander

Weight 3500 kg

Armor: Plenum: 2 All Faces. 8

Armament: 25mm conventional autocannon in remote turret.

Signature: 5

Evasion: 6

Sensor Range: 10 km

Range Finder Bonus: +1

Cargo: 6 passengers and 2000 kg

Max Speed: 200 kph

Cruising Speed: 180 kph

Combat Movement: 420 m

Off-Road Mobility: Full

Power Plant: 0.5 MW hydrogen fuel cell

Fuel Capacity. 270 kg

Fuel Consumption: 15 kg/hr

Endurance: 18 hr

Price. Average price for a surplus LkPzTr-VC is Lv25 000.

 

INDEX

Nantawarra F35

 

The Nantawarra is the Australian successor to the Kangaroo-IV which came into service in 2273. The design was changed fairly radically with the change from a single turbine powerplant to two engines which allowed the installation of a rear ramp rather than the Kangaroo’s side doors. The Nantawarra had a significantly more capable weapon system than the Kangaroo including a 100MW laser system, 30mm grenade launcher and rocket pack. This was not enough to put the vehicle into the HIFV class but substantially increased its capability to support its infantry complement. The Nantawarra also features enhanced armour and sensors. It has unusual crewing as the commander/gunner position is combined and the spare position used to carry a member of the command HQ.

 

The Nantawarra was largely ahead of its time and is still in service with the ADF in second line formations. Surplus vehicles are now becoming available and it is believed that Australia and Freihafen are vying to supply Tanstaafl with additional and replacement APCs for its original, hard used, Kangaroos.

 

Nantawarra F35A3

Type: Hover APC
Crew: 3 (commander/gunner, driver, command rider)
Weight: 6,500-kg

Armour: plenum: 10, front: 40, overhead: 40, other faces: 20
Armament: 30-mm gauss grenade launcher, 100-MW laser in remote turret, 6-cm close defence system, 8-cm rocket launcher
Signature: 5
Evasion: 8
Sensor Range: 10 km
Range Finder Bonus: +2
Cargo: seven passengers and 500 kg
Max Speed: 250 kph
Cruise Speed: 225 kph
Combat Movement: 520m
Off-Road Mobility: full
Power Plant: 1-MW fuel cell, 500-MJ capacitator
Fuel Capacity: 720 kg
Fuel Consumption: 30 kg per hour
Endurance: 24 hours
Cost: Surplus cost ~ Lv 140 000

 

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INDEX

 

 

LkSpPz-3 ‘Schattenkatze

 

The Luftkissenspähpanzer-3 is a Freihafen design named after a nocturnal member of the Tiracat family. A modification of the trusty LkPzTr-V the Shattenkatze is a very handy cavalry and reconnaissance vehicle. It retains the innate sturdiness of earlier vehicle with enhanced stealth and sensors including a tethered UAV system. Weapons include the CPL-1A plasma cannon, a 7.5mm coaxial MG and a Luchs missile launcher with a total of five rounds. The Luchs can be directed from the UAV or from a remote firing post as well as conventionally.

 

The Shattenkatze has a crew of three, including driver, gunner and tactical commander. It has the capability of carrying six passengers although normally only four troopers are part of the vehicle teams. It is commonly deployed with Freiwehr PKRs and reconnaissance elements of other units. The vehicle has yet to find a buyer outside of Freihafen, although Heidelsheimat may be close to signing a contract for a number of vehicles.

 

LkSpPz-3

Type: Hover Reconaissance Vehicle
Crew: 3 (gunner, driver and commander)
Weight: 5,500-kg

Armour: plenum: 8, front: 30, overhead: 30, other faces: 20
Armament: CPL-1A, 7.5mm MG coaxial, Luchs missile launcher (5 reloads), 1 x UAV
Signature: 5
Evasion: 8
Sensor Range: 14-km (+1)
Range Finder Bonus: +3
Cargo: seven passengers and 500-kg
Max Speed: 250-kph
Cruise Speed: 225-kph
Combat Movement: 520-m
Off-Road Mobility: full
Power Plant: 1-MW fuel cell
Fuel Capacity: 600 kg
Fuel Consumption: 30-kg per hour
Endurance: 20 hours
Cost: New cost ~ Lv 120 000

 

INDEX

 

Variants

 

 

Kangaroo-IV AD

 

The Air Defence version was developed by Australia to provide close in air defence for mobile formations, primarily against UAVs but also was able to provide defence against rocket, missile and artillery fire. The Dunarmco Mk.8 plasma system provides rapid, sustained and hard hitting fire out to two kilometres, allowing a group of four vehicles to provide an effective point defence umbrella for key targets such as a brigade HQ. This was usually practiced as part of an integrated air defence system, as on their own the ADs could be outranged or swamped by attackers.

 

In practice the ADs also proved to be highly effective in the ground attack role able to wreck havoc against both infantry and light AFVs. This capability was shown on a number of occasions during Australian peacekeeping missions in the Indian States. Several operators of the Kangaroo have undertaken modifications to the AD standard including the TFL which has no fewer than 8 ADs which it uses to reinforce Ramrod missions in the direct fire role against large concentrations of Kafers.

 

Kangaroo-IV DS

 

The versatility of the Kangaroo and its ease of modification led to several private companies offering conversions. The French firm of Aerotech SA, based outside of Brussels, developed a missile armed tank destroyer with two Aero-12 launchers, several re-loads and an automatic reloading system. Attached to the LkPzTr-V it became the LkPzJg-X and served as a light tank destroyer for the Bavarians during the Central Asian War. It remained a popular conversion through a number of years. A later mode, the DS2, doubled the number of ready missiles mounted on the turret to four.

 

The Flemish War of Independence saw the Aerotech SA factory fall into the territory of the new Republic of Flanders. Flanders has subsequently modified many of its LkPzTr-Vs into the DS version as part of its strategy in the event of French military intervention. The latest version has four Aero-12 missiles ready to launch for rapid engagement of multiple targets. 

 

Dasne Light Hover Tank

 

The Dasne, or dagger, is an Iranian modification of its Kangaroo APCs. Although it is designated as a light hover tank it could be more accurately described as a tank destroyer. The vehicle is modified with a hull mounted 80mm taken from CAR stocks captured by Iranian allied forces as well as Green Hunter ATGW. The Dasne is no match for most hovertanks but is effective when used in support of mechanised infantry against most AFVs.

 

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Âzaraxs Light Hover Tank 

 

The Âzaraxs is an Iranian light hovertank developed from the LkPzTr-V chassis and heavily modified with a hard hitting armament package including 75mm MDC, ATGW launcher and an array of secondary armaments. The fast moving Âzaraxs might lag behind more modern designs for pure combat effectiveness but its fast strike capability suits Iranian frontier units well.

 

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Other Export Customers

 

The Kangaroo and LkPzTr-V have proved to be very popular export items over the years and many are still in full time or reserve service in both the core and the colonies. Mozambique in particular operates a large Kangaroo fleet which still equips its reserve mechanised units, of which many were built domestically. In South America Venezuela and the Incan Republic amongst others still operate these vehicles, as do several almost perpetually warring Indian States. Smaller users of these vehicles abound.

 

INDEX

 

Layout

 

<TBC>

INDEX

 

 

Weapons

 

CPL-1A

 

The CPL-1A is a Central Asian War era French heavy, rapid fire plasma cannon. It was developed as a close range weapon system capable of rapid engagements of Manchurian AFVs, combat walkers or infantry. It was designed to work from a vehicle mount or a heavy ground tripod. It was produced in large numbers during the war and is a robust and popular refitting option on many light vehicles.    

 

Type: 175 MW Plasma Cannon
Country: France
Action: SA
Ammunition: 41x77mm 175 MW photonic core plaser cells
ROF: 5

Fire Control: +1
Aimed Fire Range: 1600m
DP Value: As tamped explosion (EP = 15)

 

Mark 8 Triple Plasma Gun

 

The Dunarmco Mk 8 is a gatling style plasma cannon with three rotating barrels. It is an old, but accurate design capable of sustained rates of fire against air and incoming ordnance targets. It is also highly capable in the ground role against a range of targets where it has been used with some success against the Kafers on a number of platforms.   

 

Type: 40 MW three barrelled plasma gun
Country: Australia
Action: Automatic
Ammunition: 30x90 40 MW photonic core plasma cells
ROF: 3

Fire Control: +3
Aimed Fire Range: 2000m
DP Value: As tamped explosion (EP = 6)

 

INDEX

 

Colour Plates

 

Kangaroo-IV, 7 Commando, Tanstaafl Free Legion

Thunder Valley, Tanstaafl, Aurore, 2nd October 2300

 

This plate shows a Kangaroo-IV of the TFL’s 7 Commando during the successful offensive at Thunder Valley in late 2300 when the elite ‘Ramrod’ teams spearheaded the Tanstaaflian assault. These vehicles were purchased as surplus at knock down rates from Australia and with their simple but hard hitting armament are very popular with their crews.

 

The Kangaroo’s arrived still marked with the usual Australian red kangaroos, which the ground crews modified into white kangaroos. TFL vehicles are usually in a simple two tone camouflage but are frequently and often modified by their users on the frontline, in this case in a mottled pattern useful on the edges of the Hotback. Other markings include the unit name, ace of spades device and the nicknameMotorhead,

 

 <TBC>

 

LkPzTr-V Aufs E, 2 Kompanie, Panzer Kavallerie Regiment 8, IV Korps, Bundeswehr

 

Pforzheim, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, 25th April 2293

 

This plate shows a LkPzTr-V Aufs E of the German Army’s IV Corps during the War of German Reunification immediately prior to entering combat against French forces attacking towards Stuttgart. IV Korps contained the bulk of the old Bavarian Army on Earth and PKR 8 was one of its hard-hitting screening units which still contained a strong cadre of Central Asian War veterans. PKR 8 would be involved in a number of heavy raids through the Black Forest into the flanks of the French including an attack on their 13 Corps HQ area in Alsace.  

 

This LkPzTr-V is depicted in the standard German blue-grey rapidly applied over the old Central Asian pattern previously utilised by the regiment. The vehicle also carries the German iron cross as well as the old Bavarian flag. The rearing horse design with eight stars is the unit’s emblem carried over from the US unit that remained in Bavaria at the end of WWIII almost three hundred years ago.

 

 

Nantawarra, 5th Queensland Mounted Infantry, 2nd Division, Australian Defence Force

 

Woomera, South Australia, 29th July 2299

 

This plate shows a Nantawarra of 5QMI on exercise in the Woomera training area in South Australia. 2nd Division is a one of the Australian Army’s reserve formations and as such it is equipped with the Nantawarra ‘A3’ model. The Nantawarra built on the successes of the original Kangaroo-IV while increasing firepower, armour and power and is still a respectable combat vehicle.   

 

The Natawarra is shown in a camouflage pattern designed for use in the arid terrain that dominates much of Australia’s interior. It carries the divisional identification symbol on the front of the vehicle, the red kangaroo and the name ‘Jerusalem’ taken from one of the regiment’s battle honours.

 

LkPzTr-5D DS2, Eskadron B, 2de Regiment Gidsen, 1st Mechanised Division, Vlaams Krijgsmacht

 

Hoeilaart, Flanders, 3rd January 2300

 

This plate shows an LkPzTr-5D DS of the Flemish Army’s 2nd Guides Regiment, which is a reconnaissance unit attached to the 1st Division. These vehicles are locally modified into the latest DS version as part of the Flemish concentration on developing its anti-tank capability in case of French military intervention. There are four of these vehicles supporting twelve standard LkPzTr-5Ds in each of the regiment’s squadrons. These vehicles also serve in mechanised infantry battalions.

 

The Flemish use a standard disruptive pattern designed to conceal the vehicles effectively in urban or rural environments. The vehicle is also marked with the black lion of the Flemish Army and a vehicle indicator 'E'.

 

INDEX

 

Acknowledgments

 

The Nantawarra is by A Gubler. The Iranian Army models are by Jason Weiser and James Boschma. The original Kangaroo-IV is described in the Ground Vehicle Guide and the Aurore Sourcebook. Images are by Ian Stead.

 

INDEX

 

 

Copyright 2010, Ian Stead and D Hebditch.

 

13 Feb 10