The BT260 replica on display here is a classic hostile world exploration and fighting vehicle. It is powered by a Smith and Westor Nuke generator, and has a unique wheeled track system, made up of multiple independently suspended and powered dual wheels. They can each turn and in case of mine (or other) damage can be retracted or even jettisoned. The Cata drive allows it to traverse much terrain other vehicles cannot, although the top speed is fairly low at only 60kmh.
The gun system can fire 122mm Berkerlian Darts for use against other armoured vehicles and bunkers, or also a mini nuke lob thrower to exterminate the enemy in a 500m radius. Sometimes they also carry standard HE rounds, to use when friendlies are nearby. Co-axle to the main guns is a rapid fire 25mm cannon which is useful for ranging and suppression fire.
The tank has a crew of two, one commander/gunner and a driver/engineer. The rear airlock hatch is the only entry point, and the upper hatch cannot be opened. Much of the inside of the vehicle is open and the vehicle can sometimes carry a small three man squad and their weapons, or two stretchers.
A spare wheel pod is carried on the right side, along with the nuke generator. The vehicle has no dedicated shield generator, unlike latter vehicles of this series, and many regard this as a major failing. Some BT260s were converted with a shield generator fitted and these are sometimes called the BT260 Type G, but are rare and sometimes only used for command vehicles.
The tanks (although technically not a tank, the common and current definition of this word includes these common wheeled vehicles), were used extensively by the Federation, and some found their way to the independent edge colonies. There have been several major battles between mainly BT260 tanks the more modern BT700 tanks as the Federation moved to re-establish its justified dominance throughout this galaxy arm.
