The East PacificBoard

The KDB-2 Bullfrog is a unique all-terrain assault transport with significant anti-aircraft capability. Kiev-based Kazminov Design Bureau all but clinched its monopolistic role as the Soviet Union's favored manufacturer-designer of military vehicles with this particular model, which has proven itself time and again in more than seven years' worth of fierce combat worldwide. It features twin PVS 5-7 Tucha 23mm anti-aircraft cannon as it's main armament, along with a pair of 12.7 mm PDX-14 HMGs to target ground units.

The Bullfrog is an amphibious variant of the obsolete Soviet flak track and features a specialised version of its predecessor's feared anti-air weapon. Also, one variation comes with an innovative infantry-launching device: the Hlopushka Troop-Deployment System (part CC98-HTDS), colloquially known as the "Man Cannon". As the name suggests, this device is capable of launching a full-grown man across roughly a thousand meters, where he can drop behind the front lines using a basic parachute pack. Year-over-year safety statistics for this unorthodox transportation system continue improving at a rate of 40 percent, which surely would have delighted its inventor, legendary circus ringmaster and patriot Arkady Ilyushin, had he survived the Bullfrog's tragic maiden voyage.

One hotly-debated side effect of the CC98-HTDS is that the air lock used to build sufficient pressure in the firing mechanism means, in practice, that the only way for troops to exit the vehicle during combat operations is for all of them to launch out. This is being worked on, and the new KDB-3 "Borillo" should have solved this problem. After initial field tests, strict rules were imposed that greatly mitigated Soviet Conscripts' complaints of whiplash, nausea, acrophobia, or general malaise at having to use this system. Pursuant to new Soviet combat regulations, the Bullfrog now comes standard with accommodations fit for larger passengers, such as trained War Bears and Tesla trooper. The inside of the cannon is greased to ensure these forces are less likely to ignite from the friction of launch.

Apart from its role as a transport, the Bullfrog features the powerful-if-conventional PVS 5-7 Tucha Cannon, which can track fast-moving aerial targets easily and fill the skies with a hail of metal fragments that can efficiently tear through fuselages and cockpits alike. The vehicle itself is rugged and maneuverable, guarding coastal territories well. Its all-terrain treads drop automatically as soon as the vehicle detects contact with solid ground, which helps make the Bullfrog relatively easy to operate. This, together with the attractive and patriotic standard paint scheme applied to this vehicle, has consequently enticed many Soviet citizens to enlist in the armed forces in the hopes of becoming a Bullfrog pilot. Indeed, Bullfrog operators have been known to be enthusiastic and forthcoming during combat, even under duress. They tend to fill their supporting role on the battlefield with great pride.

Originally designed as a police vehicle for use in fringe-republics noted for their "heightened" risk of revolt, the ESF's KDB-5 Sickle has a compact form factor, four durable steel stilt-legs, and three articulated gunnery positions that make it ideal for urban operations and crowd control. It exceeded expectations in its original role of riot support, becoming a mainstay in Eurasian mechanized armor divisions while escalating Ukraine's Kazminov Design Bureau to the upper echelons of the Union's weapons manufacturers.

The Sickle's three turrets are capable of swiveling 130 degrees, and are positioned to allow the unit engage multiple targets at once. However, as a result, the unit is unable to target all three guns on a single target. Additionally, the guns cannot target aircraft, fueling speculation that the KDB intentionally designed this flaw to ensure that the Soviet Military would also adopt the Bullfrog.

The Sickle is also capable of jumping on great distances, allowing it access to areas that wheeled or tracked vehicles cannot reach. This unique ability has proved useful in ambushing unsuspecting enemies before they have time to counter. In response to Sickle crews using this ability for recreation, the military command passed strict limitations on the use of this ability.

Despite it's innovative nature, the Sickle is cost effective, due to the inexpensive alloy it is made from. This inexpensiveness comes at the cost of durability, as it can easily be counteracted by tanks and anti-armor weaponry. Sickle crews have also been noted to display increased sadistic or self-damaging behavior compared to their comrades, most likely due to the ban on "flea jumping" for recreational purposes.

The KDB-5 is equipped with three 12.7 mm PKX-14 HMGs, each located in it's own pod, one manned by the commander/driver, one manned by the radio operator, and one manned by the mechanic.