OBT Forum

Interesting Red Pins, I have to say your fluff is very solid and to the point. Never heard of Erlik before but the name fits the Clans very well. The Ku (original by way of the Turhan) just from its art is a solid pick as a basis for a tractor trailer design. The 280 Fusion Engine is an excellent choice which could be from a number of old 70 ton Mechs (Archer Guillotine, and Warhammer come to mind immediately). Did you forget the Shielding required for Vehicles however, I only see the 16 tons for the Engine??

As for the rest it looks very intriguing. I'd love to use it in the future if possible but sadly not for TRO3054 as you missed the deadline. Sorry.

Nice job!

I need that myself. I got an idea but need to flesh it out. It looks like the govt might reactivate The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco to deal with low level threats that are currently being take care of by A-10 Warthogs . The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is an American turboprop light attack and observation aircraft.It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. It can carry up to three tons of external munitions, internal loads such as paratroops or stretchers, and can loiter for three or more hours. This plane would weigh in between a Boomerang Spotter Plane and the Angel Recon/Fast Strike Plane. This plane could be used by the Watch and The Ebon Keshik to deal with rebels and lightly armed insurgency troops.

Yeah I am getting my hands on a laptop and HMPro then I am up and running

I'd agree that the Wolves would be interested in such a mobile command centre, IIRC the 2nd Jade Falcon novel did have a Wolf Star Colonel commanding from a field HQ not from his 'Mech, so clearly it's something they don't object to too much.

I suppose if a Commander was bid out of an assault such placement could be plausible. Thanks for the input guys!

Okay folks sorry this took so long but this should finish the designs for conventional vehicles for TRO 3054. I'm gonna work on the section overview and using existing art we should be able to wrap this first area of the fanbook up so we can move on to the next. Enjoy the Shiva and Tyr!

SHIVA HEAVY TANK
Mass: 65 tons
Motive Type: Tracked
Power Plant: Magna 260 Fusion Engine
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Flank Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Compound E91 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 1 Type 9 Ultra Autocannon/10
   1 Type X “Shortbow” LRM-10 Launcher with Artemis IV FCS
   1 Series 2d Extended Range Medium Laser
   1 Series 1 Extended Range Small Laser
   1 “Hellfire” Series II Flamer
Manufacturer: New Kent Armor Works
Primary Factory: New Kent
Communications System: Build 1685/3 Tacticom
Targeting and Tracking System: Build 2 JRD TTS with Artemis IV FCS

OVERVIEW
The Federated Commonwealth's Rommel and Patton Tanks were an unpleasant surprise for the Clans. These lowslung tanks were substantially harder to defeat than they expected based on their Homeworld equivalents. Both the Oro Heavy Tank and Ishtar Heavy Fire Support Tank featured heavier firepower but lack the durability of the Inner Sphere designs. It was Diamond Shark that first saw potential in the design, presenting a high tech modularized version for the Thirty Fifth Quicksilver Trial. While the Shiva, designated for the Hindu God known as the Destroyer, finished third overall it produced strong reactions among the Clans. Jade Falcon was so disgusted by the mere thought that captured Rommel and Patton Tanks would be utilized in combat again that they destroyed every example in their possession.
This wasteful display by their long time enemy caused Steel Viper to seriously consider their compromise project. Together with Ghost Bear they advocated for the upgrade of existing conventional vehicles rather than the costly development of OmniVehicles. Despite its merits this IIC Vehicle Proposal was largely ignored by an extremely polarized Grand Council. Viper research on the Rommel and Patton quickly showed real potential that was passed along to the Bears. They agreed jointly to pursue a development program which began with the acquisition of the Shiva from Diamond Shark. Eager to turn a profit the Sharks readily negotiated a deal that would turn the entire concept into a reality. The Bears ultimately claimed rights to the Rommel IIC which became the Tyr while the Vipers would build the Patton IIC or Shiva.

CAPABILITIES
The final Steel Viper product is closer to the Patton rather than the more advanced OmniVehicle originally proposed by Diamond Shark. It retains the proven Magna 260 Fusion Engine and other basic motive systems from its InnerSphere precursor. While slower than standard Clan heavy units this second line tank is not made to operate with them. Instead they are intended to destroy InnerSphere surats who continue to raid the Occupation Zone. With speed on par with these dishonorable opponents the Shiva should immediately bolster Clan defenses against such threats.
   For its other equipment the Shiva draws heavily from existing Clan designs like the Ishtar which supplies its primary weapon payload. The Type 9 Ultra Autocannon/10 armed with three tons of ammunition provides the main punch of this Heavy Tank which can quickly put down sustained fire threatening any target. In addition, twelve and a half tons of Compound E91 Ferro-Fibrous from the Ishtar replaced fourteen and a half tons of standard armor found on the Patton improving the design’s protection. The Build 1685/3 Tacticom communications systems also from the Ishtar replaced its InnerSphere counterpart for compatibility reasons.
   The Hachiman Fire Support Tank supplies the other half of the Shiva’s electronics package. The Build 2 JRD TTS with Artemis IV FCS effectively ties in the Type X “Shortbow” LRM-10 Launcher and other secondary weaponry like the Series 2d Extended Range Medium Laser, the Series 1 Extended Range Small Laser, and the “Hellfire” Series II Flamer. These weapons which were gleaned from other Clan conventional vehicles save considerable weight and allow for larger ammunition stores. This allows for the Shiva to remain effective in the field longer than its Commonwealth built forerunner.

DEPLOYMENT
The Shiva is predominantly deployed within the Steel Viper touman as part of their conventional Phalanx Clusters. While these units are more infantry reliant than their Ghost Bear counterparts, vehicles have begun to play a larger role. As a partner in the design the Bears also have their share but currently prefer the Tyr or Rommel IIC. If they successfully upgrade the primitive Axel factory on Spittal with fusion engines, and perhaps one-day Clan weaponry, then this situation could change rapidly. The Diamond Sharks acquired a large stockpile of captured Patton Tanks and are reconditioning them as fast as possible. Most of their refits have been sent to their new Leiomano Clusters who first proved their worth at the Battle of Nyserta despite their conventional nature. The rest have been shipped to Wolf and Hell’s Horses thanks to their assistance with the original Shiva OmniVehicle. The Horses have yet to deploy any in the Homeworlds however preferring to study the design for future research. The appearance of these Heavy Tanks in the Occupation Zone has caused a certain amount of confusion among Spheroid insurgents. Nearly identical to their forerunner several raiders have been caught flat footed by the Patton IIC on the battlefield. The improved capabilities of the design have bought down several opponents before they realized it was indeed a Clan Tank.

Type: Shiva Heavy Tank
Technology Base: Clan Vehicle
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 65 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         6.5
Engine:            260               20.5
   Type:            Fusion
   Cruising MP:         4
   Flank MP:         6
Heat Sinks:            10               0
Control Equipment:                        3.5
Lift Equipment:                        0
Turret:                            1.5
Armor Factor:            240               12.5

               Armor Value   
   Front             52
   Right/Left Side               48/48
   Rear            40
   Turret            52

Weapons and Ammo:      Location         Tonnage
Ultra AC/10            Turret            10
Ammo (Ultra AC) 30         Body            3
LRM-10            Turret            2.5
Artemis IV FCS         Turret            1
Ammo (LRM) 24         Body            2
ER Medium Laser         Turret            1
ER Small Laser         Front            .5
Flamer             Front             .5

TYR HEAVY TANK
Mass: 65 tons
Motive Type: Tracked
Power Plant: Magna 260 Fusion Engine
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Flank Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: Compound E91 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 1 Type J LB-20X Autocannon
   3 Type V “Longbow” LRM-5 Launchers
   4 Series 1 Extended Range Small Laser
   1 “Hellfire” Series II Flamer
Manufacturer: Paxon ArmorWorx
Primary Factory: Paxon
Communications System: Build 1685/3 Tacticom
Targeting and Tracking System: Build 2 JRD TTS with Artemis IV FCS

OVERVIEW
   When Khan Bjorn Jorgensson first proposed the IIC Vehicle Compromise during the OmniVehicle debate in the Grand Council it received little attention. Despite the available vehicular salvage from the invasion and the verbal support of saKhan Christopher Ahmed it was largely ignored. Perhaps it was the endorsement from the ever wavering Steel Vipers which persuaded others to forget the initial suggestion. Wary of the Clan’s sudden shifts in behavior few put any faith in their commitments. Nonetheless Ahmed and his supporters continued to research the idea when the Jade Falcons enacted their infamous ‘Tank Annihilation’. Destroying Rommel and Patton Tanks taken from the Federated Commonwealth demonstrated not only an unClanlike attitude toward valuable military hardware but spurred the Vipers to reexamine the usefulness of these designs.
   Discovering that these two Heavy Tanks could be the cornerstone for an actual building program led the Vipers to approach the Bears with a plan. Beginning with the Rommel and Patton Tanks the two Clans would partner together to upgrade existing conventional vehicles thus enhancing their garrison forces. While reluctant Khan Perigard Zalman realized that the scheme would require only a minimal investment and could result in a substantial strengthening of the Viper’s position. Intrigued by the proposition Khan Jorgensson agreed on the condition they alone would develop the Rommel IIC. Recognizing that their support was necessary to avoid any potential censure the Vipers agreed. Altering the base Clan model to include the largest possible autocannon the Bears quickly created their so-called Tyr Heavy Tank which is no doubt aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the Rasalhague people. 

CAPABILITIES
As the Tyr is a so-called variant of the Shiva it shares many similarities just like the Rommel and Patton. It would be accurate to say that the Tyr and Shiva are closer relatives then their precursors as even the turret remains wholly unchanged. In fact, the only difference between the designs is the subtraction of two tons of Ferro Fibrous which makes way for additional weapon space. Despite this loss of armor, the Tyr is still better off than the Rommel in terms of overall protection thanks to advanced Clan technology. Bear scientists chose the massive Type J LB-20X Autocannon from the Oro Heavy Tank to serve as the Heavy Tank’s main gun. Formidable against a variety of conventional opponents and fighters with its cluster ammunition the LB-20X can also fire large slugs which can threaten even Assault ‘Mechs. While this big gun has more of a punch at closer range it weighs considerably more. To compensate for the reduction of long range firepower three Type V “Longbow” LRM-5 Launchers replaced the LRM-10 and the ER Medium from the Shiva. This missile system arrangement is very similar to the newly upgraded Zorya and helps to maximize overall effectiveness in spite of a smaller scatter shot nature. To protect the entire perimeter against infantry three additional Series 1 Extended Range Small Lasers were added on the sides and rear. Together with the ER Small and Flamer retained from the Shiva this Heavy Tank is a brutal close quarter opponent.

DEPLOYMENT
   The Bears jealously guard the Tyr design which has rapidly been disturbed into their Phalanx Clusters. The Clan has begun incorporating native Rasalhague warriors into its touman by way of this Scandinavian themed design and others like the Odin, the Baldur, and the Otso. While production has begun on Paxon the largest supply of Tyr and possibly Shiva could one day come from Spittal. The crude Benson and Bjorn facility produced the primitive Axel which was an ICE powered version of the Patton and Rommel Tank. Originally the Clan had no plans to upgrade the site but after the success of the Shiva and Tyr it has prioritized such an undertaking. The first objective is to complete the construction of a Fusion Engine component line while Clan weaponry will be shipped in. By the end of the Truce of Tukayyid the Spittal factory should be fully uprated to Clan specifications.
   While reluctant to turn over the specifications the Bears ultimately did so for their new Steel Viper ‘allies’ who immediately began reconditioning captured units. Diamond Shark also received refit keys as part of their agreement for the Shiva but were sternly warned that the Bears owned all rights to the Tyr. Grateful for access to the design neither Clan has pushed the issue with the Ghost Bears. It is rumored that their long time Snow Raven associates may be involved in selling the Heavy Tank to interested parties in the Kerensky Cluster like the Blood Spirits. While the Hell’s Horses have been locked out of the Tyr sales so far they have not voiced any desire to obtain the Heavy Tank confusing many observers on the Clan Homeworlds.

VARIANTS
   The arrangement of weaponry on the Tyr allows for a wide variety of alternate loadouts with a minimum effort. The LB-20 X Autocannon can be swapped for either a Gauss Rifle or Ultra Autocannon/20 depending on several different factors. The Gauss provides better range with a better ammunition supply while the Ultra Autocannon doubles the firepower at the cost of a limited number of rounds. Additionally, the LRMs can be replaced by a Streak SRM 6 or dual SRM 6s which only enhances the Rommel IIC’s already daunting close range destructive capability. While not quite modular these modifications can be accomplished quickly and at cheaper cost then an OmniVehicle.

Type: Tyr Heavy Tank
Technology Base: Clan Vehicle
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 65 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         6.5
Engine:            260               20.5
   Type:            Fusion
   Cruising MP:         4
   Flank MP:         6
Heat Sinks:            10               0
Control Equipment:                        3.5
Lift Equipment:                        0
Turret:                            1.5
Armor Factor:            202               10.5

               Armor Value   
   Front             43
   Right/Left Side              43 / 43
   Rear            30
   Turret            43

Weapons and Ammo:      Location         Tonnage
LB-20 X AC            Turret            12
Ammo (LB-X) 15         Body            3
3 LRM-5s            Turret            3
Ammo (LRM) 48         Body            2
ER Small Laser         Front            .5
Flamer             Front             .5
ER Small Laser         Right            .5
ER Small Laser         Left            .5
ER Small Laser         Rear            .5