Here is my take: the CGR-2A5 Charger
Overview
The Clan Invasion was a shock for the whole Inner Sphere, even for those not directly facing the assaults of the Juggernaut. All around the Inner Sphere (perhaps even more in the States not directly facing the threat), hastily improvised programs began trying to close the technological gap with the invaders.
The Capellan Confederation was facing a real challenge as it had to reinforce its still weak army, while upgrading its economy and trying to produce new designs to face the next logical step of the invasion.
One of the ways found by the Strategios was as a first step to focus on the retrofit of some promising designs as this process was seen as less costly and quicker than the production of brand new designs. One of the ‘Mechs intended for this new program was the Charger CGR-1A5, an offspring of the Kapteyn Accords and one of the few House Liao prime Assault ‘Mechs.
Capabilities
Inspired by the motto of the old Earth Games Citius, Altius, Fortius (faster, higher, stronger), the engineering team on this project decided to give it more punch, increased resistance without forgetting an increased speed and all this without increasing the price too much.
This meant that a XL Engine was out of question to improve the ground speed, which prompted the use of a MASC., which was able to give the same final speed at the cost of a slightly risk. The extra weight needed by this incredible piece of technology came from the replacement of the standard Internal Structure by an advanced Endo-Steel one.
The firepower was deemed sufficient as it was with an AC/20 and twin SRM-6 providing the bulk of it and the increased speed allowing the Charger to get more often in range. A 3rd ton of ammo for the Mydron A was added, increasing by 50% its endurance and two CASE in the torsos increased the protection should the 15 tons of armour be breached.
For close-range protection, a Small Pulse Laser replaced the Medium Laser in the Centre Torso as an anti-infantry and anti-Elemental weapon (in spite of the lose in range and firepower, this was deemed necessary after a first review of the early battle footages that were available to the engineering team) and an Apple Churchill Golden Shield Guardian ECM Suite from Ceres Metals Industries was put in the Left Arm to further jam at close-range (where the Charger was supposed to fight) the different advanced tools used by the Clans .
The replacement of the 13 Single Heat Sinks by 10 Double Heat Sinks allows the CGR-2A5 to move at top speed while firing all its weapons at will.
The final result costed only 50% more than the original but was seen as more efficient and more resilient, giving the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces a much needed weapon before new more advanced ‘Mechs could be produced to face the wrath of the Clans.
Deployment
The Capellan Confederation Armed Forces has ordered the retrofit of all Chargers into the CGR-2A5 as soon as possible. Due to the logistical burden it created for the CCAF and the limited access to the newest technologies, this upgrade took much more time than initially expected by the Strategios.
As more modern ‘Mechs were produced, this model of the Charger was sold to mercenary units working for the Capellan Confederation or to the other powers of the Trinity Alliance.
Battle History
The Charger CGR-2A5, the upgrade designed to fight the Clans, did not fight against them. Its first battles were during the Xin Sheng Campaign.
One such example happened during the fights on Necromo between the 2nd Capellan Defence Force and the 1st St. Ives Lancers. In one small battle, a company of the St. Ives Compact forces was trying to flank a retreating force of the 2nd Capellan Defence Force.
Defending the last pass between the pursuers and their prey was a Lance of CGR-2A5. Because of the mountainous surroundings and the Guardian ECM Suite of the Chargers the St. Ives Compact ‘Mechs had to get close to try to locate their opponents, putting them at optimal range of the hidden Capellan ‘MechWarriors.
This cat-and-mouse game continued until the St. Ives Compact decided to call for reinforcements with artillery and Aerospace Fighters destroying the pass and with it any trace of the Capellan Lance that had cost half the company and bought precious time for the fleeing 2nd Capellan Defence Force.
A memorial was later erected along the pass to remember the gallant sacrifice of these men and women.
Variants
Only a singe variant was ever produced with a LRM-10 and two tons of ammo replacing the twin SRM-6. With 1 of every 4 CGR-2A5 produced of the variant b, this ‘Mech is meant to support its Lance as it closes into range. To allow it to perform its mission over longer periods of time, it was decided to add one ton of ammo more instead of a more precise Artemis-IV system.
Notable ‘MechWarriors
One of the few survivors of the suicide-stands of the 3rd Confederation Reserve Cavalry during the Andurien-Canopus invasion, ‘MechWarrior Min Bin was given one of the few CGR-2A5 in the rebuilding process of this unit.
It is hoped that the widespread use of the newest ‘Mechs available in the CCF, showing the interest of the Capellan Confederation, will stop their tendency to fall to the “hopeless battle syndromeâ€. Obviously, this did not work with Min Bin as he fell on Denbar during the Xin Sheng Campaign during the command company final suicide charge.
Charger CGR-2A5
Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 10 722 720 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1 781
Chassis: Wells 990 Light Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Pitban 320 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43,2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64,8 km/h (86,4 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Duralex Heavy Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
1 Bithinian Ballistics/Mydron A Autocannon/20
2 Hellespont Industrials/Harpoon-6 SRM-6s
1 Kajuka/Kajuka Type 1P Small Pulse Laser
1 Ceres Metal Industries/Apple Churchill Golden Shield Guardian ECM Suite Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Ceres Metals Industries
Primary Factory: Capella
Communications System: Tek BattleCom
Targeting and Tracking System: Dalban HiRez
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 122 points 4,00
Internal Locations: 1 HD, 2 LT, 5 LA, 6 RA
Engine: Fusion Engine 320 22,50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6 (8)
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0,00
Gyro: Standard 4,00
Cockpit: Standard 3,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 240 15,00
CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT 1,00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 25 39
Center Torso (rear) 10
L/R Torso 17 26
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 13 24
L/R Leg 17 33
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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Small Pulse Laser CT 2 1 1,00
Autocannon/20 RT/RA 7 8/2 14,00
2 SRM-6s LT 8 4 6,00
MASC LT - 4 4,00
Guardian ECM Suite LA 0 2 1,50
@AC/20 (15) RT - 3 3,00
@SRM-6 (15) LT - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 7
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 8 Points: 18
5 4 4 0 0 4 0 Structure: 6
Special Abilities: ECM, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, AC 2/2/0, SRM 1/1/0