Commanders!
On Monday, we revealed the first article of the upcoming Rough Riders Battle Path and now we’re ready to show you the second one. Please welcome the RDF/LT Ares Light Tank prototype!
But, as usual, a little history first.
Since the days of the Vietnam War until the mid-1990s, the standard American light tank was the M551 Sheridan. As light tanks go, it was mediocre at best and with its problematic Vietnam record, it’s no wonder that the U.S. Army started to look for replacement.
The RDF/LT (Rapid Deployment Force Light Tank) was one of such designs by AAI Corporation. It originated in an earlier Light Tank program that went nowhere (as usual), but the lessons learned allowed AAI to develop this tank in hope of further participation in the U.S. Marine AVCT program. The Marines needed something fast with a lot of firepower but at the same time light enough to be transported using a sling under a CH-53 helicopter. The original prototype AAI produced was armed with a 75mm Ares cannon but realizing its experimental nature, AAI opted to replace it with an older, well-tested 76mm M32 rifled gun that had been previously used on the M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank. Despite this, the result was quite an advanced and fast vehicle with its hull made of aluminum and even the gun received new APFSDS shells.
Regardless, despite these qualities, the Marines didn’t want it and that was the end of the RDF/LT. The end of the 1970s wasn’t really a good time for experimental projects with the funding being cut left and right as an aftermath of the lost Vietnam War. And so the Marines went for the LAV and HMMWV wheeled vehicles instead, leaving the RDF/LT in prototype stage only. The project was officially terminated in 1985.
This RDF version is equipped with an unmanned turret (reducing the crew to two men) and Stinger missile pods to provide the vehicle with anti-air capabilities. This configuration appeared in a full-scale mock-up version.
In Armored Warfare, the RDF/LT Ares will become a Tier 8 Premium Light Tank and the second prize of the Rough Riders Battle Path.
Performance-wise, we’re looking at something similar to the previously unveiled ELKE – an extremely mobile light tank with poor protection, armed with 75mm rapid-firing cannon with more advanced shells than used on the ELKE and a larger magazine – up to 18 shells.
However, there will be some notable differences. For one, the turret is unmanned, which means the vehicle won’t be as vulnerable as the ELKE.
As you can also see from the images, the vehicle is armed with ATGM launchers. In real-life, they fire Stinger SAMs. Our version fires Starstreaks, which are theoretically compatible with the launcher platform. The Stingers are also implemented – as potent thermobaric warhead missiles.
And, last but not least, the vehicle has an even more powerful engine and will therefore be even more suitable for the fast and hard-hitting gameplay Light Tanks are intended for. Overall, this tank will offer more tactical options than the ELKE because its missiles clearly are a long distance weapon system.
However, the core will remain the same – to be perhaps the ultimate Light Tank of its Tier.
We hope that you’ll enjoy this vehicle and, as always:
See you on the battlefield!
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