Technical readout 2866 Rise of the Scavengers

TDR-5JW Thunderbolt
History:
Initially introduced by Earthwerks Incorporated in 2491,
and updated to the deadly and highly sought after TDR-
5S shortly thereafter in 2505, the Thunderbolt is
designed for planetary assault. Carrying 13 tons of
Ryerson 150 armor, it is more heavily protected than
many assault class BattleMechs and as equally well
armed even though it tips the scales at just 65-tons.
Equipped with a drum style Delta Dart LRM 15-rack and
a Sunglow Type 2 heavy laser, the Thunderbolt carries
significant long range weaponry. For close quarters
combat, the -5S carries a trio of Diverse Optics Type 18
medium lasers and a Bical SRM Twin-Rack. Two
Voelkers 200 machines guns make the T-bolt a deadly
anti-infantry ‘Mech as well. This array of weapons allows
the MechWarrior to effectively engage the enemy at any
range and the damage curve only increases as the
enemy gets closer.
In 2357, Earthwerks Incorporated was founded on Terra
where they pioneered a robotic mining machine that
revolutionized the industry and turned Earthwerks
Incorporated into an overnight success. Flush with cash,
they quickly expanded into manufacturing all types of
robotics and related technologies, culminating in 2490
with the acquisition of Maxwell-Manufacturing
Incorporated.
Maxwell-Manufacturing, a Terran Hegemony producer of
IndustrialMechs located on the planet of Procyon, had
recently expanded into the nascent BattleMech market in
2465 with their primitive and well received GRF-1A
Griffin.
With the acquisition, the Griffin became property of
Earthwerks Incorporated and it marked one of many
successful forays into the lucrative BattleMech market.
Within two years, Earthwerks Incorporated updated the
GRF-1A, put their own name on it and introduced the
GRF-1N Griffin, which also remains in production to this
day. They were already producing both the ARC-2R
Archer, as of 2474, and the STG-3R Stinger, by 2479,
both of which also still remain in production hundreds of
years later.
The expertise Earthwerks acquired from Maxwell-
Manufacturing is credited for the record time in which the
Thunderbolt was conceived, designed and
manufactured.
Earthwerks Incorporated, now headquarted on Tikonov
in the Capellan Confederation, expanded into the Free
Worlds League by building a new plant on Keystone in
2505 specifically to produce the updated TDR-5S design.
They also maintain facilities on Grand Base and
Calloway VI where they produce a number of other
designs, including the vaunted BLR-1G Battlemaster
which they acquired after the destruction of the Hollis
Industries factory on Corey during the First Succession
War.
In fact, Earthwerks Incorporated has enjoyed notable
success acquiring the designs of its competitors either
through corporate acquisition or through the destruction
of their facilities. After the destruction of Lang Industries
shortly after the fall of the Star League, Earthwerks
Incorporated was the sole company to acquire and
continue production of another highly successful
BattleMech, the Shadow Hawk.
Earthwerks Incorporated also manufactures the PXH-1
Phoenix Hawk, as does Coventry Metal Works and
Achernar BattleMechs. The design was recently
orphaned after the loss of the Orguss Industries factory
on Marcus in 2837. Arguably the most successful
reconnaissance BattleMech ever developed, the
blueprints and specifications were sought after, and
acquired, by many of the intelligence agencies of the
Great Houses.
Capabilities:
Borrowing heavily from their successful Griffin
BattleMech, the TDR-5JW replaces the Sunglow Type 2
heavy laser and Delta Dart LRM-15 with a Fusigon PPC
and Delta Dart LRM-10 both used by the GRF-1N. The
Bical Twin-Rack and Voelkers machine guns are
removed in favor of adding Chilton 460 jump jets, giving
the ‘Mech a jump capacity of 120 meters. One ton of
LRM ammunition as also been eliminated in order to add
an addition heat sink, giving it a total of 16.
79
These changes turn the Thunderbolt from a brawler into
a heavy raider and skirmisher thanks to the increased
mobility. Equipped with two hand actuators, and one of
the heaviest jump capable ‘Mechs, the -5JW can inflict
devastating physical damage at close range when
needed.
The extremely heavy Ryerson 150 armor ensures a long
life on the battlefield and has earned the Thunderbolt a
reputation as one of the toughest ‘Mechs on the
battlefield. With only 16 heatsinks, however, an over
zealous MechWarrior can quickly find themselves in an
overheated ‘Mech and in danger of shutting down.
Careful attention must be paid to heat management,
which can be made significantly easier if water can be
found. Earthwerks engineers placed two heat sinks in
each of the legs of the Thunderbolt. Because of this,
when standing in water, the TDR dissipates 25% more
heat than under normal operating circumstances. A
Thunderbolt standing in water is an especially dangerous
encounter, as it able to fire its full complement of
weaponry almost continuously. Faced with such an
onslaught, many MechWarriors, even pilots of assault
class machines, will give the T-bolt wide berth and seek
out targets elsewhere if possible rather than face it.
Current Manufacturers:
Earthwerks Limited
Tikonov – Capellan Confederation
Keystone – Free Worlds League
Model Cost BV PV
TDR-5S 5,268,560 1335 26
TDR-5JW 5,623,310 1458 ???
Alpha Strike Statistics
TP: BM SZ: 3 TMM: +1
MV: 8j” Role: Brawler
Damage S: 3 M: 3 L: 2
OV: 1
Armor: O O O O O O O
Sructure: O O O O O
Special: IF1, LRM 0*/1/1