The Argus was initially conceived as an Omni mech. The DQ however, ended up rejecting the design citing cost. Not willing to take no for an answer, the mech was redesigned into a standard mech with both Achernar Battlemechs and Robinson Standard BattleWorks sharing the R&D costs. The design was summarily accepted.
Capabilities:Weighing in at 60 tons the Argus and so Davion chic it is to die for. Seriously, why would you want last season’s Centurion when you could have this bootylicious mech!?
Chic Studmuffin the original Argus prototypeOur Calvary Beef, The Argus has 5 distinct variant which, by and large, are generally an improvement of the original production 4D model. The 2D which was released at the same time as the 4D is based off of the intended Prime configuration when the mech was first presented as an Omni mech.
AGS-4D: The 4D mates, at the time of its production, reliable time tested tech with some of the newer toys that were developed after the Com Guards halted the invasion on Tukayyid. This Argus features a RAC-5, LRM-10, a couple Medium lasers, and a machine gun for token AI protection. A Targeting computer is included for direct fire accuracy and a Beagle Probe which is an item surprisingly lacking in most domestically produced mechs of the era. It is a well-rounded design that either found its inspiration from the Clan Invasion Centurion 9-D or some R&D Davion designers’ patriotic duty to make something far better than the craptastic Quickdraw 5Ms the Federated Suns had previously bought from the Free Worlds League.
On its own it is fairly average overall, but as part of a lance its profile raises up. The biggest drawback of the design is lack of sufficient ammunition for the RAC. Carrying only two tons of ammunition for its main gun means it can potentially be out of ammunition in faster time than an enemy would run out of Gauss ammo. Easy enough to fix had the R&D skipped on the MG.
AGS-2D: The 2D is a very different design from what became the standard production model. Featuring 2 LRM-15s with Artemis FCS and an ER PPC it gives the Fed Suns a design capable of keeping pace with its line units with heavier LRM launchers. 2 tons of ammunition assure the unit will be useful for an extended period of time.
Just like the 4D, at the time of its production, the Fed Suns was woefully lacking a domestic mech design that featured LRM-15s. Both the Trebuchet 7M and to a lesser extent the Apollo 1M were purchased from the Free Worlders. The Apollo is incapable of keeping up with the demands of the line units of the Fed Suns and the Trebuchet is simply underwhelming. When you have more NARC ammo than you have LRM ammo, it is a very bad sign. Fortunately for the Suns the R&D stood up and shouted in unison ‘hell no, NARC must go’.
Seen here with his trusty assistant, Head of R&D Dr. Beavis BanziAGS-5D: 9 years after the original two models of the Argus shows up we get this beauty in 3071. As tech from the Jihad has proliferated throughout the Inner Sphere the Fed Suns decided that a Heavy PPC is a good enough weapon to include on the Argus. The auxiliary weapons consist of 2 Medium lasers and 2 SRM-6 Streak launchers with a ton of ammo a piece. A Targeting Computer adds accuracy and a C3 slave is included. Not to be forgotten, there is also a MASC on the mech too.
To make all of that work out, R&D used an XL gyro. While I’m not generally fond of them, and I’d be willing to sack the MASC to make it work without the special gyro. From top to bottom there is little to find fault with otherwise in this design. The mech lacks the ability to fire all its weapons and not overheat. Bracket fire on the other hand will keep the design running comfortably.
AGS-6F: Produced late in the Jihad, this variant is specifically bent to short range engagements. Featuring an AC-20 with 4 tons of ammunition, a couple ER Medium Lasers, and an SRM-6 which is a known quality on early model Victors. The real reason for the existence of this model probably has more to do with access to the multitude of AC munitions that the Fed Suns have access to than anything else. Unlike other models this Argus has a Light engine making it more durable than any other model of the Argus.
AGS-8DX: The final variant of the Argus is another late Jihad design. It is essentially a 4D with updates. Gone are the MG and the Probe. Added is a C3 Boosted Slave. The LRM launcher is exchanged for a MML-7 Launcher and retains the same 2 tons of ammo for both the RAC and the MML. The same issues that existed on the 4D are found here.
From top to bottom I'd say the design is average on its own, but a good partner to stick in just about any lance. My own want would be for some jump jets somewhere on one design, but shoe-horning them in over a decrease in firepower would probably do more harm to the design. Disagree, feel free to speak up.