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©2003-2006 WizKids, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Classic BattleTech Technical Readout: ProjectPhoenix, Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, BattleMech, 'Mech and WK Games are registered trade-marks and/or trademarks of WizKids, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

As the FedCom Civil War swung into high gear and conflict swept through theInner Sphere, the need for additional war materials was paramount. However,unlike many companies which produced new, but expensive, BattleMechs, a newupstart company, Vicore Industries, took a different route. By taking centuriesold machines and upgrading both their physical as well as technological capabili-ties, Vicore almost single handedly started a revolution that provided a cheapmeans to bring ‘new’ BattleMechs to the field commanders desperate for moreassets.

Classic BattleTech Technical Readout: Project Phoenix provides descriptions, game statistics and illustrations for twenty-nine classicBattleMechs that have been upgraded both in appearance and technology. Also,for the first time in any technical readout, additional illustrations representingall the variants for every design are also included.

As the FedCom Civil War swung into high gear and conflict swept through theInner Sphere, the need for additional war materials was paramount. However,unlike many companies which produced new, but expensive, BattleMechs, a newupstart company, Vicore Industries, took a different route. By taking centuriesold machines and upgrading both their physical as well as technological capabili-ties, Vicore almost single handedly started a revolution that provided a cheapmeans to bring ‘new’ BattleMechs to the field commanders desperate for moreassets.

Classic BattleTech Technical Readout: Project Phoenix provides descriptions, game statistics and illustrations for twenty-nine classicBattleMechs that have been upgraded both in appearance and technology. Also,for the first time in any technical readout, additional illustrations representingall the variants for every design are also included.

•FANPRO•

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SHORT STORY 4INTRODUCTION 10INNER SPHERE BATTLEMECHS 12Locust 14Stinger 16Wasp 18Valkyrie 20Ostscout 22Phoenix Hawk 24Griffin 26Scorpion 28Shadow Hawk 30Wolverine 32Ostroc 34Ostsol 36Rifleman 38Crusader 40Thunderbolt 42Archer 44Warhammer 46Marauder 48Goliath 50BattleMaster 52Longbow 54Marauder II 56CLAN BATTLEMECHS 58Locust IIC 4 60Griffin IIC 4 62Shadow Hawk IIC 4 64Rifleman IIC 3 66Phoenix Hawk IIC 4 68Warhammer IIC 4 70Marauder IIC 2 72BATTLEMECH VARIANT

ILLUSTRATIONS 74LCT-1V2 Locust / LCT-5V Locust 76STG-6L Stinger / WSP-3S Wasp 77

VLK-QD3 Valkyrie / OTT-9S Ostscout 78PXH-3PL Phoenix Hawk /

PXH-6D Phoenix Hawk 79PXH-7CS Phoenix Hawk /

PXH-7S Phoenix Hawk 80GRF-5M Griffin / GRF-6CS Griffin 81SCP-12C Scorpion /

SHD-7CS Shadow Hawk 82SHD-7M Shadow Hawk /

WVR-8C Wolverine 83WVR-8D Wolverine / WVR-9D Wolverine 84OSR-3C Ostroc / OTL-5D Ostsol 85OTL-7M Ostsol / OTL-8M Ostsol 86RFL-6X Rifleman / RFL-7M Rifleman 87CRD-7L Crusader / CRD-8S Crusader 88TDR-7SE Thunderbolt /

TDR-9NAIS Thunderbolt 89TDR-10SE Thunderbolt /

ARC-6S Archer 90ARC-6W Archer / ARC-7L Archer 91WHM-4L Warhammer /

WHM-9D Warhammer 92WHM-9S Warhammer /

MAD-5R Marauder 93MAD-5T Marauder /

MAD-7D Marauder 94MAD-9M Marauder /

MAD-9S Marauder 95GOL-2H Goliath / GOL-3S Goliath 96GOL-5D Goliath /

BLR-5M BattleMaster 97BLR-CM BattleMaster /

BLR-K3 BattleMaster 98MAD-4H Marauder II / Marauder II C 99Locust IIC 5 / Griffin IIC 3 100Shadow Hawk IIC 3 / Rifleman IIC 4 101Phoenix Hawk IIC 3 / Warhammer IIC 3 102Marauder IIC 3 103

CREDITSWriting

Randall N. BillsWarner DolesDavid L. McCullochChristoffer TrossenStalking The Legends

Loren Coleman

Design

The following were involved, to one extent oranother, in the creation of the designspresented in this Technical Readout: HerbertBeas, Randall N. Bills, Paul “Blackhorse”Bowman, Nicholas “Darklord” Campbell, RichCencarik, Loren L. Coleman, Benjamin “Hawk”Disher, Warner Doles, Chris Hartford, Ross“Koga” Hines, Jeff “Highlander” Morgan, PeterSmith, Roland “Ruger” Thigpen, Paul Sjardijn,Chris Smith, Temuchin Frank Tillman andChristoffer “Bones” Trossen.

Product DevelopmentRandall N. Bills

Product Editing

Michelle Lyons

BattleTech Line Developer

Randall N. Bills

Production Staff

Art DirectionRandall N. BillsCoverChris LewisCover DesignJason VargasLayoutJason VargasIllustrationsChris Lewis

CREDITS

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Special Thanks

To Chris Lewis for generating some fabulousconcept art to show us all the possibilities; IronWind Metals for instantly and enthusiasticallythrowing their support behind the project; JordanWeisman, Jim Long and Steve Saunders atWizKids for their comments and support;Christoffer “Bones” Trossen, Loren Coleman, ChrisHartford and Warner Doles for their help inhammering the idea into a workable project; YeoJia Tian for Chinese translations; Warner Doles forthe kick in the pants that got the whole ball rolling.

© 2003 WizKids LLC. All Rights Reserved.Classic BattleTech Technical Readout: ProjectPhoenix, Classic BattleTech, BattleTech, ’Mech,BattleMech and WK Games are registeredtrademarks and/or trademarks of WizKids, LLC inthe United States and/or other countries. No partof this work may be reproduced, stored in aretrieval system, or transmitted in any form or byany means, without the prior permission in writingof the Copyright Owner, nor be otherwisecirculated in any form other than that in which itis published. Printed in the USA.

Published by FanPro LLC • 1608 N. Milwaukee •Suite 1005 • Chicago, IL 60647

Version 1.0 (March 2006) Based on CorrectedSecond Printing by FanPro LLC, 2005

Find us online:[email protected] (ClassicBattleTech questions)http://www.mechwarriordarkage.com (officialMechWarrior: Dark Age web pages)http://www.classicbattletech.com (official ClassicBattleTech web pages)http://www.fanpro.com (FanPro web pages)http://www.wizkidsgames.com (WizKids web pages)http://www.studio2publishing.com (online ordering)

4

STALKING THE LEGENDS

We were on the run.Rain pounded the hovervan’s metal shell with hundreds of

tiny hammers, ringing out like small arms fire. Sheets oflightning strobed across from the dark skies like nature’sown klieg lights, and thunderclaps applauded at irregularintervals, mocking us in our defeat. I crouched in the back ofthe van, still in battle armor but with my faceplate raised,balancing on my good leg and hanging onto a wire rack whereseveral trivid cameras rested. The inside of the vehiclesmelled of warm electronics, spilled coffee, and blood. Theelectronics and coffee belonged there. The blood was mine.

I still wasn’t sure where that last autocannon salvo hadcome from. By twilight, the battlefield had fallen into a chaosof men and machines, all firing in a dozen differentdirections. BattleMechs swung jeweled ropes of energythrough the air and spat razor-metal streams of slugs at eachother. Tanks clawed for purchase on the muddied slopes.Infantry scurried and leapt and basically tried to stay outfrom under foot.

No time to untangle your HUD, you picked your target bysight. It wasn’t hard to tell the enemy, with their bone-whitefinish, from the colorful livery of some of Solaris VII’s mostprominent stables. As the seconds ticked by it got easier, withmore liveried warriors falling to the enemy’s stronger numbers.

I remember leaping from the shoulder of Erik Gray’sEmperor, the BattleMech we had captured from the invadersfor him. I fell in with two or three other Cavalier-suitedinfantry as we swarmed over a crippled Pegasus. We drove itinto the ground, losing one man to a grazing PPC stream thatblasted through his battlesuit with the force of a lightning

Want to know how legends are born? They star t with agood story.

I’m not talking about the kind of story you see splashedup on scandalvid headlines or used to sell soap on theafternoon movie. We’re not even talking the Immortal Warriorhere—it may be art, but my God, doesn’t that man ever haveto reload? Try hanging out backstage at the Solaris VII arenaareas, or at Valhalla, or even at what passes for your localVeterans’ club, and you might see what I mean. Avoid thetales that star t out with “This is a no-shitter…” because theyare barely worth the price of the beer it will take to get ittold…or to shut them up.

No. You want the ones that star t (or end) with “I wasthere.” The ones that come out slow, in pieces, as the mindfights against black-outs, and its a trembling hand that raisesstein to lips.

Stories where blood stains the ground black, and you canhardly breath for the smell of gunpowder, the burning forests,the laser-scorched asphalt. Stories where men did not ejectcleanly, if at all. Stories about units which stormed thebattlefield and lived and died, and made a difference. Theremay be some exaggeration, but there won’t be much.

Doesn’t need to be.“Legendary” is just another word for a true story that

lasts.

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If I were a real general.If we were lucky enough to live through the day.Erik’s Emperor limped along beside the van, his cockpit

lighting up in brief flashes as his electronic systems arcedand sparked and burned around him. I could only imagine theacrid smoke filling up the cramped space, burning his eyesand searing down into his lungs, but he pushed on. We hadno choice. Between the two of us, we led a shortenedcompany of mixed forces culled out of DeLon and Overlordstables, along with a few free agents like Erik. We were theSolaris VII Home Defense League—or what was left of it, atany rate.

Our rear guard had already been eaten up by the pursuinginvaders. They came up behind us and pushed through thethick woods on either side of us, hoping to flank our position.Occasionally a lance or a company would push close enoughto hammer more autocannon fire or lasers at us, but therewere never enough of them to make a determined assault. Ithad been some time since our last run-in, but I knew theywere still there.

Erik did too. “Think they’re still back there?” His commsystem was about all he had left—that and basic systems forpiloting the Emperor.

“Want to stop and find out?”“No.”There was a chance that our pursuers had finally turned

off from the chase to join the larger force moving on SolarisCity. I didn’t think that likely. Whoever had trained theseforces was likely the same group that had taken downTharkad, the Lyran capital. They knew their business, and the

strike. Then I jumped clear, my laser stabbing ruby energyinto a nearby Regulator. An invisible hand plucked me out ofthe air and slammed me back into the ground.

Maybe I blacked out, but I’d like to think I bounced back uppretty fast. Your life often hangs on seconds, and I’d learnedthat lesson a long time ago. My quick self-check did not leaveme feeling too froggy. Thirty millimeter slugs had peeled backmost of the armor protecting my right arm and side, taking achunk out of my shoulder and slicing more hot metal just alongtwo ribs. An armor-piercing bullet had sunk into the meat onmy left thigh as well, but the Cavalier suit clamped down onthat wound or I would have bled out in minutes.

Ain’t technology grand?Pressure bandages took care of the rest, and by the time

I was done doctoring myself, Erik Gray had already passedalong my order to retreat. He commandeered a nearby newsvehicle to act as my ambulance while everyone else pulledback. The video journalists hadn’t seemed too happy with theidea, but neither of them was about to argue against theEmperor’s soot-scarred autocannon.

I like Erik. Known as the “Gray Ghost” to arena fans, he’sprobably the closest thing I have to a friend on Solaris VII —thatplace punishes people who rely on anyone but themselves, soyou rarely expect a helping hand. I don’t think I’ve ever accusedErik of having too much battle smarts, either. He’s a toy soldier,moved from garrison duty to the playgrounds of the GameWorld. I don’t think he’d ever taken live fire on the field beforetoday. I know he hasn’t spent time slogging through bloody mudand ducking artillery shells. Right then, though, he’d havegotten my recommendation for a medal.

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wasn’t until we had powered to a complete stop that I noticed asharp, angular quality to the tree trunks in the forest. A coupleslanted backward. Others bulged with exaggerated joints. Theystood in a line right across the main highway.

Not trees. Legs. BattleMech legs.Instead of undergrowth, there were the pillbox outlines of

a few tanks and even some unarmored infantry milling about.I stared through the rain-spattered glass, tensing for the flareof laser power that would end it all—twenty-two years ofthumbing my nose at the guy with the scythe. Then lightningflashed again in huge sheets and thunderous applause rolledoverhead. I knew right away that these weren’t invaders. Theenemy drove newer machines than these. What I was lookingat were faces from the past, champions in their own right:Warhammer; Marauder; Phoenix Hawk; Archer.

Legends.“Old news,” the driver said, gunning his drive fans as if

preparing to outrun a particle cannon. Adam Kristof was no fool. “Power down those fans right

now,” he ordered calmly.A Rifleman. I could see the twin-barreled arms of a

Rifleman out there, the sixty-tonner standing profile andcovering the darkened sky with its autocannon. A Valkyrie,too. From a soldier who has spent his share of time runningout from under the feet of such machines, yeah, you couldsay I knew them pretty well. These were all classic designs.Fan favorites in the arenas at one time, but pushed asidehere on Solaris VII and on the battlefields of the Inner Sphereby newer machines. Out with the old….

first thing you learn in that business is to never leave a well-armed force at your back—you never know what kind ofmischief they might cook up.

Battered and bloodied, with no resources and no fallbackplan that hadn’t included returning to the City, I didn’t figureus for much in the way of cooking anything up right then.Grayland didn’t have much outside of the main BattleMechcircuit, just the blood pits, some second-class arenas and thesecond-class warriors who fought in them. It would take timeto approach them and get organized, time that we didn’thave. I sucked in a deep breath, wincing at the pain thatlaced my lacerated ribs. Time I might not have.

But then, like I explained earlier, I never count on findinghelp being offered with a free hand. Not on Solaris VII.

“What the hell?” The hovervan driver hunched forward overthe steering column, slowing into a curve. He pointedsomething out to his field journalist buddy riding shotgun, AdamKristof, of the Sun Times. On a game world where MechWarriorswere gods, journalists were the prophets. This one also had abetter eye than his cameraman. “Brakes!” he shouted.

Of course, hovercraft do not brake per normal rules of theroad. They use vents to redirect air flow or, as in this case, theysimply spin around to apply full thrust into the face ofmomentum. Such a move did not take into account theirpassenger, though, and I quickly found myself shoved backagainst the rear doors of the van with my hurt leg awkwardlytwisted beneath me and a great view out the rear window. Watersheeted down the glass, and the heavy downpour grayed out theforest that covered most of Solaris VII’s main continent. It

7


I bit down on the activation clamp, then blinked my waythrough some preset frequencies to find a general band.“We’re on your side,” I said clearly. I glanced back and sawour column staggering out for a good overlapping field of fire.There was no love lost between the prime-time warriors ofSolaris City and the “backwoods leagues.” “Believe it or not.”

At the rear of the pack, the BattleMaster shifted to let meknow who was speaking. “Can you name any great Capellanchampions?” the MechWarrior asked.

I almost smiled. The pain in my leg was all that kept itfrom my face. This inside joke was almost as old as the’Mech Games themselves, but few off-worlders were likely toknow it. “There are no great Capellan champions,” I told him.

His cockpit light flickered on, then off. “Shen Driscoll,Midnight Stable. Also Manticore Stable, Jacobite, and theStreholm Co-op.” As he introduced them, pairs and one trioof cockpits flared briefly with running lights. These wereGame World warriors all right. Minimal billing required. “Youcity boys seem to have a problem.”

“Do we? I hadn’t noticed.” And I don’t bargain from weakness.“Full share.”On Outreach or Galatea, that would mean something very

different. A cut of the profits in a mercenary contract.Warriors here on Solaris VII could be just as mercenary, but ifhe’d meant money, he would have said “prize.” Full sharemeant network time—trivid rights.

Press.It was also a generous offer. One I took straight to Adam

Kristof, our resident (even if not by choice) news agent.

Lightning flashed again, this time to a softer peal of thunder.It was as if I’d blinked, and twenty years had peeled away

from the BattleMechs. I saw that the Warhammer was missingits trademark searchlight. The Phoenix Hawk had cleaner linesthan I’d remembered, and a BattleMaster standing near theback had a more angular outline along its head and shouldersthan before. These were the updated models, just now makinga comeback on the battlefield but not yet ready for Solaris VIIcameras. I’d seen a few of the redesigns, billed as vintagemachines and holding their own against the best andbrightest. Mostly, however, they were just now working theirway up from the secondary arena circuit.

“You might want to step outside,” Erik whispered in myear. “Maybe you can convince them we’re friendly.”

Yeah. The Emperor Erik piloted had no insignia and aneutral IFF transponder, and was painted the same bleach-bone ivory that the invaders used. Only the fact that he wasrunning dark without active sensors—though not by choice—had likely prevented the sentry line from tearing him apart.

Then again, we did have two lances worth of capablemachines moving up fast behind us. This was the kind ofconfrontation that led to bad decisions.

Working the rear doors’ opening lever with the Cavalier’sclaw wasn’t easy, but I managed. Wind-driven rain pelted mein the face, so I partially lowered the Cavalier’s faceplate.Favoring my injured leg, I limped forward slowly, targetingsystem shut down even though my own passive sensorschimed with multiple lock-ons. Erik had to know they hadlighted him up as well.

8


held its feet by sheer force of will, looking about as rough asI felt trying to maneuver around the battlefield with anopened right side and a thir ty-mill slug still in my left leg. Erikhad no targeting system, so it was all dead reckoning andbest guess. He knocked over one enemy Toyama, which Itook with some other Cavalier suits and a handful of Jacobiteirregular infantry. The professionals went for a clean disable.Our unarmored friends were thinking more like a lynch mob,and tried to cut the MechWarrior out of his cockpit. When thecockpit blew from a suicide charge, erupting in a brightorange gout of fire that consumed MechWarrior andinfantrymen alike, it was like someone had fired off thesignal gun in a bloody free-for-all.

Driscoll lost control of the Manticore Stable forces at thatpoint, whom I had to guess had just lost friends. They provedtheir devotion by breaking ranks and joining them on thecasualty lists in a matter of minutes. The Home DefenseLeague wasn’t in much better shape, since Erik had finallylost comms. Whatever orders I might have had were lost inthe rift that separates ’Mech jocks from mudsloggers. Ourjury-rigged chain of command was done for.

Peaking around the end of the overturned tank, I wiped at myfaceplate and managed to streak more mud across it thanbefore. Didn’t matter. I saw a bone-white Penetrator rallying theenemy’s broken center. It stalked forward to drill twin large lasersinto the BattleMaster’s back, followed by a four-pack of crimsonlasers. Driscoll couldn’t stand up to that kind of punishment andwent down hard, sprawling into a small growth of young pinetrees and brambles at the edge of the highway clearing.

Kristof had only two words to say. The first was“exclusive.” It wasn’t a question, and I would have expectednothing less. I nodded.

His second word was “deal.”

Missiles fell in an awkward pattern over the highwayinterchange, tearing up clumps of asphalt and hurling themskyward, eventually falling as muddy gravel. The blossoms offire walked right past me, too close for comfort. I leapt out ofthere and into the lee of an overturned Manticore armoredtank. The ruby and emerald darts of laser fire crisscrossedoverhead, flashing rain into steam and tiny sparkling fans oflight, where shattered beams refracted through a thousandtiny prisms. A particle projector beam slammed into theruined Manticore, maybe for good measure or just one moreof a dozen errant shots. From somewhere nearby came thelong burr-rp of an assault-class autocannon storming throughhundreds of rounds.

I’ll never be certain what surprised the invaders more—that we had turned to fight, or that we had scrounged upreinforcements. Then again, maybe it was just how much lifethe redesigned classics had in them.

Led by the BattleMaster, the legends of old tore into theenemy flank and did not stop until they linked up with thewedge Erik Gray pushed forward from the center. His Emperor

9


He followed up that hit with another, the gauss roundshattering away armor and pulverizing the hip joint. The’Hawk finished off that leg with a slashing laser attack. Asthe Penetrator fell, it ducked into a low swath of Erik’sautocannon fire. The armor-piercing slugs walked holes fromthe machine’s shoulder into the side of its head, blowingthrough the armor and canopy and then out the other side.

There wasn’t much left of cockpit or MechWarrior whenthe seventy-five tonner hit the ground.

Without their final powerhouse hitter to hold the center,the enemy force broke and ran. The Streholm Phoenix Hawkled a brief pursuit and managed to claim a crippled Trebuchetfor its trouble, but the fight was done for this day. AdamKristof had plenty of video—if there was still a network left todistribute to—and Erik and I were still alive. No small plus.

With a little work, we might put back together all of ourfallen BattleMechs, including the Manticore redesigns. Wewere going to need them all, it seemed, if Solaris, city andworld, was going to stand a fighting chance. If we held ittogether then maybe… just maybe… it could be the star t of alegend. After twenty-two years of pushing my face into theblades, it might almost be worth making a few new friends.

If we all lived long enough.

With Driscoll down, the Penetrator had a clear shot onErik. I had no way to warn him, no way to stop the monsterfrom claiming another victim. Still, I jetted out on the last ofmy jumping fuel, my small laser picking at the Penetrator asif I might distract it. Other Cavalier troopers joined in, but wewere just fleas biting at a dog.

In the end, we got lucky. One shot splashed off thecockpit ferroglass shield, and no MechWarrior in the InnerSphere likes to come that close to a laser tan. ThePenetrator swung around away from Erik, looking to bracketus with its weapons.

I told you Solaris VII punishes people who don’t look aftertheir own interests.

Fortunately, the Phoenix Hawk’s pilot was as old-schoolas his machine. Jetting overhead and bound for the far sideof the field, he cut his jump jets out early, dropping inbetween our position and the Penetrator. Twin large laserblasts meant for our position blasted into its chest, rippingaway armor and dripping large puddles of molten compositeonto the wet, black highway. We scattered to either side ofthe stricken machine, adding our small firepower to its largelaser. Erik Gray had finally noticed us as well, and rounded onthe Penetrator with his remaining autocannon.

With all that, though, it still didn’t look like it would beenough. I was getting ready to write my own epitaph, when abarely seen hypersonic slug skipped across the ground toslam into the Penetrator’s lower right leg. It was Driscoll’sBattleMaster, propping itself up on one arm and levering itsright straight out.

10

INTRODUCTION

Confidential: Eyes OnlyFrom: Precenter XIV-Delta Tempest StrykerTo: Precentor ROM Victoria ParrdeauDate: 1 August 3067

Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht was a fool.I know that most people consider him to be the savior of mankind and a hero the likes of which we’ve not seen since Aleksandr

Kerensky. As such, my words are tantamount to blasphemy and I’m confident censure will be forthcoming. Nevertheless, we haveknown each other for years and you know me; I feel that my views must become known.

In 3058 our zealot brethren recaptured Terra. What did Focht do? Did he attempt to take it back? Attempt to putdown the rabid dog that our lost brethren have become? No, instead he “contained” them while he dealt with hisobsession: the Clans. Of course the Clan threat needed to be settled, but not at the expense of all else. Because ofthat, our current Precentor Martial pushed all other responsibilities from his mind—and gave us five years of Civil War!At least the Clans are a known element, staring across the battlefield from the cockpit of a Mad Cat with their customsand traditions.

It is the unknown enemy, however, that I fear will be our undoing, an enemy Focht should have eliminated years ago.While we spent so much time distracted first by the Clans and then by our own foolish notions of loyalty to one House oranother, when we should have only been loyal to the Order, the serpent in the grass has been stealing our eggs.

In mid 3064, numerous Cohorts from the elite Legions of the Marian Hegemony struck like a hammer’s blow ontothe worlds of Blantleff and Maximillian in the Circinus Federation. All that stood in the way of the complete annihilationand absorption of the Federation—like the ill-fated Illyrian Palatinate before it—were the Black Warriors and McIntyreHouse Guard; a more mismatched confrontation I cannot imagine. Yet by the end of 3064, the Hegemony forces hadbeen stopped cold and an uneasy peace had ensued. The Inner Sphere was so preoccupied with its own bitterstruggles that almost no one questioned why. Only after intensive investigations by myself, along with several well-placed ROM agents, did the truth become known.

In an eerie similarity to Primus Myndo Waterly’s actions in handing over Star League vintage BattleMechs to theCombine, which helped to shock and paralyze the Federated Commonwealth into aborting their bid to destroy HouseKurita in 3039, it is my firm belief that the Word of Blake handed over prized new BattleMechs to the Federation.These BattleMechs were not new machines rolling off of any production line known to currently exist, however.

Instead, the four different machines documented by ROM in the Black Warriors’ employ were heavily modifiedversions of older BattleMechs that have been in use for centuries. Additionally, unlike previous “field upgrades,” notonly did these incorporate the latest technology into the very bones and hearts of the machines, but they extensivelyupgraded their physical appearance. That the four machines employed new League and Confederation technology onlyfurther cements my belief of their source.

11

INTRODUCTION

It is known that most of the new technology developed in both Houses was due to the assistance of the Word ofBlake. Furthermore, it is extremely disturbing to note that at the time the Confederation did not have a single linecapable of producing either the Phoenix Hawk or Marauder—so where were they manufactured? That is a questionthat keeps me up at night. Why the fanatics chose this route is unknown. Yet like the unknown movements of an aliencreature, you only learn its ultimate intention when it eviscerates you. All we know today are the interestingconsequences of this latest plot.

Giovanni Estrella De la Sangre, Demeter’s planetary governor and CEO of Vicore Industries, learned of these“new” ’Mech designs—we are still unsure where the leak originated from, but we cannot rule out that Giovanni is aWord of Blake agent himself. Officially, at least, he was so intrigued by the thought and its potential for revenue forhis world that he sank a vast portion of his considerable personal wealth into creating numerous prototypes thatmirror these Blakist machines to a “T,” acquiring the necessary technologies through both legal and nefarious means.Furthermore, he built proofs of concept for several other older BattleMechs. From there he designed additionalvariants based on these basic ‘new’ ’Mech chassis, incorporating new technologies garnered from other Houses. Hethen spent the next year meeting with the heads of such major arms manufacturers as General Motors, DefianceIndustries, and Earthwerks, using “acquired” battle ROMs showing these “new” BattleMechs in action to aid in sellinghis waresidea.

Already Giovanni has managed to sell his nascent Project Phoenix in the right circles, an amazing testament tothe fact that, while a millennia separates us from the first use of electricity, “medicine men” can still sell us oursnake oil. The Confederation in particular has already begun a small but aggressive program of recycling oldermachines and using scavenged parts to help build their next generation of ’Mechs; I’m confident the other Houses areonly waiting to see if this plan is a success before enacting their own.

Construction is still happening on a small scale, and production runs will likely account for only a small fraction ofthe total BattleMech output for some time to come; nonetheless, these machines are by all accounts here and hereto stay.

GAME NOTESThe record sheets for the designs, along with all of their variants, in this Technical Readout can be found in

Classic BattleTech Record Sheets: 3067. The record sheet for the Longbow can be found in the BattleTech RecordSheets: Upgrades, published by FASA Corporation.

12

No matter how much things change, they always stay the same. Isn’t that the axiom of the ages? Especially when it comes to mankind and his fascination with war? In 2439, the Terran Hegemony unveiled the BattleMech; from that point on, war would never be the same. Like the Panzer, Abrams and Manticore tanks of previous eras,

the Wasp, Shadow Hawk and Warhammer soon became household names—metal giants to foster fables, scare children and inspire men to greatness.A half millennia has passed since those first ’Mechs began to walk off the assembly line. Since that time, a legion of new designs loaded with amazing new technology has

appeared over the centuries. With such an abundance of BattleMechs to choose from, especially as higher technology designs were developed, it would seem logical to assumethat those original ’Mechs would have been lost to the annals of time long since.

Logic does not always work like it should.Having recently visited the StarCorps Industries facility on Son Hoa, I can attest to the continued existence of those designs and their new lease on life. Whether it is their

centuries of existence (a testament to a BattleMech’s amazing endurance in the face of so many years of constant wear and tear), the legacy that so many legendaryMechWarriors have piloted these machines (revered ancestors to many of the MechWarrior families that still hold such sway in the Inner Sphere), or the fact that those imageshave been ingrained into the public consciousness by such holovids as the Immortal Warrior—it cannot be denied that these ancient designs, reborn like the phoenix into a newform, will likely be around for another half millennia to come. The ’Mechs from the past continue to serve us and amaze us, with their utility, beauty, and persistant ability tospite the steady march of time.

—Martin OverstreetDemi-Precentor X-OmegaComStar Archives, Tukayyid1 October 3067

INNER SPHERE BATTLEMECHS

14

LCT-5M LOCUST

OverviewCorean Enterprises initially

balked at the idea of investing anycash into the Locust program until

they received assurances from theWord of Blake that the Militia would

purchase the first year’s limited productionrun. After studying the plans of the redesign,they were thoroughly impressed andsatisfied with what they saw. The redesignwould require very little capital investmentfor start up, and Corean moved forwardconfident in the knowledge that thecompany would reap plenty of profit inproducing the new Locust. Agreeing to termswith Vicore, contracts were signed anddesigns licensed, after which CoreanEnterprises designated the Locust the LCT-5M and began production.

CapabilitiesThe Locust redesign required a few

fundamental design changes. The engineerson the R&D team decided (and rightly so)that the best attribute of the Locust was itsspeed. They decided to increase the’Mech’s speed by thirty-three percent. Theydid this by replacing the Magna 160 with

The Periphery nations, on the otherhand, readily agreed to the new design.They were happy to have a design thatwould take advantage of their latest RocketLauncher Technology. Two variants wereintroduced to the Periphery nations.

The LCT-5V has been picked up by boththe Magistracy of Canopus and TaurianConcordat for production. This variant wouldincorporate ferro-fibrous armor, twoextended range medium lasers and twoRocket Launcher 10s. The original 160 LTVengine would be used keeping the originalspeed of the Locust.

The LCT-1V2 variant has been seen inthe forces of the Marian Hegemony, butwhere it has been manufactured isunknown at the current time. Speculationsand rumors from the region, however, arerife concerning a new small-scaleBattleMech factory located within thedepths of the Hegemony. Considering therumors circulating concerning a major newGermanium find, the two could go hand inhand. This variant appears to remove allthe weapons save one medium laser andadd four Rocket Launcher 10s.

the Hermes 240 XL power plant. To takeadvantage of the new speed, the designersreplaced the original LCT-3M’s weapons witha loadout of extended range lasers. In doingso, they dropped the Anti-Missile Systemand CASE, increasing the ’Mech’s armorprotection to its maximum.

DeploymentTrue to their word, Blakist officials from

the Office of Procurement arrived at thecompletion of the first production run for theLCT-5M. The new ’Mechs were shipped toeach Blakist Division and dispersed, givingeach Level III access to at least one newLCT-5M.

VariantsCorean Enterprises was the only

manufacturer in the Inner Sphere that beganproduction of the new Locust. AchernarBattleMechs agreed to terms with Vicore, buthas not yet begun production. They are slatedto start up on August 1, 3067. They will beproducing the LCT-5M after purchasing thelicense from Corean Enterprises. Currently,the remaining Houses have expressed nointerest in the Locust program.

Mass: 20 tonsChassis: Corean-II Delux Endo Steel

Power Plant: Hermes 240 XLCruising Speed: 130 kph

Maximum Speed: 194 kphJump Jets: None

Jump Capacity: None

Armor: Kallon FWL Special Ferro-FibrousArmament:

1 Magna Mk VI Extended Range Medium Laser

4 Magna Mk IV Extended Range Small Lasers

Manufacturer: Corean EnterprisesPrimary Factory: Stewart

Communications System: Garret T10 BTargeting and Tracking System: Corean

CalcMaster

15

LCT-5M LOCUST

Type: LocustTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 20Battle Value: 516

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 1Engine: 240 XL 6

Walking MP: 12Running MP: 18Jumping MP: 0

Heat Sinks 10 0Gyro: 3Cockpit: 3Armor Factor: 69 4

Internal ArmorStructure Value

Head 3 9Center Torso 6 9Center Torso (rear) 3R/L Torso 5 8R/L Torso (rear) 2R/L Arm 3 6R/L Leg 4 8

Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Medium Laser CT 1 12 ER Small Lasers RA 2 12 ER Small Lasers LA 2 1

16

STG-5R STINGER

OverviewThe second most

produced ’Mech in the InnerSphere, the Stinger was designed as

a scout and reconnaissance ’Mech. TheStinger has filled a variety of rolls,

including a training ’Mech, a testament tothe design’s usefulness. When the Tauriansbegan looking to revamp their existing scout’Mechs, they turned to the venerableStinger. They were already involved with theCapellans in producing the new Wasp 3L,but they desired to go it alone on this one.We believe that this may be due to a riftforming in their alliance with the Capellansand Magistracy.

The Taurian engineers encounteredtechnical difficulties from the outset inproducing the armor needed for thisconfiguration. Though they had the technicalknow-how to produce ferro-fibrous armor,they lacked the facilities to mass producethe armor on a scale required by theStinger project. Enter the Word of Blake.

Following up their successfulnegotiations with the Taurians’ Archerproject, the Blakists offered to give theTaurians the plans and material to build a

survivability and standard internal structure.This configuration allowed the Taurians toupgrade most of their existing Stingers in amatter of months.

DeploymentThe Taurian forces received shipments

of new Stingers early in 3067. Deploymentwould have been earlier had it not been forthe Blakists’ payments being made. Ouroperatives were unable to obtain thenumbers but they do know that a largeamount was shipped. We were able todiscover that some of the shipments weresent to Terra and the Circinus Federation.

VariantsThe only known variant that has been

identified is being produced on Detroit andSian for the Magistracy and Capellans. TheStinger STG-6L will incorporate the newStealth Armor, yet use two standardmedium lasers. The most importantupgrade of the STG-6L is its power plant.Using the LTV 160, this variant will be ableto reach speeds of 130 kph. The jump jetswere dropped to allow the maximum use ofarmor protection.

plant dedicated to producing ferro-fibrousarmor and endo steel. It is rumored that inreturn, they asked for an unspecifiednumber of Stingers and Wasps as payment.The new production facility was constructedand placed on New Vandenberg.

CapabilitiesThe Stinger had not seen many changes

since its commission in 2479—somethingthat would not be true for the Taurians’ newvariant. The first change made was a newhead assembly that incorporated a fullcockpit ejection system. This was done toremove a major drawback, as the cockpitassembly was too small for most pilots. Theoriginal STG-3R used a single energyweapon backed by machine guns. TheTaurians decided to give the Stingerfirepower that would live up to its name.Upgrading the medium laser with a newDiverse Optics extended-range modelproduced on Sterope, two new rocketlauncher 15 packs were installed. Armoredwith Taurian developed ferro-fibrous armor,the Stinger now carried a half-ton moreprotection along with increased firepower.The Stinger retained its standard engine for

Mass: 20 tonsChassis: Earthwerks STG

Power Plant: Vox 120Cruising Speed: 65 kph

Maximum Speed: 97 kphJump Jets: Rawlings 52

Jump Capacity: 180 meters

Armor: Durallex Light Ferro-FibrousArmament:

1 Diverse Optics Extended Range Medium Laser

2 Death Blossom 15 Pack Rocket Launchers

Manufacturers: New Vandenberg, Macleod’s Land, and DetroitPrimary Factories: Macleod’s

Land, New Vandenberg, and DetroitCommunications System: Garret T10 BTargeting and Tracking System: O/P 911

Targeting System

17

STG-5R STINGER

Type: StingerTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 20Battle Value: 409

Equipment MassInternal Structure: 2Engine: 120 4


Heat Sinks: 10 0Gyro: 2Cockpit: 3Armor Factor: 54 3



Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Medium Laser RA 1 1Rocket Launcher 15 RT 2 1Rocket Launcher 15 LT 2 1Jump Jets RT 3 1.5Jump Jets LT 3 1.5

18

WSP-3L WASP

OverviewThe Wasp was the first

recon ’Mech ever to be mass-produced. Over the last six centuries,

the Wasp has served in every Housearmy. This fact made negotiations run

smoother between the Vicore group andHellespont Industrials, and paved the wayfor the CCAF’s approval and financing of thelight ’Mech’s construction.

Vicore’s goals for the Wasp were simple:to be both cost effective and innovative.Hellespont industrials would have to makeonly minor changes to their Wasp line toproduce this new version. The Strategios tookone look at the new Wasp and immediatelyjumped at the chance to add another stealthBattleMech to their TO&Es.

CapabilitiesThis new model incorporates

Hellespont’s endo steel which, with theinclusion of a standard fusion engine andthe maximum possible amount of stealtharmor, gives the new Wasp an incrediblesurvivability for the lightest ofBattleMechs—a quality absolutelynecessary in a scout ’Mech. In designingthe ’Mech’s armor layout, the projectengineers paid close attention to better

with Raven 4Ls and the new Phoenix Hawkwhich, along with the new Stinger or ShaYu, would form light Shadow Lances—“Ying Qiang.”

VariantsWith the development of this new Wasp,

we have solidified confirmation of the WordBlake’s involvement. Our operatives sighteda Blakist Level II of Wasps, painted intypical Black Warrior schemes, off-loadingfrom a Union-class DropShip on Circinus.Now, with the Capellans producing thisdesign, we are pushing harder to find thelink between Word of Blake and Vicore. Sofar we have found no solid leads or facts.

Both the MAF and the TDF are buildingthis Capellan design under license fromHellespont, though it took years of upgradesto the Taurus Territorial factories on Taurusbefore that facility could work with theCapellans’ stealth armor. The Lyrans arebuilding their own design on Furillo,mounting a light engine, two extended-rangemedium lasers, a TAG designator and aGuardian ECM suite. Archernar on NewAvalon has received a license from DefianceIndustries to produce the same design.

protecting the Wasp’s joints. They alsorelocated the jump jets to the torso—a factthat not only provided better protection forthe ’Mech but actually saved costs. At thesame time, though a relatively minor move,the designers chose to incorporate onlystandard heat sinks to cut down onexpenses—and to make use of the CCAF’shuge stockpile of these heat sinks, astockpile that had barely been touched inthe past decade. Finally, the Wasp wasequipped with a pilot ejection system similarto that on the Phoenix Hawk.

Like the original, this new Wasp is onlylightly armed, carrying an extended-rangemedium laser as its primary armament. In asomewhat controversial move, the CCAFauthorized the addition of a single Marianrocket launcher to the design, giving it anadditional punch to help it extract itself fromdifficult situations. When added to its highmobility and stealth characteristics, theweapons loadout makes the Wasp 3L anextremely effective and survivable lightrecon ’Mech.

DeploymentThe first production run of Wasps was

completed in late July. Within the CCAF,these first units were assigned into lances

Mass: 20 tonsChassis: Hellespont Type W Endo Steel

Power Plant: Hermes 120Cruising Speed: 65 kph

Maximum Speed: 97 kphJump Jets: Hellespont Leapers


Armor: Hellespont Lite Stealth ArmorArmament:

1 Diverse Optics Extended Range Medium Laser

1 Death Blossom 10 Pack Rocket Launcher

Manufacturer: Hellespont Industrials, Taurus Territorial Industries, Detroit

Consolidated MechWorksPrimary Factories: Sian, Taurus,

and DetroitCommunications System: Hellespont

Tight BeamTargeting and Tracking System: RadCom

TXXI

19

WSP-3L WASP

Type: WaspTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 20Battle Value: 411

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 1Engine: 120 4





Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Medium Laser RA 1 1Rocket Launcher 10 RT 1 .5Guardian ECM Suite LT 2 1.5Jump Jets CT 2 1Jump Jets RT 2 1Jump Jets LT 2 1

20

VLK-QD1 VALKYRIE

OverviewThe civil war took a toll on

the Federated Suns’ ’Mech forces,leaving them strewn across the

battlefields throughout Fed Suns space.The losses for the Davion light ’Mechs were

horrendous. With the demand for larger andmore powerful ’Mechs, manufacturers wereforced to reduce production of lighter ’Mechsto meet the demand. Near the end of thewar, the light ’Mech numbers in most ofDavion’s regiments were so denuded that itseverely reduced their scouting andreconnaissance capabilities. Forcecommanders began calling for replacementsto meet mission requirements.

Corean Enterprises was in negotiationswith Vicore Industries to upgrade theValkyrie when the demand for increasedproduction was announced. CoreanEnterprises’ production lines for the Valkyriehad been halted due to the lack of jumpjets. HildCo—the main supplier for Corean’sValkyrie—was no longer supplying theirfamous jump jets, ceasing shipments whenSt. Ives fell to the Capellan Confederation.

In response, Vicore delivered a muchneeded solution. ROM had uncoveredevidence that Vicore secretly negotiated a

used for ease of repair in the field. TheValkyrie’s appearance was altered,separating it from the original models.Finally as with most of the new redesigns,the Valkyrie’s head assembly incorporated afull-cockpit ejection system.

DeploymentThe Davion Light Guards and First

Davion Guards were the first to receiveshipments from Corean’s plant by July3067. The Fifteenth Deneb Cavalry, ThirdCrucis Lancers and independent commandsthat aided Victor’s campaign received thefirst shipments from Vicore in mid-September through October of 3067.

VariantsThe VLK-QD3 is the only other variant

being produced. It is a direct upgrade of theexisting VLK-QDs. This variant installs the GM210 increasing the speed to 119 kph. Theweapons package includes 2 extended-rangemedium lasers and a Holly LRM 5 pack. TheQD3 also mounts double heat sinks and ferro-fibrous armor. With Vicore producing both thePXH-3PL Phoenix Hawk and the VLK-QD1, theyonly build the VLK-QD3 in limited runs whileCorean will produce both variants equally.

license with HildCo to manufacture thejump jets under Vicore’s name. Thecompanies engineered a solution forproduction requirements and in the processupgraded both Valkyrie variants. CoreanEnterprises issued Vicore a license tomanufacture both variants; in return Vicoresupplies the jump jets.

CapabilitiesRecovered Battle ROMs from many

destroyed light ’Mechs, including theValkyrie, showed that the limited long-rangefirepower in the design contributed to theirdestruction. Designers addressed theseissues in the Valkyrie by replacing the olderengine with Omni’s new extra light. Thoughit reduced the survivability factor, the newengine allowed for additional firepower.

The designers installed Valiant’s newArbalest LRM 15 missile pack used in theStriker Light Tank. Two tons of ammunitionfor combat endurance and an Artemis IVwas mated to launcher. Defiance’s ERmedium laser was installed for longer range,combining it with a targeting computer togive the new laser the accuracy of the pulseweapon it replaced. The original endo steelwas retained, while standard armor was

Mass: 30 tonsChassis: Corean Model 101AA Endo Steel

Power Plant: Omni 150 XLCruising Speed: 54 kph

Maximum Speed: 86 kphJump Jets: Vicore Thrust-Masters

Model L

Jump Capacity: 150 metersArmor: StarGuard IIIArmament:

1 Defiance Model XII Extended Range Medium Laser

1 Valiant Arbalest LRM 15 Missile Pack

Manufacturer: Corean Enterprises, Vicore IndustriesPrimary Factories: New Avalon, Demeter

Communications System: Lynx-shurTargeting and Tracking System:

Sync Tracker (40-TC) withArtemis IV FCS

21

VLK-QD1 VALKYRIE

Type: ValkyrieTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 30Battle Value: 835

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 1.5Engine: 150 XL 3


Heat Sinks: 10 [20] 0Gyro: 2Cockpit: 3Armor Factor: 96 6



Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Medium Laser RA 1 1LRM 15 LT 3 7Artemis IV FCS LT 1 1Ammo (LRM) 16 LT 2 2Targeting Computer CT 1 1Jump Jet CT 1 .5Jump Jets RL 2 1Jump Jets LL 2 1

22

OSTSCOUT OTT-9CS

OverviewThe Ostscout has been

the benchmark for manufacturersbuilding new scout ’Mechs for years.

Speed, maneuverability and advancedelectronics ensured the Ostscout's

survival after the fall of the Star League,with many still in mint condition. It thereforecame to a shock to us when we discoveredthat the Blakists were also deploying anewly constructed redesign of the Ostscout.

To make matters worse, the redesign isidentical to what we are building on Orestes.Our operatives confirmed this after gainingaccess to one in a close inspection. Thereis no doubt; the Blakist Ostscout is identicalto ours. Not only is Blake’s Militia fieldingour design, the Lyrans have one that closelyresembles ours in every aspect. Now wehave undeniable proof that Dag Kesselringcompromised our security and secrets. Wesuspect now that the former Archon mayhave been more involved with the Blakiststhan previously believed. Dag Kesselringwas her link.

This revelation has proven that oursecurity is vulnerable. If we have sufferedsuch a breach in R&D, what does thatmean for the other services, such as the

added to better coordinate fire missions,including processing real-time data feeds.Finally, Krupp’s Target Acquisition Gearwas mounted for guided munitions andpinpoint strikes.

DeploymentAs of this security brief, the Com

Guards have been able to upgrade nearlyfifty percent of the Ostscouts in service. Wehave also identified at least three Blakistunits in the Chaos March with the new’Mech. In addition, the Lyran’s Inarcs-builtmodels are being sent to all their lineregiments. Surprisingly we have seen one ofthe Lyran models in a Highlanders unit. Thismay be payment for services rendered bythe Word of Blake.

VariantsOnly two variants have been deployed,

to our knowledge. The Lyran variant differsslightly from the Blakists. They use a lightengine instead of an XL, using anti-personnel pods in the place of the smalllaser. Their armor is also slightly less due tothe engine, but the decrease in armor wasoverlooked given the increased survivabilitythe light engine provides.

Wolfnet or worse, MIIO? We are workingnow to identify and isolate Kesselring’snetwork. Though he was listed as MIApresumed dead, we are not assuming thathe died on Tharkad. He may well havebeen evacuated after the battle by Blake’sWrath operatives.

CapabilitiesLike the original, this new design has

the same operational parameters,including improved offensive and defensiveprofiles. The recognized improvement overthe original was the integration of fixedsensors around the torso—including thehead assembly of the ’Mech. The Ostscoutis not required to slow down for thegathering of accurate information, whichmade it vulnerable under the previousdesign. The new sensors use sidescanning with look ahead, Doppler andtriangulation sensors, allowing it to gatherinformation at any speed. All data ishandled and monitored by a high-speedcomputer capable of processing terabytesof information in seconds. The inclusion ofTRSS’s Beagle active probe and GuardianECM improved the Ostscout’s missionsuccess rate. The new C3i Computer was

Mass: 35 tonsChassis: Krupp 255 Endo Steel

Power Plant: 280 Vox XL FusionCruising Speed: 86 kph


Jump Capacity: 240 metersArmor: Krupp 155

Armament:2 Diverse Optics Extended Range

Medium Lasers1 Diverse Optics Extended Range Small Laser

Manufacturer: Krupp Armaments Works and Odin ManufacturingPrimary Factories: Germany, Terra and Orestes

Communications System: Exeter Longscan 300 with C3i Computer

Targeting and Tracking System: TRSS EagleEye w/ Beagle Active Probe, GuardianECM and TAG

23

OSTSCOUT OTT-9CS

Type: OstscoutTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 35Battle Value: 734 (C3i: 53)

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 2Engine: 280 XL 8





Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Medium Laser RA 1 1ER Medium Laser LA 1 1ER Small Laser CT 1 .5Improved C3i RT 2 2.5Beagle Active Probe LT 2 1.5Guardian ECM LT 2 1.5TAG HD 1 1Jump Jets RT 4 2Jump Jets LT 4 2

24

PXH-4L PHOENIX HAWK

OverviewAs usual, contacting

companies—especially armsmanufacturers—within the Capellan

Confederation proved exceptionallydifficult for Vicore Industries. Only after

General Motors contacted Ceres Metals onhis behalf was the Capellan company willingto listen to Giovanni’s proposal.

Vicore Industries had originally plannedon building the new Phoenix Hawk, but forproduction reasons the plan was scrapped.Instead, Giovanni pitched a bold plan thatwould retool the BJ-3 production line on St.Ives. Of course the issue of a power plantwas still problematic, but it was subtlysuggested that the Warner 270M powerplant built by the Taurians would besuitable. After a few months of oldfashioned Chinese negotiations, a deal wassigned leaving both parties looking forwardto doing business with one another in thefuture—and wondering who got the best ofwhom in the exchange.

CapabilitiesThe new Phoenix Hawk’s torsos were

given more angles for better deflection of

receive their shipment of Phoenix Hawks—those units simply disappeared.

VariantsThere is solid evidence that the PXH-4L

currently manufactured by House Liao isidentical to that seen in use by the BlackWarriors, a disturbing possibility.

The other variants haven’t beenconfirmed as of yet. Nevertheless, itappears they will be equipped in thefollowing manner: One variant may have atargeting computer with a large pulse laser,backed up medium pulse lasers andextended range lasers. There is a possibilityof one variant using a targeting computerand mating it with an ER PPC and somemedium lasers. ComStar purchased alicense to produce one that would mountlasers, C3i and iNarc. There is also oneplanned with a new light engine. Whetherthese variants are actually under productionor are simply unique proofs of concept isunknown at this time.

incoming weapons fire. The arms wereredesigned to give greater protection aroundthe shoulder and lower arm actuators. Allweapons were moved to forearm mountings.The jump jets were re-engineered to protectthe exhaust ports and improve air inductionto help keep the jump jets cooler duringoperations. The most radical departure fromthe original design was in the head. Thesensors and communication arrays werebuilt into the cowling protecting the head.Lastly, the engineers incorporated the samestyle ejection system used by the Wolfhoundand Hatchetman BattleMechs.

DeploymentThe Strategios saw the value in the new

Phoenix Hawk immediately. They ordered itpaired with the RVN-4L Raven in a supportrole. The Phoenix Hawk’s speed would allowit to keep up with the Raven, while its jumpjets would add that needed measure ofmobility to support the Raven in its mission.The first production run of the Phoenix Hawkwas completed late in 3066. Only front-lineunits were authorized to order the newdesigns. Of those orders shipped, however,only McCarron’s Armored Cavalry did not

Mass: 45 tonsChassis: Ceresplex IV Endo Steel

Power Plant: Warner 270M FusionCruising Speed: 65 kph

Maximum Speed: 97 kphJump Jets: Anderson Propulsion 30


Armor: Ceres Metals Stealth ArmorArmament:

1 Martell Extended Range Large Laser2 Ceres Arms Extended Range

Medium Lasers2 Sperry Browing 30mm Mini-Gun

Machineguns

Manufacturer: Ceres Metal IndustriesPrimary Factory: St. Ives

Communications System: Ceres Metals Model 686 w/Guardian ECM

Targeting and Tracking System: Apple Churchill 2000

25

PXH-4L PHOENIX HAWK

Type: Phoenix HawkTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 45Battle Value: 1,117

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 2.5Engine: 270 14.5


Heat Sinks 11 [22] 1Gyro: 3Cockpit: 3Armor Factor: 128 8



Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Large Laser RA 2 5ER Medium Laser RA 1 1Machine Gun RA 1 .5Ammo (MG) 100 CT 1 .5ER Medium Laser LA 1 1Machine Gun LA 1 .5Guardian ECM suite RT 2 1.5Jump Jets LT 3 1.5Jump Jets RT 3 1.5

26

GRF-6S GRIFFIN

OverviewThe Griffin has been a

workhorse for every house militaryfor centuries. Both Defiance and

Kallon Industries were an initial part ofthe Vicore Group and immediately began

production of the new Griffin. VictoryIndustries, a company that at one time hadmass-produced the GRF-1DS for the DCMS(and still churned out a dozen per year onspecial orders) acquired the new designspecifications and likewise devoted preciousproduction capacity to this “new” ’Mech.

What clinched the deal for the DCMSprocurement officers was the inclusion ofthe “Lyran” light fusion engine. Shortly afterthe Lyran Alliance “acquired” the technologythey needed to field the light engine, Wolf’sDragoons filed charges in the Star LeagueCourt, indicting the Lyran Alliance in theft,fraud and a dozen other charges. Whilelitigations went forward and the Dragoonsseized what Lyran assets they could onOutreach, the mercenary command sold thelight fusion engine technology to both theDraconis Combine and the Free WorldsLeague through GM/Blackwell. They agreedto build over a thousand assorted units foreach House (to be shipped over a multi-yeardeal)—and in doing so not only slapped theArchon in the face but also made a tidy

DeploymentAll three Houses are scrambling to

recoup losses suffered over the past fiveyears and are assigning these ’Mechs intotheir front-line units as quickly as they canbe produced. Within the Lyran Alliance, thedecimated Royal Guard and Donegal Guardsregiments are receiving the bulk of these;indeed, two of these new Griffins arealready guarding the royal throne onTharkad once more. The AFFS has assignedquite a few to the First Federated SunsArmored Cavalry and the rebuilding DavionGuards. The DCMS is not concentratingtheir few Griffins quite so much, however,and have spread them throughout theregional “regulars” regiments.

VariantsTwo other variants are known at this

time. One is a design that we are havingbuilt for our Com Guards. Intelligence fromCaph shows that the Word of Blake is alsofielding this variant—our operativesrecorded a Level II containing a new Griffinherding a group of large mammals that hadescaped a zoo. The Free Worlds LeagueMilitary also fields its own variant, thoughthis one uses an XL engine and mounts alight Gauss rifle.

profit. For their part, the DCMS was ecstaticto get their hands on that new piece of“Lyran” technology and quickly approvedpurchase of the first two runs of Victory’snew Griffin.

CapabilitiesThe Griffin has been completely

redesigned, inside and out. Designers madeuse of the light fusion engine to not onlyshowcase the new technology but also toincrease the ’Mech’s battlefield survivability.Endo steel strengthened the chassis whileat the same freeing up additional mass forweapons and armor. The ’Mech’s armorplating uses layered sections of steeply-angled armor for better incoming weaponsfire deflection. The PPC and lasers are allextended-range models, giving the ’Mech asignificant medium- to long-range damageprofile, a capability only enhanced by theArtemis-equipped missile rack. The designwork did not concentrate solely on theoffensive and defensive systems, though;additional space has been included in theGriffin’s cockpit, giving MechWarriors a bitof extra comfort, while the entire cockpitsection is a single module that can beejected, providing more protection to theMechWarrior in the event of bail-out.

Mass: 55 tonsChassis: Earthwerks GRF Endo Steel

Power Plant: Defiance 275 Light FusionEngine

Cruising Speed: 54 kphMaximum Speed: 86 kph

Jump Jets: Rawlings 55Jump Capacity: 150 meters

Armor: Starshield A with CASEArmament:

1 Defiance 1001 Particle Projection Cannon2 RamTech 1500Z Extended Range

Medium Lasers1 Coventry StarFire Long Range Missile

Pack 15 with Artemis

Manufacturer: Defiance Industries, Kallon Weapons Industries, Victory IndustriesPrimary Factories: Hesperus II, Talon,

MardukCommunications System: Neil 6000Targeting and Tracking System: RCA

Instatrac Mark X

27

GRF-6S GRIFFIN

Type: GriffinTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 55Battle Value: 1,461

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 3Engine: 275 Light 12





Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER PPC RA 3 7ER Medium Laser LA 1 1LRM 15 RT 3 7Artemis IV FCS RT 1 1Ammo (LRM) 16 RT 2 2ER Medium Laser CT 1 1Jump Jet CT 1 .5Jump Jets RL 2 1Jump Jets LL 2 1CASE RT 1 .5

28

SCP-12S SCORPION

OverviewDeveloped as the first

production Quad BattleMech, theScorpion unfortunately became one of

the most unpopular assignments forMechWarriors ever fielded. Faced with poor

sales, Brigadier ceased manufacturing thedesign before the start of the SuccessionWars. The Scorpion faded into the mists ofmemory and life went on in the Inner Sphere.

In 3065, heavy fighting on Hesperus IIuncovered a long-forgotten bunker containingrecords and prototypes from an abandonedScorpion-LAM program. Defiance Industriesinitially had no interest in reviving anunworkable project that previous executiveshad buried (literally). The chassis redesign inthe prototypes, however, promised to correctthe poor handling that had made theScorpion so unpopular. Ultimately, thesuccess of the Tarantula and Barghestcombined with Vicore Industries’ successfulinitiative of revamping classic designspersuaded Defiance Industries to use thisdata to produce a conventional BattleMech.With the Lyran merchants’ legendary guile,Defiance acquired a license to produce thereviled Scorpion from Brigadier for a song(naturally omitting to disclose their discovery).

past reputation. They had to sweeten thedeal with discounts on spare parts beforethe Lyran Regulars were willing to accept aproduction run for their Lightning Companies.They have had far more success in sellingthe relatively inexpensive design to cost-conscious mercenary commands.

VariantsIn early 3067, Word of Blake

representatives approached the BrigadierCorporation with plans for an upgradedScorpion incorporating the sameinnovations made by Defiance Industries.The SCP-12C uses an XL engine and ferro-fibrous armor in place of an endo steelinternal structure. A Magna Firestar ER PPCand an ER small laser replace theautocannon, while the space occupied bythe SRM 6 and CASE is left empty. Itappears that the Blakists mount an iNarclauncher and C3i unit after taking delivery.

Why the Word of Blake requires yetanother BattleMech design is a mystery. Therecently formed Grand Illusion III-gamma ofthe Ninth Division fields several Scorpions,but most of Brigadier’s output has vanished,possible to help outfit one of the Word ofBlake’s “Phantom Divisions” that ouranalysts speculate about.

CapabilitiesThe suspension system redesign and the

streamlining of some components (holdoversfrom the doomed LAM project) altered theprofile of the Scorpion considerably.MechWarriors expecting to strap themselvesinto a veritable “bucking bronco” arepleasantly surprised by the smoothness ofthe ride and the comfort of the new cockpitmodule. The inclusion of a light engine keepscosts down while allowing a heavier LB 10-Xautocannon to be carried in place of a PPC.Paired with an SRM 6 launcher, this gives theScorpion a weapons array that is perfect foranti-vehicle and anti-battle armor operations.The ammunition for both weapons systems isstored in a CASE-protected magazine in theleft side of the body.

Critics point out that while the uniquemaneuverability of the Scorpion is a distinctadvantage, it still suffers the problem of allQuad designs; a limited arc of fire for thetorso mounted weapons. Lacking arms, theScorpion is also very vulnerable in the kindof tight quarters in which infantry andvehicles are most effective.

DeploymentAlthough Quad designs have gained

acceptance, Defiance Industries still have anuphill struggle in overcoming the Scorpion’s

Mass: 55 tonsChassis: Defiance SLAM Endo-Steel

Power Plant: Edasich 330 LightCruising Speed: 65 kph

Maximum Speed: 97 kphJump Jets: None

Jump Capacity: NoneArmor: Maximillian 100 with CASEArmament:

1 Defiance Shredder LB 10-X Autocannon1 Harvester 20K SRM-6 Launcher

Manufacturer: Defiance Industries

Primary Factory: FurilloCommunications System: Neil 6000-gTargeting and Tracking System: RCA

Instatrack Mark XXII

29

SCP-12S SCORPION

Type: ScorpionTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 55Battle Value: 969

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 3Engine: 330 Light 18.5




Head 3 9Center Torso 18 21Center Torso (rear) 6R/L Torso 13 18R/L Torso (rear) 4RF/LF Leg 13 16RR/LR Leg 13 16

Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageLB 10-X AC RT 6 11SRM 6 RT 2 3Ammo (LB-X) 20 LT 2 2Ammo (SRM) 15 LT 1 1CASE LT 1 .5

30

SHADOW HAWK SHD-5D

OverviewDesigned to fill as a multi-

role ’Mech, the Shadow Hawkexceeded even the designers' wildest

expectations. Serving all Housemilitaries including the Star League army,

this medium BattleMech used its impressivearray of firepower with devastating effect.The Shadow Hawk is as adept at serving inan assault lance as it is in a recon lance.Given both its track record and popularity,the push to redesign this venerableBattleMech was only natural.

During the summer of 3066, the Vicoregroup contacted most of the Housemilitaries with their idea. Somewhatsurprisingly, only Marik, Davion and ComStarshowed any interest in this new design.

Kallon Industries, EarthwerksIncorporated and ComStar all worked withthe designers in the evolution of this newShadow Hawk, which they envisioned as acavalry unit. The one hurdle, however, thatComStar and the Federated Suns had toovercome was the lack of facilities tomanufacture the ’Mech. Using a similarsolution to the one reached with theCapellans, Vicore recommended that OdinManufacturing on Orestes build the design,with Kallon using both Nanking and Talon

also sold a few to mercenary units (with theauthorization of Duke Hasek) such as theWild Geese and Thirteenth Stalking Horsesof the Allied Mercenary Command, ingratitude for their support of the CapellanMarch during the Civil War.

VariantsComStar’s new variant incorporates

the new C3i Computer system. ComStaralso outfitted the design with the LRM 15and Artemis supplemented by an UltraAC/5, which is additionally backed up bytwo ER medium lasers. Earthwerks'Shadow Hawk is similar in design, thoughit uses their new light Gauss rifle for long-range sniping, supported by an LRM andlasers. Reports have indicated that theSHD-7CS has been seen in Blakist Militiaunits serving in the Chaos March. Unlikethe other reports of Blakist materiel, thisone has not been confirmed.

Reports have been confirmed thatHouse Liao has purchased the license forproducing the SHD-7M, ostensibly to add toits own forces and to sell to Magistracyforces. House Liao then sublet their licenseto the Taurians in order to for solidifying theirposition in the alliance.

plants. Agreeing to those terms, thefactories began producing to fill orders.

CapabilitiesThe Shadow Hawk manufactured by Talon

Industries makes extensive use of the latesttechnologies, including endo steel and ferro-fibrous armor. The engine used is the standardCoreTek fusion plant with which the ’Mech wasoriginally designed. An XL engine was notchosen because although it might haveallowed more weapons, it would havedecreased the Shadow Hawk’s survivabilityfactor. The ’Mech’s speed was not changed,and its maneuverability was increased with theaddition of more jump jets over the original 2H.As to the armor of the redesign, the originalShadow Hawk had suffered a major handicapwith its original armor capacity. Kallon’s UnityWeave erased the problem that Maximillianarmor had created. The Shadow Hawk’s headassembly is similar to that the new PhoenixHawk, sharing many components, including thesame ejection system.

DeploymentMany units in the Federated Suns

military, such as the FedSuns ArmoredCavalry and Deneb Light Cavalry, havereceived the new Shadow Hawks. Kallon has

Mass: 55 tonsChassis: Kallon Type VII Endo Steel

Power Plant: 275 CoreTek FusionCruising Speed: 54 kph



Armor: Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE

Armament:2 Intek Hellborer Medium Lasers1 Mydron Tornado Rotary AC/5 Cannon1 Harpoon-4S SRM 4 Rack Streak

Launcher

Manufacturer: Kallon Weapons IndustriesPrimary Factories: Nanking, Talon

Communications System: Neil 6000Targeting and Tracking System: Garret D2j

31

SHADOW HAWK SHD-5D

Type: Shadow HawkTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 55Battle Value: 1,629

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 3Engine: 275 15.5


Heat Sinks: 10 [20] 0Gyro: 3Cockpit: 3Armor Factor: 168 9.5



Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageMedium Laser RA 1 1Medium Laser LA 1 1RAC 5 LT 6 10Ammo (RAC) 40 LT 2 2Streak SRM 4 H 1 3Ammo (Streak) 25 LT 1 1CASE LT 1 .5Jump Jet CT 1 .5Jump Jets RT 2 1Jump Jets LT 2 1

32

WVR-8K WOLVERINE

OverviewMauled in the Ghost Bear

War, the DCMS was starved forvital equipment by the loss of

Marduk and Al Na’ir to DukeSandoval’s Draconis March forces.

Following the recapture of Victory Industrieson Marduk in mid-3064, Theodore Kuritacalled upon the Combine weaponsindustries to redouble their efforts. Inspiredby Vicore Industries, Victory Industriesscoured the Combine for old Wolverines andperformed a factory refit, significantlyincreasing the ’Mech’s capabilities. By3067 the Combine was virtually pickedclean, but the Wolverine was well received,prompting Victory Industries to manufacturethe design from scratch.

CapabilitiesFaced with a nightmare hodge-podge of

field modifications and jury-rigging, the refitteam established a triage line; ’Mechsrequiring minimal work were processedfirst. Those in the worst shape suppliedparts for the others. Rather than workaround a lifetime of patched and repairedarmor to get at internal systems, eachchassis was striped.

VariantsWith the supply of old chassis drying

up, Victory Industries developed an endosteel chassis for a new variant designed forclose combat. The WVR-8C mounts twoStreak-6 launchers and large, medium andsmall pulse lasers combined with a C3 slaveunit, but carries less armor, only thirteenheat sinks and lacks CASE.

The Federated Suns attempted to copythe Combine’s refit program by producingtwo versions at Kallon Industries on Talon.Both use an endo steel chassis and mounta new Rotary AC/2, a Streak-6, and MASC.The WVR-8D carries a sophisticatedTargeting Computer, a head-mounted ERmedium laser, and CASE, but carries onlyten heat sinks. The WVR-9D sacrifices jumpjets in favor of a head-mounted TAG system,two medium pulse lasers and two more heatsinks. The time and cost required to replacethe chassis has raised doubts over theefficiency of the program, with critics notingthat the FWL (a prolific Wolverine user)haven’t instigated a refit program.

The primary lasers or autocannonarmaments were replaced with an ER PPC(a weapon in plentiful supply following thePanther upgrade debacle) and an ERmedium laser mounted on the right arm. Ahead-mounted medium pulse laser and ashoulder-mounted Streak-6 rounded out thenew weapon configuration. While CASEprotects the Wolverine from completedestruction following a catastrophicammunition explosion, the use of an XLpower plant often results in the Wolverinereceiving disabling engine damage. In orderto speed production, the armor system wasdesigned to make the re-armoring processas quick as possible. Concerns over theefficiency of the revised armor layout weresoon laid to rest, but gave refittedWolverines a very different profile.

DeploymentWhile units like the Sword of Light and

Genyosha turned up their noses at the ideaof reconditioned equipment, other unitscouldn’t afford to be so fastidious. The GhostRegiments and the Legion of Vega receivedthe first shipments of the new Wolverine,though many other Combine units acceptedthe design after the fine showing it made onAl Na’ir as a heavy scout and raider.

Mass: 55 tonsChassis: Crucia-A

Power Plant: Nissan 275XLCruising Speed: 54 kph

Maximum Speed: 86 kphJump Jets: Northrup 12000


Armor: Starshield A with CASEArmament:

1 Lords Light Extended-Range Particle Beam Weapon

1 Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Laser1 Guided Technologies 2nd Gen SRM-61 Diverse Optics Extended Range

Medium Laser

Manufacturer: Kallon Weapons IndustriesPrimary Factory: Marduk

Communications System: Garret T11-bTargeting and Tracking System: Cat’s Eyes 5

33

WVR-8K WOLVERINE

Type: WolverineTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 55Battle Value: 1,481

Equipment MassInternal Structure: 5.5Engine: 275 XL 8





Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER PPC RA 3 7ER Medium Laser RA 1 1Medium Pulse Laser H 1 2Streak SRM 6 LT 2 4.5Ammo (Streak) 15 LT 1 1CASE LT 1 .5Jump Jets RL 2 1Jump Jet CT 1 .5Jump Jets LL 2 1

34

OSR-4L OSTROC

OverviewWith revitalization of the

Capellan Military—and moreimportantly, its ’Mech forces—nearly

complete, the Strategios had one moreissue to address: the Ostroc. Since the

fall of the original Star League, the Ostrochad figured prominently in urban defenseswithin the Confederation. The problem wasthis: Ostmann Industries—the originalmanufacturer—was obliterated during thefinal days of the Amaris War on Terra.Options were limited to either reverseengineering the Ostroc, or completelyredesigning and creating a new build usingthe Ostroc’s name. The latter was chosenas the best option available, consideringtime and expenses involved.

In an unprecedented move, theStrategios requested that all of theConfederation’s BattleMech manufacturerssubmit bids to replace the Ostroc; only onepresented exactly what was requested.Ceres Metals won the contract andplanning began, with production slated forthe fall of 3066.

DeploymentConfederation Reserve Cavalry units

were the first to receive the new Ostrocswhen the first production run wascompleted in January 3067. The rest of theCCAF began receiving their units by thesummer of 3067, including units in theMagistracy of Canopus.

VariantsJust before this report was finalized,

our agents discovered that the CircinusFederation was producing their own variant.Reportedly, they are fielding an Ostroc verysimilar in look and design to what theCapellans have, but without stealth armor.Armed with four Rocket Launchers andbacked up by lasers, this design came assurprise to the Capellans, especially whenthey discovered the Taurians producing thesame ’Mech at their New Vandenburgplant. The Capellans immediately chargedthe Taurians with espionage, furthercooling relations between the two TrinityAlliance powers.

CapabilitiesThroughout its long history, the Ostroc

was always slated as a heavy scout raider,though it was used in variety of other roles.Ceres Metals planned the new designaround the original concept, giving it thecapability to operate equally as well in anurban environment as it would in thewilderness. Endo steel was chosen for theframe of the new ’Mech. In keeping with thesame design principle of its predecessor, astandard fusion engine was installed,increasing its survivability; the engine allowsthe Ostroc the speed of a standard medium’Mech. HildCo’s famous jump jets were alsoinstalled, giving it the maneuverability theoriginal lacked. Remaining faithful to itsoriginal design specifications, no ammo-dependent weapons were mounted. Thirteendouble heat sinks were installed to managethe heat generated by the lasers.

Originally, the Ostroc was slated forstandard armor. Before the design wasfinalized, however, engineers at CeresMetals reworked the design to incorporatethe new stealth armor. Along with the newagility and weapons packages, the additionof the armor would allow the new Ostroc tooperate in any environment—including theCapellans’ new Shadow Lances.

Mass: 60 tonsChassis: Ceresplex Ostroc Lite Endo Steel

Power Plant: Rawlings 300 FusionCruising Speed: 54 kph

Maximum Speed: 86 kph Jump Jets: HildCo 13 Jump Jets


Armor: Ceres Heavy Stealth ArmorArmament:

2 Martell Extended Range Large Lasers2 Ceres Arms Extended Range

Medium LasersManufacturers: Ceres Metals Industries, Detroit Consolidated MechWorks

Primary Factories: Warlock, Capella, Detroit

Communications System: Ceres Metals Model 686 with Guardian ECM

Targeting and Tracking System: Ceres Bullseye

35

OSR-4L OSTROC

Type: OstrocTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 60Battle Value: 1,431

Equipment MassInternal Structure: Endo Steel 3Engine: 300 19





Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Large Laser RT 2 5ER Medium Laser RT 1 1ER Large Laser LT 2 5ER Medium Laser LT 1 1Guardian ECM Suite LT 2 1.5Jump Jet CT 1 1Jump Jets RT 2 2Jump Jets LT 2 2

36

OTL-6D OSTSOL

OverviewIn 3064, Duke James

Sandoval realized too late that thestrike against House Kurita could

backfire. He had inaccurately gaugedDCMS losses in the Ghost Bear War when

planning his unsanctioned invasion. Thatconflict had been resolved in honorablecombat on Courchevel, not with both sidespummeling each other into exhaustion (asthe Sandoval assumed would happen).

In addition, the FedCom Civil Wargobbled up Commonwealth military output,forcing the desperate Duke to search foralternative sources. Seeing successes withrefitting old designs, Duke Sandoval directedRobinson Standard Battleworks (RSB) toassess older BattleMech designs for quickrefitting. A frenzied study suggested that theOstsol was a likely candidate, a hand-me-down ’Mech received in quantity by theDraconis March Militia. Negotiations withKong Interstellar Corporation (who had beenperforming factory refits for years) securedtechnical schematics for the refit.

CapabilitiesLike the FWL refit, the OTL-6D Ostsol

replaces the Vlar 300 power plant with anXL model. This frees up significant space

Ostsol. The pressure to quickly field therefitted ’Mech left no time to match the oldarmor layout.

DeploymentThe Draconis March Militia and the

Robinon Ranger regiments received most ofthe refitted Ostsols, with the rest going tounits damaged in the Draconis Combineinvasion. Combine and mercenary units haveacquired a few examples through salvage.

VariantsKong Interstellar Corporation (KIC)

upgraded their plant on Connaught toproduce a complete ’Mech in 3065.

The OTL-7M mounts twin light Gaussriles and four ER medium lasers. It carriesadditional armor and CASE, but only tendouble heat sinks.

The OTL-8M is the first League designfitted with triple-strength myomers. Amassive 360XL makes it fast, but limits theweapons array to a PPC, one large and twomedium pulse lasers and one medium andone small ER laser.

House Davion also produces the OTL-5D, which strangely enough is very similarto the Taurians OSR-3C, leaving many tospeculate about its origins.

with which to upgrade weapons withoutcompromising speed. Indeed, the use oftriple-strength myomers allows the Ostsol anextra burst of speed—literally from the heatof battle.

RSB was experiencing supply problemsof all kinds, especially with lasers, but asolution came from an unexpected source:the Periphery. Lushann Industries beganproducing advanced beam weapons, and theOutworlds Alliance needed foreign currency tofuel their “Long Road” program of social andindustrial reform. An array of these superbLushann manufactured lasers was used inthe refit. Indeed, they proved so reliable thatthey were used on the BL-12-KNT BlackKnight (an upgraded version created by RSBafter acquiring another manufacturing licensefrom the Kong Interstellar Corporation) andlater production runs of the SGT-8R Sagittaireassault ’Mech. Technicians working on theOstsol have learned to keep an eye on theirchanges, lest other Techs “borrow” theseprized weapons. Interfacing an advancedtargeting computer with the old TRSS 2L3tracking system proved to be impractical,prompting a swap of the whole unit for theproven Federated Stalker system. Addingferro-fibrous armor improved protection, butsignificantly changed the appearance of the

Mass: 60 tonsChassis: Kell/H

Power Plant: GM 300XLCruising Speed: 54 kph, 65 w/ Triple-

Strength MyomerMaximum Speed: 86 kph, 97 w/

Triple-Strength Myomer

Jump Jets: NoneJump Capacity: NoneArmor: StarGuard Ferro-FibrousArmament:

2 Diverse Optics Sunbeam Extended Range Large Lasers

2 Diverse Optics Extended Range Medium Lasers

2 Magna 600P Medium Pulse Lasers2 Magna 200P Small Pulse Lasers

Manufacturer: Robinson Standard BattleWorks (factory refit)Primary Factory: Robinson

Communications System: Barret 509pTargeting and Tracking System: Federated

Stalker with Targeting Module

37

OTL-6D OSTSOL

Type: OstsolTechnology Base: Inner SphereTonnage: 60Battle Value: 1,379

Equipment MassInternal Structure: 6Engine: 300 XL 9.5

Walking MP: 5 (6)Running MP: 8 (9)Jumping MP: 0




Weapons and Ammo Location Critical TonnageER Large Laser RT 2 5ER Medium Laser RT 1 1Medium Pulse Laser RT 1 2Targeting Computer RT 5 5Medium Pulse Laser H 1 22 Small Pulse Lasers CT 2 2ER Large Laser LT 2 5ER Medium Laser LT 1 1TSM LL/RL/LA/RA 6 0

38

RFL-8D RIFLEMAN

OverviewKallon Industries on Talon

found themselves in a difficultposition in late 3063. While the

loyalist Twenty-second Avalon Hussarsheld the factory, the Seventh Federated

Commonwealth RTC had been charged byDuke George Hasek to take control of theplant. The Twenty-second were dug in, so theSeventh F-C cut the shipping routes in andout of the Wernke system. Their blockadedisrupted production of the popular JM7-FJagerMech—while most of the componentswere produced locally, the sophisticatedTargeting Computer came from Mendham.Local stockpiles could only support one ofthe two JagerMech lines. As a stopgapmeasure, Kallon Industries examined thepossibility of mating the RAC 5’s (minus thetargeting system) on another chassis.

Earlier research had produced aRilfleman prototype for evaluation, but nowKallon’s engineers had to turn it into aproduct ready for the battlefield.

CapabilitiesThe Rifleman’s greatest problem had

always been the twin bugbears of limitedarmor and bad heat management. While notan issue in the anti-aircraft role, these

the bulk of production was routed to theAvalon Hussar and Crucis Lancer regiments.

VariantsThe Talon plant also experimented with

an advanced anti-aircraft variant. Designatedthe RFL-6X, this version mounts LB 10-Xautocannons in place of the RAC 5s. Oneheat sink is replaced by torso-mounted ERsmall lasers, and the jump jets aresacrificed for a more powerful 300 XLengine and CASE.

RFL-7M is another wonder product fromthe Vicore Group, built at the Kallon plant onThermopolis. A light Gauss rifle and two ERmedium lasers are mounted in each arm.Two torso-mounted ER medium lasers and ahead-mounted ER small laser completes theweapons compliment. This variant lacksjump jets and CASE, but does carry aGuardian ECM suite.

The Free Worlds Legionnaires and theWord of Blake both use this ’Mech toprovide anti-aircraft and ECM cover tocommand units.

features had earned the Rifleman a poorreputation on the battlefield.

A new endo steel chassis solved thearmor problem. Indeed, the new versioncarries almost twice that of the RFL-3N.The bulky chassis required some exteriormodification, however, so the design teamelected to rework the exterior stylingentirely. The greatest complaint thus farfrom the test pilots is simply the lack ofCASE to protect the large ammunition baysin the torso.

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