Aotrs Shipyards is a webstore on Shapeways.com, a 3D print house which had production and shipping facilities located in the USA and the Netherlands.
This month's scifi release, just in time for the Hammerhead (for the second try!) is the YW731 Longma at 144th!
YW731 Longma Scout Vehicle
link
The YW-731A Longma Scout Vehicle is a light low-grav unit. The Longma was developed as the need for additional scout vehicles steadily increased. The BRDM-22A Marzanna's underperformance had already required a global refit to the -U upgrade, but vehicle lacked any offensive punch. and a heavier scout vehicle was called for to supplement it.
With no spare resources to develop an entirely new vehicle, it was decided to build on existing surplus hulls. Finding a small enough hull proved difficult until the old YW631 APCs from the eastern bloc were brought to light. Though nearly a hundred years old, the YW631 was the right size and, as one of the first widely-utilised grav APCs needed little modification. The Longma used a more traditional full-bottom grav unit, unlike the current generation of grav-sponsons. However, the aging drives were brought up to spec with modernised components and a new power plant. The armour was reinforced with modern materials both externally and internal, which improved defence.
The old troop compartment was scrapped and the space used to add a new turret, modern turret. This carries a single plasmatic repeater cannon, but the scout's primary armament comes from the four AT 16V Scallion missile tubes mounted on the turret. The additional space from where infantry were stored on the older APC version allows the Longma to carry 20 reloads under armour. It possess an advanced sensor suite, complete with AA tracking, and a single particle beam turret for point-defence.
Photo of Replicator 2 prototype.
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Next month – back to starships! All being well, it should be a mixed release of one Wodef and couple of Xyriat vessels – and then after that, the new fleet!
