Ever since the Dart I have found myself on a TRO3055 kick which brought me to the maligned Battle Hawk today. After reading the main board article on it and consulting sarna.net (links below) I was able to come up with what I think is an impressive 'downgrade' of the original which has its uses. Love to hear what you think about it and would love to see if you could do any better! Hope you enjoy!!
Lets talk about...the Battle Hawk
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=45043.0Battle Hawk - BattleTechWiki
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Battle_HawkBH-K304 BATTLE HAWKMass: 30 tons
Chassis: Maltex 304 EndoSteel
Power Plant: Omni 150
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets: Luxor 2/Q
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Durallex Nova
Armament:
1 McArthur Anti-Missile System
2 Hovertec Streak SRM-2 Racks
3 Defiance B3M Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries
Primary Factory: Hesperus II
Communications System: TharHes Thalia HM-22
Targeting and Tracking System: TharHes Ares-5B
Overview:
Some of the harshest criticism for new BattleMech designs was reserved for the BH-K305 Battle Hawk manufactured by Defiance Industries. Following the prototypes less than stellar debut in a raid against the Clan Occupation Zone many detractors tore into this untested design. Full scale reassignment to garrison duty may have followed if not for the support of First Prince Hanse Davion who called for a widespread review of all military equipment following the invasion. He understood that many concepts had been rushed into production to halt the Clan onslaught and that while imperfect designs like the Battle Hawk deserved a second chance. Thankful Defiance engineers set out to overhaul the design focusing on improving performance while enhancing its durability.
Capabilities:
Widely considered a downgrade by most defense analysts the BH-K304 is grudgingly acknowledged as superior war machine despite its back stepping. For starters the three Defiance P5M Medium Pulses were replaced by three Defiance B3M Medium Lasers. While these older model lasers lacked the hitting power and accuracy of their more sophisticated lostech ‘successors’ they did weigh less, feature longer reach, and generated less heat. Able to match the rest of its armament’s range and thereby overcome any lingering speed concerns these time-tested energy weapons were a welcomed replacement. Using the mass saved from this swap the bulky GM 150 XL Engine was exchanged for an Omni 150 Fusion Plant from the Commando. This venerable source of power did not require the same interior space as the Extra-Light model would have and was less likely to be damaged in battle increasing the Battle Hawk’s endurance. Designers also concluded that the original model was ‘oversinked’ meaning that despite continuously firing all its weaponry and engaging in extreme maneuvering (jumping in this instance) the Battle Hawk could not overheat. The decision was therefore made to remove the eleventh Double Heat Sink as it was superfluous. The five and a half tons of Paulina Heavy Ferro-Fibrous were removed as well because its use was considered suboptimal compared to the use of an EndoSteel chassis. Hence the new Maltex 304 EndoSteel mold was created to upgrade the Battle Hawk’s use of available tonnage. This new frame is in fact the only area of technological improvement utilized on this Defiance overhaul. Together with the six and half tons of Durallex Nova armor used on the Firestarter which increased the Battle Hawk’s protection rating to near maximum this substitution of construction materials was considered a complete success. A CASE was also installed to protect the Streak SRM and Anti-Missile System ammunition now stored in the left torso. Extra tonnage was used to add a second Hovertec Streak SRM-2 Rack in the left arm which further enhanced the new Battle Hawk’s performance. Aside from these changes much remains unchanged including the five Luxor 2/Q Jump Jets and the full-head ejection system first used on the Hatchetman. As a result of these modifications the cost was cut dramatically from the BH-K305 which was approximately three million seven hundred and sixty-two thousand C-bills. Now retailing for under a million C-bills less this renovated ‘Mech design has a promising new future.
Deployment:
While many March Militias are now home to the Battle Hawk its extensive rehabilitation has earned it some praise within the AFFC. Useful as a bodyguard for long range fire support units like the Archer or as a versatile urban combatant the BH-K304 has reappeared in some line formations including the FedCom Corps and the Knights Exemplar. These advocates have been impressed with its capabilities when used correctly in battle which has only emboldened critics who cite these positives as acknowledgements of its limited uses.
Type: Battle Hawk
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 30
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: EndoSteel 1.5
Engine: 150 5.5
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 10 (20) 0
Gyro: 2
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 104 6.5
Internal Structure Armor Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 10 15 / 4
R/L Torso 7 11 / 3
R/L Arm 5 10
R/L Leg 7 14
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
Anti-Missile System Head 1 .5
Ammo (Anti-Missile) 12 Left Torso 1 1
2 Streak SRM-2s Left Arm 2 3
Ammo (Streak SRM) 50 Left Torso 1 1
CASE Left Torso 1 .5
3 Medium Lasers Right Arm 3 3
2 Jump Jets Right Leg 2 1
2 Jump Jets Left Leg 2 1
Jump Jet Center Torso 1 .5
