Diplain ‘Mechyards

Diplan ‘Mechyards is an odd duck in the history of BattleMech construction. They were at the top of the world from 2660, with the introduction of the Mongoose. They then gotg a “permanent and irrevocable” contract with the Draconis Combine for the Jenner in 2784. But then things went spiralling out of control as their factories were destroyed. Their income plummeted and even with a “permanent and irrevocable” contract, they were stuck producing as many spare parts as possible from their remaining facility on the death world of Aix-La-Chapelle.

In the end, Diplan would falter and be bought out by Alshain Weapons in 3060, mostly through grants and loans from the Combine crown. This made Diplan a partially owned subsidiary of a company which was also losing much of its power, with a massive government stake in their business. This was basically the same game the Combine had been playing with a lot of mercenary outfits, turning them into eternal vassals of the state. Diplan (and Alshain, for that matter) could not buy themselves out of where they were now laying, having to sell war materiel almost at cost to the DCMS.

Recent History

Manufacturing

Aix-La-Chapelle

The Aix-La-Chapelle facilities for Diplan are a fortress built to withstand catastrophic weather and whatever an enemy would throw at it. It is generally fully independent and self-sufficient outside of requiring food shipments from offworld as the planet itself is too inhospitable.

The factory produces various light ‘mechs for the DCMS. The production line for the Chariot Type I chassis is split between producing the Kabuto and Hitman depending on the requirements of the DCSM. The Mongoose production line is always active and finds a wide variety of customers. Two new production lines were added since the end of the Jihad, starting with the Nyx which had been stolen from the Word of Blake. Finally, a Jenner production line was added to the fortress in the early 32^nd century to take advantage of Diplan’s original money maker.

BattleMechs

• Mongoose
• Jenner
• Kabuto
• Hitman
• Nyx

Ozawa

The Ozawa factories of Diplan were in the process of being rebuilt in the early 32^nd century while under the Republic of the Sphere. They began producing spare parts and repair kits for various light ‘mechs. When the planet came back under Combine rule, this was expanded to focus more on machines built for the DCMS.

Luthien

The Luthien facilities of Diplan exist as an assembly yard for Luthien Armor Work and other companies. While they focus mainly on the Jenner, they have expanded to assemble OmniMechs for Luthien Armor Work, namely the Owens and Strider. The only components produced locally are assembly modules and components.

Effective Technology Level

Diplan does not have the money or resources to expand their production capability, especially into more modern equipment. The Aix-La-Chapelle facilities are self-sufficient for what they build, with an endo-steel mill in orbit and a simple two-stage foundry for standard and ferro-fibrous plates underground, fed by the mines throughout the world. They only recently gained the ability to produce double heat sinks, in 3085, and have been trying to find ways to use them on other machines they produce since then, but with a very limited R&D budget, they cannot move forward. They have been producing 3 models of XL engines (140, 210 and 300), and have attempted to overproduce the Pitban 300 XL for sales to outside customers.

Diplan ‘Mechyardsdoes not produce any Clan-graded equipment.