THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE HAMMER’S SLAMMERS THE CRUCIBLE RULES SYSTEM HANDBOOK
Primary research work by John-David Karnitz
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Brigada Independência (Cobras Fumantes)
Organisation The Independence Brigade is a relatively large formation with no less than twenty-two combat companies. Companies 1-6 are the Line Companies (1-8 are Armour Companies, 9-16 Mechanized Infantry Companies) while 17-20 are Reconnaissance Companies, and 21-22 the Combat Support Companies. Each Line and Recon Companies field a Headquarters Section and three platoons, while the CSCs field a selection of specialist elements (air-defence, anti-tank, and mortars). There is a minimal presence of combat-engineers and service-support troops at the unit-level, but much of the heavy logistical burden is placed on the four battalion-headquarters command units. During an contract, (and according to operational needs/requirements) combat companies and selected combat-support elements will be parceled out according to need to each of the titular battalion HQ units to form an Operational Manoeuvre Group (OMG) or task-force. A standard OMG will be comprised of 2 each Armour and Mechanized Infantry Companies, a recon company, and half a CSC. Within that framework, companies will be task-organized further to provide all manoeuvre units in the field with an appropriate mix of armour, infantry, and supporting assets. Vehicles, Technology, and Equipment The Independence Brigade makes use of the HE-T7 Surucucu (Bushmaster) Heavy Hover Tanks in its armour platoons and the HE-T4 Caatinga (Viper) Heavy Hover Armoured Personnel Carrier in its mechanized infantry platoons. In a supporting role are the HE-T2 Cotiara Light Hover Tank (in various forms) and the CN44 Gorille Hover Jeep. All of the hover armour are locally built in Brazil under license from various Mittel European firms, most notably Thyssen-Henschel. The HE-T7 and -T4 utilize the hull that eventually became most well-known as the basis of the HSAG1 series, while the HE-T2 is essentially a Thyssen Outrider armoured car body on a hover chassis. The CN44 was initially bought-in from GIAT but is now locally produced as well. All vehicles use beryllium-laced flexible hover skirts and are marginally less manoeuvrable in tough terrain than rigid-skirted ground-effect vehicles such as the 'blowers' in use by Hammer's Slammers though they are oftentimes faster over flat ground. Symbol of the Brigada Independência (Cobras Fumantes) Brigada Independência HE-T4 Caatinga (Viper) Heavy Hover ICV