The Morrow Reconnaissance Vehicle

     The Morrow Reconnaissance Vehicle (MRV) came about as a
result of several operational studies and training exercises plus
study of the in-combat performance of the various Morrow Project
vehicles currently in use.  What was revealed was several
deficiencies which needed to be corrected. Among these was the
V-150 frail drive train.  If an axle or wheel failed, the vehicle
was stuck in place until help arrived which could place a team in
great danger if help was not nearby.  Another problem was the
lack of internal storage space.  Most reconnaissance teams found
themselves either placing either themselves or equipment outside
after resupplying from a bolt hole.  A third problem was revealed
when resupplying the vehicle.  Loading and unloading a V-150
series vehicle was not an easy task.  As most cashes had a
minimum of support equipment most loading and unloading had to be
done by hand, and small vehicle hatches compounded the problem. 
Other problems included an inadequate night movement and fighting
capability, driver fatigue, and inadequate buttoned-up visibility
were some of the other problems noted.    
     The project directors decided that while the V-150's
currently in use were adequate for the time being, a replacement
that would correct these problems should be acquired.  After
studying several off-the-shelf vehicles, it was decided an
in-house design would meet the requirements and was to be called
the Morrow Reconnaissance Vehicle.
     The MRV is a 8X8 wheeled vehicle with a combat weight of
12,882 kg.  It was designed for a crew of four with passenger
space for another six plus equipment.  The MRV incorporates
numerous features, among them are:
     1)  Combined Steering: Combined steering allows for one of
four different steering modes. 
These are a) Forward steering which allows the forward set of
wheels to steer the vehicle, b) Rear steering which allows the
rear set of wheels to steer the vehicle, c) Offset steering which
causes both sets of wheels to turn in opposite directions
proportionally allowing for a tighter turning radius, and d)
Slaved steering which allows both sets of wheels to turn in the
same direction.  This last function gives the MRV a capability
not found in most vehicles, the ability to crab or move side to
side without changing facing.  The MRV can crab up to 30 degrees
to either side while keeping the same facing.
     2)  Damage control features include two fusion power plants,
each powering a set of wheels but can be used to power both as
well as supplying electrical power to the vehicle.  Each
wheel has its own independent suspension, axle and electric
motor.  If an axle is damaged, it can be isolated from the power
grid and raised and locked in a stowage position, from inside the
vehicle, until repairs can be accomplished.  
     3) The commander, gunner, and driver have an improved
Auto-nav control and display at their positions to allow for
faster use of the information in the computer.  All four crew
positions have an electrically driven seat which allows them
several choices of positions.  The driver's seat has three
positions, a) full up right to allow him to drive un-buttoned and
give him the best possible visibility, b) semi-reclined, designed
to reduce driver fatigue and can be used either buttoned or
un-buttoned, and c) fully reclined which not only allows him full
access to the rear deck but allows him to use the seat as a bed
reliving crowding on the rear deck.  The seat is equipped with 2
emergency features.  One is the cover handle, one located on
either side of the seat, is used when the seat is in full up
position.  This handle, when pulled (either will do), releases
the seat from the electric motors, swinging it to the
semi-reclined position, and using rocker arms, automatically
closes the two hatch covers.  This allows the driver to take
cover in an ambush situation.  If in the semi-reclined position,
the rocker arms are disconnected from the seat, but can be used
to pull the hatches closed with minimum exposure.  The second
feature is the panic bar, located overhead, is used when the seat
is in the buttoned-up mode.  When pushed, the handle releases the
hatch locks and opens the hatch covers to allow for fast
bail-outs in case of fire.  A second bar over head and just
behind the seat is used to assist the driver in moving in and out
of the seat from the rear deck when the seat is in the fully
reclined position.  The commander and gunner have similar
emergency features but only have a full up-right seat position. 
Both seats may be raised to bring an average 5'10" man waist high
out of the turret or copula.  The cover handle at both of these
positions will drop the seat to a fighting position and rocker
arms close both hatch covers (Note: ensure that the seat is
correctly adjusted for the height of the person in the seat as
incorrect seat height could serious head injuries when the hatch
covers slam closed).  The panic bar performs the same function as
in the gunner's position. 
     4)  The commander has a copula that the commander's MAG-58
sits in.  This provides the commander with protection from
weather and incoming fire.  
     5) The rear deck has hatches that open up and outward to
provide the individuals in the passenger deck with some
protection if riding un-buttoned.  (Note: take a look at the
Soviet BMP for what it might look like.)
     6) The rear deck also has a ramp similar to the M-113 that
lowers down.  This is to facilitate loading and unloading.  This
ramp is lowered by winch and can be dropped manually in
emergencies.  Located inside this ramp is a smaller door hatch
which can be opened without lowering the main hatch. 
     7) There are two door one on each side.  These are split,
the lower section dropping down to form a stair, and the upper
section opening upwards.  The sections can be opened together or
separately, incase one of the passengers wants to hang his head
out the side (Hangovers can be killers after drinking that 150
year scotch).
     8) There six firing ports, two on each side and two in the
rear ramp, to allow the passengers to fire their small arms.
     9) There is lockers in the sides and floorboard of the rear
deck to allow for storage of equipment.  
     10) Each crew position has thermal image vision blocks to
enhance night-time and poor visibility capabilities.  There is
also a combination IR-white light spot light mounted co-axial
with the main gun, and combination IR-white light driving lights.
     11) A full NBC filtration system is built into the vehicle.
     12) An improved Auto-Nav computer system which includes a
ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, multi-function
displays, a CDR-ROM memory, and extended wide-band radio
direction finder capability.
     Over all these improvements should increases the chances of
Recon teams in what could be a highly dangerous world.
     
Vehicle Data

MRV

Crew: 3+6  
Length: 6.82 m     
Width: 2.94 m 
Height: 2.91 m 
Ground Clearance: 0.411 m  
Turning Radius: 4.53 m  
Max Road Speed: 90 kph 
8x8 wheel drive fusion/electric power 
Water Speed: 10 kph using 2 hydro jets 
Gradient: 70 percent 
Vertical obstacle: 0.59 m 
Armour Class:  120  
Armament: one Rh202 20mm Cannon (see game for stats).  
Two MAG-58 machineguns. 
One mounted coaxial with the main gun.  One mounted in commanders
copula.  Ammunition load is the same as the V-150's   (Optional
depending on the GM, a dual TOW missile launcher similar to the
M-2 Bradley with 6 missiles standard load)
