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M5A2 Schwarzkopf
M5A2 Schwarzkopf
Origin USA United States
Role Main Battle Tank
Primary user Joint Strike Force
General characteristics
Length 33.1 ft (9.47 m)
Width 12.0 ft (3.66 m)
Height 8.30 ft (2.51 m)
Loaded weight 40 tons
Performance
Armament 120mm smoothbore cannon
RAVEN 20mm chain gun
7.62 coaxial gun
12.7 machine gun
Engine 1,650hp Gas Turbine Engine

The M5A2 Schwarzkopf is a tank in use by the United States Joint Strike Force.

Overview[]

The Pentagon likes to refer to the M5A2 Schwarzkopf as the world's premiere mounted combat system, and it's easy to see why. This primary combat vehicle is the pride of the JSF and can endure massive punishment while dealing out the same. Its 120mm smoothbore cannon is capable of blasting apart enemy fortifications while its advanced fire control system gives it unsurpassed accuracy. Unlike the M118 Fastback, the M5A2 still uses a gas turbine rather than a diesel hybrid engine.[1]

Tech Commentary[]

Named after General Norman Schwarzkopf, this mounted combat system is yet another example of the end results from the Future Combat Systems program. While its primary armament, a 120mm smooth bore cannon, is essentially unchanged from tanks of previous generations, the rounds it's capable of firing are updated to be much more punishing.[2]

The M5A2 is a mix of the old and the new. It still has the tried and true .50-caliber coaxial heavy machine gun, but can now be fitted with the RAVEN 20mm chain gun. It has an engine that runs on fossil fuels but its advanced fire control system gives it a level of accuracy that is unheard of. The Schwarzkopf can even be equipped with an Advanced Active Defense System which provides added protection against an array of high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) weaponry.[3]

An active defense system helps improve upon the unit’s already impressive survivability. The lack of a hybrid engine also means the Schwarzkopf is a costly asset to put into action, especially considering the fantastically high price of gasoline in the year 2020. Every attempt has been made to make its gas turbine engine as fuel-efficient as possible, but it still consumes at least double the amount of fuel that the M118 Fastback requires.[4]

Tactical Application: Offense and Defense[]

Offense[]

With its mobility and advanced combat systems, the M5A2 Schwarzkopf is best used in offensive operations as a sledgehammer and precision attack platform. It can engage enemy units beyond their range and deliver firepower far greater than many of them. Weaken enemy fortifications with lighter armored units, artillery or infantry and then bring the Schwarzkopf forward to deliver the final blow. Punch through defensive positions with its heavy armament or crush inferior units with its weight.

Defense[]

With its composite armor and enhanced defensive capabilities, the M5A2 Schwarzkopf is ideal for defending key strategic positions such as Control Points. Its armament supplements any static defenses already in place, and when used in conjunction with infantry or the Fastback it becomes a truly terrifying force. Combine it with the Blackfoot gunship for incredible lethality against multiple unit types.

Strengths and Weaknesses[]

Joint Strike Force[]

Use the M5A2 Schwarzkopf, especially with all its combat upgrades, as a sniper. They can fire on units like the Panther 1A3 and especially the T-100 Ogre before they can get retaliatory fire. Protect them from gunships with M118s; if you come under artillery fire, get AH-80 Blackfoot gunships to take them out or just move out of sight.

Enforcer Corps[]

The Cheetah Gunship is very effective against the Schwarzkopf. However, if there are Riflemen or Engineers covering for the MBTs, use a Badger to bait the Schwarzkopf out of cover, or if its protection goes with it (in the case of covering M118s) use Panther 1A3s in ambush position to neutralize the Schwarzkopf's range advantage.

Spetsnaz Guard Brigades[]

The Howler Gunship is very effective against the Schwarzkopf; alternatively, use a UAV or Riflemen with camouflage and spot it for Russia's powerful artillery and reduce it to scrap. If possible, cover the artillery with T-100 Ogres or a Bear unit in cover. If a Schwarzkopf can be lured into the engagement range of an Ogre without the unit taking damage, the M5A2 is as good as dead.

Upgrades[]

Attack[]

  • Firepower Enhancement: Increases range (+25%). Cost 100,000 CR
  • Coaxial Gun: Increases short-range firepower (+25%). Cost 300,000 CR
  • HESH Shell: Unlocks High-Explosive Squash Head special attack. Cost 900,000 CR
  • BLOS (Ballistic Line of Sight) Cannon: Increases range of special attack (+25%). Cost 1,200,000 CR
  • Platform Stabilizer: Increases accuracy (+25%). Cost 1,500,000 CR
  • Fire Control: Increases range significantly (+50%). Cost 1,800,000 CR
  • Independent Viewer: Increases accuracy significantly (+50%). Cost 2,100,000 CR

Defense[]

  • Nano Composite Armor: Increases HP (+25%). Cost 100,000 CR
  • Active Defense: Increases shield durability (+25%). Cost 300,000 CR
  • Auto Grenade Launcher: Equips a Auto Grenade Launcher to increase short-range damage against attacking units (+50%). Cost 900,000 CR
  • Stacked Projectiles: Increases Auto Grenade Launcher damage (+25%). Cost 1,200,000 CR
  • DU (Depleted Uranium) Armor: Increases HP significantly (+50%). Cost 1,500,000 CR

Mobility[]

  • Power Unit: Increases movement speed (+25%). Cost 100,000 CR
  • Hydrogen Cells: Increases movement speed (+50%). Cost 300,000 CR

Callsigns[]

Schwarzkopf callsign seem to deal with powerful or brutal forces.

  • Thunder
  • Slugger
  • Crusher
  • Slammer
  • Grinder
  • Butcher
  • Hammer
  • Stomper
  • Punisher

Trivia[]

  • The Schwarzkopf is named after General Norman Schwarzkopf (August 22, 1934 - December 27, 2012), commander of Coalition forces during the First Gulf War, who were renowned for their 'shock and awe' approach (first from air, then via a tank blitzkrieg) and where General Schwarzkopf earned the nickname "Stormin' Norman".
  • According to concept art, the Schwarzkopf was originally a fictional advancement of the M1 Abrams tank.
  • The Schwarzkopf's 20mm RAVEN chaingun may indicate it is a RArefaction waVE guN (RAVEN).
  • Strangely, one of the Schwarzkopf's upgrades is High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) ammunition, despite HESH rounds being not only far more prolific in British Army service, but also inefficient when fired from a smoothbore cannon like the Schwarzkopf's - rifled guns, like the 105mm M68 found on M60 Patton and early M1 Abrams, are far more suited to firing HESH, and were abandoned by the United States (and most of NATO) in favour of the 120mm smoothbore cannons mounted on M1A1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks in the 1980s.

Gallery[]

Concept art[]

See Also[]

References[]

  1. Tom Clancy's EndWar: Official Game Guide, page 22
  2. Tom Clancy's EndWar: Official Game Guide, page 22
  3. Tom Clancy's EndWar: Official Game Guide, page 22
  4. Tom Clancy's EndWar: Official Game Guide, page 22
V · T · E
AJSF EndWar Joint Strike Force Units and Abilities AJSF
Units
EW Unit Rifleman
Ghosts
EW Unit Engineer
Pioneers
EW Unit CV US
C1A5 Archon
EW Unit Transport US
M118 Fastback
EW Unit Tank US
M5A2 Schwarzkopf
EW Unit Arty US
M320 Spartan
EW Unit Heli US
AH-80 Blackfoot
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