Prot. "MBTP-1" Meier Trials
Specs
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~60 KPH Speed
Auto-loader (~6 Sec Reload)
Intercom
Horizontal Stabilizer
History
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In the early 50's, the BZU was falling behind in its armed forces. The Dog Republic had made large advances in weapons technology, and was beginning to spread it's influence. In terms of armored warfare, the BZU had fallen behind decades. Its primary armored forces were made up of heavy tanks from the late 40's, and almost none were combat ready. Meanwhile, the Dog Republic had begun to field newer and better tanks that would outmatch anything that would go against it. As the fear of a conflict drew closer, the BZU knew it had to step up its game.
Approaching the end of the decade, the Top Brass knew that its armor was completely obsolete. A program started to replace these aging tanks. The two lead tank firms, Batavia & Steelchinni competed for a new tank to fight in any conflict in the near future. Both teams had very different approaches. While one focused on ease of production and effectiveness, the other concentrated on new technologies and ideas.
Batavia entered the TP-3, and Steelchinni the MBTP-1. In trials, the MBTP-1 was decimated. It was more expensive, harder to use, less effective at range, and had worse optics. Batavia got the green light for the contract and it seemed the MBTP-1 would never leave the prototype stage.
However, things began to change in the Mid-60's. With the outbreak of conflict in Central Meier, the developed TP-3, or T-3MT, went to war with the Dog Republic. There it showed a huge problem. Statistics showed that while engaging armored targets at less than 500 meters, the loss ratio went up almost 50%. The gun on the tank had a manned loader, while the enemy had an autoloaded weapon. Reports stated that the tanks they were facing got off 3 times as many shells when they were close up.
Army Officials knew that the T-3MT needed to change. At the closing of the conflict, there was a need for an autoladed tank that could face off against the Dog Republic's state-of-the-art DOG03. A project to revamp the T-3MT was underway, but the MBTP-1 already promised an autoloader AND partial stabilization. It was the perfect solution. Immediately it went into production as the T-4, where some of the kinks were worked out. However, the T-4 was never meant for service with the BZU. With customers needing weapons too, the T-4 was meant for export, while the T-4A was in design for a new, upgraded version to see action with the BZU.
Although the MBTP-1 lost in trials to the TP-3, in the end it would become its replacement, as well as a breakthrough in armor design.
Credits
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Uran_Wind for the ECU
Bw-Chan for the Map in the Thumbnail
Milkstar for the Compass
