Templar Crusader TLR1-CR

         With the Department of the Quartermaster concentrating mainly on the upgrading of the AFFC’s conventional BattleMech forces, many within the High Command voiced criticism toward this policy, arguing they needed a strong force of OmniMechs if the Federated Commonwealth were to maintain a technological parity with the rest of the Inner Sphere. Inevitable, the Prince, and later the Archon, quashed these arguments on economic reasons, maintaining the AFFC could not afford the cost to design and build a new OmniMech. Rather than let this continue, Field Marshal Duke George Hasek instead commissioned Kallon Industries to design and build an assault-class OmniMech, initially financing the project with his own family fortune.

         Intended to take the place of some of the AFFC’s most venerable assault-class ‘Mechs, such as the Awesome (chassis it closely resembles) and the Victor, the Templar makes the most out of technologies that have just been introduced, coupling them with time-tested off-the-shelf equipment. Not only did this bring development time and costs down, but when considering its massive armor protection, the Templar is both a durable and easy to repair machine. The Primary configuration, with its powerful Gauss rifle and strong array of lasers, is designed to command the battlefield. With the addition of the NAIS’ recently introduced advanced targeting computer, this configuration is capable of defeating even the heaviest of Clan OmniMechs.
         The most common variant pairs the Ultra 10-type autocannon with the ER PPC, again backed with the advanced targeting computer. As the Templar was designed to showcase such new technologies, the inclusion of the expensive targeting computer on two of its three configurations was deemed appropriate. Added mobility is also provided, with the addition of jump jets.
         A third variant, though not as common as the first two, is finding its way into the AFFC’s Regular Army. Conceived to engage an opposing unit at the longest ranges, the ‘Mech mounts an extended-range particle cannon and three of the lightest RACs.

         The first Templars off of Kallon’s lines were routed to the Syrtis Fusiliers, though machines from later runs have found their way to units like the Federated Suns Armored Cavalry and Davion Assault Guards. Duke Hasek’s people have been carefully parceling out these new OmniMechs, however, insuring that only select units receive the Templar. A majority remain stationed within the Capellan March, all of which have been assigned to units that show nothing but the greatest loyalty to either Duke Hasek or Prince Victor. The remaining few have made their way to the Draconis March, in a show of solidarity between Duke Hasek and Duke Sandoval. To date, no unit claiming loyalty to Archon Katherine has been able to requisition one of the new Templars.