Message no. 1

From:	WILLIAM FRIERSON <will1am@*****.ASU.EDU>
Subject:	GM-Nissan Doberman Patrol vehicle [Robots Design]
Date:	Wed, 19 Jul 1995 21:59:10 -0700

This design resulted from my frustration with the Rigger Black Book, a
Shadowrun vehicle sourcebook. It contains some basic (and not so basic)
vehicles for the Shadowrun universe. It also has rules for conversions and
modifications, but no construction rules per se.

Don't get me wrong. I _LIKE_ Shadowrun a lot. The system is very smooth and
pretty seamless (there are a few rough spots, but every game has those). It
is also an abstract system. There are no hit locations. And a lot of equipment
is covered, with some very good sourcebooks. The problem I have, is that
vehicles have only 6-10 characteristics. That part is too abstract, at least
for me. :)

So what I'm doing is designing the drones and vehicles for that game using
GURPS Robots. Actually, I'm taking the concept from Shadowrun and using that
as a template for the GURPS designs. After I've done a few, I'll build a few
using GURPS, and translate them into Shadowrun.

For those unfamiliar with Shadowrun, (or _Hardwired_ by Williams), there is a
character type (and protagonist) who cybernetically link with and become their
vehicle. In Shadowrun, these people have cyberware installed that allows them
to interface more completely with the vehicle. They also have decks that allow
them to remotely control many vehicles at once, switching between them if
necessary, and relying on autopilots for help. I'm using TL8, including neural
interface technology which doesn't usually become available until GURPS TL10.

Another thing is that I haven't seen any programs included with the example
designs. I haven't read them page by page, but I have picked through them,
and saw no mention of software.

Any comments?

So here goes.

The GM-Nissan "Doberman" Patrol Vehicle

This is a perimeter patrol vehicle. It comes with an advanced sensor package
and can be armed heavily (standard is 2 lmg in turret without extra ammo, with
one fixed mount taser on the forward slope). It is rather strange in that it
uses a fuel burning turbine, which makes it easy to spot. Armor protection is
moderate, not able to stand up to heavy weapons. This vehicle comes with a
(very) basic autopilot (ratings in Shadowrun run from 1 to 5, with 1 being
nothing more than a collision avoidance system and 5 being a military expert
system. The Doberman has a rating 2).

I didn't include character points (except in the programs).

Brain: Standard brain with +2 DX booster, genius, hardened, high-capacity,
and neural net options (160 lbs., 3.2 cf, $18,500, 70 points), Complexity 4.

Sensors: Basic Sensors with the following options:
Vision: Laser rangefinder, night vision, peripheral vision and
thermograph.
Audio: Acute hearing level 2, and 1 level of parabolic hearing.
No taste or smell and a TL8 Imaging radar (5.8 lbs., .116 cf, $17,100).

Communicator: Basic communicator with a medium range radio (2 lbs., .04 cf,
$700).

Wheeled drive train: A 15 KW motive power drivetrain (52.5 lbs., 1.05 cf, $300).

Weaponry: Options chosen by user, this version has: TL8 6mm CL light support
slugthrower (25 lbs., .5 cf, $2,000) in the turret and a fixed TL7 grenade
launcher (7 lbs., .14 cf, $500) on the front of the body.

Power System: A TL7 gas turbine (70 lbs., 1.4 cf, $1,400) with a 2 gallon
self-sealing gas tank (16 lbs., .3 cf, $80), generating 15 KW of power.
Endurance 25 hours.

Subassemblies: Body, turret, and wheels.

Body design: Houses the gas turbine, drivetrain, grenade launcher, brain and
commo with .28 cf rotation space, with a 30 degree front slope.

Turret design: Houses the light support weapon, dedicated ammo storage and
all of the sensors, with a 60 degree front slope.

Area: Body 23, turret 8
Structure: Expensive medium weight, (139.5 lbs., $6,200)
Hit Points: Body 35, Turret 12
Armor: TL8 Ablative armor on Body, DR 22 (103.5 lbs., $120) and DR 30 on
turret (36 lbs., $120).

Statistics: 637.3 lbs. (.32 tons), 9.86 cf, $47,520. Body ST 1174, IQ 8,
DX 11. Speed 55.

Programs: Driving P/A 11 [2], complexity 3, $8,000
Gunner P/A 11 [2], complexity 3, $8,000
Elec Op/Sensor M/A 15 [4], complexity 4, $8,000
Data Link complexity 1, $800
Targeting complexity 1, $1,000

This software is not included in the price above, so tack another $25,800 to
the above price.


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William Frierson Internet: WILL1AM@*****.asu.edu