With the Defence Ministry voicing concerns over the cost of its Nicator LRM carrier, Vulcan cast about for inspiration from existing designs and found it in the shape of the crude, but effective Heavy LRM Carrier, designed and produced by the Taurian Concordat.

While the low-tech Concordat vehicle had ample firepower, it was seriously deficient in the armour and performance stakes. The designers at Vulcan reckoned they could fix that.

In the end, Vulcan had to admit defeat. It simply wasn't possible to effect all the changes they wanted with the Heavy's 80-ton chassis and it was decided to design an entirely new vehicle, based on the original.

The new 100-ton chassis allowed them to use a standard fusion power plant. The four Delta Dart missile racks were retained and upgraded with the Artemis IV Fire Control System. While the Heavy carried a paltry 4 tons of standard armour, the Thunderstrike is protected by 12 tons of ferro-fibrous armour. An extended range medium laser and ER small laser provide backup weaponry. As with many other Vulcan designs, CASE and AMS were fitted as standard equipment.

Questions were raised regarding its lack of backup weaponry and relatively light armour, but it was felt that since the 'Strike is supposed to remain on the fringes of a battle, that close combat capability and armour protection could be sacrificed in favour of greater ranged firepower.

After proving surprisingly effective - even surpassing Vulcan's expectations - the Thunderstrike will begin full scale production immediately. It is expected to serve with both regular and militia forces throughout the Coalition. Military chiefs were also impressed with the price tag, which is a little over a third of the Nicator's.