Bolo (tank) - Bolo Defensive Systems

Bolo Defensive Systems

The armor of a Bolo Unit is designed to withstand direct hits from all current weapons systems up to (and in later models, including) nuclear weapons. Initial Marks utilised a synthetic composite known as durachrome; later models utilised further developments of this composite: flintsteel was introduced with the Mark XIII, duralloy was added to the Mark XVIII's armour and the last standard Marks were sheathed in endurachrome. Many models would also use ablative or ceramic tiles to provide additional protection against plasma weapons.

Note: the above timeline for various armor is not clear. For example, unit DNE, a Mark XX in "Field Test" has flintsteel covered by ablative armor and SPQ/R-561, a Mark XXIII likewise has a flintsteel hull in "Though Hell Should Bar The Way".

All later Marks also had reactive Armour designed to destroy incoming penetrator missiles that could bore through their regular Armour. The only downside of this system is that once the Armour is used it cannot be used again.

Beginning with the Mark XIX, Bolos also began to be protected by external energized battlescreens. These battlescreens could convert a significant percentage of enemy weapon fire into energy which could then be redirected to the Bolo's own systems and weapons. Also, beginning with the Mark XXIII, internal disruptor fields were added to limit damage to vital systems from any attacks which did manage to penetrate the Bolo's outer defenses.

Each unit is also equipped with passive and active sensors, as well as stealth and ECW capabilities. Later Marks were often also equipped with FTL comm. Bolos can also be equipped with stealthed reconnaissance drones and similar remote-sensing capabilities; several Marks even have the ability to utilise MILSAT spy satellites. Later Bolos also contain their own maintenance robots to repair battle damage.

Power for weapons, battlescreens, and mobility is most often provided by one or more fission or fusion reactors, in conjunction with high-capacity ionic batteries which are used as secondary or emergency power supplies: a Bolo's command center can remain operational for decades or centuries after reactor fuel is exhausted. The ionic batteries are often linked to the defensive battlescreens and/or a high efficiency energy-capture system capable of absorbing a wide range of wavelengths. As a last resort, Bolos may detonate their reactors to destroy an enemy, or at the very least, thwart capture.