The Archer tank is a common sight in large Commonwealth cities, guarding the skies against potential aerial threats. Though there is rarely a need for them, their design and purchase was deemed necessary after a terrorist cell obtained a large number of retired ISP fighters and staged an attack on a major port.
Based on the same chassis as the Horizon tank, the Archer is slightly lighter, due to its much smaller missiles. As such, it is somewhat faster, capable of travelling at 45 miles per hour. Like the Horizon, it is lightly armored to save on cost.
The tank’s primary weapons are its Arrowhead surface-to-air missiles, proximity-detonated air burst warheads with 30 kilometer range. They are fired from a pair of box launchers mounted on the rear of the vehicle, each carrying 12 missiles each, and capable of independently tracking targets. It is also equipped with a 10 mm gyro turret for anti-infantry defense.
Though it is not as much of a staple as smaller and less specialized vehicles, the Archer is still an important part of the Commonwealth’s military forces. They are responsible for protecting Commonwealth terrestrial territory from aerial attacks.