Tortoise II

Tortoise II
Production information
Manufacturer	StarCorps Industries
Use	Frontline City Fighting
Chassis Type	Quad
Weight Class	Assault
Tech Base	Mixed
Introduced	3134
Technical specifications
Mass	2 tons kg
Top Speed	1(2) km/h
Armament	1x Modular Turret Mount 1 x Detachable Weapon Pack (ER Medium Laser)
Armor Type	Clan Improved Stealth
BV (2.0)	143 (aSRM) 152 (SRM) 143 (LRM) 119 (C3)

Description

The brainchild of Dr. Stephen Vance, Tortoise II Battle Armor was a Assault Class Quad Battle Armor developed by the Republic of the Sphere. It was a hybrid of of Inner Sphere and Clan technologies utilized by the Republic, which was costly for StarCorp Industries of Terra to develop. This was due to Dr Vance unique design features he incorporated into it. Dr. Vance would utilize instead of rear legs, but wheels assist the design carry it's twin modules of weapons on to the battlefield. Nicknamed the "Wheelbarrel", the original Tortoise prototype was a money pit. After redesign and technology exchange between Arc Royal MechWorks, new Tortoise II would prove to be successful redesign despite it's critics.

The unit had been undergoing it's only known public trial demonstration against Republic forces in 3134, when it showed to be a durable and heavy weapons loads prior to events leading to Fortress Republic.

Weapons and Equipment

The primary weapon systems the Tortoise II are split between a Modular Turret Mount and Detachable Weapon Mount. Its main weapon is a ER Medium Pulse Laser located in the Detachable mount in the main body. While number of weapons can be fitted onto the turret mounted. The four known weapon systems: Advanced SRM 3 Launcher with eight rounds of ammunition, Clan SRM 6 launcher with three rounds of ammo, LRM-4 with seven rounds of ammunition, and lastly a Battle Armor C3 System and pair of Light Machine Guns with fifty rounds per gun.

Like other Assault weight battle armor, the Tortoise II is slow. However, should pilot need go beyond the armor's 10 k/ph speed, the soldier wearing it would have to detach the suit's Detachable Weapons Mount to double its speed. Utilizing Clan technology, the armor is protected by 350 kilograms of Clan Stealth Armor, allowing the unit to survive and not be easily targeted until enemy can be engaged.

Design Quirks

The Tortoise II has the following Design Quirks;

• Distracting
• Difficult to Maintain
• Hard to Pilot
• Prototype

Notes

• As of this writing, the Tortoise II record sheet is only found in Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2.

Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: Republic, Volume 2