User:DeadRaiser/XL1 Test Bed

The Experimental Light 1, Test Bed, commonly known as the XL1 Test Bed, was a Glacian prototype light tank developed in the mid 1870s and used through the first two to four years of the Border Wars. It's ordnance inventory designation is the ST1 (EL).

Designed as the first indigenous Glacian tank, the XL1 Test Bed was intended to replace vehicles bought by foreign countries and to show that the country was, indeed, a military power. However, flaws in the tank's design caused it not to enter service with the Glacian Military in 1874. Three years later, with global tensions rising, the Royal Glacian Army, the Glacian National Militia, and the Glacian Marine Corps initially ordered 3,000 vehicles as a stop gap for the production of other vehicles. Serving from 1877 to 1881 as the most versatile Glacian vehicle during the Border Wars, the XL1 Test Bed was used as the basis for other fighting vehicles, including the L1 light tank, the TD1 and XTD2 tank destroyers, and the XMAP1 self-propelled gun.

Despite it's initial shortcomings, the XL1 proved to be a reliable and easily modifiable vehicle, making it adaptable for various types of warfare. These upgrades and modifications allowed it to have a relatively long service life, but it couldn't keep it in combat for long once bigger enemy tanks started appearing on the battlefield. These modifications included changing the vehicle's turret, suspension, and engine, as well as upgrading its weapons. The XL1 Test Bed was phased out of service in 1881 and replaced by the L3.

Origins
During the Commonwealth-Glacian War (1854-1859), Glacya was supplied with large amounts of military vehicles and weapons from countries such as the Kingdom of Reland and the Former Germanic Republic. After the war, most nations went their separate was and all imports into Glacya were cancelled. For the next 15 years, the Glacian military trained its soldiers using outdated and worn-out equipment, causing complaints from soldiers and military officials alike. By 1874, Glacya's military was in desperate need of up-to-date equipment and by late March, the "Military Reconstruction Act" was passed in the Glacian National Congress and allowed for the start of various projects. On March 28, "Project Iron Shield" commenced with the mission of creating Glacya's first indigenous tank design.

Glacian Army, Militia, and Marine officials got twelve of the nation's leading automobile manufacturers together to decide which one would lead the project. After some heated discussions, it was agreed that Carlos van Hudson, CEO, founder, and lead designer at Van Hudson Automobiles LLC, would direct "Project Iron Shield." After a month of planning and redesigns, the official design for a tank was completed on April 19, 1874 and construction on the vehicle commenced in Van Hudson's central factory in Farwald. During construction, the vehicle was designated the "Experimental Light 1, Test Bed", or the "XL1 Test Bed," signifying that it was: a light tank, a prototype vehicle, and a test bed for future projects. Halfway through the production of the first prototype, it became apparent that the XL1 was difficult to manufacture due to it's finely tuned parts.

The prototype was finished in July of 1874, more than a month behind schedule, and was presented to military officials on July 23. The tank featured a box spring suspension system, relatively thin armor, the Van Hudson Model 4 engine, and a total of four guns: a Triple Dynamics 20 mm Mk1 main gun, one 11 mm coaxial machine gun, and two 8 mm hull-mounted machine guns. Trials ran for two weeks and the tank's strengths and weaknesses were quickly picked exploited by officials. The XL1 was acclaimed for its relatively good top speed and fantastic firepower, but it lacked maneuverability, armor, and suffered from constant engine breakdowns and suspension clogging. There were also complaints about the tank's suspension system being to stiff, making driving over rough terrain uncomfortable.

Despite liking the design of the tank and its innovative features, military officials decided that the XL1 Test Bed was not ready to put into service. Later, after most of the faults in the original design had been fixed, the XL1 Test Bed was put into service in 1877 as a stop gap vehicle and received an ordnance inventory designation as the "ST1 (EL)" (Service Tank 1 (Experimental Light).)

XL1.01
After the XL1 Test Bed was unable to be put into service, Carlos van Hudson teamed up with Arnold Samson, owner of Samson Motor Works, to make extensive modifications and redesigns to the tank. In August, designs for a variant of the XL1, known as the "XL1.01," were completed and production on three of these designs commenced. The first design, called the "XL1.01-1," called for the removal of the complicated box-spring suspension and replacing it with a simpler Christie suspension system, shortening the hull by nearly a foot, increasing the armor by 20 mm, and changing out the Triple Dynamics 20 mm Mark 1 with a shorter barreled, automatic variant, the Triple Dynamics 20 mm Mk1.04. Tests with this design proved favorable, but the tank's speed was now lacking and engine breakdowns were still frequent.

The second design, called the "XL1.01-2," contained all of the same changes as the first one, with the exception of replacing the Model 4 engine with the Van Hudson Model 6.1 engine and changing the gun out once again for the Arsenal 30 mm Mark 2. Testing of this vehicle only lasted a few days as the Model 6.1 engine proved unsatisfactory, the tank's turret rotation speed was suffering, ammunition stores were strained, and the vehicle's maneuverability was almost non-existent. Lessons learned from the XL1.01-2 further lead development to the design of the "XL1.01-3." This third design featured a wider turret ring to attach a larger turret, replacing the Model 6.1 engine with the Samson-Hudson Model 14 engine, and usage of the General Arms 42 mm Mark 1 gun. Testing with this vehicle proved to be a success, boasting a higher top speed, a better turret rotation speed, better armor, a more powerful gun, much better maneuverability, and better reliability than the original XL1.

The XL1.01-3 was later adopted into Glacian military service in 1875 as the "Training Light 1," or "TL1," and would later be used in combat alongside the XL1 Test Bed as a stop gap. It received an ordnance designation as the "ST2 (TL)" (Service Tank 2 (Training Light).)

XL1.02
While the XL1.01-2 was being produced, designs for another variant of the XL1 were being decided upon, the "XL1.02." The vehicle was intended to be a slower, more heavily armored variant of the XL1.01, but after the disappointment of the XL1.01-2, the XL1.02 was re-purposed for use as the successor to the XL1.01. Compared to the XL1.01, however, only one design for the XL1.02 was produced and used for trials. The XL1.02 featured a modified Christie suspension system, decreased the armor by several millimeters compared to the XL1.01, the new Samson Model 19.02 engine, and the experimental Arsenal 55 mm Mk3 gun. The vehicle was presented a week after the XL1.01-3's testing had concluded and impressed military officials due to it being even better than the XL1.01-3.

The XL1.02 was quickly accepted into active Glacian military service in 1875 as the "Light 1," or the "L1," and an initial order for 1,500 vehicles was place for it. It received an ordnance designation as the "ST3 (L)" (Service Tank 3 (Light).) However, the order was increased to 4,350 vehicles due to an elevated need to supply the Army, Militia, and Marines with a solid tank. Because of the limited supply of the Samson Model 19.02 engine and the Arsenal 55 mm Mk3 gun, the Samson Model 9 engine and the Arsenal 25 mm Automatic Mk2 gun were used during mass production.

XL1.03
Once the Border Wars began in 1877, Carlos started working on designs for a new variant of the XL1 Test Bed, classifying it as the "XL1.03." The XL1.03 had two designs known as the "XL1.03-1" and the "XL1.03-2," respectively. The XL1.03-1 was an attempt to make a vehicle lighter, faster, and more powerful than L1 by changing multiple parts and simplifying the tank's design. The XL1.03-1 had the Samson Model 19.02 engine replaced by the Van Hudson Model 11 engine, the Arsenal 55 mm Mk3 gun replaced by the National Armament 64 mm Mk1.02 gun, and the Christie suspension was modified once again.

Meanwhile, the XL1.03-2, like the XL1.02, was going to be a heavier variant of the XL1.03-1. The XL1.03-2 had increased the armor on the vehicle by 10 mm and used a new turret, but kept the same engine, gun, and suspension as the XL1.03-1. Both vehicles were tested and proved satisfactory, but the military did not accept them into service as they wanted Van Hudson Automobiles LLC to focus on the production of the L1, the XL1 Test Bed, the TL1, and other vehicles. The XL1.03 received the ordnance designation "ST6 (EL)" (Service Tank 6 (Experimental Light).) The design of the XL1.03-2 would later pave the way for developing Glacya's heavy tanks.

Production
Due to the initial failure of earning a contract to produce the XL1 Test Bed, no one anticipated for the vehicle to enter full scale production. In 1875, an order for 750 TL1s and 1,500 L1s came through with Van Hudson Automobiles LLC and Samson Motor Works being the only manufacturers to fulfill it.

With the onset of the Border Wars coming to light, military orders sky rocketed due to the Army, Militia, and Marines still being ill-equipped in terms of vehicles. As a stop gap, mass production of 3,000 XL1 Test Beds and 2,300 TL1s began on February 21, 1877. Unfortunately, when the Border Wars broke out, the orders had not been fulfilled so another company, GVC, was added to the roster of manufacturers of the XL1. Initially making 1,044 tanks every month on average in 1877, production rates dropped to only 897 tanks a month due to the constant bombing and rapid loss of land due to the Invasion of Glacya.

Full-scale production of the XL1 Test Bed and the TL1 ceased in late 1878 when production switched to newer vehicles, though other variants would remain in production until 1880. A total of about 7,804 XL1s and 4,298 TL1s were produced from 1875 to 1878.

Combat History
The XL1 Test Bed was one of the few Glacian tanks that were in mass production at the start of the Border Wars and was in active combat from 1877 to 1881. For the first year of war, about 15% of the Army's tank force, 20% of the Militia's tank force, and 10% of the Marines' tank force were comprised of XL1s. Although the tank initially fared well against Kalemanian vehicles, the tank was more on par or inferior to Corelian tanks.

Service in the Army
The XL1 served in the Royal Glacian Army from 1877 to 1879, where it was mainly used for frontline and support missions. At the start of the Border Wars, the Army had less than 14% of its tanks XL1s, having roughly 287 XL1s, 925 TL1s, and 844 L1s. The XL1 first participated in the First Battle of Dulton on March 26, 1877 where the Royal Glacian Army faced off against the Corelian Invasion Force. The Royal Glacian Army had only 26 XL1s on hand while the Corelian Invasion Force had 67 D2s during the battle. For three hours, the two forces collided, both sides sustaining heavy casualties before the Royal Glacian Army pulled out of the city with only 11 tanks left. However, a total of 41 D2s were knocked out during the battle, showing that the XL1 could hold its own in battle.

After numerous shifts between wins and losses, the XL1 proved itself worthwhile for the Army for the rest of 1877 and would receive 1,089 XL1s by the end of the year. The XL1 had a kill-death ratio of 3:1 and was constantly upgraded by the vehicle's crews. By 1878, however, the Army had starting receiving the new M1 Support Tank and the L2 Light Support tank and slowly began to phase the XL1 from frontline service. The tank would see service amongst the newer vehicles throughout the rest of 1878 and 1879, participating in battles such as the Battle of North Ridge and the Liberation of Charlottesville. Through these battles and others throughout 1878 and 1879, it became apparent that the XL1 was inferior to the new Corelian and Kalemanian vehicles that were appearing on the battlefield.

The XL1 was phased out of Royal Glacian Army service in September of 1879 and replaced by the L3.

Service in the Marines
Like the Royal Glacian Army, the Glacian Marine Corps used their XL1s from 1877 to 1879 as reconnaissance and frontline vehicles. At the start of the war, the Marines only had 108 XL1s, 554 TLs, and 536 L1s in active service, making the number of XL1s in service less than 10%. In Marine service, the XL1 was first used during the Defense of Aronburg on March 29, 1877, where 14 XL1s and 21 TLs faced off against 53 D2s and 8 E1s. By the end of the battle, 38 D2s and 3 E1s had been knocked out at the cost of 9 XL1s and 11 TLs, causing the Glacian Marine Corps to leave the area surrounding Aronburg.

The Marines would receive 977 XL1s by the end of 1877 for use in counterattacks and defensive missions. In mid-1878, the Marines, like the Army, began receiving the M1 Support Tank and the L2 Light Support tank, causing the XL1 to be slowly phased out of service. It would serve the rest of 1878 as a frontline vehicle, but defeats at Forshtun and Crystalice showed that the XL1 was outdated. During the year of 1879, the XL1 served as a reconnaissance vehicle, reporting locations and used for quick sabotage missions. When used in this role, the XL1 once again proved to be an effective vehicle that could change the course of the war, but it's service life would end in November of 1879.

It was replaced by the L3, which would take up the XL1's role as a reconnaissance tank.

Service in the Militia
The XL1 is most known for its service with the Glacian National Militia, particularly in the famous militia company, Wolf Company. The Militia started receiving their XL1s in early 1877 and used theirs until 1881 for use in frontline and search and destroy missions. The Militia started out with 142 XL1s, 347 TL1s, and 235 TLs in active service, with roughly 20% being XL1s. The XL1 was first used by the Militia during the Siege of Lochmarsh on March 28, 1877, where 19 XL1s and 29 L1s faced off against 37 Type 02 light tanks of the Kalemanian Ground Forces. After three days of heavy fighting, 25 Type 02s were knocked out, but at the cost of 13 XL1s and 19 L1s and the Militia lost control of Lochmarsh.

Despite the loss at Lochmarsh, the XL1 would continue to see service with the Militia, where they would receive a total of 1,984 by the end of 1877. As the years progressed, the Militia kept the XL1 in service for as long as they could, despite military officials pressuring them to remove it from active service. The XL1 was popular amongst militia companies and used them effectively through to 1881. The most famous example of this is the Battle of the Singac Line where Wolf Company, along with a number of other militia companies, pushed the Eastern Alliance out of Glacya by using all of their resources. Ultimately, the XL1 Test Bed was removed from militia service in 1881.

It's role was then taken over by the, already in service, L3.

Captured XL1s in service
Throughout the war, Corelian and Kalemanian forces captured a number of XL1 Test Beds and used them for testing and in active service as stop gaps of their own. About 374 XL1s were captured by the Corelians while about 566 XL1s were captured by the Kalemanians. They were used rather rarely against Glacian armed forces during the Invasion of Glacya, with the most ever being used in battle being 13. Many of the captured vehicles were sent back to either the Kalemanian or Corelian homelands for training.

During the Occupation of the Eastern Alliance, many of the captured vehicles were used against Glacian military groups, but did little to slow down the Glacian assault. Most of the captured tanks were later recaptured by Glacian forces and sent home due to being obsolete. The last XL1 seen in enemy service was in 1883 during the Siege of Allenhurst, the Corelian capital.

Variants
The XL1 Test Bed was modified numerous times to test or create new vehicles throughout its career.

XL1
 * The first model designed. Armed with a Triple Dynamics 20 mm Mk1 gun. Used in combat from 1877 to 1881. 7,024 produced.

XL1.01-1
 * First design of the XL1.01 series. Had upgraded suspension, increased armor, and shortened hull. Armed with a Triple Dynamics 20 mm Mk1.04 gun. 3 produced.

XL1.01-2
 * Second design of the XL1.01 series. Had an upgraded engine. Armed with a Arsenal 30 mm Mk2 gun. 2 produced.

XL1.01-3/TL1
 * Third design of the XL1.01 series. Had upgraded engine, wider turret ring, and turret. Armed with an General Arms 42 mm Mk1 gun. 4,298 produced.

XL1.02
 * Only design in the XL1.02 series. Later adopted as the L1. Featured a new turret, engine, increased armor, and modified suspension. Armed with a Arsenal 55 mm Mk3 gun. 10 produced.

L1
 * First official tank for the Armed Republic of Glacya. Same as the XL1.02 with the exception of a different engine. Armed with a Arsenal 25 mm Automatic Mk2 gun. 9,347 produced.

XL1.03-1
 * The first design of the XL1.03 series. Had simplified parts, design, and new engine. Armed with a National Armament 64 mm Mk1.04 gun. 4 produced.

XL1.03-2
 * Second design of the XL1.03 series. Had increased armor and slight changes to the design. Armed with a National Armament 64 mm Mk1.04 gun. 1 produced.

TD1
 * First Glacian tank destroyer in service. Had turret removed and a superstructure put in its place. Increased frontal armor and angled side armor. Armed with a National Armament 55 mm Mk3 Anti-Tank gun. 3,459 produced.

XTD2
 * Prototype Glacian tank destroyer using a modified XL1 chassis. Had an enlarged turret, new engine, modified suspension, wider turret ring, and wider hull. Armed with a Triple Dynamics 73 mm Mk5 Anti-Tank gun. 5,644 produced.

XMAP1
 * Prototype self-propelled gun/mobile assault platform using a modified XL1 chassis. Removed turret and replaced with an open-top superstructure. Had modified suspension, wider tracks, and thinner armor. Armed with a General Arms 87 mm Mk4 howitzer. 1,323 produced.

Tanks of comparable role, performance, and era

 * D2 : Corelian contemporary
 * Type 02 : Kalemanian contemporary
 * ACS 12t : Argonian contemporary