The GPZTR (Gerpad Panzerter) Mark VII is the seventh panzerter built by the Republic of Tharsis. Developed by Steyer Defense in competition with OHM to develop the new “Heavy Panzerter” for the Tharcian army, SD decided to simply build a well rounded panzerter with technologies that wouldn’t be available for a lighter model. With the lessons learned from the War of 2112, the Tharcian General Staff requested a heavier model to supplement the next generation of panzerters. This model was required to be specialized in destroying other panzerters while maintaining the ability to fulfill the standard urban combat role of panzerters.
Equipment
The Lowe is equipped with Mk 2 Nuclear turbine generating 100,000 horsepower. This 100% increase in power output allows the Lowe Early-Type to make use of it’s primary weapon: a 120-mm Railgun. While a light railgun by naval standards, it’s inclusion allows the Lowe to bring the equivalent firepower of a destroyer to surface warfare. To deal with the weapons absurd recoil, SD decided to mount the weapon over the left shoulder, a detail that allows the pilot to use a different weapon in its right hand.
It’s secondary armaments include twin mounted Model 2188A3 .50 caliber machine guns in it’s head. This allows the Lowe to bring accurate machine gun fire to multiple levels in an urban environment as well as shoot down drowns or incoming missiles. For close quarter combat, the Lowe is equipped with a panzerter-sized longsword known as a Tesla sword. The blade is made of superdense, highly conductive alloys that when extended, electrify, extending the effective length and width of the blade while also shrouding it in a superheated electrical current.
For protection, the Lowe uses lightweight and strong materials in it’s armor. While the exact nature and composition of the materials is classified, it is rumored that some of them are highly flammable. This necessitated the Lowe’s revolutionary thermal dampener coating. Originally a paint designed to protect spacecraft on reentry, SD developed a version for the Lowe that wouldn’t create toxic fumes. This coating gives the Lowe it’s black coloration and renders it nearly immune to most laser weapons used by the Union of Mars.
Because of it’s massive engine output, the Lowe is surprisingly agile for it’s size and weight. This makes the Lowe one of the most dominant panzerters in close quarter combat, and enables to powerful machine to run at speeds of up to 75 kilometers an hour, though those speeds would be a rough ride for the pilot.
However, it’s sensitive controls, deceptive agility, and advanced systems make it far to difficult for a novice or even average pilot to reliably control. To this end, the Tharcian general staff barred the use of this advanced machine to enlisted pilots, believing arrogantly that they were somehow less skilled then their officer counterparts. This sentiment would be proven wrong time and time again as the war progressed.
Future
As the Red World War drags on, the Tharcian army is investing increasingly in developing specialized variants and advanced models. A commanders version, as well as a space type were already underdevelopment when the Garden City Tech campus came within striking distance of the front. Another proposal calls for attaching Lowe type armor plating to the exterior hill of standard Panzerter IVs.
Summery
Model: Panzerter VII-A “Lowe” Early production type (Reporting name- Black Knight)
Known pilots: 1st Lieutenant Paul Reiter
Armament: 1x Class 1 Mod. 30 Railgun, 2x Model 2188A3 .50 Caliber HMGs, 1x Shield, 2x Tesla Sword Mk-1
Ratings
Firepower: 9/10
Protection: 8/10
Mobility: 6/10
Melee: 7/10
Sensors: 7/10
Height: 45 ft (13.72 meters)
Weight: 70 tons