The Clone Army has unveiled a new version of the evergreen Tapir IFV. The J7HMA Defender Tapir will be new-build machines based on the latest version of the Tapir (HD), though it is possible older Tapirs could be retrofitted if necessary. The Defender Tapir is equipped with a 400 cell DART system with integrated radar. The DART is a new kinetic warhead missile dedicated to fighting mass produced drones.
DARTs are very small, almost pencil sized and are very short range. However, they can be built and fielded in the huge numbers required to protect against mass produced drones and other attack projectiles. The Clones are hopeful that mass deployment of DART will negate the growing threat of Molab type drones.
The Defender Tapir is also equipped with a radar guided machine gun as a back-up. The Clone Army has ordered 500 of them, with the first regiment already equipped and in training.
