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Was reading through the Xin Sheng designs recently and realized that the Shen Yi is a perfectly decent 'Mech that is massively overpriced (in C-Bills) for the amount of pew pew it can put out...plus it has a suboptimal close to mid-range weapons loadout -- on a slow 4/6 Stealth design!  So I wondered if maybe the T-Bolt could be tweaked to create something more effective, for a much lower C-Bills cost.  Since Space Taiwan has a serious lack of budget heavy designs, especially in 3053, I figured that a St Ives refit would be good fluff.

Type: TDR-6SIC Thunderbolt
Production: St Ives Compact (StarCorps Refit, St Ives)
Combat Value: 1631 BV
Total Cost: 6,029,211 C-Bills (including x1.65 tonnage premium)

Internal Structure (std): 6.5t
Engine: (Magna 260): 13.5t
  Walking: 4            
  Running: 6
Heat Sinks:   11(22): 1t
Gyro/Cockpit (std): 6t
Armor Factor (Ferro):11.5t (207 pts)

Head 3/9
Center Torso 21/32/10
R/L Torso 15/21/9
R/L Arm 10/20
R/L Leg 15/28

Quirks: Multitrac, Rugged (2), Ubiquitous

1x ER Large Laser (2cr, 5t) RA
2x LRM15 (6cr, 14t) RT/LT
4x Ammo (LRM) 32 (4cr, 4t) LT
1x CASE (1cr, 0.5t) LT
3x Medium Lasers (3cr, 3t) LT


Although the St Ives Compact has been a independent buffer state between the Confederation and Commonwealth since the Fourth Succession War (breaking away in 3029), it has a a limited native armaments industry, and is heavily reliant on its expansionist ally, the Federated Commonwealth, for both military equipment and protection.

The Duchess of St Ives has consistently sought to expand the limited number of native ‘Mech designs available to the St Ives Military Command (SIMC).  Although capable of mass-producing versatile Blackjacks and Phoenix Hawks to act as the Medium weight core of their ‘Mech regiments, with the mobile Phoenix Hawks could double duty as recon elements (in place of lighter-weight units), and had priority access to no less than two different assault-weight designs (the Longbow and Victor).  However, the Compact faced a real dearth of heavy ‘Mechs – particularly cost-effective heavies, as opposed to the much pricier assault designs available to it – with only limited production of the somewhat underpowered Warhammer 6L at the StarCorps facility on St Ives.

As a consequence, the Compact began purchasing numbers of Succession-War era ‘Mechs, and contracting with StarCorps of St Ives to develop refits at their St Ives facility, deliberately investing in the facility in order to upgrade its production capability and encourage StarCorps to expand their production lines.  (That consistent investment throughout the 3040s and early 3050s would be rewarded when StarCorps chose to place their Omnimech production lines, producing the Black Hawk KU, Avatar, and Sunder, in their St Ives facility).  The Thunderbolt TDR-6SIC is the standard StarCorps upgrade of the Thunderbolt TDR-5S, with the Compact having been fairly aggressive in resale and salvage market for heavy ‘Mechs, deliberately choosing to invest in a durable, low maintenance, and easily parts-sourced design to act as an anchor for their heavy ‘Mech lances.

Although the classic 5S is a jack-of-all-trades, the 6SIC is a fire-support design, trading out the right arm Sunglow Type 2 Large Laser for a BlazeFire Sweetshot ER Large Laser, purchased from Johnston Industries on nearby New Syrtis, in the Federated Commonwealth.  It replaces the Delta Dart LRM-15s (though of course stripped chasses from the salvage market often come without OEM parts) with a pair of Hollis “Ballista-15” LRMs, produced directly on St Ives as a modification of StarCorp’s reliable “Ballista-20” Longbow missile racks.  The left torso ammunition racks have been expanded to carry four tons of LRM ammunition, and are now protected by CASE, with the standard armor weave replaced by Grumman-3Ferro-Fibrous, StarCorps having been able to revive production of the classic Highlander ‘Mech armor after the recovery of the Helm Memory Core in the 3030s.

Despite the many changes both in armaments and visual profile, the 6SIC does retain the signature stacked triple medium laser of the classic Thunderbolt, although StarCorps-produced Ceres Arms Medium Lasers are usually used to replace missing or damaged original Diverse Optics components.  StarCorps has been producing this refit since the late 3040s (until 3051, it equipped a BlazeFire Systems Large Laser instead of the current ER Large Laser), and dozens of the 6SIC refit can be found throughout the SIMC, bolstering Compact defense forces at precisely the moment that its larger Commonwealth ally has been pulling units away from the Confederation border – hopefully keeping CCAF units from becoming overly bold about launching military incursions into Taiwanese. . . er, St Ives territory.

Overview
With the arrival of the Clans, most companies began producing only for those paying more and in desperate need for ‘Mechs and ready to pay more, the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth and of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery or those fighting for them.
This let most mercenary forces unable to find suppliers and ready to accept almost any conditions to get their hands on “’Mechs with more punch.”
Vandenberg Mechanized Industries saw a golden opportunity to improve their ROI by slightly upgrading ‘Mechs they produced, which would make R&D unnecessary and retooling their production lines almost necessary, and being able to use them as test-bed for more advanced ones that would be Taurian Defens Forces only.
Among the prototypes selected was the Thunderbolt TDR-6TM.


Capabilities
The original request was to turn the Thunderbolt into a bodyguard for support lances but one still able to do its share of the work expected from a fire support ‘Mech.
This is why the basis of the classical Thunderbolt was kept with the LRM-15 being replaced by 3 Delta Dart LRM-5 from Sterope Defense Industries, another Taurian company. Another move made to free some weight was to exchange the 15 Heat Sinks for 10 Double ones improving the overall efficiency by 33% for less weight and the last one was to exchange the standard armour for Valiant Ringmail Light Ferro-Fibrous locally produced and to shield the ammunitions in CASE bins.

The main upgrade was to drop the Large Laser for a Pontiac AC/10 with two tons of ammo, giving it a similar range but more punch. Although the use of an ammo fed weapon limits its endurance, it was seen as the perfect weapon for its new intended role.

Battle History
The Lone Srar Regiment received several TDR-6TM when it accepted a contract with the Taurian Concordat. It soon put them to good use when their garrisons where raided by pirate units from the nearby Pirate’s Haven or the Tortuga Dominions.
One of the raided planet was Charleston and unwilling to damage the few cities of the planet, the commander of the Lone Star Regiment, standing alone in his brand new Thunderbolt in front of the doors of the first city, requested on all the frequencies a duel in the plains around them with the winner taking it all.
Intimidated by the show of confidence, the pirates stopped unsure what to make. This hesitation was fatal to them as the rest of the Lone Star Lance attacked them from behind. When they turned to face them. The Thunderbolt joined the fight and made its firepower felt with a few well placed shots.


Variants
Unable to find a supplier for Gauss Rifles, Vanderberg Mechanized Industries produced the TDR-6T that drops the AC/10 for a LB 10-X and one ton more of ammo.


Deployment
Most mercenary units contracted by the TDF field at least one of these Thunderbolts in their support units and this design has been slowly spreading out in the Periphery by units preferring defensive actions.


Notable ‘MechWarriors
Franz “Boom Boom” Becker comes from a family of Volders that decided to follow the Lone Star Regiment when they left the planet.    His style is focusing on hitting hard and fast from the beginning with a few well placed shots and the extra punch provided by the Pontiac 50 suits him perfectly.

Thunderbolt TDR-6TM

Mass: 65 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 5 689 310 C-Bills
Total Cost: 5 761 810 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 419

Chassis: Earthwerk TDR Standard
Power Plant: Magna 260 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43,2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64,8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Valiant Ringmail Light Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Sterope Defense Industries/Pontiac 50 Autocannon/10
    3 Sterope Defense Industries/Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
    3 Sterope Defense Industries/Delta Dart LRM-5s
    2 Vandenber Mechanized Industries/Voelkers 200 Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
    Primary Factory: Pinard
Communications System: Neil 8000
Targeting and Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mark X

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     104 points                6,50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                260                      13,50
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0,00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 206                 11,50
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 2 CT, 2 LT, 9 RT
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1,00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     21           32       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  9         
                                           L/R Torso     15           24       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     10           20       
                                             L/R Leg     15           28       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Medium Lasers                              LT        9         3         3,00
3 LRM-5s                                     LT        6         3         6,00
Autocannon/10                                RA        3         7        12,00
2 Machine Guns                               LA        0         2         1,00
@AC/10 (20)                                  RT        -         2         2,00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              LT        -         1         0,50
@LRM-5 (48)                                  LT        -         2         2,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 11

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      7    Points: 14
4          4       4       1       0      3     0   Structure:  5
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, AC 1/1/0, IF 1

Thunderbolt TDR-6T

Mass: 65 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Production Year: 3052
Dry Cost: 6 019 310 C-Bills
Total Cost: 6 131 810 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 478

Chassis: Earthwerk TDR Standard
Power Plant: Magna 260 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43,2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64,8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Valiant Ringmail Light Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Sterope Defense Industries/Armstrong Class-B ClusterGun LB 10-X AC
    3 Sterope Defense Industries/Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
    3 Sterope Defense Industries/Delta Dart LRM-5s
    2 Vandenberg Mechanized Industries/Voelkers 200 Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
    Primary Factory: Pinard
Communications System: Neil 8000
Targeting and Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mark X

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     104 points                6,50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                260                      13,50
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0,00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3,00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 206                 11,50
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 2 CT, 2 LT, 8 RT, 1 RA
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1,00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     21           32       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  9         
                                           L/R Torso     15           24       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     10           20       
                                             L/R Leg     15           28       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 LRM-5s                                     LT        6         3         6,00
3 Medium Lasers                              LT        9         3         3,00
LB 10-X AC                                   RA        2         6        11,00
2 Machine Guns                               LA        0         2         1,00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (20)                      RT        -         2         2,00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-5 (48)                                  LT        -         2         2,00
@MG (1/2) (100)                              LT        -         1         0,50
                                            Free Critical Slots: 11

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      7    Points: 15
4          3       3       2       0      3     0   Structure:  5
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1, FLK 1/1/1


Figure that all entries have to be completed and posted on these forums by Friday May 21st 2021 by 11:59 PM which should give you all a full two weeks for this contest, good luck!!

Final day for our 40th Optimization Contest folks, please finish up your designs and get them in today!

The Thunderbolt has long been the backbone of the Taurian Defense Force.  While the Warhammer and Marauder are more famous, the Thunderbolt has a reputation as being able to shrug off shots that would cripple most other mechs.  With the recovery of advanced technologies, the TDF requested an upgraded Thunderbolt that could dominate the modern battlefield. 

The TTI design team began by analyzing the design and how they could improve it.  The biggest deficiency was found to be the mech's cooling system, which could not keep up with the Thunderbolts significant weapon array.  The design team improved the mech's cooling capability by switching to new Double Strength heatsinks.  This allowed them to remove 3 heatsinks, which were determined to be excess to requirements.  The mass saved from this change allowed the replacement of the old 15 tube LRM rack with a Delta Dart LRM 20 rack, providing the mech with better long range fire power.  The designers also added an additional ton of ammo, improving the mech's battlefield endurance.  Other changes that were made to the secondary weapons included the replacement of the SRM 2 rack with an experimental Pinard Reaper Streak SRM rack and the removal of the machine guns.  To provide the Thunderbolt with an anti-infantry capability the Machine Guns were replaced with a Hotshot Flamer in the left arm. 

With so much ammo in the mech, the design team was concerned about the effects of an ammo explosion.  To mitigate the risks, the Thunderbolt carries an new developed CASE system, ensuring that any ammo explosions will not completely destroy the mech.  The final change was to make of the newly developed Durallex Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor.  This provides about the same amount of protection while saving a ton of mass for other changes.


Model TDR-6T
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Earthwerk TDR
Power Plant: Vlar 260
Cruising Speed: 43.2kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets:  None
Jump Capacity: 0
Armor: Durallex Heavy Ferro-Fibrous Armor with CASE
Armament:
   1 Sunglow Type 2 Large Laser
   1 Delta Dart LRM 20 Launcher
   3 Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
   1 Pinard Reaper Streak SRM Rack
   1 Hotshot Flamer
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries/Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factories:  Taurus (TTI), Pinard (VMI)
Communications System: Neill 8000
Targeting and Tracking System: RCA Instratrac Mark X

Type: TDR-6T
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  65 tons

Equipment:                 Mass
Internal Structure            6.5
Engine      260         13.5   
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:  6
   Jumping MP: 
Heatsinks       12 (24)      2
Gyro                  3
Cockpit               3
Armor Factor      211      12
         IS      Armor
Head         3      9   
CT         21      31/11
R/L Torso      15      24/6
R/L Arm      10      20
R/L Leg      15      30

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
Large Laser      RA      2      5
LRM 20         RT      5      10
Ammo 18         LT      3      3
CASE         LT      1      0.5
Medium Laser      LT      1      1   
Medium Laser      LT      1      1
Medium Laser      LT      1      1
SRM 2 Streak      RT      1      1.5
Ammo (50)      LT      1      1
Flamer         LA      1      1

The Eridani Light Horse have long operated a unique variant of the Thunderbolt designed to their specific needs.  Designed to support the mobile light and medium mechs of the ELH, the TDR-5SE had jump jets for added mobility.  With the introduction of advanced technologies, the ELH developed an upgraded version of the -5SE, the TDR-9SE.  While the design proved moderately successful, the ELH approached the Federated Commonwealth about a more advanced model.  At first the AFFC High Command waffled on the request, it was after the fall of Sudeten to the Jade Falcons, that First Prince Hanse Davion saw an opportunity.  The Earthwerks plant on Tikonov had produced Thunderbolt until it was badly damaged during the 4th Succession War.  The Federated Commonwealth made little effort to rebuild the damaged lines, instead focusing on production of the Cataphract.  That changed after the fall of Sudenten and the loss of Olivetti Weaponry.  Now desperate for replacement Thunderbolts, the Federated Commonwealth funded the restoration of the destroyed factories on Tikonov.  First Prince Davion agreed to dedicate the first run of Thunderbolts from the rebuilt plant to the ELH.  Not only would this provide the ELH with the advanced mechs, something required by their latest contract, but it would allow Earthwerks to work out the kinks of their line before beginning production for the AFFC.

The new ELH model started from the same basic design as the -9SE and introduced advanced structural improvements.  The ancient chassis was upgraded to a new model using Endo Steel to save weight for other improvements.  The mech's ammo was protected with a CASE system increasing survivability on the battlefield.   

The other major changes involved modifications to the weapon system.  The large pulse laser on the -9SE was replaced with a Johnston High Speed ER PPC.  The provides a heavier punch at a longer range with only a slight loss in accuracy.  The 10 tube LRM launcher found on the -9SE has been replaced with the original 15 tube launcher found on the -5S.  The secondary armament consists of 3 medium lasers and single Small Pulse Laser for use against light armor and infantry targets.  Lastly given the mech's role as a raider it carries a Guardian ECM to help hide it from enemy forces.  To compensate for the high heat generated by the Thunderbolt's weapon system, the cooling system has been upgrade to use double strength models. 

The new Thunderbolt had several teething problems, mainly related to the reconstruction of the factory.  These issues have been worked out the TDR-10SE has proven very popular with the mechwarriors of the ELH.



Model TDR-10SE
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Earthwerk TDR ES
Power Plant: Magna 260
Cruising Speed: 43.2kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets:  Hildco Model 12
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Starshield with CASE
Armament:
   1 Johnston High-Speed ER PPC
   1 TharHes Reacher 15 LRM Launcher
   3 Intek 18 Medium Lasers
   1 Exostar Small Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated
Primary Factories:  Tikonov
Communications System: Neill 6000-A with Guardian ECM
Targeting and Tracking System: RCA Instratrac Mark X

Type: TDR-10SE
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  65 tons

Equipment:                 Mass
Internal Structure   Endo      3.5
Engine      260         13.5   
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:  6
   Jumping MP:  4
Heatsinks       13 (26)      3
Gyro                  3
Cockpit               3
Armor Factor      208      13
         IS      Armor
Head         3      9   
CT         21      30/11
R/L Torso      15      24/6
R/L Arm      10      20
R/L Leg      15      29

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
ER PPC         RA      3      7
LRM 15         RT      3      7
Guardian ECM      CT      2      1.5
Ammo (16)      LT      2      2
CASE         LT      1      0.5
Medium Laser      LT      1      1   
Medium Laser      LT      1      1
Medium Laser      LT      1      1
Small Pulse Laser   LA      1      1
Jump Jets         LL      2      2
Jump Jets         RL       2      2

Twice as nice Irose!!

A little over three hours remaining folks...