Badger (NSDF)

For tank from Battlezone 2000, see Badger (Battlezone 2000).

NSDF M173 Turret

Information
Faction: NSDF
Name: M173 Turret
Codename: Badger
Vehicle Type: Self-Propelled Defensive Turret
Built By: Recycler
Health: 2200
Ammo: 2000
Build Time: 7s
Scrap Cost: 6
Hardpoints
Standard Minigun
Empty
NSDF M173-BD Turret
Information
Faction: NSDF
Name: M173-BD Turret
Codename: Badger
Vehicle Type: Self-Propelled Defensive Turret
Built By: Recycler

Description

With only a brief run in combat use, the original Badger design was ambitious, but a failure. Its gun mount delivered a powerful punch that could pierce even the thicket armour with a short spray of bullets, but its insufficient ground attachments often caused it to topple before it would do any real damage.

This embarrassing oversight was later remedied with the STAB hooks of the more modern Badger and Longbow. The M173 Badger - also referred to as the T7 - is a vital defensive unit, best suited for use along the perimeter of a friendly base. Once there, it immobilises and deploys its STAB hooks (Stabilised Terrain Adapting Base). The low-weight turret must be locked into the terrain before firing to avoid kickback and maintain accuracy.

The Badger can be repositioned when needed, but it cannot fire when its STAB unit is not deployed. Because of the turret’s slow turn rate, the Badger is most effective within a ridge or canyon pass where an oncoming vehicle cannot manoeuvre around it or leave its ~150m effective radius. If used in this capacity, the Badger can handle multiple attackers.

Original Design

With only a brief run in combat use, the original Truman-era Badger design was ambitious, but a failure. Its gun mount delivered a powerful punch that could pierce even the thicket armour with a short spray of bullets, but its insufficient ground attachments often caused it to topple before it would do any real damage. This embarrassing oversight was later remedied with the STAB Hooks of the more modern Badger and Longbow.

Attributes

Physics

• 15m/s maximum forward velocity
• 15m/s maximum reverse velocity
• 15m/s maximum lateral velocity
• 60°/s maximum rotation

Equipment

• 20mm EDD armour
• 2000 ammunition cells

Weapons

• Cannon
• Cannon

Variants

Test Range Turret

Main article: Test Range Turret

The test range variant M173 is used to train new recruits. It is fitted with high-velocity paintball guns to avoid damaging recruits' craft, and has significantly less armor than the field-ready variant.

Black Dog Badger

Now aging considerably, but still a mainstay on the battlefield, Black Dog turrets are generally held together by countless emergency repairs, but are sturdy and reliable, nonetheless. Standard armament is a single minigun.

Trivia

• The Badger turret comes with a special turret minigun weapon that has a longer range than the Standard Minigun (156m vs 120m). This allows it to engage enemy units carrying most types of standard ordnance.