LAVr QH-7 Chariot (2)
Basic info
First appearance: Thrawn Trilogy, Book 1 - Heir to the Empire
Relations: Uulshos Manufacturing
Summary
Uulshos Manufacturing's LAVr QH-7 Chariot was a modified military landspeeder intended for use in situations where proximity to combat zones and imminent danger were not expected to occur. The main aim of the Chariot was to protect important command personnel while they coordinated soldiers and operations, but not to lead from the front. Measuring 11.8 meters, the Chariot was more heavily armored than other equivalent landspeeders, with layered armor plates to protect from low powered blaster bolts, and an armored canopy above a blast deflection plate. Retractable view plates covered side observations ports. Five repulsorlift engines drove the Chariot, with ventral mounted repulsorlift altitude/angling jets. The Chariot could achieve speeds of one hundred kilometers an hour, and had a flight clearance of eight meters. Some models were rated at speeds of 350 kilometers an hour.

The interior of the Chariot was filled with computers running battle-assistance programs, allowing the commander to keep track of their units in the field. The computer incorporated advanced tactical displays using holographic technology to produce completed schematics and battlefield displays for the onboard officers, along with constant data updates. A full dedicated sensor and communications array allowed the commander to keep track of, and coordinate, up to a dozen units. A communications uplink kept the commander in contact with any orbiting starships, fitted with a signal scrambler to ensure outgoing transmissions were impossible to intercept and decode by enemy agents. The communications suite incorporated a long range comm transceiver mounted atop the Chariot, as well as a subspace scrambler/transceiver, a comm analysis amplifier/receptor, and a low-frequency encryptor. The rear of the Chariot was full of electronic countermeasure equipment to protect the Chariot from targeted electromagnetic attacks and other disruption tactics. The systems were shielded, and back-up systems were present in case of damage or failure.
The Chariot's only weapon was a single, forward mounted Mk 2/S laser cannon that could only fire in the direction that the speeder was traveling in at the time. The weapon was slung below the Chariot, and dropped out of a hatch below the main cabin - and it could not be deployed if the Chariot was forced to touch down - a serious flaw often exploited by attacking Rebel troops. Chariots were crewed by three personnel - the driver, the commander, and a guard who doubled as the senior aide to the commander as well as the gunner. If necessary, an entire command staff could fit into the Chariot, and the communications array was staffed by four communications droids. Beneath the commander's chair was a switch that activated a self-destruct timer. The presence of the self-destruct was not generally advertised, and the timer could be set for up to ten minutes to destroy the vehicle and the battle records stored in its computers.

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Complete list
Chariot LAV (V.LAV1) Chariot LAV (V.LAV2)
The Official Star Wars Fact File
The Official Star Wars Fact File
Chariot LAV (V.LAV1)
Chariot LAV (V.LAV2)
V.LAV1
V.LAV2
Tags (2)

Imperial Stormtrooper | Aratech 74-Z Speeder Bike

Last updated: 29.09.2021 21:35:04