Template:Vehicle-Current The H-1 Light Battle Tank is the premier battle tank of the Hapes Consortium, introduced in 4026 as an alternative to older and less effective tank models. It was the last vehicle still in service that was designed with the help of Charubah Industries, previously the finest heavy weapons producer of the Consortium. Today the tanks are widely used in the Royal Hapan Army, deployed alongside AT-PT walkers in planetary garrisons. The amazing speed of the vehicles make up for what it lacks in firepower and armour, enabling it to traverse the countrysides of many large Hapan worlds.
History
Background
During the Hapan civil war, the splintered Hapes Consortium saw the rapid development of massive war machines with arsenals suited for total war. Following the end of the massive cluster-wide conflict, the use of such assault vehicles greatly diminished. The Royal Hapan Army and Ministry of Defence under Grand General Harr sought funding from Lorell Hall to design a new type of patrol tank that could be mass produced and deployed to all planetary garrisons. Charubah Industries cooperated with the Royal Engineering Corps in designing the tanks.
The H-1 Light Battle Tank was not meant to imitate the SN-7 Battle Tank or any other heavy tank. It's strength does not lie in heavy armour nor overwhelming firepower. Its operators know that its biggest advantage over other constructions is speed and agility. Operators are trained mostly in hit&run tactics that allow swift and deadly strikes aimed at the rears of enemy armoured units. During the engagement, a H1 tank platoon is expected to outmaneuver and outnumber heavier and clumsier units. Its speed also allows daring raids on enemy supply points and infantry units that are not protected by tanks.
Service
The H-1 Light Battle Tanks first saw action during the Black Sun Crisis when they were tasked with escorting the Royal Hapan Marine Corps in to the shantytowns of Black Sun on the surface of Lorell. Following engagement with insurgents, the tanks were called back as the Royal Hapan Navy bombarded targets within the cities.
The tanks were also deployed during the Dellalt Conflict, guarding Nikklon Mining Incorporated's mining facilities on Gantari.
Vehicle Statistics
Design & Hull
As the H1 was not designed for direct combat with heavier armoured units, it is outfitted with thin Quantum armour which does not limit its formidable maneuverability and speed but provides excellent protection against infantry based attacks. It is due to thinness of it’s armour the H1 is considered as anti-infantry/reckon unit and only meant to engage in tank to tank battle as a support unit.
Armament
It must be also noted that any enemy unit attacking the H-1 has to face its front mounted dual medium blasters which can easily decimate infantry unit or lightly armoured vehicle. Placement of the Medium blasters ensures that the light tank faces the enemy with its front armour plates – which are the thickest – that solution protects the tank and it’s operator from eventual return fire. It’s almost legendary agility mades up for the lack of turret.
Engines
The H-1 Light Battle Tank comes with a CI 110 turbine engine which is what gives the tank its formidable speed and agility. It was initially designed by Charubah Industries for light speeder vehicles and was later adapted to fit the tank design.
Special Modules
Unique feature of the H1 is the viewing globe which provides the operator with excellent (360 degree) angle of vision – making it impossible for the enemy to approach it without being noticed. Placement of the globe allows it’s operator to hide his tank in deep trenches or terrain depression so that only the globe sticks out – which makes the tank useful for reckon tasks and ambushes.
Strategy and Tactics
The Rolling Wheel Formation
The H-1 Battle Tank Rolling Wheel Formation was used extensively in the Black Sun Crisis (4028-4029). Developed by Colonel Astigar (RHA retired), the formation was an excellent military tactic that exploited the strenghts of the H-1 Battle Tank's high mobility in the need of a frontal assault against superior armament.
Statistcs
The Rolling Wheel Formation consists of a detachment of 8 H-1 Battle Tanks with 4 in reserve. While moving in a circle the detachment attacks hostile forces firing constantly at the circle's right zenith while maintaining full speed, effectively keeping each individual tank's chances of damage at a minimum. In the event of extensive damage a tank is replaced by the reserves and repaired by able crewmen for immediate resupply of the formation.
Features
Colonel Astigar employed this tactic with great success in the Black Sun Crisis in rapid assaults that left the enemy scrambling for cover, despite their heavy armament. Excerpts from the battle in Colonel Astigar's book, For the King details accounts of minor carbon damage to H-1 tanks while maintaining a 4 kill ratio per tank.
A key note of this technique, quotes the Colonel,
"To achieve superiority on the battelfield the RWF must be used with care, precision, and lightning quickness. Without the element of surprise it would become less than a shooting gallery for our tanks."
Colonel Astigar received extensive commendation for his victories and was awarded with a statue in the RHA Honor Hall. He is noted in many historic accounts of the Black Sun Crisis as a vital key to the Royal Hapan Army's victories in the campaign.
To this day variations of the Rolling Wheel Formation are used, most notably, Colonel Hans von Luck's addition of 2 wheels to the detachment. This variation is not easily learned. Drivers have been logged for as much as 120 hours in tutorials and test runs though the added firepower has successfully reduced any opposition to smouldering rubble in wargames with minimal damage.
