CSF-S3c/LP05 Ballista Mass-Production Type

The Ballista Mass-Production Type used the older designs of the Ballista Tank from the FGC, and modernized it with up-to-date technologies. Using weapons mainly from Kestrel Tech, these Ballistas were cheaper and easier to produce than the Castel GT, but the DTRO’s continued investment in Project X cut these production lines off. Only about twenty BMPTs were ever produced, and thus four divisions of five Ballistas were created. This was to ensure that all major LCDM bases were supplied with these support machines. One team in particular, which included Marie Winhart and Rick Longbow, customized their Ballistas with their division’s personal insignia, which would eventually be used for the UNI. They would also be retrofitted with Castel-Grade manipulators and Custom ATSs to allow for the operation of handheld Kestrel Weapons.

Technology and Combat Characteristics
Compared to the Ballista-type Garrisai of the FGC Era, the MPT was designed with ease of operation in mind. Many of the Ballistas were equipped with a basic control cockpit that would come to resemble the top of the Striker Ballista’s head, allowing trainees and even civilians to be capable of using them. Their weapons are primarily mid to long range support guns, as well as high-impact missile launchers that allow for multitasking in the heat of battle. A pair of large tank treads allow for a movement speed slightly slowed to that of a HMT, despite having very heavy armor weighing them down. The treads are given higher suspension and extension than most tanks as to help cross rougher terrain on its own, as to reach the battle where needed.

Armaments
- 200mm Artillery Cannons: In order to increase the general accuracy of shots fired from the Ballista, the 300mm HPNCs usually seen on units such as the Cyclops GT was toned down to a 200mm receiver. While less powerful than their 300mm counterparts, the additional range these cannons provided was invaluable for the Ballista as a support unit. While Cyclops' cannons traded accuracy for power, the Ballista's was quite the opposite. They are mounted on the shoulders, and can be rotated upwards when not in used.

- Striker Missile Pods: These high-yield missile pods deal large amounts of damage on their own, and thus are best used in single, special attacks. Up to four are stored on each tread armor.

- 80mm Vulcan Gun: A rapid-fire rotary cannon that fires 80mm rounds. They are mounted in the torso to provide the best possible stability when firing, though the extreme recoil means accuracy is only limited to close/medium range.

- Basic Claw Manipulator: Similar to that of a construction claw, this wrist-mounted manipulator allows for the most basic of hand movement for the Ballista MPT. Since much of its arsenal is fixed over handheld, the need of said weapons is less needed. The claw is capable of lifting debris or other large objects, or can be used as a blunt melee weapon at close range.

- Left Forearm Variable Launcher: This forearm-mounted cannon can fire a large variety of specialty rounds for certain situations. Such projectiles include smoke grenades, flares, proximity mines, and a heatseeking missile.

- Right Forearm Swarmfire Missile Launcher: A high-capacity missile launcher that can be used for a number of purposes. From crowd control to projectile interception, what these missiles lack in damage they make up for in numbers. They can alternatively the Striker Missile pods on the treads when equipped (if not on the forearms), and can be manually purged.

- Castel Type Manipulator: The Ballista MPT can be equipped with a standard Castel GT hand or hands for using Kestrel or Omega-designed weapons. This, while slightly more expensive and unconventional, can make a Ballista's survival much more guaranteed when not supported by allies.

Special Equipment and Features
- Assitive Targeting Sensor: Unlike the original Ballista’s Helmet-like head, the MPT substitutes it for a low-profile mid-range targeting sensor. This design was linked directly to the pilot seat, allowing for continued vision of the battlefield while the gunner rotates the torso.

- Two-Pilot System: Similar to a realistic tank, the BMPT consists of a two-man crew: a pilot and a gunner. The pilot controls the machine’s movement, comms and other controls, while the gunner controls most of the weapons systems and ATS. The Pilot is situated in the chest and uses the “head” top-mounted primary camera, while the gunner is situated in front of the pilot and uses the chest-mounted secondary camera.

History
Before their production line was cut short from the introduction of Project X, around 20 BMPTs were produced and used during up until the second Armeli Invasion.

A handful of BMPTs were seen during the events of DUALITY, in the hands of the LCDM’s Delta Squadron. They ran missions along the Polarian divide, usually patrolling for possible Armeli invasion forces heading west. There were originally four other squadrons patrolling this border (aptly named Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Epsilon) along with Delta, but all were killed off after the first Armeli Invasion.

Trivia
- Marie Winhart, and her Driver/Co-pilot Richard Longbow, were the operators of a BMPT called the Iron Stallion. It had a crudely spray-painted insignia drawn on its left chest plate (ace in the hole), which would eventually become the logo for the UNI.

- The duo are inspired from Arby and The Chief of Halo—another war-hardened pair of aces that drove a Warthog. Chief is usually the driver, while Arby is usually the gunner—just like Rick and Marie.

- The “Iron Stallion” name is inspired from the vehicle Arbito and Chefius used in the short story “Why the Brain has Two Sides,” known as the “Iron Horse.”

- How does 200mm of Tungsten strike ya?