APACHE
Overview"Amateurs," snorted Kieran Telinov, the junior Khan of Clan Cloud Cobra.
Loremaster Laurie Tseng of Clan Ghost Bear frowned at the outburst, even as the holographic display of the computer simulation of the new Goliath Scorpion
Sarmatian OmniFighter continued to play in front of her.
"The Scorpions managed to win their competition,
quiaff?" she asked.
"Aff," answered Khan Din Steiner. "And that is impressive, do not get me wrong, Loremaster. But what my saKhan is attempting to say is this: the Scorpions do not have the expertise in the area of fighter design or doctrine to truly understand the nature of what an OmniFighter requires. To gain that amount of armor and pod-space, this
Sarmatian light-weight OmniFighter had to use a very low-powered engine that deprives the design of thrust. A fact which the Scorpions themselves acknowledged."
"It is a ground-support unit . . . acceleration is not quite as important in that role,
quiaff?"
The two Cobra Khans exchanged glances and then began to chuckle. Din Steiner raised one hand to placate the Bear in his presence as she began to flush with anger.
"We are not laughing at you, Ghost Bear," he soothed. "Let us show you what
WE would have built and, in the days ahead,
shall build."
The display changed as the Khan reached down and hit a key on the projector's surface. A new fighter appeared, lethal in appearance with it's forward-mounted wings . . . and it was adorned with the insignia of both a Ghost Bear and a Cloud Cobra!
Tseng leaned forward and drew in a deep breath. "That is a Star League
SPAD! The ComGuard used them against us at Tukayyid!"
"Well, the aero-frame is
based upon the
Spad, which, if I may remind you Loremaster, was designed and built in such a fashion to allow for ease of maintenance and repair of battle damage. And much like the Mercury was the forefather of our OmniMechs, so too was the
Spad the forerunner of our OmniFighters. Our own
Spads that we fielded during Klondike and the Golden Century are little more than worn out frames, replaced with newer Aerospace and OmniFighters. But for this competition to design an OmniFighter to supplement the
Vandal . . . well, the
Spad's aero-frame is just about perfect. With a few modifications, of course."
"Of course," added his saKhan.
The Ghost Bear was reading the information scrolling alongside the computer projection and she snorted.
"It is a clone of the Scorpion
Sarmatian! Same fuel tankage, same pod-space, virtually the same armor protection!"
"Ah," laughed Steiner. "Not quite, Loremaster. You are correct in that the two designs share much in common. However, our
Apache incorporates a fixed Active Probe in all configurations, allowing for extended sensor reach and range in the strike-recon role. And the simple change in tonnage from 25 to 30 tons allows us to use a much more powerful engine that is able to generate FAR more thrust than the Scorpion design: 5.5-g's safe thrust for ours versus just 4-g's for theirs."
The Cobra Khan paused and the Loremaster nodded her understanding. "Which allows you to not only use this fighter as a ground-support unit but also in more traditional light fighter roles,
quiaff?"
"Aff, Ghost Bear," the saKhan answered solemnly.
"Why did you put our insignia on that fighter? That is my question," she asked.
"Because to make it possible we need one more component . . . the Light Force 270 engine that you produce on Tokasha for your Vixen BattleMech. You are the only Clan that manufactures that particular size of engine, Loremaster," Telinov replied.
Tseng smiled and she nodded. "So the Cobras have come with an offer?"
"We have," Din Steiner stated. "Let me be blunt; Clan Ghost Bear has reached the limit of what it can produce for itself. We offer you 15% of our annual production for the next fifteen years in exchange for the engines."
"Provided that you win the competition," Tseng interrupted.
"A small gamble, Loremaster. If we win,
WHEN we win, the Bears will receive a new light strike OmniFighter for very little cost. Have we a deal?"
Laurie Tseng stared at the image on the screen again and she began to smile. "I do believe that the next time the ComGuards face the Bears they will not be expecting OmniFighters so close in appearance to their own . . .," her voice trailed off and then she nodded. "The Khan must approve of this," she said finally, "but I will provisionally state that I agree with you, Khan Steiner. Allow me to contact the Khan and present him with your offer."
"Time is of the essence."
"And patience, Cobra, is a virtue. Especially if you want OUR engines."
AeroTech 2 Vessel Technical Readout
VALIDATED
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Base)
Tech: Clan / 3052
Vessel Type: Aerospace OmniFighter
Rules: Level 2, Custom design
Rules Set: AeroTech2
Mass: 30 tons
Frame: F-50/C O/F
Length: 13 meters
Power Plant: Light Force 270 (AS) 270 XL Fusion
Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Armor Type: Tokasha Foundry Series 9 Ferro-aluminum
Armament:
1 Active Probe
Manufacturer: Homer Orbital Aerospace Facility M-13
Location: Homer
Communications System: SL Interlink S
Targeting & Tracking System: Gatekeeper Model S
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Class/Model/Name: Apache (Base)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 0 24.00
Tons Left: 6.00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,040,306 C-Bills
Battle Value: 480
Cost per BV: 10,500.64
Weapon Value: 0 (Ratio = .00)
Damage Factors: SRV = 0; MRV = 0; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 5
Specials: omni, prbCapabilitiesThe
Apache is a brand-new 30-ton OmniFighter designed by Clan Cloud Cobra in response to the Project Quicksilver request by ilKhan Ulric Kerensky. Although the request called for a fighter to 'replace' the existing
Vandal, the highly specialized nature of that craft as a recon platform is likely to prevent an across the board replacement.
The Cobra design instead focuses on creating a strike fighter that can serve as an interceptor, dog-fighter, strike platform, and still perform reconnaissance missions; a multi-role fighter that any Clan would be grateful to add to their Touman.
The basic aero-frame is a derivative of the ancient SPD-503 Royal
Spad, first introduced in 2749. More than two thousand of these fighters were built and served with the SLDF prior to the Amaris Coup . . . an astounding number for such a short production run. The original
Spad was designed for ease of maintance access and featured a 'semi-modularity' similar to that pioneered on the
Mercury BattleMech, making the
Spad the inspiration for all later Clan OmniFighters.
Cobra Scientists adopted the original F-50/C frame with a few minor changes to accomodate Omni-Pods in the nose, wings, and tail section; this resulted in a few internal changes to the layout and forced the Cobra Scientists and Warriors to accept a limited pod-volume in the wings and tail. Able only to accomodate the lightest and least bulky weapon systems, the nose and tail bays were completely new as the original design only carried weapons in the nose. The nose bay, however, was ample for any existing weapon system available to the Clans within the available range for pod-tonnage.
In a departure from the original
Spad (and the modern
Vandal), the
Apache incorporates a Light Force 270 (AS) extra-light fusion drive obtained from Clan Ghost Bear factories on Tokasha. This engine provides extra power to the aero-frame, allowing for a safe thrust of 5.5-g's and a maximum thrust of 8.5-g's . . . close to the practical limit for even Clan pilots to sustain on an extended basis. The full five tons of fuel tankage of the original design was also retained, giving the
Apache an edge against many existing Clan light-weight OmniFighters.
Seven and one-half tons of Tokasha Foundry Series 9 ferro-aluminum armor plating (also obtained from the Bears) gives the fighter significant protection slightly heavier than that of the 35-ton Avar (but less than that of the 40-ton Batu). Immune to critical penetrations by Class 5 standard weapons on the nose and wings (Class 3 on the tail), the
Apache compares quite nicely with the new Goliath Scorpion
Sarmatian OmniFighter in the area of protection.
The Cobra scientists 'borrowed' the existing
Vandal electronic systems completely, although this did trigger a protest and Trial of Refusal by Clan Jade Falcon. Ferociously fought, the Trial was barely won by the Cobras, which allowed them to continue to use the SL Interlink S communications array and the Gatekeeper Model S targeting & tracking array.
Ten double-strength heat sinks were installed alonside the engine core to aid in cooling the fusion drive, with additional connections for more DHS (should they be required) in the nose and wing Omni-bays. Six internal hardpoints were also installed, borrowed directly from the original
Spad. Unlike many later fighters, the
Apache's hardpoints are discrete and seperate, preventing the design from carrying and deploying large pieces of ordnance that require multiple hardpoints; all are installed beneath the wings as well, leaving the fuselage free for fuel and the main Omni-battery in the nose.
In an unusual move, the Cobras fitted an Active Probe (the Series IVb Pathfinder) as a fixed piece of equipment on the
Apache. The added sensor range and resolution gives Pilots assigned to this new fighter additional time to detect, identify, and take action against potential threats, while the recording systems provide high-clarity data for after-action reviews and damage assessment reports (as well as the Codex of the Warrior in question).
This combination of high thrust, armor, and sensors did not come cheap; only siix tons were left available for pod-space. Still, this was deemed as adequate on a light-weight OmniFighter by Clan Scientists and Warriors.
ConfigurationsAll of the below configurations also include the Series IVb Pathfinder Active Probe in addition to the weapons and equipment listed.
The
Apache Prime features three weapons tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer: the main gun is a Series 7 ER Large Laser in the nose (alongside the Targeting Computer) supported by two Series 1 ER Small Lasers set one each in the right and left wings.
Configuration A is armed with three Series 7 ER Medium Lasers (nose, right wing, and left wing) and four Series 1 ER Small Lasers (nose, right wing, left wing, and aft) all tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer. Although the
Apache A does run slightly hot on a full forward Alpha Strike, the heat build-up is only marginal and should be easily controlled by a veteran Warrior.
Configuration B includes a Pattern J7 Streak SRM-6 launcher located in the nose (with one ton of ammunition for fifteen salvoes) and two Series 7 ER Medium Lasers (right wing and left wing).
Configuration C carries just one weapon: a Type 22 Extended-Range PPC in the nose. Designed for 'Drop-Ship Busting' and one-shot, one-kill strikes against hostile Aerospace Fighters and OmniFighters, the
Apache C is a much feared opponent.
Configuration D features three Kolibri Omega Series Medium Pulse Lasers (set in the nose, right wing, and left wing). Deadly accurate, albeit with just moderate range, the
Apache C is a hard-hitting infighter.
And finally, the
Apache E is armed with
TEN Series 1 ER Small Lasers tied into a one-ton Targeting Computer! Four of the lasers are mounted in the nose, while each wing carries three. Although capable of delivering exceptional levels of raw firepower (for a light-weight OmniFighter, that is) this configuration has the shortest engagement range of any Clan aerospace platform. However, due to the reach of the Clan Series 1 ER Small Lasers, the
Apache E is rapidly becoming the ground-support fighter of choice for strafing runs in support of Cobra BattleMechs and OmniMechs.
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Prime)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 ER Large Laser Nose 10 10 10 10 12 4.00
2 ER Small Laser Nose 5 -- -- -- 4 1.00
1 Targeting Computer 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
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TOTALS: Heat: 16 30.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,374,525 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,443
Cost per BV: 3,724.55
Weapon Value: 1,576 (Ratio = 1.09)
Damage Factors: SRV = 19; MRV = 8; LRV = 4; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 2/1/1, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 14
Specials: omni, prb
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Configuration A)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 ER Medium Laser Nose 7 7 -- -- 5 1.00
1 ER Small Laser Nose 5 -- -- -- 2 .50
1 ER Medium Laser RW 7 7 -- -- 5 1.00
1 ER Medium Laser LW 7 7 -- -- 5 1.00
1 ER Small Laser RW 5 -- -- -- 2 .50
1 ER Small Laser LW 5 -- -- -- 2 .50
1 ER Small Laser Aft 5 -- -- -- 2 .50
1 Targeting Computer 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 23 30.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,464,369 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,756
Cost per BV: 3,111.83
Weapon Value: 1,723 (Ratio = .98)
Damage Factors: SRV = 35; MRV = 15; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 4/2/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 18
Specials: omni, prb
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Configuration B)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 Streak SRM 6 Nose 12 12 -- -- 4 3.00
Ammo (Streak 6) 15 --- 1.00
1 ER Medium Laser RW 7 7 -- -- 5 1.00
1 ER Medium Laser LW 7 7 -- -- 5 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 14 30.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,520,431 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,371
Cost per BV: 4,026.57
Weapon Value: 1,404 (Ratio = 1.02)
Damage Factors: SRV = 24; MRV = 19; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 3/3/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 14
Specials: omni, prb
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Configuration C)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 ER PPC Nose 15 15 15 -- 15 6.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 15 30.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,471,556 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,543
Cost per BV: 3,546.05
Weapon Value: 1,459 (Ratio = .95)
Damage Factors: SRV = 14; MRV = 11; LRV = 4; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/2, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 15
Specials: omni, prb
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Configuration D)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser Nose 7 7 -- -- 4 2.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser RW 7 7 -- -- 4 2.00
1 Medium Pulse Laser LW 7 7 -- -- 4 2.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 12 30.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,299,056 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,339
Cost per BV: 3,957.47
Weapon Value: 1,298 (Ratio = .97)
Damage Factors: SRV = 21; MRV = 19; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 2/2/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 13
Specials: omni, prb
Class/Model/Name: Apache (Configuration E)
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Mass
Power Plant: 270 XL Fusion 7.50
Thrust: Safe Thrust: 11
Maximum Thrust: 17
Structural Integrity: 11 .00
Total Heat Sinks: 10 Double .00
Fuel: 5.00
Cockpit & Attitude Thrusters: 3.00
Armor Type: Ferro-aluminum (144 total armor pts) 7.50
Standard Scale Armor Pts
Location: L / R
Nose: 41
Left/Right Wings: 41/41
Aft: 21
Weapons and Equipment Loc SRV MRV LRV ERV Heat Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Active Probe Nose -- -- -- -- 0 1.00
4 ER Small Laser Nose 5 -- -- -- 8 2.00
3 ER Small Laser RW 5 -- -- -- 6 1.50
3 ER Small Laser LW 5 -- -- -- 6 1.50
1 Targeting Computer 1.00
1 C.A.S.E. Equipment Body .00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: Heat: 20 30.00
Tons Left: .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 5,216,400 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,440
Cost per BV: 3,622.5
Weapon Value: 1,512 (Ratio = 1.05)
Damage Factors: SRV = 49; MRV = 0; LRV = 0; ERV = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11, Armor/Structure: 4 / 0
Damage PB/M/L: 6/-/-, Overheat: 0
Class: FL; Point Value: 14
Specials: omni, prbDeploymentAlthough only a Binary of
Apaches have so far been completed for testing on Strana Mechty (plus six more handed over to Clan Ghost Bear), the design has definitely caused a reaction amongst the Clans of Kerensky. The Jade Falcons, defeated in their Trial of Refusal over the Cobra use of
Vandal electronics, turned around and won a second Trial demanding payment for that use and have received two
Apaches for their own testing. Clans Diamond Shark, Hell's Horses, Ice Hellion, Nova Cat, Snow Raven, Star Adder, and Wolf have all expressed interest and have sent observers to watch the acceptance Trials very closely.
The Blood Spirits, Burrocks, and Goliath Scorpions have criticized the design as too expensive for full-scale acquisition, although this could be just posturing by these perennially resource-starved Clans.
The Steel Vipers, with their own
Batu see no need for a lighter, faster OmniFighter. But Coyote, Fire Mandrill, and Smoke Jaguar remain on the fence, recognizing that the design
might be useful. Although they have not sent observers to the Quicksilver Trial for this particular competition, all three Clans are thought to be following the progress of the design closely, perhaps intending to secure examples (or production rights) for themselves once the inevitable glitches have been ironed out.
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program #21: 30 ton Clan Omnifighter (BEAT THE VANDAL!!) (Read 1916 times)