Representing a definite shift in design philosophy, the Patton and Rommel tanks are the newest products from the Vehicle Division of Defiance Industries in the Lyran Commonwealth. They also represent the first attempt to create a fighting vehicle not based on an old Star League design.
         As 'Mechs grow scarcer, the vehicle designers at Defiance reason that tanks will become an even more vital weapon on the battlefield. Faster than the Demolisher, these two tank types actually carry more armor than that aged behemoth and still pack comparable punch.

         A high-turreted tank like the older Manticore has a wide range of fire, on the assumption that it is better to hit an enemy as often as possible. The high, roomy turrets were also the ones large enough to accommodate the Manticore's bulky weapons system. In contrast, the lower Rommel/Patton silhouette has more maneuverability and is less visible to the enemy.
         Until the Rommel/Patton tanks appeared on the scene, all armored vehicles used the same weapon systems as 'Mechs. Though effective, these large systems required tall turrets. Defiance Industries redesigned the Killer Type T autocannon on the Patton and the 'Mech Hunter on the Rommel, both stock autocannons, to fit the low-turreted new model.
         The Patton's Class 10 autocannon carries 20 rounds of ammunition. The Rommel's main weapon is a Class 20 autocannon, with 15 rounds of ammunition. Thus far, performance in combat shows that the lower turret restricts the upward range of both weapons, meaning that the tanks cannot aim higher than a 'Mech's legs at a range of less than 90 meters.
         Both tanks are equipped with the long-range missile system made by Coventry Weapon Works, which consists of 120 missiles divided into 24 groups of five. The missile system is mounted in the turret next to the autocannon, and is angled upward to facilitate the tank's aim at approaching 'Mechs or high targets. Thus far, the only serious problem with the missile system is the tendency of smoke from fired missiles to drift into the crew compartment.
         The Patton tank mounts a small laser on top of the turret. The tank commander can control the weapon from within the tank, either mechanically or by standing and firing the weapon manually. The Patton also mounts a flamer on its front end. The Rommel does not have a flamer. Both tanks carry a three-man crew, including a tank commander, a driver, and a gunner/engineer.
         The Patton is the most heavily armored of the two tanks, with a whopping 14 tons distributed around its turret and body. The Rommel carries an equally respectable 11.5 tons. Both tanks are better armored than the Demolisher heavy tank, yet can move faster than the Demolisher. In fact, they are as fast as most other heavy tanks.
         The fusion engine makes these two tank types so powerful and reliable. It is also the major stumbling block to swift production of Patton and Rommel tanks because of the scarcity of these engines.
         The Lyran Commonwealth is currently funding the construction of factories on Tharkad that will build fusion engines for the new tanks. Assuming that technicians with the skill to oversee production can be found, it will take at least three years before the production of fusion engines can begin.

Notes:
         Despite the considerable strength of the two tanks, they are unlikely to be deployed against 'Mechs directly, except under duress.
         When on the defense, the two tank types can employ several strategies that even 'Mechs find it tough to defeat. The first is to deploy a tank unit just below a ridge top, with only the crest of the ridge between the vehicles and an approaching enemy. With autocannons pointed down and sighted on the enemy, the tanks wait until their opponent is as close as possible before opening fire. This "hull-down" configuration has a triple purpose. First, it makes the tanks difficult to see, especially if they are painted to match the terrain. Second, the intervening ridge covers most of the tank, presenting only a very small target for the enemy. Third, the ridge affords the tank considerable protection. Before the confused enemy can mount an effective counterattack, the entire tank group can steal away to set up on another ridge.
         Patton and Rommel tanks also shine in city fighting, an environment that has many more places where a tank can go that a 'Mech cannot. Tall parking garages, for example ' are perfect hiding spots for the tanks, which wait for an unsuspecting 'Mech to pass by and then fire at point-blank range. A tank can also hide in basements and shoot upward at a 'Mech's legs, or hide in alleys or beneath roadways.
         The hitting power and maneuverability of the Patton/Rommel tanks may make MechWarriors worry less about the vaunted Demolisher tank and more about these new Lyran Commonwealth weapons. Of course, the two tanks may come to nothing if Steiner cannot get a good supply of fusion engines.
         Security surrounding the design plans and the six prototypes was especially tight. Yet, there are rumors that both the Draconis Combine and The Free World League are trying to infiltrate the research project, code-named, "Desert Knights". Hermann Steiner, the project's chief, is Archon Katrina Steiner's uncle. As a successful tank commander, Hermann Steiner is the exception in this 'Mech-dominated universe. He eagerly looks forward to the day when the Lyran Commonwealth will be producing two Rommels tanks as cheaply as one 'Mech. He has been especially diligent in his duties as security chief and chief of performance testing.
         Herman Steiner chose the tank division of Hanesn's Roughriders as the first unit to receive the new tanks, for it is the most active and aggressive of all tank corps in the Lyran Commonwealth. Steiner believes that if the Rommel/Patton has any flaws, the Roughriders are the ones to find it.
         If the Roughriders continue to use the new tanks successfully, then other tank corps will begin receiving it, starting with heavily populated border worlds.
         If Steiner manages to build and man its new fusion-engined plants,m Rommel/Patton tanks will be able to take over some of the defensive burden of protecting Lyran cities, thus freeing up 'Mechs for counter-attacks. Neither the Draconis Combine nor the Free Worlds League are too happy at the prospect, and are currently conspring to disrupt construction of these new and deadly tanks.
         Katrina Steiner's ally, House Davion of the Federated Suns, has expressed interest in the new tanks. Negotiations are currently underway to permit Lyran candidates into the NAIS in exchange for the Rommel/Patoon design plans.