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BLST-3R BLASTER

Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Corean Model KL77 EndoSteel
Power Plant: Magna 250 XL
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: StarGuard CIV Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle
1 ABC Twincast Binary Laser Cannon
Manufacturer: ABC Technologies
Primary Factory: New Avalon
Communications System: ABC Autocom 1980
Targeting and Tracking System: ABC Broadblast All-fire

Overview:
What do you get when you cross a CN9-D Centurion and an ENF-5D Enforcer? The BLST-3R Blaster from ABC Technologies answers that question with their brand-new hard-hitting combat design. This premier BattleMech was engineered by the recently assembled New Avalon development cooperative which is composed of Achernar BattleMechs, Banzai Weapons Design Company, and Corean Enterprises. While outwardly a new Mech with a radically different appearance the Blaster is essentially a melding of two cutting edge Davion war machines that is armed with two powerful weapons and an ultra-sophisticated electronics package. While initial production has been limited the Blaster has quickly become all the rage within the Federated Commonwealth.

Capabilities:
   Using a new mold ABC Technologies has shaped the CN9-D Centurion's Corean Model KL77 EndoSteel chassis into a lightweight but bulky structure for the Blaster's new look. Next, designers added the Magna 250 XL Engine from the ENF-5D Enforcer which provided the Blaster with an acceptable top speed of 97 kilometers per hour. They also drew on the ENF-5D for advanced armor protection with nine tons of StarGuard CIV Ferro-Fibrous providing a high level of defense against enemy 'Mechs. Together these three lostech materials allowed for tremendous weight savings but they occupied a great deal of internal space. This extremely cramped interior makes the Blaster a difficult 'Mech for technicians to maintain. Mechwarriors however love the massive firepower provided by the right arm mounted Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle and the left arm mounted ABC Twincast Binary Laser Cannon. These double-barreled Large Lasers which have been welded together to create a single powerful energy cannon have long been available but only recently been fielded in numbers due to the recovery of Double Heat Sinks. While ten Double Heat Sinks were utilized on the Blaster they weren’t included on either the CN9-D or the ENF-5D despite their complete encapsulation within the 250 XL Engine. These freezers allow the Blaster to Alpha Strike continuously and move as fast as possible without the fear of overheating whatsoever. Perhaps the greatest innovation fielded on this new ‘Mech is the ABC Autocom 1980 communications array. This cutting-edge gear developed after years of research at NAIS which dared to tread into ComStar’s sacred area of expertise provides a wide range of communications improvements. Many Mechwarriors enjoy ‘blasting’ music or aggressive sounds over the battlefield in an attempt to win psychologically over their opponents. Likewise, the ABC Broadblast All-fire Targeting and Tracking System is very solid but lack of space and weight prohibited further advanced electronics improvements.

Deployment:
   Team Banzai debuted the first Blaster (the Masterblater) in its ranks where it has tested successfully against simulations and pirate interlopers. A brief deployment to the Outback in order to field test the war machine resulted in the destruction of a bandit lance including the decapitation of its command ‘Mech, a BattleMaster. Since then it has been successfully marketed as the cool new war machine by a masterful public relations campaign which eluded to several pop culture references. Commercials including ‘More than meets the eye’ and ‘Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid’ captured the imagination of many young AFFC Mechwarriors especially from Davion space. Orders for the new ‘Mech have skyrocketed as has the public’s confidence in the AFFC’s new ability to stop even the mighty Clan invaders. Demand has thus far outstripped production which could be well beyond ABC’s small manufacturing capabilities to meet. This could force other facilities to step up to the plate and begin mass production of the Blaster if its early success continues.

Type: BLST-3R Blaster
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 50

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         EndoSteel         2.5
Engine:            250 XL         6.5
Walking MP:         5
Running MP:         8
Jumping MP:         0
Heat Sinks:            10 (20)            0
Gyro:                           3
Cockpit:                         3
Armor Factor:            161            9

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         16         23 / 7
R/L Torso         12         19 / 5
R/L Arm         8         16
R/L Leg         12         21

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
Gauss Rifle          Right Arm       7      15
Ammo (Gauss) 16      Right Torso      2      2
Blazer            Left Arm      4      9

Cost = 8,402,000 C-bills
Quirks: Improved Communications (2), Good Reputation, Difficult to Maintain (-1)