OBT Forum

 

Hmm.  Not really what I'd call a IIC, but the Bombe doesn't really come across as Quicksilver-improved.  Frankly, I'd drop a launcher and 5 tons to use a 300 ER, with some secondary weapons and electronics to make it a more effective Starmate (something to give the Freebirth or Spheroid bondsman).

65 tons is a bad weight class for me - I normally avoid it, ever since the Tempest.  Can't say the Clan units impress me either.

Here's my attempt a Bombardier IIC that keeps close to the original. Missle throw weight I increased by 50% and ammo is six tons vice the two tons the SLDF model had/ Small pulsers are added for to protect against attacks to the rear. This is a garrison Mech designed to fight from range and not close with the enemy. Also I dropped the tonnage by five tons to get the more readily available 300XL under the hood.

Bombardier IIC

Mass: 60 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-D-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 12,322,560 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,227

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 300 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    4  LRM-15s
    1  Streak SRM-6
    2  Small Pulse Lasers
    1  Anti-Missile System
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Additional:


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                      99 points                6.00
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             300                       9.50
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             11(22)                    1.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 192                 10.00
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
    CASE Locations: CT, LT, RT, RA                                         0.00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     20           29       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  8         
                                           L/R Torso     14           21       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  7         
                                             L/R Arm     10           20       
                                             L/R Leg     14           25       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-Missile System                          CT        1         1         0.50
2 LRM-15s                                    RT        10        4         7.00
(R) Small Pulse Laser                        RT        2         1         1.00
2 LRM-15s                                    LT        10        4         7.00
(R) Small Pulse Laser                        LT        2         1         1.00
Streak SRM-6                                 RA        4         2         3.00
@Anti-Missile System (24)                    CT        -         1         1.00
@LRM-15 (24)                                 RT        -         3         3.00
@LRM-15 (24)                                 LT        -         3         3.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)                           RA        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 15

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 22
5          5       5       4       0      3     0   Structure:  3
Special Abilities: AMS, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, LRM 4/4/4, IF 4



Okay I revised the original and added variants. The design itself and the overview are unchanged. I added a sentence or two in capabilities addressing the design goal vs ammo supply. Deployment and Variants got the biggest change. Hope you enjoy this admittedly flawed but now unique design in the wake of Quicksilver.

BOMBARDIER IIC
Mass: 65 tons
Chassis: KetoBond
Power Plant: Fusion 260 Standard
Cruising Speed: 43 kph
Maximum Speed: 65 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Compound A2F Ferro-Fibrous
Armament: 2 Arrow IV Launchers
2 Series 1b Extended Range Small Lasers
Manufacturer: Bearclaw BattleWorx
   Primary Factory: Bearclaw
Communications System: Neil 9000
Targeting and Tracking System: DLK Type Phased Array Sensors

OVERVIEW
   Originally envisioned as an artillery ‘Mech the BMB-12D Bombardier served the SLDF as more of a mobile fire support asset. While impressed by the results which were superior to the aging Archer as well as numerous vehicular options the Bombardier failed to be a ‘true’ artillery BattleMech. That did not seem to matter however until the Quicksilver Program shed new light on this old design. As Clans reprioritized their facilities for total war production specialized Artillery ‘Mechs were discontinued. Front line forces no longer needed a design like the Naga which was replaced by Heavy and Assault ‘Zombies’. These slower Fusion powered OmniMechs had ample space for Arrow IV configurations. The Naga like artillery was unpopular with the Clans who also discontinued the venerable Bowman. This second line design had no replacement readily available and most did not care except for the Snow Ravens. A careful inventory of available cached ‘Mechs revealed a significant presence of Bombardiers in the Clan Homeworlds. Raven design teams always on the lookout for usable resources ran a few preliminary calculations and discovered that the design could be upgraded. By using a clever mix of readily available low tech parts and superior Clan weapon systems the Bombardier could indeed become the Artillery ‘Mech it was always meant to be. Unable to carry out new production the Raven Khans contacted their Ghost Bear allies who were at first hesitant to provide the necessary industrial base. Realizing they would need additional support the Ravens contacted the Goliath Scorpions who proved to be much more enthusiastic. Khan Ariel Suvorov agreed to facilitate key components necessary to the refit and add her Clan’s own technical expertise. Together the Ravens and the Scorpions managed to convince the Bears that the project would corner the market in Clan space and was indeed highly profitable.

CAPABILITIES
While the original KetoBond chassis, electronic systems, and myomers all proved to be useful the Bombardier required extensive modification in order to achieve its new IIC status. The cumbersome Star League 325 XL Engine was the first to go along with its large four-ton gyro. In its place the Fusion 260 Standard Engine from the Fire Scorpion and a smaller three-ton gyroscope went. While less powerful then it precursor these low tech components were much less bulky and weighed about the same. As such the Bombardier IIC is twenty-one kph slower at max speed but has the space to carry two massive Arrow IV Systems. These immense far reaching weapons occupy the entire side torsos of the machine and provide devastating firepower at extreme distances. Two tons of ammunition are stored in each arm providing ten rounds of fire which is not enough ammunition for a sustained battle or campaign. As the Artillery ‘Mech was designed to quickly saturate its enemies with as much ordinance wreaking unsustainable damage deeper ammo bins were considered a luxury for inferior warriors. Two Series 1b Extended Range Small Lasers are the only supporting weapons provided to Mechwarriors. While enough to deal with infantry and perhaps light armor these energy weapons like the Bombardier IIC are not meant to participate directly in battle. Ten tons of Compound A2F Ferro-Fibrous was used to maximize armor protection at the cost of less overall weight. This advanced armor originally used on Vehicles like the Donar proved useful on the newly manufactured Ursus as well as this BattleMech.

DEPLOYMENT
   Often used in conjunction with the Asshur Artillery Spotter or the Icestorm BattleMech in second line contingents the Bombardier IIC can be deadly to any battlefield opponent. Ghost Bear was the first to deploy the BattleMech in its Occupation Zone where unsuspecting raiders soon learned to be wary of precise artillery strikes. While Goliath Scorpion deploys the greatest number in the Homeworlds it is the Ice Hellions who use the Bombardier IIC most regularly. Engaging opponents in so-called TAG Trials has quickly become the ‘rage’ after the Quicksilver Trials where they first became ‘popular’. Many traditionalists find this practice repugnant and are not too happy with Snow Raven for arming these dezgra formations. Since the Bombadier IIC’s main competition among such commands comes from the Huitzilopochtli Assault Tank some Clans have been compelled by their ‘Foresaken’ stance to purchase the design. The Snow Ravens have profited greatly from sales to Burrock, Smoke Jaguar, and Kindraa Sainze of the Fire Mandrills who now rely on these ‘Necessary Evils’ as they are derisively called. Needless to say the Artillery ‘Mech is not well-regarded by many warriors and is typically assigned to Freebirths, Spheroid bondsman, and the disgraced.

VARIANTS
    The Ravens’ desire for exclusivity on the base design spurred their Diamond Shark rivals to create two variants using the 260 Fusion Engine from the Ammon as the core. The Bombardier IIC 2 features four LRM-20s with eight tons of ammunition returning the ‘Mech to its fire support role. While more highly regarded than the Ravens’ base model this battlefield combatant still lacks sufficient staying power for some. Still the possibility of surviving a dozen round barrage of eighty long range missiles each is a daunting task for any opponent.
   Hell’s Horses may have come the closest to violating the Ravens’ artillery monopoly with their Bombardier IIC 3. Backed by the Sharks they created a variant which split the difference between the first two models resembling their discontinued Bowman. With two LRM-20s and four tons of ammo replacing one of the Arrow IV Systems this alternative offers the best of both worlds. Part fire support and part artillery asset it does suffer from the same ammunition concerns as the others but allows Mechwarriors to participate in combat directly if necessary.
   These field refits have thus far been fielded by Diamond Shark, Hell’s Horses, Coyote, and Wolf despite Raven objections. Currently locked in battle over the Nova Cat market which seems ideal for Bombardier IIC deployment recriminations from the Ravens and Sharks are becoming more common place. While the Grand Council is loathed to take up the issue of ownership of this second line artillery ‘Mech it may come to just that.

Type: Bombardier IIC
Technology Base: Clan Level 2
Tonnage: 65 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         6.5
Engine:            260               13.5
   Walking MP:         4
   Running MP:         6
   Jumping MP:         0               0
Heat Sinks:            10 (20)               0
Gyro:                              3
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:            192               10

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso           20            29 / 10
   R/L Torso         14            20 / 7
   R/L Arm         10            18
   R/L Leg         14            27

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Critical   Mass
Arrow IV System         Right Torso      12      12
Ammo (Arrow IV) 10         Right Arm      2      2
Arrow IV System         Left Torso      12      12
Ammo (Arrow IV) 10         Left Arm      2      2
2 ER Small Lasers         Center Torso      2      1

why develop a new mech when the Naga is so wide spread and does the same job?