OBT Forum

PROJECT 3000

The origins of the Taurian Concordat Project 3000 came from a conference on Taurus in 3000 hosted by Protector Zarantha Calderon.  A firm supporter of the Far Looker faction of the Concordat political coalition, Zarantha was impressed with how the commitment that her government had made to civilian industries was starting to show genuine benefits to the Concordat as a whole.

Some of the new colonies failed to grow, but a few more succeeded to give the Taurian economy a boost of new resources. The larger benefits aided the industries involved in colonies; construction firms for high-tech space habitats in the Hyades Cluster, shipbuilders, zero-g construction firms, terraforming concerns and the companies involved in supplying the new colonists with everything they needed to sustain themselves.  Although the revenue stream was a mere trickle, it was anticipated that it would become a torrent in the future years and decades as the colonization effort progressed.

But, the vulnerability of these new colonies (as shown by a pirate attack on the newly formed Charleston colony in 2998) led Zarantha to conclude that the defense industries needed similar assistance to boost production as well as research and development.

The Defense Revitalization Conference took place throughout the later half of the year 3000 on the capital world of Taurus.  The two major defense contractors of the Condordat (Taurus Territorial Industries and Vandenberg Mechanized Industries) were the major participants, although nearly two dozen smaller industrial concerns (including a coalition of seven companies that would merge in 3020 as Pinard Protectorates Limited) attended and contributed to the ideas that the conference generated.

In addition to these industrial representatives, liaisons from the Taurian Defense Force was present at all meetings and deliberations.

Zarantha offered these defense conglomerates a series of tax breaks, research subsidies, and other incentives to restore and expand the Concordat's ability to produce BattleMechs, combat vehicles, and Aerospace Fighters.  She hoped that by doing so, the arms industries of the Concordat would rise to the challenge and restore much of the industry lost since the fall of the Star League.

In the end, nearly every corporation attending the conference agreed to renew its efforts at R&D . . . the financial incentives being offered were simply too good to pass up.

The first major project was simply designated Project 3000 and was proposed by the Taurian Defense Force.  The goals of Project 3000 were simple, yet quite ambitious:  The arms manufacturers of the Concordat were to collaborate to design a series of light-weight BattleMechs utilizing common components that would produced entirely within the Concordat.

All major components of the BattleMechs that would eventually be designed and constructed would have to be built by industries within the borders of the Concordat.  Armor, internal chassis, engines, control computers, electronics, myomers, heat sinks, weapons . . . everything was to be designed and constructed by a Taurian company for these new Taurian BattleMechs.

Furthermore, the TDF insisted on a commonality to these parts and components.  Each of the new BattleMechs would use a common chassis, the same communications system, the same tracking & targeting system, the same armor, and draw from a common stockpile of weapons produced within the environs of the Concordat.

This idea, simple on the surface, but breath-taking in scope, struck many of the participants as unrealistic.  But as the tax breaks and cash incentives depended on accepting this offer to at least research the idea, every single company accepted.

Beginning in 3001, the arms manufacturers and associated defense industries held annual conferences where the issues with Project 3000 were discussed and decisions made.

Soon enough, individual companies were selected to built the components.  Wintershaven Comm would produce the communication systems, while Bell & Sun would handle the T&T equipment.  Hamilton would produce a series of new jumpjets, while Renault Composites developed a superb new light-weight armor composite.  The Hyades Weapons Consortium focused on ballistic weaponry, while Aurora Missilier developed a series of long-range and short-range missile launchers.  High Energy Systems and Martin-Gordan concentrated on PPCs and Laser weaponry, respectively.  A half-dozen smaller manufacturers concentrated on boosting the Concordat's supply of heat sinks.

By 3015, prototypes of the new equipment were being field tested and Project 3000 had reached a point where actual design was now feasible.  At an eleven month conference in Samantha City, TTI and VMI decided to focus on a 30-ton chassis, using what was now being designated as the Concordat Light 30.  This 30-ton chassis would be the basis of no less than five separate designs, differing only in engines, gyros, and weapon complement.

In early 3016, the arms manufacturers submitted their ideas to Protector Zarantha Calderon and received authorization to begin production of prototypes of each of the five new light-weight BattleMechs.

Each of these BattleMechs would mass 30 tons and would utilize a GM 180 fusion engine, a GM 210 fusion engine, or a Pitban 240 fusion engine, requiring either a 2-ton (GM 180) or 3-ton (GM 210 and Pitban 240) gyroscope.  Each 'Mech would also be outfitted with 6.5 tons of Renault Composites 104 standard armor, providing outstanding protection when compared to most existing light-weight 'Mechs.

The AVR-1 Avenger was to be produced by Vandenberg Mechanized Industries.  Using a GM 180, the design lacked jump jets and was (early on) criticized as nothing more than an "out-sized Commando".  But the base model (AVR-1A) was armed with a medium laser, two SRM-4 packs (each with a ton of ammunition), and a pair of machine-guns fed by a half ton of ammunition.  Heat dissipation was quite good, even with just the standard 10 heat sinks common to fusion engines.

Two variants would also be produced for testing:  the AVR-1B replaced one SRM-4 rack with an LRM-5 launcher.  The AVR-1C replaced both SRM-4 racks with twin LRM-5 racks.

All proved to be quite capable and the Avenger was widely regarded by many in the TDF as one of the finest BattleMechs produced within the Concordat.

The BDT-1 Bandit would also be produced by VMI and several smaller companies (which would become PPL in 3020).  Also outfitted with a GM 180, the Bandit featured six Hamilton Liftjet Jump Jets for a maximum jump distance of 180 meters.  Armament for the stock BDT-1A model consisted of a medium laser, two machine-guns with a half-ton ammunition bin, and an SRM-4 launcher fed by a ton of ammunition.

A variant, the BDT-1B, replaced the SRM-4 launcher with an LRM-5 launcher.

Both variants of the Bandit were impressive and quite well sinked for their weaponry.  The lighter weaponry worried some officers and officials of the TDF, but the increased mobility was considered well worth the cost.

The PRT-1 Patriot was armed identically to the Bandit.  However, instead of jump-jets, this 'Mech instead featured a larger GM 210 engine and a heavier gyro.  Produced by TTI (and later by PPL as well), the Patriot was never quite as popular as the Avenger or the Bandit, although it was a solid light-weight design that many mercenary units would love and appreciate.  Still, despite the detractors, the TDF accepted the Patriot for prototype testing as well.

The SCT-1A Scout was another VMI concept.  Using the same GM 210 as the Patriot, the Scout included jump-jets.  While this reduced onboard weaponry to just a single medium laser and a flamer (for anti-personnel as well as incendiary work), the design was quite popular among recon personnel in the TDF.  Not quite as mobile as the heavier (and quite rare) Ostscout, it was better protected and better armed.

Finally, there was the TRR-1A Terrier.  Intended to replace the venerable Locust within the TDF, this model included a Pitban 240 fusion engine and a 3-ton gyro.  Armament consisted of two medium and two small lasers, with excellent heat dissipation capacity.  Produced by TTI (and later by PPL), the Terrier was a much coveted unit by personnel of the Defense Force, as well as mercenaries lucky enough to acquire one or two of these 'Mechs.

In 3017, Thomas Calderon became Protector of the Taurian Concordat following the death of Zarantha Calderon.  The new Protector was briefed on Project 3000, and despite his reservations, he gave permission for the project to continue and a series of prototypes produced for field testing.

By 3020, four dozen of these new 'Mechs had been produced and formed into a light-weight Battalion assigned to the Taurian Guards.  Manned by volunteers taken from the Taurian Guard Corps, this battalion of prototypes then departed on a three-year deployment across the Concordat hunting pirates.

This force--designated as the 1st Taurian Fusiliers--soon began handing a series of defeats to pirates, bandits, and disgruntled mercenaries who believed that raiding Taurian colonies would be rewarding.  Manned by veteran and elite MechWarriors, the Fusiliers fought far more capably than many outside observers would have thought possible . . . especially for a force comprised of only light-weight BattleMechs.

In 3023, the 1st Taurian Fusiliers returned to Taurus and the approval of an enthusiastic Protector!  All five prototype 'Mechs were authorized for immediate full-scale production, both for the domestic market (TDF, Constabulary, and Noble's Regiments) and for export (primarily mercenary, but several inquiries were made by both the Free Worlds League and Lyran Commonwealth).

By late fall of 3025, the light-weight 'Mechs of Project 3000 were just beginning to appear on both the domestic and export market.  And the future appeared to be bright for Thomas Calderon and the Taurian Concordat.