View source for Zephyr (Combat Vehicle)

{{otheruses|the hovertank|other uses|Zephyr}}
{{InfoBoxCombatVehicle
| image = Zephyr.gif
| name = Zephyr
| manufacturer = [[Grumman Industries]]
| production year=2621
| year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3632/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| Mission = Dragoon / Cavalry
| Type = Hover
| Cost = 
| mass = 40
| armor = [[Grumman CRT Ferro-Fibrous]]
| engine = [[GM 185]] [[fusion engine]]
| comsys = [[Systems X]]
| T&T = [[Bundesweyth Target Acquisition Gear]]
| heat sinks = 10 [[Heat Sink|single]]
| speed = 146
| Crew = 3
| armament = 3 x [[medium laser]]s <br> 1 x [[SRM-6]] <br> 1 x [[small laser]]
| BV (1.0) = 640<ref>''Combat Operations'', p. 106</ref>
| BV (2.0) = 904<ref name=TRO3050U>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', pp. 162–163: "Zephyr Vehicle Profile"</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 184</ref>
}}

==Description==
Designed in [[2620]] to be a medium-duty, fast response, [[infantry]] support tank, the [[Star League Defense Force]] instead saw the '''Zephyr''' as the perfect support vehicle for its [[Chaparral]] [[Arrow IV]] artillery tank.<ref name=TRO3050U/><ref name=TRO2750>''Technical Readout: 2750'', pp. 98–99: "Zephyr Vehicle Profile"</ref><ref name=TRO3050R>''Technical Readout: 3050 Revised'', pp. 202–203: "Zephyr Vehicle Profile"</ref>

When the SLDF's Quartermaster Command was considering accepting the Zephyr for service, the SLDF vehicle corps was looking for a ground-based design that could carry the successful [[Guardian ECM suite]] to assist in setting ambushes for the Chaparral, with the SLDF ordering Grumman to add the system to its tank. Powered by a [[GM]] 185 [[fusion engine]] and clad in seven tons of a Grumman CRT [[ferro-fibrous]] armor, the Zephyr boasts above average armor and speed for its weight and support role.<ref name=TRO3050U/><ref name=TRO2750/><ref name=TRO3050R/>

Grumman restarted production of the design after the unveiling of [[ComStar]]'s [[Com Guards]] and, after the [[Word of Blake]] took control of [[Terra]] ([[3062]]), Grumman received a large infusion of capital to develop a revamped [[C3i]] version. Further funding also resulted in Grumman expanding production via a new plant opened on [[New Earth]] in [[3066]], to keep up with increasing demand from the [[Word of Blake Militia|Word of Blake's Militia]] and [[Word of Blake Protectorate Militia|Protectorate forces]].<ref name=TRO3050U/><ref name=TRO2750/><ref name=TRO3050R/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
Not intended for front-line combat, the primary weapons of the Zephyr are a trio of Sorenstein IV [[medium laser]]s mounted alongside the Alloran [[target acquisition gear]] in the turret. Supporting firepower comes from a Shannon [[SRM-6]] rack mounted in the vehicle's nose supplied with two tons of reloads and a single rear-mounted Harmon [[small laser]] to provide cover when fleeing combat. The [[Clan Invasion]]-era model utilized different brands (a Thor SRM-6, Bundesweyth TAG, and Bowie Electronics brand lasers) but otherwise carried identical weaponry to the [[Star League era]] models.<ref name=TRO3050U/><ref name=TRO2750/><ref name=TRO3050R/>

==Variants==
*;Original : The original pre-Guardian Zephyr carried an extra half-ton of armor and an additional rear-facing [[SRM-2]] with a ton of missile reloads.<ref name=TRO2750/><ref name=TRO3050R/> BV (2.0) = 896<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 187</ref>

*;C3i : The first of the Blakist commissioned variants downgrades the SRM-6 rack for a [[Streak SRM-2]] launcher, freeing up weight for [[C3i computer]].<ref name=TRO3050U/> BV (2.0) = 820<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 185</ref>

*; LRM : A less common variant among the Blakists' Protectorate forces, it drops all the standard equipment and weapons in exchange for a C3i system, a pair of turret-mounted [[ER medium laser]]s and two nose-mounted [[LRM]] racks. Its nickname "Pug" stems from the blockier appearance born of these missile launchers. BV (2.0) = 867<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 186</ref>

*;Royal : The upgraded model used by the [[SLDF Royal units]] enhances the tank's support role by replacing the [[short range missile]] launcher with a [[Narc missile beacon]] and two tons of ammunition.<ref name=TRO3075>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 169</ref> BV (2.0) = 811<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 143</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 10</ref>

*; Zephyr EC : Developed by [[Clan Blood Spirit]] in the [[Golden Century]], this version of the Zephyr uses an [[Improved SRM-6]], two prototype ER medium lasers and ferro-fibrous armor. (Note: '''EC''' is an abbreviation used by historians to designate "Early Clan" designs.)<ref>''Technical Readout: Golden Century'', p. 62</ref> BV (2.0) = 967<ref>''Technical Readout: Golden Century'', p. 65</ref>

*;<span id="drone">Omni-drone primary configuration</span> : Developed by [[The Republic of the Sphere]] in [[3096]], this OmniVehicle removes the standard weaponry and replaces the crew compartment with a fixed [[drone operating system]], [[Angel ECM suite]], and [[Improved one shot]] [[SRM-2]] on all configurations. The top speed and armor protection remain the same as the standard Zephyr. The improved one shot missile launcher fires to the rear, and there are four tons of pod space available in the turret. The primary configuration's turret carries a [[Light PPC]] and [[PPC capacitor]]. BV (2.0) = 676<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1'', p. 25</ref>

*; Omni-Drone Alternate Configuration A : The turret on this configuration mimics the standard Zephyr weapons loadout, carrying a TAG and three medium lasers. BV (2.0) = 686<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1'', p. 26</ref>

*;Omni-Drone Alternate Configuration B : More of a recon unit, this configuration mounts a [[Bloodhound active probe]] and [[ER flamer]] in the turret. It feeds information back to friendly forces by using a body-mounted [[C3 slave]]. BV (2.0) = 509<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1'', p. 27</ref>

*;Omni-Drone Alternate Configuration C : A close combat version, this configuration carries four [[M-Pod]]s in the turret. BV (2.0) = 478<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1'', p. 28</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Zephyr.gif|Original Zephyr from ''[[Technical Readout 2750|TRO:2750]]''
File:Zephyr.jpg|Upgraded Zephyr from ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade|TRO:3050 Upgrade]]''
Image:Zephyr (CCG).jpg|A Zephyr in urban terrain from ''[[BattleTech Trading Card Game|CCG]]''
</gallery>

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 1]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 2750]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Revised]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: Golden Century]]''


[[Category:Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:Medium Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:40 ton Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:Hover Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:ComStar Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:SLDF Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:SLDF Royal Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:Dragoon Combat Vehicles]]