Topic: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052) (Read 5490 times)

Takiro · « **Reply #60 on:** May 27, 2018, 12:33:00 PM »

HER-5AC HERMES II
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Irian Second Generation Class 40 Endo Steel
Power Plant: Edasich Motors 280XL (imported from Edasich - FedCom)
Cruising Speed: 75 kph
Maximum Speed: 118 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Kallon FWL Special Ferro-Fibrous (imported from Stewart, Gibson, or Tematagi)
Armament:
1 Kali Yama Big Bore Autocannnon/20 (imported from Kalidasa â€“ Silver Hawks)
Manufacturer: Irian BattleMechs Unlimited
Primary Factory: Irian
Communication System: Irian E.A.R.
Targeting & Tracking System: Wasat Aggressor

Overview:
Following the success of the Hunchback designers began to think of even better ways to deliver the short-ranged raw destructive power of an Autocannon/20 into battle aboard a BattleMech. Some thought that a lighter and faster deliver system could better strike and evade than the reliable Hunchback. First attempts made by the Regulans to outfit a Cicada armed with this massive gun were tantalizing. Although this â€˜Killer Bugâ€™ could rapidly assail an enemy at 129 kilometers per hour its slightly improved armor was still pretty thin and even worse it could only hold a single ton of ammunition. This limited its effectiveness to just five short rounds and left the Cicada completely unarmed. While a slower variant showed promise Gibson Federated BattleMechs pulled the plug and discontinued the project in favor of the CDA-3CJ Cicada.
Hearing about the project and sensing the potential in such a unit Irian BattleMechs Unlimited immediately saw the potential for its flagship product. Executives knew if they could turn the Hermes II into a fast AC/20 delivery system using cutting edge Star League technology it would boost their bottom line. While some wanted to increase its tonnage and possibly rebrand the new design the company managed to keep the upgrade relatively simple. It would only have to acquire three critical supplies in order to complete the new modifications. While the Civil War delayed this process when it came to mass production several individual examples were completed during the conflict which proved the viability of the final product.

Quote

Type: Hermes II
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 40

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         Endo Steel        2
Engine:            280XL            8
Walking MP:         7
Running MP:         11
Jumping MP:         0
Heat Sinks:            10 (20)            0
Gyro:                           3
Cockpit:                        3
Armor Factor:            134            7.5

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         12         15 / 6
R/L Torso         10         15 / 5
R/L Arm         6         12
R/L Leg         10         20

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
AC/20            Left Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 10      Left Torso      2      2

Takiro · « **Reply #61 on:** May 27, 2018, 12:34:30 PM »

KGC-000-AC KING CRAB
Mass: 100 tons
Chassis: Hollis Mark II
Power Plant: Vlar 300
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: [Rawlings 54]
   Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor: Aldis X Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Armament:
2 Deathgiver Autocannon/20s
1 [Holly] SRM-6
2 [Magna Mk II] Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Cosara Weaponries
   Primary Factory: [Northwind]
Communications System: Dalban Commline
Targeting and Tracking System: Dalban HiRez-B

OVERVIEW
The Mars production line was destroyed in 2767 (Amaris Coup) and the Northwind production line was destroyed in 2786 (early First Succession War)
ComStarâ€™s attempts to enhance the King Crab did not end with the Clanbuster variant
Details on the KGC-001
Martial Accords
Partnership with the Northwind Highlanders to rebuild the production lines shattered during the Succession Wars
While some have complained that the KGC-000-AC is an inferior model

CAPABILITIES
Added three [Rawlings 54] Jump Jets to provide additional mobility (+6 tons)
Added a ton of ferro-fibrous armor to achieve the most protection possible (+1 tons)
+7 to the legs which now equipped with jump jets can execute death from above
+5 front center torso was the remainder as the arms and side torsos were already max
-1 rear center torso to provide optimium protection front and back for the King Crab
Plus two tons of AC/20 ammo (+2 tons)
13 Double Heat Sinks replaced the 15 Single Heat Sinks (-2 tons)
   Heat neutral for the most part as a jumping alpha strike results in 1 overheat
An SRM-6 replaced the LRM-15 (-4 tons)
Two Medium Lasers replaced the ExoStar Large Laser (- 3 tons)
   -1 damage point potential, much shorter range, effective weapons range of 270 meters
No critical space remaining, extremely tight design for technicians to work in
Cost is 10,410,000 C-bills

DEPLOYMENT
   ComGuards, Northwind Highlanders, FedCom units with SLDF heritage

Quote

Type: King Crab
Technology Base: InnerSphere Level 2
Tonnage: 100 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         10
Engine:            300               19
   Walking MP:         3
   Running MP:         5
   Jumping MP:         3
Heat Sinks:            13 (26)               3
Gyro:                              3
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:            305               17

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso           31            45 / 15
   R/L Torso         21            30 / 12
   R/L Arm         17            34
   R/L Leg         21            42

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Criticals   Mass
Autocannon/20         Left Arm       10      14
Ammo (AC) 10         Left Torso      2      2
CASE               Left Torso      1      .5
Autocannon/20         Right Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 10         Right Torso      2      2
CASE               Right Torso      1      .5
SRM-6               Left Torso      2      3
Ammo (SRM)   15         Left Torso      1      1
Medium Laser            Center Torso      1      1
Medium Laser            Head         1      1
Jump Jet            Right Leg      1      2
Jump Jet            Left Leg      1      2
Jump Jet            Center Torso      1      2

Takiro · « **Reply #62 on:** May 27, 2018, 12:36:03 PM »

ST-9A SHOOTIST
Mass: 70 tons
Chassis: DM Mark V Endo Steel
Power Plant: VOX 280
Cruising Speed: 43 kph
Maximum Speed: 65 kph, 86 kph w/MASC
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: [Standard]
Armament:
1 Deathgiver Autocannon/20
1 Blankenburg ER Large Laser
2 [] Medium Lasers
1 DinaTech Mark III Small Laser
Manufacturer: [Mitchell Vehicles]
   Primary Factory: [Terra]
Communication System: Domman Echo II
Targeting & Tracking System: Wayne Marksman

Overview:
   ComStar rebuild following Tukayyid

Capabilities:
Exchanges Ferro-Fibrous armor for EndoSteel skeleton
Armor protection ever so slightly improved
Medium Pulse Lasers are replaced by Medium Lasers
The four tons saved were allocated to a MASC
These speed bursts allow the Shootist to deliver the Autocannon/20
26 weapon heat is basically heat neutral, better than the original (28) just doesnâ€™t account for movement
Internal rearrangements
ER Large Laser is moved to the center torso, Medium Laser to the right torso
Costs 8,355,529 C-bills compared to the original 6,555,229

Deployment:
   ComGuards

Quote

Type: Shootist
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 70

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         EndoSteel         3.5
Engine:            280            16
Walking MP:         4
Running MP:         6 ( 8 )
Jumping MP:         0
Heat Sinks:            13 (26)            3
Gyro:                           3
Cockpit:                        3
Armor Factor:            216            13.5

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         22         33 / 10
R/L Torso         15         25 / 5
R/L Arm         11         22
R/L Leg         15         30

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
AC/20            Left Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 10      Left Torso      2      2
CASE            Left Torso      1      .5
ER Large Laser      Center Torso      2      5
Medium Laser         Right Arm      1      1
Medium Laser         Right Torso      1      1
Small Laser         Head         1      .5
MASC            Right Torso      4      4

Takiro · « **Reply #63 on:** May 27, 2018, 12:40:52 PM »

Okay folks those nine are the designs I have been tweaking as I've been judging the contest.

Not gonna post the Hunchback, Invictus, Annihilator, or Despoiler as those three designs I have yet to change anything about.

I have to write up the Stalker and the Victor still but they are on my to due list. Soon very soon.

lrose · « **Reply #64 on:** May 27, 2018, 05:11:11 PM »

Little bit sad about the Cicada I really liked that design but I am glad you liked the Urbanking. PM me and we can work on the design

Takiro · « **Reply #65 on:** May 27, 2018, 07:21:41 PM »

Me too about the Cicada

What do you think of the Hermes II??

After I finish work on the Stalker and Victor I will do Irose.

lrose · « **Reply #66 on:** May 27, 2018, 08:58:13 PM »

The design of the Hermes II is fine - it's like the Cicada variant I had but with more armor in place of the Jump Jets. Either option is a reasonable choice. But visually I really much prefer the Cicada. To me the Cicada is one of the worst mechs from TR3025. It weights twice as much as the Locust, has the same speed, the same armor and less weaponry (2.5 tons versus 3 on the locust). So I find the idea of Cicada running around with an AC/20 hilarious. The Hermes II isn't that much better of a design then the Cicada but it is at least a little useful.

Takiro · « **Reply #67 on:** May 27, 2018, 09:08:22 PM »

I agree with you on the Cicada being absolutely horrid and I don't care for the TRO3050 upgrade either with the Ultra AC/5. Prior to this contest I came up with another version which I will share soon, perhaps in yet another contest. I thought the Hermes II was actually a better choice looks wise as it already has a gun hand and requires a speed upgrade too match the slower Cicada variant you pitched which I liked better. However it is quite funny to have such a big gun on a bug Mech.

Takiro · « **Reply #68 on:** May 27, 2018, 10:03:58 PM »

STK-5AC STALKER
Mass: 85 tons
Chassis: Titan H1
Power Plant: Strand 255
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: [3]
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor: [Ferro-Fibrous]
Armament:
2 [] Autocannon/20s
4 Magna Mark II Medium Lasers
2 [] Small Lasers
Manufacturer: Triad Technologies
Primary Factory: N/A (upgrade only)
Communications System: Cronol PR
Targeting and Tracking System: Spar 3c Tight Band

Quote

Type: Stalker
Technology Base: InnerSphere Level 2
Tonnage: 85 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:                         8.5
Engine:            255               13
   Walking MP:         3
   Running MP:         5
   Jumping MP:         3
Heat Sinks:            10 (20)               0
Gyro:                              3
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:            260               14.5

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso           27            40 / 11
   R/L Torso         18            26 / 10
   R/L Arm         14            28
   R/L Leg         18            36

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Criticals   Mass
Autocannon/20         Right Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 15         Right Torso      2      2
CASE               Right Torso      1      .5
Medium Laser            Right Torso      1      1
Small Laser            Right Torso      1      .5
Autocannon/20         Left Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 15         Left Torso      3      3
CASE               Left Torso      1      .5
Medium Laser            Left Torso      1      1
Small Laser            Left Torso      1      .5
Medium Laser            Center Torso      1      1
Medium Laser            Head         1      1
Jump Jet            Right Leg      1      1
Jump Jet            Left Leg      1      1
Jump Jet            Center Torso      1      1

Takiro · « **Reply #69 on:** May 27, 2018, 10:05:01 PM »

VTR-9D2 VICTOR
Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: HildCo Type V Endo Steel
Power Plant: Pitban 320 XL [from the Salamander]
Cruising Speed: 43 kph
Maximum Speed: 64 kph
Jump Jets: Lexington Ltd Lifters
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy with CASE
Armament:
1 Pontiac 100 Autocannon/20
2 [] Large Pulse Lasers
2 [] Streak SRM-2
Manufacturer: Tao Mechworks
Primary Factory: Styk
Communications System: Opus III Highbeam
Targeting and Tracking System: MaLandry 34

Quote

Type: Victor
Technology Base: InnerSphere Level 2
Tonnage: 80 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:          EndoSteel            4
Engine:            320 XL            11.5
   Walking MP:         4
   Running MP:         6
   Jumping MP:         4
Heat Sinks:            13 (26)               3
Gyro:                              4
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:            240               15

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso           25            37 / 12
   R/L Torso         17            25 / 8
   R/L Arm         13            25
   R/L Leg         17            33

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Criticals   Mass
Autocannon/20         Right Arm      10      14
Ammo (AC) 15         Right Torso      3      3
CASE               Right Torso      1      .5
2 Streak SRM-2s         Left Torso      2      3
Ammo (Streak SRM) 50      Right Torso      1      1
2 Large Pulse Lasers         Left Arm      4      14
2 Jump Jets            Center Torso      2      2
Jump Jet            Right Leg      1      1
Jump Jet            Left Leg      1      1

Ice Hellion · « **Reply #70 on:** May 28, 2018, 12:49:24 AM »

Quote from: Takiro on May 27, 2018, 12:08:20 PM

CP-11Z Cyclops (by Ice Hellion)
Again, this was another extremely promising concept which despite a lack of mobility could with a five ton MASC easily qualify design wise for our contest. However, as I stated for Bradshawâ€™s Cyclops concept it is just too rare and valuable commodity to throw forward with an AC/20 into the thick of combat. Rather a distance approach with a Gauss and LRMs would be the way to go. I am working on this concept and just might run a design contest on it. Sorry bud.

I don't agree with you there. It is a Command 'Mech and since it will be targeted one way or another, it needs a big gun to defend itself. A Gauss Rifle would indeed do but would have also worked for all the designs we remade. Keeping the AC/20 is also a way to hide this "new" design true role.

Ice Hellion · « **Reply #71 on:** May 28, 2018, 12:53:38 AM »

Quote from: Takiro on May 27, 2018, 12:08:20 PM

CGR-2A5 Charger (by Ice Hellion)
While Ice Hellion might have posted here second he got here first with the 80 tonner of the contest and the CGR-2A5 delivers. I loved the approach here based on the solid CGR-1A5 variant which was natural candidate for a 3050 upgrade. Unfortunately, Liao does not possess any manufacturing site for the Charger but the concept is just too good to pass up. I found this a little too ambitious for the Capellan Confederation

My idea was more to go with a retrofit programme rather than a new production line, which might cost more, be less reliable and take more time to achieve but that seemed to fit the Capellan Confederation spirit and state of affair (hence too the famous battle involving St. Ives).

Takiro · « **Reply #72 on:** May 28, 2018, 08:04:58 AM »

Quote from: Ice Hellion on May 28, 2018, 12:49:24 AM

I don't agree with you there. It is a Command 'Mech and since it will be targeted one way or another, it needs a big gun to defend itself. A Gauss Rifle would indeed do but would have also worked for all the designs we remade. Keeping the AC/20 is also a way to hide this "new" design true role.

Kind of hard to 'hide' something so valuable right up front Ice. I am not saying it isn't old school Draconis especially given the modification we have made to the Dragon here but most recognize and target the Cyclops already as a command asset. Now you add a C3 Master (5 tons), MASC (5 tons) in order to delivery an AC/20 (14+ tons, granted already present on the old design) which needs max protection (the Cyclops is weak armor wise). This is nearly achievable with an XL Engine but costs significantly more.

I am not arguing against the idea of having a Cyclops with a C3 Master in fact I would say it needs two (10 tons) if you are a regimental Command Mech. Further I'd suggest a Dual Cockpit to assist with multiple roles (one tactical say HQ Company Command which would provide security for the other seat which would be strategic, plus one critical and one ton). Now you don't need a MASC (5 tons) or Jump Jets (8 tons) to deliver your main weapon which would be a Gauss Rifle. This way you can hammer away at any threat to HQ with 12 Mechs and this one in particular from range where it can be protected.

Quote from: Ice Hellion on May 28, 2018, 12:53:38 AM

My idea was more to go with a retrofit programme rather than a new production line, which might cost more, be less reliable and take more time to achieve but that seemed to fit the Capellan Confederation spirit and state of affair (hence too the famous battle involving St. Ives).

This was the idea I approved of Ice as one of the best of the entire contest as it is in fact a 'budget' refit of the existing Capellan CHG-1AD. As a refit which I contend would be difficult and costly for stripping the entire design to replace the old standard chassis with EndoSteel would gain you more tonnage wise than Ferro-Fibrous which I changed it to is easier and more achievable. Plus wouldn't you need a new factory mold to fabricate said skeleton and if you do that then why not just produce a whole new class?

I suppose the addition of the MASC would also be a complex and time consuming affair but certainly worth it. The happy thing for us with this mod as you put it forth already is the CHG-1AD already had the Pitban 320 Fusion Engine on it. Plus I think the Capellans could obtain such power plants from the Free Worlds League or other sources thanks to their upgrade program removing such old engines for new XL ones. The Hermes 320 XL is produced at four plants (Gibson, Irian, Savannah, and Stewart) for the Cicada, the Awesome, and the Goliath which easily makes their old engines available and quite possibly cheap even if St. Ives is out of reach.

My mods to your original submission which were aimed at two important goals.

One, maximum combat effectiveness for the tonnage at hand which is why one SRM-6 was dropped as you had only one ton of ammo and 3 Medium Lasers replaced it. The Small Laser also had to be retained for weight reasons over the Small Pulse which lacks range in any case and I had to drop the Guardian ECM which sucks. If you notice a lot of components I listed are from the Raven and having the ECM would have been another in this design's pocket adding to the assault Raven feel.

Two, near identical in appearance to the much maligned CGR-1A1 which was my intention in order to fool opponents into believing they were facing such an inept BattleMech. This is why I moved the weaponry around especially the AC/20 which could believably be seen at least in my opinion be in the left arm of this war machine. While cosmetic this stealthy placement would also make any opponents wary of facing any Liao Charger so even unmodified CGR-1A1's might seem like a more imposing force with which to contend with.

I apologize for so drastically modifying your original concept and am certainly open to suggestions on improving it. Would you have a company or corporation in mind to undertake this refit Ice and a planet were it is carried out?

Look forward to working with you on finalizing the Charger and we can certainly talk Cyclops too. Nice job bud!

Ice Hellion · « **Reply #73 on:** May 28, 2018, 03:52:32 PM »

First Takiro, you do what you want. It is your contest.

Quote from: Takiro on May 28, 2018, 08:04:58 AM

Kind of hard to 'hide' something so valuable right up front Ice. I am not saying it isn't old school Draconis especially given the modification we have made to the Dragon here but most recognize and target the Cyclops already as a command asset. Now you add a C3 Master (5 tons), MASC (5 tons) in order to delivery an AC/20 (14+ tons, granted already present on the old design) which needs max protection (the Cyclops is weak armor wise). This is nearly achievable with an XL Engine but costs significantly more.

I am not arguing against the idea of having a Cyclops with a C3 Master in fact I would say it needs two (10 tons) if you are a regimental Command Mech. Further I'd suggest a Dual Cockpit to assist with multiple roles (one tactical say HQ Company Command which would provide security for the other seat which would be strategic, plus one critical and one ton). Now you don't need a MASC (5 tons) or Jump Jets (8 tons) to deliver your main weapon which would be a Gauss Rifle. This way you can hammer away at any threat to HQ with 12 Mechs and this one in particular from range where it can be protected.

My version already has the XL and the dual C3 Master but no MASC.
I didn't go along the Dual Cockpit as I wanted to keep it from being experimental tech.
The idea was to hide in plain sights as everyone knows that without the advanced tech, Cyclops left in the Inner Sphere were not that good and this upgraded version was made to look like a classical Cyclops.

Quote from: Takiro on May 28, 2018, 08:04:58 AM

Quote from: Ice Hellion on May 28, 2018, 12:49:24 AM
I don't agree with you there. It is a Command 'Mech and since it will be targeted one way or another, it needs a big gun to defend itself. A Gauss Rifle would indeed do but would have also worked for all the designs we remade. Keeping the AC/20 is also a way to hide this "new" design true role.

Kind of hard to 'hide' something so valuable right up front Ice. I am not saying it isn't old school Draconis especially given the modification we have made to the Dragon here but most recognize and target the Cyclops already as a command asset. Now you add a C3 Master (5 tons), MASC (5 tons) in order to delivery an AC/20 (14+ tons, granted already present on the old design) which needs max protection (the Cyclops is weak armor wise). This is nearly achievable with an XL Engine but costs significantly more.

I am not arguing against the idea of having a Cyclops with a C3 Master in fact I would say it needs two (10 tons) if you are a regimental Command Mech. Further I'd suggest a Dual Cockpit to assist with multiple roles (one tactical say HQ Company Command which would provide security for the other seat which would be strategic, plus one critical and one ton). Now you don't need a MASC (5 tons) or Jump Jets (8 tons) to deliver your main weapon which would be a Gauss Rifle. This way you can hammer away at any threat to HQ with 12 Mechs and this one in particular from range where it can be protected.

Quote from: Ice Hellion on May 28, 2018, 12:53:38 AM
My mods to your original submission which were aimed at two important goals.

I apologize for so drastically modifying your original concept and am certainly open to suggestions on improving it. Would you have a company or corporation in mind to undertake this refit Ice and a planet were it is carried out?

As I said, you are the master of your own contest.

I overlooked the complexity of changing the Internal Structure (a class F Refit whereas the Ferro-Fibrous is a C one and the MASC a D one).

And for the company, Hellespont Industrials on Sian. They already work on the Raven.

Takiro · « **Reply #74 on:** May 28, 2018, 04:09:01 PM »

I am well aware sir that it is my contest but as I said in my review I'd like to work with the participants to finalize these designs. While it was a competition this next phase here is a collaborative process for the designers and myself to put the finishing touches on the best possible design.

In order to be an effective user of the AC/20 which is a powerful short ranged weapon an 8 MP running or some type of jumping was required to pass. Your Cyclops could have that certainly with a MASC but as I said to run it forward like that just isn't wise at least to me. Believe me I liked the concept but the more I thought about it the more it just didn't make sense to me.

Quote

I overlooked the complexity of changing the Internal Structure (a class F Refit whereas the Ferro-Fibrous is a C one and the MASC a D one).

No biggie bud, it is doable yes but I was looking for as little as possible for the Capellans. I figure they are on a budget.

Quote

And for the company, Hellespont Industrials on Sian. They already work on the Raven.

Excellent point, and so shall it be!

OBT Forum

News:

Author Topic: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052) (Read 5490 times)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

lrose

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

lrose

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Ice Hellion

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Ice Hellion

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Ice Hellion

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)

Takiro

Re: AC/20 BattleMech Design Challenge (circa 3052)