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UT9M6 EIP Seth

The EIP upgrade much like for the Nebulee is a engineering kit to equip Seths with mine plows for clearing mines. EIP stands for Engineering Improved Protection. The Seth EIPs are used by engineering units and distributed to the maneuver formations during breaching operations. It is not the primary means for mine clearing. Rather it is a secondary method after the AG1 Cronels. Doctrinally, the Cronels are to use their MCLC to clear a path. There will inevitably be mines that remain, especially types that are specifically resistant to MCLC by requiring constant pressure to detonate. This is why paths cleared by a MCLC is then cleared again with plows. MCLCs has the advantage of being quick and the stand off capabilities mean it can be fired off from relative safety. The plows are then used to lead the armored column during the assault phase under the cover of smoke and friendly artillery fire.

While the AG1 Cronel already comes equipped with a mine plow, it has two MCLC charges, plus two more if it is equipped with the TT2 Trailer. Depending on the breaching plan, there may not be enough plows to lead a column through every path cleared by the MCLCs. For example, depending on the distance, a single Cronel with a trailer may clear two paths(by using two MCLC for each) but only has one plow to use. That is where the EIP package for the Seth comes in, bringing additional plows for this purpose. Another major flaw of the Cronel in this role is its thin turret armor. The Seth is a better protected vehicle and so is more capable of leading a armored column where it will inevitable take heavier fire.
When it comes to protection, the Nombril or even Escutcheon is better suited, yet the Seth was chosen due to its lighter weight and lower cost. The Seth was the lighter and logistically simpler vehicle to choose. Many of the reserve units use older lighter tanks such as the Escutcheon IIIs and indeed Seths. Choosing the Seth means these units do not need heavier tank transporters or towing equipment. The active units operate the newer and heavier Nombrils so naturally could also support the lighter Seths. Nonetheless, it was acknowledged the Seths were not as protected as the Nombrils so the EIP as the acronym suggests, has improved protection in the form of ERA applique armor on its turret while the plow is expected to add protection to the hull. The side hull which was particularly weak also received additional armor inserts. This improved protection should allow it to survive in the vanguard role.
The final advantage of the Seth compared to the Cronel is its main gun. It uses a traditional tank gun firing APFSDS which is simply the more versatile option and better suited against armored targets.

It should be noted that there is a UT9M6 EIP2 Seth which utilizes mine rollers instead of the plows. That shall be discussed in the future, but simply put, the mine roller is the final layer of defense against mines and doctrinally comes behind the mine plows. The rollers can survive a few mines only so it should be able to give the rest of the force a heads up should there still be large numbers of mines in the area even after a multi-phase mine clearing operation.

Basic specifications:
Cost: 17,002
Blocks: 566
Weight: 64,505
Volume: 827 cubic meter
Length: 20m
Width: 9m
(Hull), 11m (Add-on armor)
Height: 6m
Speed: 25 m/s

Gun:
Caliber: 304mm
Barrel Length: L/72
Projectile: Sabot head-solid-solid-base bleeder-9x casing
Rate of Fire: 12 rpm
Kinetic damage: 6200
Armor piercing: 62
Penetration: At least 1 layer of 4m HA beam

Ratings:
Total firepower: 10.35
APS: 10.35
Armor: 35.5% (6044 materials)