(1) activates turret. (2) activates 30mm cannon. (3) activates coaxial MG. (4) activates driver's hatch. (5) activates rear hatch. (6) activates fold-down seats. VTOL and Trim to steer. Pitch and Yaw to lay weapons. LandingGear for the rest.

The M7 Dragon IFV, formally Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Tracked, M7 Dragon, is a Paternian infantry fighting vehicle designed to support Paternian mechanized operations. Experience with the M125 APC proved the value of the concept, but necessitated that the vehicle needed to provide support to the infantry it carries.

Integrating light tanks within mechanized units proved unworkable due to complicated logistics, and the fact that the light tank took the place of an APC, reducing the number of troops that could be brought into combat. Tank desant was considered too dangerous; body armor capable of withstanding small arms hits were not widespread.

A breakthrough came when it was proposed to fit the turret of a Beagle scout car and additional armor onto an M125. Known as the Beast, the M125 Fire Support Vehicle was the first de facto IFV to enter service, although it was never designated such. However, vehicle reliability suffered, and a dedicated IFV was desired.

Enter the Dragon project. Designed from the ground up as an IFV, it was exactly what the Paternian Army wanted. It combined a mechanized unit's direct fire support, anti-armor vehicle, and armored transport in a single machine, fulfilling said duties just as well as having separate vehicles. It would replace the M125 in virtually all combat roles. However, the simplicity and low cost of the M125 means that it remains in second-line service as armored ambulances, command vehicles, mortar carriers, and smokescreen generators.

Armed with a 30mm M15A1 cannon and TOW missiles, it is a credible threat to light vehicles and main battle tanks at any range. For defense against infantry, it has four firing ports and associated weapons (one on each side, and two rearward) and a 7.62mm NATO M60E2 coaxial machine gun.

It is crewed by three (commander, gunner, driver) and can carry 6 fully-equipped infantry.

Base configuration, it is resistant to 14.5mm Soviet from all sides, and 30mm cannon from the front. Applique armor, as applied here, improves its resistance to HEAT ammunition. A single Trapdoor APS is mounted on the turret to defeat anti-tank rockets and missiles.

The M7 Dragon would be the basis of the M8 Dragon ACAV, an M7 Dragon reconfigured for armored cavalry duties.