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     The MARS-ONE vehicles are the culmination of Morrow military technology and comprise the primary power around which the rest of the MARS forces are centered. There are only three of these vehicles stored around the country with a fourth at Prime Base. Each of them is the focus of several support teams frozen in the same area close enough so that they can link up should this prove necessary.

     Each MARS-ONE vehicle consists of two heavily-armored sections, joined by a flexible armored bellows connection. Each section has four electrically-powered wheels (the variable-pressure tires are 2.5 meters in diameter) and an active suspension; each section has a Mk 2 Fusion Generator to provide power, and can feed power to the other section in case of damage. In an emergency, the two sections can be uncoupled, and driven independently; either of the rear gunners can act as driver for that section. A large ramp at the rear of the aft section allows cargo or troops to be rapidly loaded and unloaded. 

     The vehicle is operated by an 8-man crew:  commander, driver, radio/computer/sensors operator, loader, and four gunners.

     A complete computer system is fitted, and the medical equipment includes a bio-comp and two med units. The vehicle has a complete NBC filter and decontamination system, and can support its crew while sealed for at least a couple of months with the supplies and equipment on board (including 480 LRP meals and 3000 liters of drinking water). A sensor platform on an extensible mast carries cameras, radar, antennae, and other equipment about 5 meters above the upper deck of the forward section.

     The weapons systems are mounted as follows, from front to back:

• forward section:  turret with 40mm grenade launcher; two turrets each with a .50 cal M2HB machinegun and a Mk 3 laser

• rear section:  turret with 40mm grenade launcher; two turrets each with with a 20mm Rh202 autocannon; and a retractable weapons pod.

     The turrets are all "remotely" fired, they do not have space or fittings for gunners.

      In addition, there are external attachment points for six M18A1 Claymore mines, one each on the front and rear, and one on each side of each vehicle section, along with four nozzles for spraying riot control agents (normally CS gas). The machineguns and autocannon in all four turrets can be removed and replaced with Mk 3 lasers, if needed (these extra lasers are not part of the normal vehicle equipment, however). There are two types of MARS-ONE vehicles, based on the weapons in their pod. The "A" model mounts a 4-tube TOW missile launcher and two M159C rocket pods; the "B" model mounts three Maverick missiles, two Chaparral missiles, and two M159C rocket pods. The MARS-ONE unit at Prime Base (for team M-Ø) is an "A" model, and in fact is the prototype MARS-ONE -- it has some modifications.

     Also carried by the vehicle is a Mk 2 HAAM suit and 2 electric motorcycles, as well as the following supplies, small arms and ammunition:

(still being updated and designed)

Specifications

Weight: about 200 tons

Length: 21.3 meters

Width:  4.57 meters over hull, 6.3 meters over wheels

Height: 3.65 meters over hull, 4.88 meters to turret roof (at lowest suspension setting)

Ground Clearance (under hull):  1.4 meters (at highest suspension setting)

Turning Radius:  14.3 meters

Track Width:  5 meters

Wheelbase: 5.75 meters for the forward section, 5.5 meters for the rear section, 14.3 meters overall

Ground Pressure:  35,000 kg per square meter (about 50 psi) at "highway" setting, down to 14,000 kg per square meter (20 psi) at "off-road" setting; each wheel carries a weight of 25 tons.

Max Speed:

(road) 88 kph

(water) 10 kph

Range:  unknown; it would presumably wear out long before the generators ran out of fuel

Fuel Capacity:  integral to the generators

Fording:  amphibious, does not require preparation besides closing doors and hatches

Gradient:  50%

Vertical Obstacle:  1.0 meters

Trench Crossing:  5.4 meters

Engines:  eight 750 HP electric motors in the wheel hubs, powered by two Mk 2 Fusion Generators 

Electrical System:  12 volt DC, 24 volt DC, 120 volt AC, and 240 volt AC at various outlets; other voltages can be set up with non-standard connections

Batteries: 

Armament: five turrets, missile pod, claymore mines, riot gas sprayers

Armor:  sandwich of 25mm aluminum alloy, 25mm air space, 75mm boron carbide/carbon fiber mesh, and 25mm Cadloy high-hardness steel

- in addition, a polyethylene liner is applied to reduce radiation exposure and damage from spalling