TME-85 Minuteman Militia OmniMech

STATISTICS

OVERVIEW

    The TME-85 Minuteman was created in response to the new mission statement of the People's Defense Department of TME Industries:

    "Our goal is to create low-priced products capable of defending the helpless proletariat and various innocent portions of the societies to which we sell military goods."

   The Minuteman concept was born at that minute, and it quickly gained speed from there.  What was needed in the BattleTech S/TS was a BattleMech that was both simple to operate and maintain.  A medium BattleMech would meet the most design roles, and OmniMech capability would expand the Minuteman's versatility.   Omni technology, with its simplified adapter systems and common energy hookups, was overpriced--and so TME broke the artificial price barrier and made it reasonably cheap.

CAPABILITIES

    The TME-85 Minuteman was based on the extremely successful PXH-series Phoenix Hawk.  Using a series of premade modules, entire defensive 'Mech lances and companies could be made exclusively of Minutemen, allowing consumers to buy in bulk and therefore save.  Seven "factory" models were created in all, to support any foreseeable military mission.  All Minutemen would be equipped with Command-Control-Communications (C³) equipment to assist in coordination.

    The "Prime" variant acts as a general combat 'Mech.   A particle projector cannon and three medium lasers are its primary engagement weapons while an long-range missile ten-rack could provide support fire and interdiction fire at long ranges.  A C³ slave computer aids the pilot.

    The "A" variants provide fire support for the rest of the Minutemen.  The "A" variant mounts twin long-range missile fifteen-racks while the "A-2" carries six long-range five-racks.  Both have C³ slave computers to ease targeting.

    The "B" variant acts as a close-range fighter, maneuvering into an enemy's rear and blasting them with powerful but short-ranged weaponry.   Seven medium lasers and a short-range missile six-rack give the "B" variant this ability.  A C³ slave computer also gives it the ability to spot for further-away Minutemen.

    The "C" variant is a Minuteman unit commander with a C³ master computer to coordinate the actions of its fellow Minutemen.  An average loadout of an extended-range large laser, three medium lasers, and twin Streak short-range guided missile two-racks give it respectable firepower.

    The "D" variant is the artillery support.  It mounts a single Arrow-IV artillery missile system, with no C³  computer--the ranges involved are too extreme for the combat network.

    The "E" variant is the electronic-warfare specialist.   Active probes and electronic countermeasures (ECM) pods are its main weapons, but it can also serve as a scout due to its hatchet, extended-range large laser, medium laser, and targeting acquisition equipment (TAG).  The TAG system allows it to spot for the "D" variant's Arrow-IV missiles, and a C³ slave computer used in spotting aids the rest of the unit.  Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC) gives the "E" variant bursts of amazing speed, allowing it to run from larger enemies.

DEPLOYMENT

    The inexpensive and effective TME-85 series is very popular on worlds where common folk are tired of being kicked around.

VARIANTS

    There are no longer any factory variants of the TME-15.

Drawing Board Stats for the TME-85 Minuteman

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