(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Welcome to the Battlefield 3: Armored Kill Vehicle Analysis. The purpose of this guide is to outline, examine and review the brand new vehicles included in the Armored Kill expansion pack. All-out vehicle warfare is the most distinguishing feature of Armored Kill and having an understanding of each of the new vehicles will aid you in your quest to become the master of the Battlefield.

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The Armored Kill expansion pack includes 6 brand new vehicles:

• AC-130 Gunship
  
• M1128 Mobile Gun System (US) - Tank Destroyer
  
• Sprut-SD (RU) - Tank Destroyer
  
• M142 HIMARS (US) - Mobile Artillery
  
• BM-21 (RU) - Mobile Artillery
  
• Quad Bike

This guide was compiled using in-game statistics from the You must login or register to view this content..

I welcome your feedback and suggestions for this guide. It took me many hours to complete, using my experience from Armored Kill playing on the Xbox 360 and information from the Battlefield Wiki. If you spot a mistake or think something is incorrect, let me know. I take pride in ensuring I have the highest quality of content here on NextGenUpdate. Your understanding is appreciated. Thanks!

I plan to update this guide in the future with more images, videos and tips, based off your feedback.

Use the table of contents on the right to navigate to your desired page.
[multipage=AC-130 Gunship]

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“Heavily armored ground-attack vehicle with mounted HMG and cannon.”
- Battlelog description

Breakdown:

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The AC-130 Gunship is an armored Ground Attack Aircraft variant of the C-130 transport aircraft. In Battlefield 3, the AC-130 circles the map, controlled by AI. Players can not fly the Gunship, however they can access two gunner seats. Both seats allow the use of IR Flares, which take 20 seconds to recharge after use. In addition, both seats can utilize Zoom Optics, and the second seat Thermal Optics.

The first gunner seats gives players control over the Gunship's 25mm GAU-12 Equalizer explosive autocannon. The alternate weapon for the first seat is the Top-mounted 25mm GAU-12 Equalizer AA gatling cannon.

The second gunner seat controls the 105mm M102 “big cannon”, while the alternate weapon is the top-mounted 25mm GAU-12 Equalizer AA gatling cannon.

Also available to both gunners is the top-mounted 360 degree anti-aircraft guns, which are effective for self defense. They can cover the Gunship's upper hemisphere from jets and helicopters.

The Gunship has high health which never regenerates. It is vulnerable to enemy aircraft and anti-air weapons, and is quite slow and large.

To access the AC-130 Gunship, your team needs to capture the base/flag that harbors it. Once captured, players may spawn in the Gunship from the deployment screen into a gunner position, or use it as a mobile spawn point (Gunship Paradrop). After it is destroyed, the Gunship will respawn after a waiting period to the team who controls the base, which is denoted by a small aircraft icon on the map and in-game.

Essentially, the purpose of the AC-130 Gunship can be broken down into two roles: suppressing ground units or controlling the air space. This can be challenging for someone new to the Gunship, who is still learning the controls and how to effectively use it. For ground attack, players need to be mindful that it can take over two seconds for shots to impact, especially from the 105mm cannon. During the precious seconds, your target can change course and avoid your fire. Plan your shots ahead of time, and estimate where your target will be; not where it is at that given instant.

The slow and large characteristics of the Gunship make it a vulnerable target in the sky, however its armaments make it a lethal weapon.
[multipage=M1128 Mobile Gun System (US) / Sprut-SD (RU)]

The M1128 and Sprut-SD are classified as Tank Destroyers and each have the same career of unlocks. Points earned in the Tank Destroyers unlock specializations which can be used in both vehicles.

M1128 Mobile Gun System:

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“The M1128 is a eight-wheeled tank destroyer used by USA and Canada.”
- Battlelog description

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Sprut-S

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“Russian light and highly mobile tank destroyer based on the BMD-3 chassis.”
- Battlelog description

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General Tank Destroyer Information:

The Tank Destroyers pack quite a punch when it comes to performance in the Battlefield. Think of them as very fast moving tanks with lots of firepower but weak armor. They have the passenger capacity of the Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV's), and a main cannon that is capable of engaging Main Battle Tanks (MBT's).

There are some minor differences between the US and RU Tank Destroyers. For example, the Russian Sprut-SD has much better turning capabilities due to it being tracked, as opposed to its US counterpart which is on wheels.

Employing hit-and-run tactics when using a Tank Destroyer is key to success. The low armor means engaging tanks head on can be troublesome. This is countered, however, by the extremely powerful cannon which matches the tanks cannon. Hitting enemy flanks and destroying vehicles off guard is where the Tank Destroyers shine.
[multipage=M142 HIMARS (US) / BM-23 (RU)]

Like the Tank Destroyers, the Mobile Artillery vehicles have a set of specializations unlocked after earning points for the vehicle. They are vulnerable yet highly powerful vehicles that are challenging to use.

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS):

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“Mobile rocket artillery used by US Marine Corps and Fire Brigade.”
- Battlelog description

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BM-23:

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“Russian multiple rocket launch system mounted on a soviet truck.”
- Battlelog description

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Unlocks:

• IR Smoke - 400 points
  
• Autoloader - 800 points
  
• Proximity Scan - 1600 points
  
• ATACMS Missile guided weapon for engaging other ground vehicles - 2500 points
  
• Maintenance - 3500 points
  
• Zoom Optics - 4500 points
  
• Thermal Camo - 5500 points
  
• TOW missile system for engaging targets by wire-guidance - 7000 points
  
• Proximity Defense for repelling infantry at close range - 9000 points
  
• Air-Burst Missile for focus on infantry - Rocket Specialist assignment
  
• Anti-Air Missile for focus on air vehicles - Anti-air Support assignment

General Mobile Artillery Information:

The Mobile Artillery has two seats, however only one player can enter the vehicle. The first seat is used to simply move the vehicle, whilst the second gives control over the weapon system.

The weapon system is a turret capable of firing six rockets. It can swivel 360° and fires at a range of approximately 100 meters to 700 meters. Pressing Start/Escape immediately after firing the rockets will open the minimap and allow you to track the missiles and see where they land. This will aid in adjusting the turret for the next round of rockets.

Good positioning plays a large factor in using the Mobile Artillery. Working with teammates is highly beneficial, as you are highly vulnerable. Using good teammates to protect you will allow you to focus on engaging targets with the rockets. The Proximity Defense specialization can make using the Mobile Artillery safer because it protects you against infantry who may try to shoot you through the windshield. It is also highly susceptible to Javelin fire, yet another reason why positioning is key.

Choose a location that is near enough to the action to hit targets yet away from any immediate danger. Relocate as often as needed, as staying stationary for an extended period of time gives enemies a better chance to destroy your vehicle.
[multipage=Quad Bike]

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“Fast un-armored transport vehicle with 2 seats.”
- Battlelog description

The Quad Bike is a great vehicle to use to get around the map. It is extremely fast and maneuverable. Multiple Quad Bikes spawn at flags and bases to cut down the time to get from one area to another as infantry. It can carry one driver and one passenger on the back.

Be careful when driving at high speeds. Impacting a solid object when travelling very quickly can result in immediate death and destruction of the Quad Bike. Also, be mindful that you are highly exposed and should avoid contact with any enemy, be it infantry or a vehicle. Dismount from the Quad Bike when capturing a flag, as you are highly exposed when stationary on the vehicle.

Good work, learnt some stuff.

Not a bad thread! Very informative, however the Gunship is supposed to be getting a nerf soon as well as a buff. The buff being the ability to take more damage and the nerf being something along the lines of taking awhile to respawn in rush.

There have been a lot of complaints about it on battlelog :p I'll PM if anything does change :y:

lol i crashed into a teammates tank and i blew up, it also doesn't like rivers.

Not bad i like it^^

I love the "Angel of death" flares that comes from the Ac130! =D

Nice work storm :y:

Tank Destroyer - It just a tank with less Armour but faster speed along with a faster loading gun. Being hit on the same soft spots means the thing lasts less time overall compared to a tank. However due to the speed it can escape things a tank can't.

Best unlocks : Reactive Armour , Smoke , machine gun.

Mobile Artillery - Think of this as a support vehicle over offense bit like what the helis have become. Anywho no armour it pretty weak and meant for long range. Post up and fire all hell on targets.
Tip for aiming each notch is 100Ms i believe...also once you fire open up your mini map using the start button on PS3. It shows a small splash that what you just hit. Use that to help you aim won't have no trouble :y:
PC can make the mini map bigger so that tip only helpful for consoles

AA missles are helpful and something i would say use. Zoom optics are worthless. Air-Burst Missile is not very good just use the normal ones.
Best unlocks is autoloader , smoke , and AA.

Until they fix Proximity Defense it not worth using it bugged right now.

Wait until you do the Super Speed Quad bike glitch lol

I saw a video on it, tried it myself :lol:

All i like is the quad bike and the glitch