I may or may not have found an ever so slightly more unique alternative.
According to TM 55-2350-224-14, this is a vehicle called the M741A1 Vulcan Air Defense System, which is, what I can only guess to be, an M163 without its radar or turret armor. Interestingly, M741 and M741A1 are the designations reserved for the CARRIER vehicles of the M163 Vulcan Air Defense System. This may be some sort of transport configuration of the M163, however, it still appears to be a functional vehicle as seen by the very blurry picture below.
Spoiler
It was also observed in the below picture to the very right.
Spoiler
Here are some other images from TM 55-2350-224-14:
Spoiler
I believe that this vehicle would be a slightly better addition as a 6.7 SPAA as it not only lacks a radar but also reduces the M163 already poor survivability by removing the turret protection.
I like this one, but personally I’d rather have turret armor than no turret armor, even if the protection is superficial at best. This and the XM163 CS are basically the same and not much would be changed by the addition/removal of a thin sheet of metal beyond target recognition or death/damage from artillery fragments.
The M741A1 (M163), (“M741A1 carrier with M163 weapon”, see the third spoiler; I think this may be an alright name) also lacks the magnifying sight that the regular (X)M163 has, which would make aiming it a lot harder, so that’s points in its favor (for lower BR), but aiming without a sight may be a little bit difficult depending on how they implement it. I feel like the XM163 CS is the safer bet, along with also having seen service in Vietnam, and maybe the M741A1 (M163) can be that APDS light tank version (if we bend a few time periods).
Also, I’m biased but, I really want to see those “Duster Runner” and “Duster Buster” names along with the Vulcan patch, they’re so cool
Either way I hope one gets added.
Either way, I thought that I should bring this to the topic’s attention since it would be a more visually distinct option, which some people value more.
I’m fine with either vehicle being added, however, I just think that the lack of turret equipment, most notable being the sight, would offer an ever so slightly different gameplay experience, genuinely feeling like a step down from the M163.
It’s not a copy paste, instead it’s a vehicle that can fill a massive gap. Why the hell would you be against adding another variant of a tank? Should the Su-27SM, F-15C and all the other variants of tanks just not exist?
It’s NOT a copy paste in the slgihtest, it’s unique in the fact it would be at a lower BR with its radar removed. And the APDS would also be amazing.
Exactly! And you could have it available at Tier 4 too, albeit only suitable for a higher tier line-up unless it get a 6.7 BR so it can go along with the heavies at the same tier.
Definitely and it would actually aid in closing The Great USA SPAA Gap™. It was such an obvious one that’s been known about for quite a while. I’m surprised no one got to it.
