==Overview:==
One of the most popular heavy 'Mechs used by the TDF is the TDR-5T and TDR-5TJ
Thunderbolt. While the design may lack the glitz, glitter, and glammer of
'sexy' 'Mechs such as the Marauder and Warhammer, and the clean unobstructed
lines of the Archer and Griffin, the blocky and assymetric Thud remains a
much-loved machine by MechWarriors who are more concerned with getting the job
done than with how their 'Mech looks on the parade ground.
Design to serve as a hard-hitting 'Mech for assaults against enemy forces, the
Thud has proven capable of engaging targets at all ranges with a devastating
array of weaponry that few other 'Mechs can match. The heavy armor protection
of this design ensures that Thud pilots are in the fight for the long-haul,
while a balanced load of energy- and missile-based weapons makes ammunition
payloads and heat somewhat of a lesser concern.
Taurus Territorial recognized that not much remained to tweak with the ancient
T-Bolt, but they did alter enough of the design to warrant the -5T and -5J
designations.
==Capabilities:==
All weaponry on the Taurian Thud has been replaced with that produced by local
manufacturers, primarily to ease the logistcal burden of having to import
missile launchers and lasers not produced by Concordat worlds.
Long-range firepower is provided by an Aurora Missiliers Deathscap
fifteen-tube LRM launcher located in the right torso. Fed from a two-ton
magazine, the Deathscap is capable of delivering 16 salvoes. At medium range,
the right-arm Martin-Gordan Lance large laser adds it fury to the carnage the
Thunderbolt-T is capable of unleashing.
The extensive short-range battery includes three Martin-Gordan Rapier medium
lasers located in the left torso. The SRM-2 launcher of the -5S has been
upgraded to an Aurora Missilers Foxglove SRM-4 with a one-ton magazine for 25
missile salvoes; both of which are located in the center torso.
Anti-personnel capability has been retained with a pair of Hyades Weapons
Consortium Reaper machine-guns in the left arm, along with a half-ton magazine
containing some 100 bursts of fire. Finally, the Taurus Territorial design
team added yet another laser (a Martin-Gordan Stiletto small laser) in the
head.
Designers down-graded the number of heat sinks from 15 to 14; yet, this still
allows the Thud to fire either the long/medium-range bracket or the
short-range bracket and walk with building up any excess overheat. A slight
change in armor placement resulted in better protection for the limbs; indeed
the -5T and -5TJ feature maximum armor protection on all locations except for
the center torso.
Overall, the Thunderbolt-T is able to consistently deliver a slightly higher
volume of fire with no meaningful loss of heat efficiency or armor protection.
In production since 3002, the Taurian Thud is a much-sought 'Mech among any
who can afford to purchase Taurian equipment.
==Variants:==
The TDR-5TJ is the Taurian version of the Eridani Light Horse jump-capable
Thunderbolt. Using four Hamilton Liftjet 120 jump-jets to give this heavy
'Mech a 120 meter jump capability, the -5TJ retains the same heat sinks and
armor protection as the Taurian Thud.
The primary difference between two machines is in the size of the missile
batteries. The Deathscap LRM launcher has been downgraded to an Aurora
Missiliers ten-tube Monkshood (24 salvoes) and the Foxglove has been replaced
with an Aurora Missilers two-tube Oleander with a half-ton missile magazine
(25 salvoes). In addition, the Martin-Gordan Stilletto small laser has been
removed from the design.
The -5TJ can still suffer from heat build-up when jumping, but a skilled
MechWarrior should have no difficulty in balancing the heat load.
==Deployment==
Quite possibly the most common heavy design in service with the Concordat, the
Thud is the 'Mech that everyone seems to want. Virtually every regular unit,
every mercenary command, and the vast majority of noble's regiments contain
one or more of these capable designs. Many regular battalions feature as many
as a dozen Thunderbolt-Ts in service!
Demand for the machine in the export market is quite high as well, especially
among mercenaries who need a capable design able to fight at all ranges and
under extreme conditions. That demand for the Thud served in part behind
Taurus Territorials decision to produce the medium-weight Tornado, a virtual
Thunderbolt clone that is easier to produce and less expensive as well.
BattleMech Technical Readout
Type/Model: Thunderbolt TDR-5T
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Custom design
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Earthwerk TDR Standard
Power Plant: 260 Magna Fusion
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor Type: Ryerson 150 Standard
Armament:
1 Martin Gordan Lance Large Laser
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Reaper Machine Guns
1 Aurora Missiliers Deathscap LRM 15
3 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Lasers
1 Aurora Missiliers Foxglove SRM 4
1 Martin Gordan Stiletto Small Laser
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated
Location: (Unknown)
Communications System: Neil 8000
Targeting & Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mark X
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Thunderbolt TDR-5T
Mass: 65 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 104 pts Standard 0 6.50
Engine: 260 Fusion 6 13.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: 14 Single 4 4.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 208 pts Standard 0 13.00
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 21 30
Center Torso (Rear): 9
L/R Side Torso: 15 24/24
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 6/6
L/R Arm: 10 20/20
L/R Leg: 15 30/30
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Large Laser RA 8 2 5.00
2 Machine Guns LA 0 100 3 1.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 LA)
1 LRM 15 RT 5 16 5 9.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 RT)
3 Medium Lasers LT 9 3 3.00
1 SRM 4 CT 3 25 2 3.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 CT)
1 Small Laser HD 1 1 .50
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 26 51 65.00
Crits & Tons Left: 27 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,510,698 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,013
Cost per BV: 5,439.98
Weapon Value: 1,165 / 1,165 (Ratio = 1.15 / 1.15)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 18; MRDmg = 11; LRDmg = 4
BattleForce2: MP: 4, Armor/Structure: 5/5
Damage PB/M/L: 3/2/1, Overheat: 2
Class: MH; Point Value: 10
Specials: if
BattleMech Technical Readout
Type/Model: Thunderbolt TDR-5TJ
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 3, Custom design
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: Earthwerk TDR Standard
Power Plant: 260 Magna Fusion
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: 4 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor Type: Ryerson 150 Standard
Armament:
1 Martin Gordan Lance Large Laser
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Reaper Machine Guns
1 Aurora Missiliers Monkshood LRM 10
3 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Lasers
1 Aurora Missiliers Oleander SRM 2
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated
Location: (Unknown)
Communications System: Neil 8000
Targeting & Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mark X
--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Thunderbolt TDR-5TJ
Mass: 65 tons
Construction Options: Fractional Accounting
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 104 pts Standard 0 6.50
Engine: 260 Fusion 6 13.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 4
Heat Sinks: 14 Single 4 4.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 208 pts Standard 0 13.00
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 21 30
Center Torso (Rear): 9
L/R Side Torso: 15 24/24
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 6/6
L/R Arm: 10 20/20
L/R Leg: 15 30/30
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Large Laser RA 8 2 5.00
2 Machine Guns LA 0 100 3 1.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 LA)
1 LRM 10 RT 4 24 4 7.00
(Ammo Locations: 2 RT)
3 Medium Lasers LT 9 3 3.00
1 SRM 2 CT 2 25 2 1.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 CT)
4 Standard Jump Jets: 4 4.00
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 23 53 65.00
Crits & Tons Left: 25 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,606,811 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,118
Cost per BV: 5,015.04
Weapon Value: 1,022 / 1,022 (Ratio = .91 / .91)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 17; MRDmg = 9; LRDmg = 3
BattleForce2: MP: 4J, Armor/Structure: 5/5
Damage PB/M/L: 3/2/-, Overheat: 2
Class: MH; Point Value: 11
Specials: if