STATISTICS
| Mass: 50 tons | Movement Type: Hover w/ Jump Jets |
| Power Plant: TME 15 Standard | Armor Type: TME 3050 FerroFibrous |
| Comm Systems: TME Vox Et Deus | Cruising Speed: 54 kph |
| Targeting/Tracking Systems:
TME 3050 Point-And-Shoot |
Maximum Speed: 87 kph |
| Chassis: WZA ALHT-21 | |
| Armament: 2 TME/BTSTS-AUAC:3057 "Rapid Grand Cannon" Assault Rapid Fire Autocannon |
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OVERVIEW
The TME-64 is a cute little design with big, nasty teeth. Knicknamed the "floating eraser," the Ambuscade is a relatively slow hover tank with jumping ability. Its designation of "Ambuscade" comes from its ready-made tactic of laying in wait, then jumping up and firing its dual heavy rapid-fire autocannon in mid-flight. The tremendous recoil of these weapons adds additional evasive skills to this surprisingly maneuverable design.
CAPABILITIES
The key to the Ambuscade's maneuverability are the four RotoFan heavy jump jets. Thrust vectoring nozzles on the bottom of the Ambuscade allow this tank to jump and land with amazing nimbleness.
Two heavy rapid-fire autocannon give the Ambuscade intense firepower. A platoon of Ambuscades jumping up and spitting fire will quickly demolish all but the most redoubtable opponents. These autocannon devour ammunition at an intense rate--the ammunition bins are depleted after twenty-five seconds of continuous fire. This limits the Ambuscades offensive capabilities somewhat, but it is still a superior inner-city defender. Its small size allows it to hide almost anywhere, making just the mere threat of it a deterrent to enemy forces.
DEPLOYMENT
One war story has propelled the Ambuscade to relative fame and is a boon to TME marketers. A Kuritan world was invaded by Jade Falcon forces. The capital metropolis of this world had just recieved an Ambuscade platoon of three vehicles. One Clan Mad Cat heavy 'Mech was dropped outside the city and proceeded inside to scout the city's defensive capabilities. Through deserted streets and in lonely glass canyons, the Mad Cat searched furtively but futilely for any sign of defenders. Suddenly, when it passed between two alleys and a parking garage, the three Ambuscades "fired both barrels" from cover, then jumped and fired full auto again at the top of the 'Mech. All of the Mad Cat's armor was instantly seared off and, given a new consistency of metal hamburger, the ex-'Mech collapsed upon its own mass.
The TME-64 sells extremely well.
TME-64 Ambuscade Hover Tank Destroyer |
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| 50 tons | Hover | Cruising MP: 5 (54.0 kph) | Flank MP: 8 (86.4 kph) |
| Engine: 15 Fusion | Engine Mass: 1 t | Control Mass: 2.5 t | Lift Equip Mass: 5 t |
| No Power Amplifier | 10 Heat Sinks | Internal Structure: 5 t | Jump MP: 5 (150m) |
| Armor Mass: 2 t Ferro | Armor Points: 36 | Crew: 1 | No Sponson |
ARMOR |
EQUIPMENT |
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| Front: | 14 |
2 Ultra AC/20 | Front |
| Left/Right Side: | 8 / 8 |
10 Ultra AC/20 shots | Body |
| Rear: | 6 |
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| Front Turret: | not applicable |
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| Rear Turret: | not applicable |
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DESIGNER'S NOTE: "Hopdance" (the legend on the front of the pictured Ambuscade) is a minor demon mentioned by Edgar as Tom 'o Bedlam in Shakespeare's play, "King Lear." The name seemed appropriate for a jumping tank. Just in case you were wondering.