Subscribe to download
SC2M1 Esturion

The SC2M1 Esturion is a reconnaissance variant of the CC1M1 Esturion. The original Esturion was always designed in mind for a troop carrying version in which the SC2M1 is based on. Although at this moment, the army had not procured a troop carrying variant, the reconnaissance uses the design blueprints as its basis by replacing some of the seats to fit a extendable ground surveillance radar mast for field observation. The remaining seating arrangement allow for a minimum of 3 dismounts but could be expanded to 9 as the remote weapon station does not take up any space within the hull allowing for a large contingent of scouts.

The vehicle is capable of detecting targets day or night in all directions. It can track multiple targets up to a 280 degree frontal arc using the most accurate sensors on the market. The front can keep track of 12 different targets while each side can track up to 2 additional enemies. This capability allow the recon Esturion to be able to track an entire enemy formation in all weather conditions and transmit that information to friendly units with its data link and battle management system. Its extendable radar mast allow 360 degrees early warning and detection capabilities of dozens of kilometers. Should stealth be required, its large dismount capabilities mean it can send several teams of scouts to observe ahead. Meanwhile the Esturion with its potent 35mm autocannon can stay at least one terrain feature behind in overwatch.

The SC2M1 Esturion is the premier reconnaissance vehicle and forms the backbone of Khertland's Cavalry regiment. Centered around the Esturion recon, the cavalry regiment supports it with various other vehicles in order to fulfill a unique doctrinal role of screening the main force. The army's primary early warning and screening force was fulfilled by the Wadjet recon attack helicopters. However helicopters cannot be on station continually without refueling as they hover. This meant only ground forces could uniquely fulfill this task as they can turn off their engines when stationary and thus conserve fuel.

The primary difference between the Wadget attack helicopters and the SC2M1 Esturions is that the former is intended to act as a picket line, alerting and shadowing enemy movements. They are intended to use its speed to quickly withdraw if attacked, and if forced to, can defend itself.
On the other hand, the SC2M1 Esturion centered Cavalry regiments are intended for the wide range of mission sets associated with screening operations. That includes scouting ahead of the main force to locate the enemy, or to alert friendly forces of enemy movement or attacks. However, instead of avoiding a fight, the Cavalry regiments are designed to engage and intercept enemy reconnaissance elements, or to stall an enemy advance and buy time for the main force to arrive. Where as the Wadget scouts out farther ahead and uses distance to buy time for the main force to prepare, the SC2M1 Esturions engage the enemy and buys time by fighting.

Each division will have one screening cavalry regiment, minimizing any unobserved gaps in the front. With 4 recon Esturions, it can observe an approximate frontline of 12 km per battlegroup. With 4 battlegroups in each regiment, that covers 49km of frontage out of the 120km wide area of responsibility. between each scouting platoon, there is an estimated 7.5km gap between each, which can be covered within a 4 minute drive, allowing for a very narrow time gap for any enemy to sneak pass.
______________________________
In FtD terms, the vehicle features a strategic antenna with 33 dishes and can spot enemy movement and provide early warning. In combat, it has a 360 degree camera for daytime detection while it relies on a rotating 90 degree radar for night time detection as visual systems gets a debuff. For tracking, it has three 5m coincidence rangefinders, one forward and one for each side. Coincidence rangefinders have the lowest bearing error and so it can provide quality detection in a 280 degrees frontal arc. For ranging, it uses 14 laser rangefinders due to having the lowest range error. 10 of the laser rangefinders can only aim in th forward arc, while 1 for each side accounting for 12 of the 14 sensors. The last two are located at the corners and thus can track both forward and to one side. This means it can track a total of 14 targets forward, and 1 for each side, or 10 targets forward, and 2 more each side.
In addition to being set to allocate two sensors for each target, the averaging time is faster compared to the stoat as its meant to keep track of moving targets (versus stationary ones) and its target prioritization is set to target enemies that are closer. Where as the similar Stoat scout cars is tracking targets in the back, for counter-battery reasons.
______________________________
Basic specifications:
Cost: 11,528
Blocks: 252
Weight: 15,109
Volume: 362 cubic meter
Length: 16m
Width: 7m
Height: 9m (total w/ mast extended)
Speed: 30 m/s (110 kmh)

Gun:
Caliber: 35mm (70mm
actual)
Projectile: HEAT
Rate of Fire: 100 rpm

Sensors:
1x Strategic antenna w/ 33 dishes (~60% of a tile)
1x Rotating 90 degree radar
1x 360 degree camera
3x 5m Coincidence rangefinder
14x Laser rangefinders

Ratings:
Total firepower: 9.95
APS: 9.95
Armor: 6.2% (712 materials)