As close as I can get to an engineering "all-in-one" vehicle.
"Scorp" StarCorps Advanced Engineering Vehicle
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: StarCorps Industrial-XL Type 5
Power Plant: GM Labourer (Fusion)
Cruising Speed: 32.1 kph
Flanking Speed: 55.3 kph
Armour: StarSteel/5
Equipment:
GM Heavy Plastisteel Series 7 Bulldozer
GM HyperSlice Vibro Dual Saw
GM "Groper" Lift Hoist
GM Reacher Extendable Backhoe
GM Gnome Mining Drill
Harmon Light Laser
3 Diverse Optics Limelite Seachlights
Manufacturer: StarCorps Industries
Primary Factory: St. Ives (CC), Loburg (LA), Emris IV (FWL), Crofton (FS), Asgard (DC)
Communications System: Sony StraightTalk-1
Targeting and Tracking System: Diverse Optics Industrial Guidance Systems
Overview
The first StarCorps Advanced Engineering Vehicle rolled off five separate production lines throughout all Successor States just three days after the start of the Third Succession War. Normally this would have had a severe impact on sales for such a new product, but the war managed to drive home the need for such a vehicle. The various armies had fought on despite the loss of most of their advanced support and engineering equipment, forcing most engagements during the Third Succession War into light clashes of position and retreating. Neither side had the logistical superiority to press home the advantage, or to create an advantage through ingenuity (and engineering).
Originally named the "Gnome", the AEV underwent several years' worth of redesigns. Initially it was just another construction vehicle with slapdash armour and a fanciful bridgelayer system. Initial profit assessments of that vehicle showed a severe loss over the next several decades, despite whatever branding StarCorps would choose. Engineering teams were told, quite simply, to innovate and were handed a budget that rivalled some of StarCorps' lighter 'Mech programs.
Capabilities
The original chassis was simply disposed of, with a new light weight frame purpose-built around a myomer powered track system. A fusion engine was agreed upon by all engineers, despite the worsening technological state of the Inner Sphere. The surprisingly compact 50-ton vehicle (for an engineering vehicle, that is) would then make full use of the fusion plant, with an arsenal of GM industrial equipment predicated on abundant electrical power. Like the vehicle itself, the various pieces of equipment relied on hydraulics and industrial-grade myomer bundles to provide the muscle.
A lightweight plastisteel bulldozer blade, reinforced by high-stress alloys, juts out from the AEV's front. Just behind it, in the vehicle's first turret, are two of the "pincers" that give the vehicle its nickname. The first is an articulated dual-saw using vibroblade technology to cut through timbers, concrete, and steel with ease. Sharing the same turret is a myomer-powered lift hoist, just as massive as the dual-saw it can clamp down and carry 25 tons without slowing the vehicle down. The larger turret behind that houses a massive backhoe with the ability to extend its length, allowing its operator to dig with a 360 degree field of operation.
The three "arms" can work together, with the dual-saw cutting away rock or building chunks, lifted by the back hoe from the ground then carried by the lift hoist in a simple manner. If a particularly stubborn piece of rock or metal needs to be removed, and the 'Mech-grade small laser mounted on the "tail" can't deal with it, the vehicle can employ its rear-facing mining drill. Articulated, to a degree, the drill can rotate at various angles as it extends outwards. Though this limits its overall extension the flexibility (and the equipment's presence) has saved it from being removed for cargo space.
The Diverse Optics Industrial Guidance Systems is a set of (overly) complex electronics, HUDs, and holographic projectors that "make life easier" for an engineer. Though obnoxious, the IGS is fully featured and is a great help to less capable engineers.
Deployment
Though lusted after by civilian engineering firms, the vehicle's high price and operating costs mean that only militaries (or very wealthy corporations) could afford to field the "Scorp" AEV. Militaries, however, were slightly confused as to how to employ such a vehicle. 'Mechs had little if any need for clear terrain, able to bypass or smash through most obstacles. If the conventional support units couldn't keep up, then well, they missed out on the battle.
The fact that the vehicle was environmentally sealed (and sound-proofed and air-conditioned to the crew's delight) and was excessively amphibious further confounded the 'Mech-centric military purchasers. StarCorps' wily sales teams, however, began targeting planetary garrison units. Though still 'Mech-centric, these troops had to coordinate with conventionals and the engineering vehicles had much value in rebuilding defenses, clearing blocked passages, and generally levelling things. Civilian populations could also put the vehicle to use in effecting repairs to their usually ravaged cities.
Part of the Scorp's design is to act as a recharger to battery-equipped vehicles. Eight massive extension cables, four on each side, extend outward and can plug in to nearly every known socket. In a pinch, the small fusion plant can even provide power to hospitals or administration centers. Surprisingly, House Kurita has purchased the most of these vehicles, earning them "favoured" status (with a discount on parts and future purchases). Much of the Dieron and Benjamin Districts' forces can boast a company of these vehicles, though all but two are often lent out to the planetary governments to rebuild what they can. Over the last decade, basic planetary infrastructure (cleared roads and cities, new mines, and mass transit systems) in the Combine has shown a marked improvement thanks to the presence of these vehicles.
StarCorps provides alternative turrets to replace the ones that come standard with the Scorp (and can be installed easily with the help of another Scorp). The massive main turret's backhoe can be replaced with a wrecking ball crane system, also myomer powered to control the backswing. The front turret can be swapped for a rock cutter or a mining drill (a larger model than the one attached to the rear for complete mining operations, including its own fluid guns and storage). Finally, both turrets can be popped out and the main one replaced with a single heavy duty pile driver. A quartet of these vehicles in these various turret configurations can clear a site and begin laying the foundation for any number of fortifications or buildings.
Structure Weight (Amphibious, Environmental Sealing, Ultra Light) = 0.15 x 1 x 1.75 x 2 x 0.5 x 50 = 13.5
Engine Weight = 0.013 x 13 x 1 x 50 = 8.5
Armour (BAR 5 - 93 points): 3 tons
Front: 23
Sides: 10/10
Back: 20
Turret 1: 15
Turret 2: 15
Front: Bulldozer: 2 tons
Front: Searchlight: 0.5 tons
Turret 1: Dual Saw: 7 tons, Lift Hoist: 3 tons, Turret Equipment: 1 ton
Turret 2: Backhoe: 5 tons, Small Laser: 0.5 tons, Searchlight: 0.5 tons, Turret Equipment: 1 ton
Body: Heatsink: 1 ton
Back: Mining Drill: 3 tons
Back: Searchlight: 0.5 tons
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