Free Worlds Defense Industries



Free Worlds Defense Industries is one of the leading military equipment manufacturers in the Free Worlds League.

History
FWDI was formed in October 2562 by the merger of Andurien AeroTech and Gibson Federated BattleMechs, with the Andurien based aerospace company seeking new investment opportunities while the Gibson based BattleMech manufacturer needed to resolve cash flow problems from over extension. Like many manufacturers they had both suffered and benefited from the near constant warfare of the Succession Wars. FWDI's R&D facilities and coffers received a large boost when the ComStar splinter group the Word of Blake sought sanctuary on Gibson, with their factories on that planet befitting from large production orders and Blakist funded upgrades to produce designs using lostech and eventually OmniMechs. However the arrangement backfired once the Blakist's launched their Jihad and claimed Gibson, drawing increasing raids aimed at knocking the factories out.

Leadership
In 3025 the company's CEO was A. Liam McNeil.

=Gibson Federated BattleMechs=

Gibson Federated BattleMechs is the subsidiary of Free Worlds Defense Industries responsible for most of the ground unit production.

Overview
Based on Gibson, it was taken over by the Word of Blake forces on that world and used as one of their primary military suppliers. Funding from the Word allowed Gibson Federated to expand production, opening plants on Terra and Mars. Gibson also formed Sekkaris Mekwerks in 3063 to create prototype designs equipped with weapons the Word had acquired from the Clans and other sources. The Celestial series OmniMechs were designed by Sekkaris, particularly their lead designer Dr. Devon Cortland.

Leadership
In 3025 the company's Division Head is Samuel Humphreys.

Manufacturing
Gibson Federated BattleMechs has manufacturing centers on the following planets:

Gibson
According to Präludium, a prototype of the Florence AmbulanceMech was unveiled to great fanfare on Gibson in 3029. However, the impression is given that it was a public relations project first and foremost which had served its role with the presentation of the prototype; it appears the Florence never entered regular production.

Mars
=Sekkaris Mekwerks= A division of Gibson Federated BattleMechs, Sekkaris Mekwerks is the birthplace of the Blakist's fearsome Celestial series OmniMechs.

Overview
Formed in 3063 as a separate division of Gibson Federated, based on the planet Mars in the Terran system Sekkaris Mekwerks was tasked with developing new designs and equipment based on advanced Clan and Inner Sphere technologies captured by the Word of Blake. Quickly becoming the sole preserve of chief researcher Devon Cortland, Cortland's efforts to integrated new structural components with OmniPod technology led to the development of the Celestial series.

While Gibson Federated's Terran and Gibson production lines far and away produce the bulk of the Blakist's new OmniMechs, Sekkaris continues to produce specialized custom-made Celestials for the Manei Domini's VDNI equipped commanders and elite units such as the Opacus Venatori.

Manufacturing
Sekkaris Mekwerks has a manufacturing center on the following planet.

Mars
=Andurien AeroTech= Andurien AeroTech is the subsidiary of Free Worlds Defense Industries responsible for most of their AeroSpace unit production.

Following the disbandment of the Free Worlds League and the establishment of the Duchy of Andurien as an independent nation, Andurien AeroTech benefitted from the very loose export restrictions put in place by the Duchy in the 3080s. This meant that Andurien AeroTech products were soon seen well beyond the boundaries of the former League, with the Deathstalker being of particular interest to outside bodies. Andurien AeroTech was also able to circumvent government restrictions on sales to the Marik Commonwealth thanks to the location of the Westover plant.

In 3078 Andurien AeroTech announced that it was separating from their parent company.

Leadership
In 3025 the companies Division Head is Lady Shanna Valdssen.

Manufacturing
Andurien AeroTech has manufacturing centers on the following planets:

Andurien
During the Jihad the plant suffered no damage and was operating at maximum output in 3079.

Lopez
During the Jihad the plant suffered no damage and was operating at maximum output in 3079. The Andurien Aerotech factories were lost along with Lopez following extensive asteroid bombardment in October 3080.

Westover
During the Jihad the plant suffered no damage and was operating at maximum output in 3079.