Sky Sweeper, radar deployed
"G.I.Joe fields several multirole armored vehicles that can be relied on to provide close-in air defense - most notably the Equalizer and the Mean Dog, both of which are also ferocious in the ground combat role. Unlike these weapons systems, the Sky Sweeper is a dedicated air defense platform, with limited uses against ground targets.
It carries a radar-guided double 25mm cannon and four short range Surface-to-Air Missiles that are transported horizontally, but typically rotated 90 degrees and launched vertically. But the Sky Sweeper's most potent contribution to air defense comes in the form of a large search radar that it can unfold and rotate in 360 degrees from its roof. This radar gives much longer range warning of air threats, including aircraft and missiles, and the information it collects is effectively used as a force multiplier, to increase the effectiveness of other anti aircraft weapons systems. The Sky sweeper carries basic short range air defense package of its own and it will enhance existing anti-aircraft capabilities of any G.I.Joe vehicles it operates in tandem with."
The Sky Sweeper was released as part of the futuristic themed BattleForce2000, back in 1987, when the 21st Century seemed like far away. BattleForce2000 had various separating and combining features that never worked very well in practice, and many Joe fans consider this subteam to be a bit of an embarrassment. But the basic vehicles had some pretty promising designs and one of the strongest IMO was the Sky Sweeper - a dedicated "anti aircraft tank."
www.yojoe.com/vehicles/87/skysweeper/
I've done away with the separating bunker that becomes part of a larger "Future Fortress" gestalt, and focused on the basic design and function. Between the role and the name of the Sky Sweeper, I wanted to give it the best possible air defense capabilities I could, so I imagined it as a long-range radar carrier. I even considered giving it no weapons at all, but in the end the side missiles and rear turret won out because it is just more fun that way.
Sky Sweeper, radar deployed
"G.I.Joe fields several multirole armored vehicles that can be relied on to provide close-in air defense - most notably the Equalizer and the Mean Dog, both of which are also ferocious in the ground combat role. Unlike these weapons systems, the Sky Sweeper is a dedicated air defense platform, with limited uses against ground targets.
It carries a radar-guided double 25mm cannon and four short range Surface-to-Air Missiles that are transported horizontally, but typically rotated 90 degrees and launched vertically. But the Sky Sweeper's most potent contribution to air defense comes in the form of a large search radar that it can unfold and rotate in 360 degrees from its roof. This radar gives much longer range warning of air threats, including aircraft and missiles, and the information it collects is effectively used as a force multiplier, to increase the effectiveness of other anti aircraft weapons systems. The Sky sweeper carries basic short range air defense package of its own and it will enhance existing anti-aircraft capabilities of any G.I.Joe vehicles it operates in tandem with."
The Sky Sweeper was released as part of the futuristic themed BattleForce2000, back in 1987, when the 21st Century seemed like far away. BattleForce2000 had various separating and combining features that never worked very well in practice, and many Joe fans consider this subteam to be a bit of an embarrassment. But the basic vehicles had some pretty promising designs and one of the strongest IMO was the Sky Sweeper - a dedicated "anti aircraft tank."
www.yojoe.com/vehicles/87/skysweeper/
I've done away with the separating bunker that becomes part of a larger "Future Fortress" gestalt, and focused on the basic design and function. Between the role and the name of the Sky Sweeper, I wanted to give it the best possible air defense capabilities I could, so I imagined it as a long-range radar carrier. I even considered giving it no weapons at all, but in the end the side missiles and rear turret won out because it is just more fun that way.