==Overview:==
The design concept behind Vandenberg Mechanized Industries HYD-series Hydra
came about as the result of a major industrial accident in 2991. Prior to
this, both Taurus Territorial and Pinard Protectorates had begun to build
their prototypes for the medium-weight elements of Project 3000, but VMI
instead chose to expand production of their own Griffin lines. Five tons
heavier than the 50-tonners of Project 3000, the Griffins produced by VMI
would have the advantage (or so the board believed) in being a proven and
capable design that was much loved by the rank-and-file of the TDF.
Those plans were seriously challenged in October of 2991 when a series of
explosions tore through the industrial heart of New Vandenberg. VMI escaped
any damage, but the Concordat's sole factory able to produce the 275 CoreTek
fusion engine of the Griffin was leveled. With dawning dismay, the VMI execs
realized that only were their plans derailed, but that the new mediums
envisioned by TTI and PPL would soon be the only game in town.
Cracking the whip over the backs of their R&D establishment, VMI employed
industrial espionage, bribery, and seduction in order to obtain their share of
the new 250 Magnas currently in production. Needing to produce a 'Mech with
the minimum of retooling in order to avoid a lengthy delay, the R&D division
quickly turned back to their original plans for the Griffin.
Scaled down 5 tons, and using the Concordat Common Standard chassis, the plans
were finalized. In a burst of inspiration, four seperate variants were
designed, patterned after the Dervish, Griffin, Shadow Hawk, and Wolverine.
Christened the Hydra, after the many-headed creature of myth and legend, the
first of the new VMI prototypes emerged from the bowels of their factories in
2997--just six months after the debut of the Taurus Territorial Typhoon and
the Pinard Tornado.
==Capabilities:==
Massing 50 tons, the Hydra uses a high-efficiency 250 Magna fusion engine to
move at speeds of 86.4 kilometers per hour. Five Hamilton Liftjets 150
jump-jets gives this design the same 150-meter jump capability of the ancient
Griffin. Since the design was based upon the the Griffin, Shadow Hawk, and
Wolverine, VMI (in the interests of time) decided against increasing armor
protection. Instead 9.5 tons of Renault Composites 152 standard armor was
mounted, giving the Hydra the exact same armor protection as the 55-ton trio
it was replacing.
The stock Hydra mounted weaponry in the pattern of the Griffin, with a
right-arm High Energy Systems Corona PPC as the main gun. However, instead of
a LRM-10 launcher, the HYD-1A carried a smaller Aurora Missiliers Privet
five-tube LRM launcher, along with a magazine containing 24 salvoes. Thirteen
heat sinks were fitted to the design, giving the Hydra sufficient heat
dissipation to fire both weapons and walk without generating excess overheat.
The R&D team found they had an additional ton and a half of space remaining in
the design. Recognizing that the lack of any close-quarters weapon systems
was one of the few flaws of the Griffin, they added twin Hyades Weapons
Consortium Reaper machine-guns to the left arm, along with a magazine for 100
bursts of fire.
The VMI Hydra was not a flashy 'Mech by any means, but it was certainly an
effective one. TDF pilots assigned to the new unit considered the increased
defensive armaments and improved heat dissipation well worth the loss of a
five tons and a quintet of long-range missile tubes. The TDF accepted the
'Mech in 2997 and full-scale production began the following spring.
Even though VMI gained access to new 275 CoreTeks in 3008, the board instead
concentrated on churning out the Hydras instead of resuming production of the
Griffin. VMI does refurbish and resell Griffins previously used by the TDF
that have been replaced by the Hydra, leading many outside the Concordat to
believe that the Griffin is still in production there.
==Battle History:==
There have been only a few engagements featuring the Hydra since its
introduction, primarily against pirates in the hinterlands of the Concordat.
One such raid on Regis Roost in 3011 saw a mixed lance of Hydras engage ten
raider 'Mechs. Using their mobility and heavy firepower, the Taurian Hydra's
managed to slowly whittle the hostile forces down to just five 'Mechs,
although two Hydras were lost as well. At this point, the two survivors broke
and ran, pursued by the weary--but victorious!--pirates.
When the pirates crossed the crest of the next ridgeline, their objective in
sight ahead of them, they were greeted by a massive salvo of fire from the TDF
Armor Battalion assigned to Regis Roost. Using the time that the Hydras had
bought him, the armor CO had posistioned his entire battalion in hull-down
posistions and waited for the 'Mechs to draw the pirates into range.
None of the pirates survived the first volley of fire that the TDF unleashed.
==Variants:==
The model -2A Hydra is patterened after the Shadow Hawk. A Hyades Weapons
Consortium Havoc Light Autocannon-5 in the right torso is the main gun, with a
full magazine of 20 bursts of fire available. The right arm carries a
Martin-Gordan Rapier medium laser, while the left torso features an Aurora
Missiliers Privet five-tube LRM launchers and a missile magazine with 24
salvoes. The old two-tube SRM launcher of the Shadow Hawk was replaced by a
four-tube Aurora Missiliers Foxglove launcher, and a magazine with 25 missile
salvoes. For anti-infantry work, a pair of HWC Reaper machine-guns was
mounted in the left arm, along with a half-ton magazine containing 100 bursts
of fire. With only 10 standard heat sinks, the MechWarrior of a Hydra -2A
must be careful and avoid using his full weapon battery while jumping,
however, the heat build-up is still quite low when compared to many
contemporary designs.
Based on the Wolverine, the model -3A features a HWC Havoc LAC-5 in the right
arm (with 20 shots), an Aurora Missiliers Hemlock six-tube SRM launcher in the
left torso (15 salvoes), and a pair of Martin-Gordan Rapier medium lasers,
mounted one each in the right and left torsos. Like the majority of Project
3000 'Mechs, a pair of HWC Reaper machine-guns in the left arm provide ample
anti-personnel capabilities (100 shots). Eleven heat sinks are fitted to the
model -3A, enough to fire a full weapons salvo without overheat--provided that
the 'Mech does not move.
Finally, the HYD-4A follows the weaponry of the Dervish. Three Aurora
Missiliers five-tube Privet LRM launchers replace the twin LRM-10s of the
Dervish. Mounted in the center torso, right torso, and left torso, the
Privets provide 75% of the ranged fire capabilities of the heavier 'Mech. Two
one-ton missile magazines are fitted, one each in the right and left torso,
giving each Privet the capability to fire sixteen salvoes--four more than the
Dervish.
Each arm of the -4A mounts an Aurora Missiliers Oleander twin SRM launcher,
along with a half-ton magazine with 25 missile salvoes. Backing up the SRMs
are a pair of Martin-Gordan Rapier medium lasers, one per arm. Anti-personnel
capability is provided with two HWC Reaper machine-guns, with one tucked away
in both the right and left torsos. A half-ton magazine in the center torso
feeds both guns.
Eleven heat sinks are mounted, giving the -4A the ability to walk and fire its
short-range guns, or to jump and fire its long-range missiles. Having a
single ton remaining, VMI decided to address the slight loss of firepower.
Twin ten-tube HWC Hydra-10 rocket launchers were fitted to the design, one
each in both the right and left torsos. Although single-shot weapons, the
Hydra-10s provide additional medium-range firepower for the coup-de-grace.
==Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:==
MechWarrior Virgil Tibbs was one of the four Hydra pilots during the
engagement on Regis Roost in 3011. He and his HYD-2A Hydra (Honeysuckle) were
newly assigned to the garrison forces on planet, having graduated the Ecole
Militarie just four months earlier.
Despite his rookie status, Tibbs showed his lance-mates and the TDF the
quality of his metal that day. Riding the edge of his heat sinks, he kept up
a continual barrage of fire as he jumped from cover to cover during the long
withdrawal. Depleting both his autocannon and his LRM magazine, the young
trooper remained cool as he scrambled to evade the hostile fire that had taken
down both his Lieutenant and Lance Sergeant.
When he finally arrived at the ambush, Tibbs' Honeysuckle was battered beyond
recognition; the few layers of armor remaining held on by only scattered
strips of paint. All of his missiles--and most of his Reaper rounds--had been
expended, leaving him with just the right-arm Rapier.
Despite his fatigue and the broken arm he had suffered after a hit to his
cockpit, Tibbs volunteered to lead the med-evac units back to where his
lance-mates had ejected. After seven hours of searching, both men were
recovered; wounded, but alive.
Virgil Tibbs was awarded with the Standard of Taurus in a ceremony six weeks
later. He turned down the offer of a promotion, asking only that when his
'Mech was repaired that he could remain with his lance-mates. Tibbs remained
with his lance for four years before he left the service.
==Deployment==
The Hydra series is slowly replacing the standard Dervish, Griffin, Shadow
Hawk, and Wolverine class 'Mechs in the TDF inventory. As each of the older
'Mechs is rotated out and replaced with the Hydra, they are shipped back to
New Vandenberg for a complete overhaul. When fully restored to an almost new
condition, the refurbished 'Mechs are then sold on the export market, helping
the Concordat to defray the costs of VMIs new Hydras.
BattleMech Technical Readout
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-1A
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Custom design
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Concordat Standard 50 Standard
Power Plant: 250 Magna Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Hamilton Liftjets 150 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Renault Composite 152 Standard
Armament:
1 High Energy Systems Corona PPC
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Reaper Machine Guns
1 Aurora Missiliers Privet LRM 5
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Location: New Vandenberg
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk XI
Targeting & Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Gold
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-1A
Mass: 50 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 83 pts Standard 0 5.00
Engine: 250 Fusion 6 12.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 13 Single 3 3.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 CT, 1 LL, 1 RL)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 152 pts Standard 0 9.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 16 22
Center Torso (Rear): 5
L/R Side Torso: 12 17/17
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 4/4
L/R Arm: 8 15/15
L/R Leg: 12 22/22
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 PPC RA 10 3 7.00
2 Machine Guns LA 0 100 3 1.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 LA)
1 LRM 5 LT 2 24 2 3.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 12 47 50.00
Crits & Tons Left: 31 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 4,324,250 C-Bills
Battle Value: 980
Cost per BV: 4,412.5
Weapon Value: 616 / 616 (Ratio = .63 / .63)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 11; MRDmg = 9; LRDmg = 4
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 4/4
Damage PB/M/L: 2/1/1, Overheat: 0
Class: MM; Point Value: 10
BattleMech Technical Readout
Custom* Weapons
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-2A
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Custom design
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Concordat Standard 50 Standard
Power Plant: 250 Magna Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Hamilton Liftjets 150 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Renault Composite 152 Standard
Armament:
1 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Laser
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Reaper Machine Guns
1 Hyades Weapons Consortium Havoc LAC-5*
1 Aurora Missiliers Privet LRM 5
1 Aurora Missiliers Foxglove SRM 4
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Location: New Vandenberg
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk XI
Targeting & Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Gold
--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-2A
Mass: 50 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 83 pts Standard 0 5.00
Engine: 250 Fusion 6 12.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 152 pts Standard 0 9.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 16 22
Center Torso (Rear): 5
L/R Side Torso: 12 17/17
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 4/4
L/R Arm: 8 15/15
L/R Leg: 12 22/22
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
2 Machine Guns LA 0 100 3 1.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 LA)
1 LAC-5* RT 1 20 3 6.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 RT)
1 LRM 5 LT 2 24 2 3.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
1 SRM 4 LT 3 25 2 3.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 9 47 50.00
Crits & Tons Left: 31 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 4,438,250 C-Bills
Battle Value: 883
Cost per BV: 5,026.33
Weapon Value: 611 / 611 (Ratio = .69 / .69)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 15; MRDmg = 6; LRDmg = 2
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 4/4
Damage PB/M/L: 3/2/-, Overheat: 0
Class: MM; Point Value: 9
BattleMech Technical Readout
Custom* Weapons
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-3A
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Custom design
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Concordat Standard 50 Standard
Power Plant: 250 Magna Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Hamilton Liftjets 150 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Renault Composite 152 Standard
Armament:
1 Hyades Weapons Consortium Havoc LAC-5*
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Reaper Machine Guns
2 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Lasers
1 Aurora Missiliers Hemlock SRM 6
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Location: Illiushin
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk XI
Targeting & Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Gold
--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-3A
Mass: 50 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 83 pts Standard 0 5.00
Engine: 250 Fusion 6 12.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 11 Single 1 1.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 CT)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 152 pts Standard 0 9.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 16 22
Center Torso (Rear): 5
L/R Side Torso: 12 17/17
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 4/4
L/R Arm: 8 15/15
L/R Leg: 12 22/22
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 LAC-5* RA 1 20 3 6.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 RA)
2 Machine Guns LA 0 100 3 1.50
(Ammo Locations: 1 LA)
1 Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00
1 SRM 6 LT 4 15 3 4.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT)
1 Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 11 48 50.00
Crits & Tons Left: 30 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 4,441,250 C-Bills
Battle Value: 926
Cost per BV: 4,796.17
Weapon Value: 681 / 681 (Ratio = .74 / .74)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 19; MRDmg = 5; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 4/4
Damage PB/M/L: 3/2/-, Overheat: 1
Class: MM; Point Value: 9
BattleMech Technical Readout
Custom* Weapons
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-4A
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 3, Custom design
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Concordat Standard 50 Standard
Power Plant: 250 Magna Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Hamilton Liftjets 150 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Renault Composite 152 Standard
Armament:
2 Aurora Missiliers Oleander SRM 2s
2 Martin Gordan Rapier Medium Lasers
2 Aurora Missiliers Privet LRM 5s
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Hydra-10 RL-10s*
2 Hyades Weapons Consortium Reaper Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Vandenberg Mechanized Industries
Location: Illiushin
Communications System: Wintershaven Comm IVIS Mk XI
Targeting & Tracking System: Bell & Sun Phalanx Gold
--------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Hydra HYD-4A
Mass: 50 tons
Construction Options: Fractional Accounting
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 83 pts Standard 0 5.00
Engine: 250 Fusion 6 12.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 11 Single 1 1.00
(Heat Sink Loc: 1 HD)
Gyro: 4 3.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 152 pts Standard 0 9.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 16 22
Center Torso (Rear): 5
L/R Side Torso: 12 17/17
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 4/4
L/R Arm: 8 15/15
L/R Leg: 12 22/22
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
--------------------------------------------------------
1 SRM 2 RA 2 50 2 2.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LA, 1 RA)
1 Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
1 SRM 2 LA 2 1 1.00
1 Medium Laser LA 3 1 1.00
1 LRM 5 RT 2 48 3 4.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT)
1 RL-10* RT 3 1 .50
1 Machine Gun RT 0 100 2 1.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 CT)
1 LRM 5 LT 2 1 2.00
1 RL-10* LT 3 1 .50
1 Machine Gun LT 0 1 .50
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT)
--------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS: 14 51 50.00
Crits & Tons Left: 27 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 4,343,750 C-Bills
Battle Value: 934
Cost per BV: 4,650.7
Weapon Value: 633 / 633 (Ratio = .68 / .68)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 20; MRDmg = 14; LRDmg = 6
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 4/4
Damage PB/M/L: 2/1/-, Overheat: 1
Class: MM; Point Value: 9
Specials: if
