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The NRF (Novaya Rossiyskaya Federatsiya – Новая Российская Федерация) Viper Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle is now available in the store, priced at £16.20 GBP.
(£13.50 GBP ex-VAT for non-E.U. customers)
This is a high-quality, pressure-cast, resin-and-white-metal kit for wargaming or scale modelling.
Viper produced under license from Dexsoft Games
Painted by David Woods AKA dwartist.
- Length:
- 80mm
- Width:
- 45mm
- Height:
- 30mm
Kit comprises pressure-cast, resin-and-white-metal parts. Supplied un-assembled and un-painted.
Note: Moderate modelling skills and tools may be required for assembly.
The NRF "Viper" ARV (Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle) is a low to mid-TQ two-man scout vehicle designed for light-recon teams.
As with most Russian vehicles, it emphasizes durability and armor over comfort and hi-tech. Atypical of NRF vehicles, it utilizes an all-over armor design with no vision slit, and relies upon external camera systems (vehicle and gun-mounts) and multiple, covered GPS and sat-nav systems, as well as a variety of pop-up scanning devices which, when out of use, tuck away underneath armored covers in various parts of the hull. Internally, there are screens for displaying a variety of information on both sides of the Viper; typically, the pilot concentrates on the terrain, and the co-pilot manages search systems, weapons, and comms.
Viper armor is a generic cerametal of around 7mm thickness with a pleasing-to-the-eye sleek design, which offers superior resistance to light armor-piercing rounds from many angles.
The rear-engine power source can be one of a vast variety of systems, ranging from the lowly diesel plant to high-tech micro-fusion plants. It is not advanced enough to utilize E-sink power sources, although it does have standard battery-powered capability for limited usage (~2 hour maximum). It is real-wheel drive, front-wheel steer, with a high, springy suspension system that is surprisingly durable and very simplistic, and that offers an "interesting" off-road driving experience.
Top-speed on the road is 175kmh. Off road, its limits are largely defined by the courage (or insanity) of the crew driving it, but 80+ kmh is easily and often achieved. Unsurprisingly, the crew has a four-way belt system to prevent them being tossed around needlessly within the cockpit. The doors and T-bar are removable, and open-top versions are common in very hot climates.
Armament is a (typically Russian) hefty 30mm cannon that uses external ammunition packs (80 rounds), requiring the crew to disembark to change ammunition. A serious disadvantage to energy weapons or internal ammunition storage; however, the design was never intended for prolonged or open engagements, and the weapon is for self-protection against other recon troops, un-armored, or very lightly-armored opponents, not for anti-armor or even heavy-infantry encounters.
The best defence for Viper teams is to get out of trouble as fast as possible (or avoid it altogether), and its light weight and high-speed enable it to cross rough terrain at very high-speeds. It is quite common for Viper teams to roll the vehicle during excessive maneuvering, but it is so light that it can be rolled back on to its wheelbase by two people (one, if they are boosted). The top-mount weapon is occasionally removed by some crews and additional roll-bars added, to actually allow the vehicle to roll completely over. This is also typical of the civilian version used in the Paris-Dakar and Theismann Rallies, where the Viper has won on numerous occasions.
The Viper has no mine-resistant features, but its SOP is, wherever possible, not to use roads at all, so it was never intended to provide an MRAP patrol-style aspect.
Stowage space is external, other than a small internal rifle rack. Other than its small size, the Viper has no innate stealth capabilities. It does have built-in air-conditioning, although it is not NBC or XE (Exo-Environment) capable.
Despite all of its many drawbacks, the Viper is immensely popular with troops, in large part due to the sheer thrill of charging across rough country at high-speed, and the pilot-style pride of being a Viper driver within the NRF gives it a reputation above other much more capable vehicles. Nevertheless, the Viper has a proven track record in all conditions with many different Habitat troops, and a long successful military history as the light-recon vehicle of choice within the NRF. The NRF even has a Viper Display Team that regularly tours the Technosphere.
The NRF and its customers 'love' the vehicle, and it has sold in excess of 200,000 units across all ranges of TQ, and has even been exported to the Sol system in the diesel-powered, non-cerametal format.
It has often been described as little more than an armored dune-buggy by its detractors, and as little more than an armored dune-buggy by its proponents, also.
In typically Russian fashion, the Viper is cheap, rugged, and gets the job done with the minimum of fuss and technology.