When the design teams at Taurus Territorial Industries and Vandenberg Military Industries began work on Phase II of Project 3000 in 3025, a small minority of engineers, TDF liaison officers, and upper level management began a seperate study (designated as Project 3000 Phase III) to design, build, and field test a new light-weight combat vehicle for the Taurian Condordat.
Using components from the Project 3000 program, TTI and VMI designed a new 40-ton tracked vehicle chassis. This vehicle--designated as the ACAV-101 (Armored Cavalry Attack Vehicle) Rattlesnake--used many of the same components as the Phase I Light-weight BattleMechs. The communication system was the Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX, while the targeting and tracking array was the Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver. Both of these items were in full production by PPL, TTI, and VMI and hence readily available for the new light tank series.
Five-and-a-half tons of Renault Composites 88 armor plating were fitted to the chassis, providing decent (if not spectacular armor protection). The sides and rear were able to resist two hits from a Large Laser with no internal penetration, while the front and turret could stop an AC-20 burst without suffering internal damage.
The Pitban 240 fusion engine (used on the TRR-1x Terrier BattleMech allowed this tracked vehicle to attain a cruise speed of 64.8 kilometers per hour, with a flank speed of 97.2 kph. This high turn of speed (for a tracked combat vehicle) gave the Rattlesnake exceptional mobility and picqued the interest of the TDF procurement officers when they were presented with the new design.
All of the variants (except one) of the Rattlesnake would be equipped with a one-ton turret. Contrary to accepted practice, the Rattlesnake would concentrate all weapon systems in the turret. While this carried some risk (a turret freeze due to battle damage would be unfortunate), it allowed TTI and VMI design engineers to eliminate weak-points in the front and side armor that would otherwise be created by mounting weaponry there. It also allowed TTI and VMI to design the turret to be interchangeable between the intended Rattlesnake variants.
The first prototype tested was the ACAV-101 Rattlesnake. Armed for long-range combat, this light tank carries a Corona High Energy Systems PPC supported by an Aurora Missiliers Privet LRM-5 launcher (fed by a ton of ammunition for 24 missile salvos). Simple in concept, fast and highly mobile, relatively well protected, with good armament, the ACAV-101 Rattlesnake quickly showed promise on the testing grounds and soon orders for both domestic use (in the TDF as well as local planetary Constabularies and Noble's Regiments) and export began to pour in via the HPGs.
Rattlesnake ACAV-101
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3030
Cost: 1,416,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 663
Power Plant: Pitban 240 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 64.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Armor: Renault Composites 88 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 High Energy Systems Corona PPC
1 Aurora Missiliers Privet LRM-5
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factory: Taurus (TTI), New Vandenberg (VMI)
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX
Targeting and Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 240 17.50
Cruise MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 1.00
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 88 5.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 20
Rear 16
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PPC T 10 1 7.00
LRM-5 T 2 1 2.00
@LRM-5 (24) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 7
6 1 2 2 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities:
The ACAV-102 utilized a Martin Gordan Lance Large Laser as the main gun, supported by two Aurora Missiliers Foxglove SRM-4 launchers (fed by a single ton of ammunition for a total of 25 missile salvos). Although lacking the engagement range of the -101 model, the -102 (designated as the Diamondback) could inflict an impressive amount of damage.
Rattlesnake ACAV-102
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3030
Cost: 1,399,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 632
Power Plant: Pitban 240 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 64.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Armor: Renault Composites 88 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Martin Gordan Lance Large Laser
2 Aurora Missiliers Foxglove SRM-4s
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factory: Taurus (TTI), New Vandenberg (VMI)
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX
Targeting and Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 240 17.50
Cruise MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 1.00
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 88 5.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 20
Rear 16
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Laser T 8 1 5.00
2 SRM-4s T 6 2 4.00
@SRM-4 (25) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 6
6 1 1 0 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: SRM 1/1/0
The -103 variant (designated as the Boomslang) was not viewed quite as favorably as the previous two prototypes. Armament consisted of a single Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Laser and an Aurora Missiliers Deathscap LRM-15 launcher fed by two tons of ammunition (for a total of 16 missile salvos). While the TDF recognized the need for a long-range missile carrier, they were not overally impressed by the Boomslang. Still, the -103 variant had its proponents and would eventually be authorized for (limited) production.
Rattlesnake ACAV-103
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3030
Cost: 1,425,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 647
Power Plant: Pitban 240 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 64.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Armor: Renault Composites 88 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Aurora Missiliers Deathscap LRM-15
1 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factory: Taurus (TTI), New Vandenberg (VMI)
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX
Targeting and Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 240 17.50
Cruise MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 1.00
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 88 5.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 20
Rear 16
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
LRM-15 T 5 1 7.00
@LRM-15 (16) BD - 0 2.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 6
6 1 2 1 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: IF 1
The ACAV-104 (also known as the Sidewinder), on the other hand, was greeted with great fanfare. This variant of the Rattlesnake mounted four Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Lasers in the turret, supported by an Aurora Missiliers Hemlock SRM-6 short-range missile pack (fed by a ton of ammunition for 15 missile salvos). Absolutely devastating at short-range combat, the Sidewinder was one of the favorites of Project 3000 Phase III.
Rattlesnake ACAV-104
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3030
Cost: 1,432,600 C-Bills
Battle Value: 698
Power Plant: Pitban 240 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 64.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Armor: Renault Composites 88 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Aurora Missiliers Hemlock SRM-6
4 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factory: Taurus (TTI), New Vandenberg (VMI)
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX
Targeting and Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 240 17.50
Cruise MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 12 2.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 1.00
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 88 5.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 20
Rear 16
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Medium Lasers T 12 4 4.00
SRM-6 T 4 1 3.00
@SRM-6 (15) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 7
6 3 3 0 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities:
Unlike the -105 variant, which was widely viewed as undergunned. The Cottonmouth was, however, quite inexpensive to field and maintain. Primary armament was a Hyades Weapon Consortium Reprisal AC-5 autocannon (fed by a one-ton magazine for 20 bursts of fire) supported by a Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Laser.
Rattlesnake ACAV-105
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-D-D
Production Year: 3030
Cost: 1,299,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 510
Power Plant: Pitban 240 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 64.8 km/h
Flanking Speed: 97.2 km/h
Armor: Renault Composites 88 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Hyades Weapon Consortium Reprisal Autocannon/5
1 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factory: Taurus (TTI), New Vandenberg (VMI)
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX
Targeting and Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 240 17.50
Cruise MP: 6
Flank MP: 9
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 1.00
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 88 5.50
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 20
Rear 16
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Autocannon/5 T 1 1 8.00
Medium Laser T 3 1 1.00
@AC/5 (20) BD - 0 1.00
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 3 Points: 5
6 1 1 1 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities:
The final variant (ACAV-106, designated as the Copperhead) removed the turret, reduced the armor protection to 4.0 tons of Renault Composites 64 (giving it a 20/16/16/12 layout), and replaced the Pitban 240 fusion engine with a Nissan 200 (taken from the Talos and Tornado Medium-weight BattleMech production lines). This reduced the vehicles cruise speed to 54.0 kilometers per hour with a a flank speed of 86.4 kph. All of this allowed the design engineers to equip the Copperhead with a Hyades Weapon Consortium Thumper Artillery Howitzer, fed by a ton of ammunition for 20 shots. Secondary weaponry consisted only of a Hyades Weapon Consortium Reaper Machine-gun (fed by a half-ton of ammo for 100 bursts of fire). While the lack of a turret was criticized, the speed and mobility of this light-weight self-propelled artillery unit was considered exceptional. Although not the heaviest or most effective artillery piece, the long-range of the Thumper and decent damage, combined with the good mobility and speed of the self-propelled chassis made this variant a top priority for the TDF.
Rattlesnake ACAV-106
Mass: 40 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Motive Type: Tracked
Rules Level: Advanced Rules
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3030
Cost: 1,161,167 C-Bills
Battle Value: 323
Power Plant: Nissan 200 Fusion Engine
Cruise Speed: 54.0 km/h
Flanking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Armor: Renault Composites 64 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Hyades Weapon Consortium Thumper Thumper
1 Hyades Weapon Consortium Reaper Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Taurus Territorial Industries, Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Primary Factory: Taurus (TTI), New Vandenberg (VMI)
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk IX
Targeting and Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Silver
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 20 points 4.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 200 13.00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Turret: 0.00
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 64 4.00
Armor
Factor
Front 20
Left/Right 16/16
Turret 0
Rear 12
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Spaces Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thumper FR 6 1 15.00
Machine Gun FR 0 1 0.50
@Thumper (20) BD - 0 1.00
@MG (1/2) (100) BD - 0 0.50
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 2 Points: 3
5 2 0 0 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: ARTT