Armies have used armored personnel carriers (APCs) for centuries to transport troops to the front lines. The models described here are the largest dedicated APCs in modem use, with enough cargo area to carry two platoons of standard infantry or a single platoon of motorized or jump pack equipped troops.

         The more common 10-ton APCs, though marginally faster than the heavy models, can carry only a single squad of infantry. In order for en entire platoon to be deployed at a target location, a single platoon must be spread across a lance of four APCs, forcing the APCs to stay in tight formation for the insertion.
         The heavy models, twice as large as standard APCs, each are designed to carry two full platoons of foot troopers along with their gear. This improved capacity, in addition to more substantial armor protection, makes heavy APCs the preference of commanders who can obtain them.
         Though the front armor on these vehicles offers excellent protection, the design of the rear-mounted assault ramp where troops disembark prevents these vehicles from carrying heavy rear armor. Because APCs also lack turrets for their front-mounted machine guns, they are particularly vulnerable to flanking attacks from the rear. Most APCs, however, can successfully unload their troops before an enemy can position itself for a rear attack.

         The most common variants of these vehicles replace cargo space with additional weaponry, usually an SRM-4 launcher or even a single LRM-5 launcher. When deployed in urban areas against heavy infantry opposition, these vehicles mount additional machine guns.

         Most militaries throughout the Inner Sphere use heavy APCs. They are most commonly seen in mobile forces that include large infantry contingents, such as Federated Commonwealth Regimental Combat Teams.