Department of Defense:

Exo-Wars Military Database
Axis T-17C Viper General Purpose Exo

The Viper was the first production Exo created by the Russian military. However the Viper was not an original design. The first predecessors to the Viper were construction and labor class Exo’s used in Siberia and other Northern settlements. The original labor units were used to harvest the vast forests and minerals located in the barren northern climates. The military simply purchased several units and began a long process of incorporating military grade electronics, armor and weapons onto a basic frame design. Thus the T-17A was born. That was several decades ago.

The latest incarnation of the Viper, the T-17C represents the latest innovation in a long line of successful Exo’s. Although the technology for the T-17C is out dated by current model standards, sheer numbers keeps the unit in active service. The Russian military and the Axis cannot afford to take the Viper out of the game; there are simply too many units in use. The unit remains a front line combatant and has seen its armor replaced and upgraded to maintain a fighting edge against the Alliances more advanced Jaguar units.

The current incarnation of the Viper offers excellent protection to the pilot and command systems, but sacrifices speed and maneuverability to do so. The Axis has decided that in order to pose a real threat to Alliance troops and assets, the Vipers weapons would have to be slightly heavier then originally conceived for this type of general purpose Exo. However the reduction is speed is not a problem for Viper pilots. Most prefer piloting the Viper because it has a better then average return rate for its pilots. Where most Exo’s have average cockpit armor and systems, the Viper has a built in medical regulator that ensures that if the Cockpit is compromised, the pilot will remain alive, functioning and conscious for as long as possible ,short of major life threatening injuries.

The Viper has had is share of problems too. Like all Exo’s there is a period of refinement that must be survived if the Exo is ever to reach its full potential. The T-17A was that trial by fire. The Model A Viper served as a cutting edge technological tested for the Russian military. However not everything went according to plans. The T-17A had a major computer flaw, the targeting computer could easily be confused by multiple signals. The combination of all the Exo’s sensory information feed into the targeting computer often created ‘ghost’ targets or sensor echoes that the computer in turn believed were real threats. While the problem has since been addressed it remains a problem even in the T-17C. Although the sensor echo problem has been correct the targeting computer cannot handle more then a handful or targets.

If the T-17C is forced to engage more then 10 major (Exo’s, Tanks, etc.) targets the computer begins to make errors in targeting calculations. Alliance commanders have learned this and have begun to exploit this weakness. To help minimize this deficiency the Axis usually deploys at least one Asp Recon unit to act as a spotter for the Vipers. The Asp relays combat data to the vipers and help lighten the combat load on the Viper targeting system.

Besides the targeting errors that the Viper are prone to there are no major defect or flaws in the design. The overall performance of the Viper is excellent and has been tweaked and refined over the course of the Exo’s lifespan. Many Viper pilots develop a ‘relationship’ with there Vipers. The improved Model C is a favorite unit within the ranks of the Axis Exo Pilots, its reliability; stability and versatility have become the benchmark to which all other Axis designs are measured up against.

Statistical Data
Name: Viper
Manufacturer: Russian Military Manufacturing
Production Class: General Purpose Exo
Production Code: T-17C
Production Type: Mass Production.
Crew: One

S.D.C. By Location
**Head: 150  S.D.C. x1
Shoulders: 200  S.D.C. x2
Arms: 125  S.D.C. x2
*Hands: 50  S.D.C. x2
Upper Legs: 200  S.D.C. x2
Lower Legs: 150  S.D.C. x2
Feet: 75  S.D.C. x2
Engine: 150  S.D.C. x1
Ammo Drum: 75  S.D.C. x1
***Main Body 500  S.D.C. x1
* A single asterisk indicates a small and difficult target to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot”, but even then the attacker is –4 to strike.
** Destroying the head of the power armor will eliminate all forms of optical enhancement and sensory systems. The pilot must rely on his own human vision and senses. No power armor combat bonuses to strike, parry, and dodge! The head is a small and difficult target to hit, it can only be hit when a character makes a ‘called shot’, and even then the attacker is –3 to strike.
*** Deleting the S.D.C. of the main body will shut the armor down completely, making it useless. In emergency release system allows the pilot to escape the Exo if the main body is destroyed, and they survive. However most Exo’s do not have any storage area for food, armor or weapons. Therefore, unless otherwise noted, the pilot must rely on their own sidearm and any armor they were wearing when piloting the Exo.

Speed:
Running: 46.0 mph (73.6 km) maximum. Note that the act of running does not tire the operator and the Exo’s top speed can be maintained indefinitely, only the pilots own fatigue will limit the duration of the unit’s movements. The Viper walks at a more reasonable speed of 26.0 mph (41.6 km), and should be considered the units cruising speed.
Leaping: The powerful robot legs can leap up to 18.4 feet (5.9 m) high and 10 feet (3.2 m) across from a standing position. A running jump increases the distance to 36.8 feet (11.9 m) long and 10 feet (3.2 m) high.
Underwater: Swimming: The Exo can swim using the same type of paddling leg and arm motion as a human at a maximum speed of roughly 4 mph (6.4 km/3.4 knots). It can also walk along the bottom of the sea at about 25% its normal running speed.
Maximum Depth: 1,000 feet (305 m).
Statistical Data:
Height: 13.5 feet (4.4 m) from head to toe. The additional of should and back mounted weapon systems can increase the height of the unit. Weapons such as rocket pods and mortars are common to Exo’s and will modify their height.
Width: 9.3 feet (3.0 m).
Length: 6.5 feet (2.1 m) .
Weight: 3.2 tons without the addition of weapon and ammunition.
Physical Strength: Equal to a P.S. of 35.
Cargo: None.
Power Systems: Russian TE-17 Turbine Engine feeding a super conductive battery.
Range (Per tank of Fuel): The battery provides enough energy for 10 hour of regular maneuvers or 5 hours of moderate combat maneuvers. Heavy combat maneuvers will use the batters charge in 2.5 hours. The Turbine engine must then be activated to either recharge the battery or directly power the Exo. The TE-17 will provide the Exo with direct energy for 34 hours of moderate use before needing refueling. Heavy use will consume the fuel supply in 18 hours. Recharging the battery to full capacity takes 1.5 hours (4 hours if on the move). All Exo’s use an advanced Turbine Engine that can burn any gasoline derivative fuel, including automobile gasoline, aircraft and marine fuel and even diesel without ill effect. However all non-Exo fuel reduces the operation abilities (range, speed, duration) by 25%. Only Exo Fuel will allow the unit to function at 100% efficiency.
Construction Cost: $221,667.00 dollars for a new, undamaged, full equipped standard Viper Exo complete with all configuration type weapon systems.

Weapon Systems:
Weapon Name: Special Notes:
General Dynamics 20mm Light Assault Cannon   Standard clips hold 60 shells, enough for 20 short bursts. Extra ammo-clips can be mounted on the hip hard points of most Exo’s.
Raytheon Company 50mm Light Rocket Pack   The normal payload of the Viper is 20 rocket s in its pods. But the same launchers can each handle a maximum of 24 rockets. If all 24 are loaded into the launchers, reduce the Viper’s bonuses to strike, parry and dodge by –1 from the unbalanced weight of the extra rockets (top heavy). Once the rocket payload has been reduced to 20 or less the penalty is removed.
Anti-Personnel Grenade Launcher    
Grumman & Saco Defense Light Hand Grenade   The Viper normally carries 3 Light Grenades strapped to the arm that carried the main gun. The free hand can then reach over and use the grenade without disturbing the grip on the weapon.
General Electric Vibro-Blade    
Hand To Hand Combat   Rather than use a weapon, the pilot can engage in hand to hand combat. See Basic and Elite Power Armor Combat Training for combat bonuses.
Sensor System Note   The Viper has full optical systems, including laser targeting, telescopic, passive nightvision (light amplification), thermo-imaging, infrared, ultraviolet, and polarization. Plus all the other features common to all Exo’s.
Sensor Bonuses   The Viper gets a bonus of +1 to strike, and +4 to dodge and +3 to parry in addition to the power armor target bonus and Basic or Elite Power Armor Combat Training bonuses.