Wow nearly ten years later and I am still working on this!!
I was unsatisfied with my first take on the Sunburst especially with the short range Small Lasers and I believe someone wanted to see an Elemental killer. So I looked around for some inspiration and perhaps a bit of competition and found this on the main boards. I have adjusted my design which may continue (Might strip a half ton of armor for another Medium Laser which would be optimal) based on our discussion here. Let me know what you think.
ALM-11D Fireball and ALM-14D "Firebolt"
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=8341.msg191509#msg191509SN-8T SUNBURSTMass: 20 tons
Chassis: Corean Model 334AA Endo Steel
Power Plant: Nissan 200 XL
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: StarGuard Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
5 ChisComp 39 Medium Lasers
1 ChisComp 32 Small Laser
Manufacturer: Corean Enterprises, TharHes Industries
Primary Factory: New Avalon, Tharkad
Communications System: Lynx-shur
Targeting and Tracking System: Corean B-Tech
Overview:
Devising strategies and tactics to overcome the Clan juggernaut led Federated Commonwealth commanders to hold a series of talks with engineers at the NAIS. A result of this conference was the decision to build a brand new light unit which could support heavier BattleMechs who were threatened by a new enemy. Toads as AFFC soldiers dubbed Clan Elementals swarmed over their larger opponents wreaking havoc before they could even deal with Clan OmniMechs.
There were several designers who rushed to fill this niche during the last days of the invasion. Corean Enterprises ALM-7D Fireball was the best of these initial submissions and appeared to be destined for mass production. A last minute challenge from wunderkind Daniel Crown who had recently graduated from NAIS changed all that. Reviewing the criteria and insisting that none of them were adequate to the task he quickly designed a new Mech dubbed the SB-1T Sunburst.
Normally such late input would not have been considered by the Federated Commonwealth Review Board but Prince Hanse Davion and Archon Melissa Steiner personally intervened. Their action launched a direct competition between the Fireball and the Sunburst. Prototypes were constructed for both designs which then were put through a grueling series of trails on New Avalon. These challenges clearly showed that Crown’s entry was a better fit the desired role.
Awarding the contract to the newly born Crown Industries did pose significant problems. These were quickly overcome by several licensing deals named the Synergy Agreement which facilitated the manufacturing of the Sunburst. Crown took minimal compensation in return for pacts with Corean Enterprises and TharHes Industries to produce the Sunburst. Further financial support from the royal sovereigns which included the underwriting of factory expansion for Corean and TharHes sealed the deal.
Capabilities:
Despite their very different capabilities the Sunburst shares much in common with its test bed competitor, the Fireball. Daniel Crown based his chassis on the prototype Corean design giving both BattleMechs a nearly identical look. This was another source of friction during the competition with some accusing Crown of theft of intellectual property and copyright infringement. Thankfully these issues were resolved by the Synergy Agreement which retained most of the component suppliers as well. Likewise the Lynx-shur communications system and the Corean-B Targeting system were retained.
The similarities between these ‘Mechs ended these as speed and firepower varied drastically. In order to optimize the Sunburst a smaller Nissan 200 XL Fusion Engine was chosen to power the design. While this slowed it slightly the new power plant allowed the mounting of a smaller gyroscope which further increased the armament it could carry. This decision also had the fringe benefit of reducing the overall cost for the Light Mech. The proponents of the Fireball argued that the reduction in speed was a major drawback. However, the Sunburst showed it was fast enough to get across the battlefield and deal with its intended opponents something the Fireball was incapable of.
With almost five times as much raw firepower as its experimental rival the Sunburst was ideally suited for Elemental hunting. Five Medium Lasers and one Small Lasers provide an excellent close-range arsenal for this Light Mech. These energy weapons have many advantages over the ballistic and missile armament featured on the Fireball. With no need for ammunition the Sunburst eases logistical concerns and eliminates the need to return to base enabling longer deployments in the field. This also removes the threat of internal ammo explosions caused by critical damaged. Finally the inclusion of Double Heat Sinks allows a Mechwarrior to Alpha Strike with all his weaponry while moving at full speed.
Deployment:
Currently in development the Sunburst should enter full scale production at the Corean Enterprises facility on New Avalon in early 3053. This will be followed by TharHes Industries which should complete its expansion and start manufacturing by 3055. The first Sunbursts have already been slated for AFFC troops along the Clan front where it will likely see combat quickly. Plans call for promising new Mechwarriors to be assigned the Sunburst were they can utilize their raw talent while gaining experience. Unit wise top priority has been given to the Deneb Light Cavalry who are widely considered the finest rapid deployment force in the InnerSphere. The FedCom Corps trailed by premier frontline Steiner-Davion commands are likely next on the list. Some in the High Command fear that Lyran units who traditionally prefer heavier ‘Mechs will not give it a chance.
Variants:
While only a few prototypes currently exist, engineers have already developed a variant named the SB-8Ta that can serve as a forward spotter with just a slight loss in firepower. Replacing the Mech’s Medium Laser mounted in the Center Torso with a TAG allows the Sunburst to call in accurate artillery support while losing only a single energy weapon. Many commanders prefer this spotter to the hard charging light hunter that the basic model has become.
Type: Sunburst
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 20
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: EndoSteel 1
Engine: 200 XL 4.5
Walking MP: 10
Running MP: 15
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: 10 (20) 0
Gyro: 2
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 69 4
Internal Structure Armor Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 6 9 / 3
R/L Torso 5 8 / 2
R/L Arm 3 6
R/L Leg 4 8
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
2 Medium Lasers RT 2 2
2 Medium Lasers LT 2 2
Medium Laser CT 1 1
Small Laser H 1 .5
