Talos (BattleMech)

This article is about the Taurian Concordat medium BattleMech. For the noncanonical 'Mech from MekTek's MekPak 3, see Studio MekTek, Inc#Talos.
Talos (BattleMech)
Talos
Production information
Manufacturer Vandenberg MilTech[1]
Production Year 2532[2]
Model TLS-1B[1]
Class Medium
Cost 3,392,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Vandenberg Technologies Medium-III
Armor Hoyt StarPlate 3
Engine Nissan 200
Communications System Kensu-Mocom Angelia-II
Targeting Tracking System Rushpoint TT2B5
Heat Sinks 10 single
Speed 64 km/h
Armament
BV (2.0) 924[1][2]


Description[edit]

The Talos was built on New Vandenberg by the newly formed MilTech division of IndustrialMech producer Vandenberg Heavy Industries after the Taurian Defense Force requested a new 'Mech to counter the advanced armament of its Inner Sphere neighbors. Drawing upon experiences made with the older Toro and studying related Inner Sphere designs, the company finally delivered the Talos to the TDF in 2532 after almost a decade of development and prototype trials. The mature design emphasized easy production and logistics, and was popular with pilots due to its easy handling, improved heat management and solid 8.5 tons of standard armor. The Talos became the general trooper 'Mech of the TDF in the 2540s and, despite being rotated out of production early in the Reunification War, remained in service into the early Succession Wars era.

The hardy Talos was a financial success for Vandenberg MilTech which produced thousands of them over five decades and exported many to the Rim Worlds Republic, Magistracy of Canopus and even the Outworlds Alliance and less-developed Inner Sphere regions. Production was ended during the Reunification War when technological advances had made the simple, outdated design obsolete.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Talos featured an autocannon and missile mix that was low on heat but completely dependent on ammunition. Its primary weapon was a highly regarded Western Heavy Autocannon/10 that formed its lower right arm, supplied by 2 tons of ammo. Mounted on the shoulders were two Delta Dart LRM-5s and a Delta Bolt-6 SRM-6 with 1 ton of ammo for each missile type.[2]

Variants[edit]

No official variants were ever produced but the Talos subsystems were constantly updated, and the widespread use of the design led to many customizations by its individual users.[1][2]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Talos has the following Design Quirks:[3]

Notable Pilots[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 90–91: "TLS-1B Talos"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Historical: Reunification War, pp. 208-209
  3. BattleMech Manual, p. 95 BattleMech Quirk Table - Talos Entry.

Bibliography[edit]