AMT-60-C Taurus Mk II

Overview

In extended trials, the AMT-50 was found to have several flaws related to crew usage and stress fatigue in some of its materials. The original Oscillating turret was found to be cramped and exhibited poor ergonomics. The number of crew was found to be insufficient to operate the intended systems and weapons package. Rather than scrap the ambitious project the tank was slated for a redesign, so existing hulls would not go to waste. The primary issue was the turret’s mounting, and the fact that the design was noticeably top-heavy. Two schools of thought emerged on the design in regards of what to do. The minimalist line of thinking simply wanted the Oscillating turret removed in favor of a more conventional design which would simplify the internal workings of the tank and remedy most of the ergonomic and crew issues. The other school of thought was simple, the tank’s size was the problem, the hull was too small to fit the turret and so a larger hull was needed so the turret mounting would have the room needed to work as intended. It turned out both concepts were accepted and work began on the beginnings of the larger Taurus Mk II and the search for an acceptable turret for the original design.

Originally termed hull 01051A the new Taurus was designated ATM-60-C because in combat condition it weighs a full ten tons more than the original model and the turret silhouette from the front is much more rounded with less of the anti-grit screening around the elevation joints. Likewise the increase in overall weight allowed the vehicle to make use of a newer and far more powerful primary gun while also utilizing a potent secondary turret-mounted weapon. A forward facing sponson turret in the front of the hull adds to the tank’s combat capabilities while its defensive ball mount anti-personnel weapons were doubled to make swarming attacks by infantry much more difficult. Additionally armor protection has been added to the chassis so that a full 31 percent of the chassis’ weight is armor. The original model only devoted 22.5 percent of total weight to armor by comparison.  While absolute details are not available on top speed it has been reliably quoted that the AMT-60-C is capable of a cruising speed of 64 miles per hour despite being an assault tank by weight. How this is possible is unclear however the few released videos demonstrating the Taurus Mk II on trials confirms that the cruising speed is in fact a reality.

It is expected that the original tank and the new AMT-60 will be working jointly, though AMT-60 will be in lesser numbers for the obvious reason. Typical deployments will be to urban centers and locations that are considered priority regions for defense.

[OOC note, this is a redraw of the old AMT-50, for scale and higher unit detail. It’s so different design-wise that it’s now part of the mythos. I ask that you do not copy, distribute, screen cap or otherwise use this image without permission in advance.] <B wytiwyg="1">