M-080 Megolodon Transport Truck
Overview
The M-080 Megolodon is the primary troop transport and missile artillery transport utilised by the human Systems Alliance. Built off the chassis of the M-35 Mako Infantry Fighting Vehicle, the Megolodon is a six-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, all-terrain capable transport, sharing some of the Mako's parts and handling characteristics.
Much like the Mako, the Megolodon is environmentally sealed and equipped with the same microthrusters, mass effect fields generators and suspension. Meaning it utilises a similar airdrop deeply method to the Mako, but with it's specialised troop transport and artillery role, it doesn't see as much frontline action.
The M-080 Megolodon was also the first vehicle to field test the Thanix Magnetohydrodynamic anti-ship Missile. Destroying a Destroyer-class Reaper in just two hits.
Chassis
The chassis of the M-080 is built on it's 6 independent wheels. Equipped with powerful shock absorbers and independent suspension and drive systems. This allows the vehicle to withstand falls of extreme height. This also allows the M-080 to have each of it's six wheels on different elevations, while still keeping the vehicle in a level position for shooting.
The independent drive systems allow the driver to adjust the speed and direction of each individual wheel. This combined with the fact that the forward and rear wheels are steerable allow the M-080 to execute almost impossibly sharp turns and is even capable of performing a full 360 turn on the spot.
Beneath the Megolodon, infront of each front wheel and behind each back wheel is an H2/O2 micro-thrust.
The M-080 features a hatch on each side for the driver. The modular rear of the vehicle can be reconfigured with a rear-loading 12-man troop bay or a Missile battery equipped with a multiple rocket launcher or transport erect launcher systems.
Power
The M-080 Megolodon is powered by a small Hydrogen/Oxygen fuel cell, consisting of two electrodes -- a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode) -- sandwiched around an electrolyte. Hydrogen is fed to the anode, and air is fed to the cathode. A catalyst at the anode separates hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons, which take different paths to the cathode. The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity. The protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode, where they unite with oxygen and the electrons.
This is a relatively clean form of energy generation, with the only byproducts of this oxygen hydrogen mixture being water and electricity. A full tank of oxygen and hydrogen can power the Mako for upto a week.
One of the systems powered by the Fuel cell is a scaled-down version of the Nyx Element Zero drive core used aboard starships. The Drive generates dark energy by running an electric current through the Element Zero at it's heart. This dark energy flows to the mass effect field generators which convert the raw energy into fields for practical use. This powers shields and weapons. It also allows the Mako to change it's mass. Lowering it for speed and drops and increasing it to improve traction.
Kinetic Barriers
The M-080 Megolodon has one of the most robust kinetic barrier systems in the Alliance. Consisting of mass repulsive fields projected from tiny emitters on the shuttle's exterior. A projectile traveling above a certain velocity will trigger the barrier's reflex system and be deflected.
The Megolodop's powerful shielding, allows it to withstand large amounts of damage before going down. It can even survive several direct hits from anti-tank and anti-air weapons before the barriers are penetrates.