OBT Forum

The Charger has never been a very popular mech.  Introduced by the Star League, the mech was considered a failure and was withdrawn from service.  It was only the onset of the Succession Wars and the need for mechs, any mechs, that kept the mech in production at the Wells Technology facility on Luthien.  Even so the mech was not popular with the DCMS.  It was however popular with the LCAF which, favoring heavy and assault mechs, found a role for the Charger in the recon lances of their assault companies.  Unable to sell directly to the LCAF, Wells Technology supplied mechs to the Lyrans through third parties.  This trade began sometime in the 2800s and lasted until the ISF discovered this operation at the end of the 3rd Succession War.  The Lyran Chargers continued to soldier on, fighting in the 4th Succession War, War of 3039 and finally the Clan Invasion.  Never very successful to begin with, the recovery of advanced technology from the Helm Memory Core threatened to make the Charger even less effective compared to new designs.  With so many Chargers in service, the AFFC could not afford to ignore the mech. Instead they contracted with Defiance Industries to develop an upgrade of the Charger, one that would allow the mech to continue in the heavy recon role, while at the same time be more effective on the battlefield.  Another requirement was that the upgraded needed to use as many components as possible from other Defiance products, in an effort to simplify logistics.

The engineers at Defiance Industries realized that any effort to improve the Charger would require a major overhaul of the mech.  For this reason they dedicated an line at their Furillo plant to handle these upgrades.  It was quickly realized that the only way to make the Charger more effective with out sacrificing any speed was to replace the old LTV 400 engine with a new extra light model that Defiance is building for a classified project.  The new Charger allowed Defiance to test the new engine and work out any bugs or issues with the design.  The huge savings in mass allowed the engineers to make significant upgrades to the Charger's systems.  Starting with the weapon systems the designers replaced both of the torso mounted small lasers with the same Cyclops XII ER Large Lasers that are used by the Zeus.  The left arm laser has been upgraded to a Defiance B3M Medium Laser, while the right arm laser has been upgraded and moved to the right torso.  This was done to free up the arm to carry a large hatchet.  To make the hatchet even more deadly, the mech carries Triple Strength Myomers.  Rounding out the weapons are a Flamer in the left, for use in both the anti-infantry and incendiary role, and a head mounted small laser. While of limited value in combat, the small laser is mainly used to help manage heat levels, ensuring that the TSM operates at its maximum efficiency.  Due to the added heat of all the new weapons, the mech carries 12 double strength heatsinks, enough to keep the mech from significantly over heating but not enough to prevent the TSM from activating.

In addition to the upgrades to the mech's weapons, the electronics suite got a complete overhaul.  The Combine com and targeting systems were removed and replaced with those of the Zeus, to ease logistics and maintenance. Given the mech's role as a scout, a Guardian ECM module was added to hide the mech from enemy forces, while a beagle active probe enables it to locate enemy units.  To protect the expensive engine and electronics, the armor has been upgraded to 14 tons of Glasgow Limited Primo Ferro-Fibrous armor that is also used on the Zeus.  This provides almost 50% better protection than that of the CGR-1A1.


Model CGR-2S
Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Wells 990
Power Plant: LTV 400XL
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets:  None
Jump Capacity: 0
Armor: Glasgow Limited Primo Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
     2 Cyclops XII ER Large Lasers
   2 Defiance B3M Medium Lasers
   1 Diverse Optics Type 10 Small Laser
   1 Zippo Flamer
Manufacturer: Defiance Industries (Refit)
Primary Factories:  Furillo
Communications System: TharHes Calliope ZE-2 with Guardian ECM Module
Targeting and Tracking System: TharHes Ares-7 with Beagle Active Probe

Type: CGR-2S
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  80 tons

Equipment:                       Mass
Internal Structure               8
Engine     400XL      26.5
   Walking MP:   5
   Running MP:  8
   Jumping MP:  0
Heatsinks       12(24)         2     
Gyro                           4
Cockpit                      3
Armor Factor      247         14
                  IS      Armor
Head               3      9   
CT               25      40/10
R/L Torso         17      26/8
R/L Arm         13      26
R/L Leg         17      34

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
ER Large Laser      RT      2      5
Medium Laser       RT      1      1
ER Large Laser      LT      2      5
Hatchet         RA      6      6
Medium Laser      LA      1      1
Flamer         LA      1      1
Small Laser      H      1      0.5
Guardian ECM      CT      2      1.5
Beagle Active Probe   LT      2      1.5
TSM  (2RL, 2LL, 2RA)

The CGR-3T came about due to the collapse of Wells Technology shortly before the 4th Succession War.  With the halting on Wells Technologies illegal sales of Chargers to the Lyran Commonwealth, the company, now having been bought out by Luthien Armor Works,  found few buyers for the unbeloved mech.  It was a bit of luck for LAW when a a field representative in the  Outworlds Alliance met representatives from the Taurian Concordat.  The Taurians were helping the OWA modernize their factories and ground forces, in exchange for the aid with TDF aerospace forces.  The Combine representatives were in the OWA helping improve the production capacity at United Outworlders Corporation.  The Combine representatives learned the at the Taurians were looking for more assault mechs for the TDF.  Realizing an opportunity, the Combine agents contacted the home office of LAW and soon an agreement was reached between the Concordat and the Combine.  The Concordat, while desperate for assault mechs, refused to buy the Charger, considering it a worthless design.  Instead LAW would sell chassis to the Concordat, who would the complete outfitting the chassis' to TDF specifications.  Unable to trade directly, since neither Combine or Concordat merchants could cross the territory of the Federated Suns, the OWA was included as a middleman.  In exchange for the OWA's aid in conducting this trade, the Concordat purchased equipment to outfit the Chargers from OWA companies, including Pitban 240 engines from Mountain Wolf Battlemechs and lasers from Lushann Industrials Limited.

The CGR-3Ts were completed at the Taurus Territorial Industries on Taurus.  Powered by a Pitban 240 engine, the mech is much slower then the original CGR-1A1. The weight savings was used to improve the combat capabilities of the mech.  The right arm small laser was replaced with a Donal PPC, while the torso and left arm lasers were replaced with Lushann Redbeam Large Lasers.  The head mounted small laser was been upgraded to a Diverse Optics Type 2 Medium Laser.   With the addition of so many high power weapons, the cooling system was improved through the addition of 18 heatsinks to the mech.  Even so mechwarriors are cautioned that continuous firing will overwhelm the mech's coolant system.  The other big change is the addition of 3.5 tons of armor plating, allowing the mech to better survive on the battlefield. 

The new Charger has proven very popular with Taurian Mechwarriors.  The mech is usually assigned to defensive units as it slow speed prevents it from operating in offensive roles or pirate hunting.   The trade between the Combine and the Concordat continued until 3050, when theCombine, desperate for mechs to replace the losses suffered during the Clan Invasion halted the trade so that the chassis could be completed as CGR-3Ks for the DCMS.



Model CGR-3T
Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Wells 990
Power Plant: Pitban 240
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets:  None
Jump Capacity: 0
Armor: Ryerson 150
Armament:
   1 Donal PPC
     3 Lushann Redbeam Large Lasers
   1 Diverse Optics Type 2 Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works/Taurus Territorial Industries
Primary Factories:  Taurus
Communications System: Neil 8000
Targeting and Tracking System: O/P 1500 ARB

Type: CGR-3T
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  80 tons

Equipment:                       Mass
Internal Structure               8
Engine     240           11.5
   Walking MP:   3
   Running MP:  5
   Jumping MP:  0
Heatsinks          28      18
Gyro                           3
Cockpit                      3
Armor Factor      216        13.5
                  IS      Armor
Head               3      9   
CT               25      35/10
R/L Torso         17      22/8
R/L Arm         13      22
R/L Leg         17      29

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
Large Laser      RT      2      5
Large Laser      LT      2      5
PPC            RA      2      7
Large Laser      LA      2      5
Medium Laser      H      1      1


The CGR-4T is an upgrade to the CGR-3T that has been recently introduced by the Concordat.  Having lost access to new Wells 990 chassis, the Concordat sought to improve the capabilities of their existing Chargers.  Taking advantage of the newly introduced double heatsinks, the designers removed 9 heatsinks but still increased the heat dissipation of the Charger by approximately 33%.  The weight savings allowed them to increase the firepower of the Charger. The arm mounted Donal PPC was relocated to a better protected location in the mech's right torso and second PPC was added in the mech's left torso.  The two torso mounted Large Lasers have also been relocated, one to the right arm, replacing the PPC, and the other a mounting in the mech's center torso.  While the heat dissipation is greatly improved over that of the CGR-3T, the addition of a second PPC means that firing all of the mech's weapon will tax the mech's cooling system.

The only other change was the addition of 2 additional tons or armor, providing additional protection to the valuable mech.




Model CGR-4T
Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Wells 990
Power Plant: Pitban 240
Cruising Speed: 32 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets:  None
Jump Capacity: 0
Armor: Ryerson 150
Armament:
   2 Donal PPCs
     3 Lushann Redbeam Large Lasers
   1 Diverse Optics Type 2 Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works/Taurus Territorial Industries
Primary Factories:  Taurus
Communications System: Neil 8000
Targeting and Tracking System: O/P 1500 ARB

Type: CGR-4T
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  80 tons

Equipment:                       Mass
Internal Structure               8
Engine     240           11.5
   Walking MP:   3
   Running MP:  5
   Jumping MP:  0
Heatsinks          19 (38)   9
Gyro                           3
Cockpit                      3
Armor Factor      247         15.5
                  IS      Armor
Head               3      9   
CT               25      40/10
R/L Torso         17      26/8
R/L Arm         13      26
R/L Leg         17      34

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
PPC            RT      3      7
PPC            LT      3      7
Large Laser      RA      2      5
Large Laser      LA      2      5
Large Laser      CT      2      5
Medium Laser      H      1      1

A five star beginning Irose!

One of the "benefits" of the Kapteyn Accords was the acquisition of the CGR-1L by the CCAF.  Reducing it's armor and removing the small lasers allowed the mech to carry a Large Laser and a pair of medium lasers.  Lightly armored, the mech was considered a deathtrap but lacking significant mech production capabilities, the CCAF had little choice but acquire any mechs it could.  With the rebuilding of the Capellan industry following the 4th Succession War, and access to the production lines of the Free Worlds League, the CGR-1L has been relegated to second line status.  Despite the poor performance of the mech, the CCAF could not afford to ignore it and allow it to become even more obsolete.  The upgrade program, undertaken at Earthwerks on Grand Base, sought to improve the CGR-2L as best as possible, while keeping the cost down.  The old standard large laser was replaced with a Diverse Optics Sunbeam Extended Range Large Laser acquired from the Free Worlds League.  To help compensate for the added heat, the single strength heatsinks have been replaced with double strength models.  Lastly, while it was impossible to add more armor, the old armor plating was replaced with new Ferro-Fibrous armor, providing better, albeit still insufficient, protection for the same tonnage. 

Despite the improvements, the CGR-2L is still considered a substandard mech and is usually assigned as a punishment assignment for problematic soldiers.



Model CGR-2L
Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Wells 990
Power Plant: LTV 400
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets:  None
Jump Capacity: 0
Armor: Hellespont Lite Ferro-Fibrous Armor
Armament:
   1 Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER Large Laser
     2 Diverse Optics Type 20 Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated (refit)
Primary Factories:  Grand Base
Communications System: Tek BattleCom
Targeting and Tracking Dalban Hirez

Type: CGR-2L
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  80 tons

Equipment:                       Mass
Internal Structure               8
Engine     400           52.5
   Walking MP:   5
   Running MP:  8
   Jumping MP:  0
Heatsinks       10 (20)      
Gyro                           4
Cockpit                      3
Armor Factor      98      5.5       
                  IS      Armor
Head               3      9   
CT               25      17/4
R/L Torso         17      12/2
R/L Arm         13      8
R/L Leg         17      12

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
ER Large Laser      RA      2      5
Medium Laser      RT      1      1
Medium Laser      LT      1      1

Following the signing of the Kapteyn Accords, the Capellan Confederation began purchasing CGR-1L's from Wells Technology. A poor design that sacrificed armor for more weapons, the design was only accepted by the Capellans due to a lack of anything better.  In 3027, shortly before the 4th Succession War began, engineers at Earthwerks Incorporated on Grand Base proposed a new version of the Charger.  The CGR-1A5 removed the larger LTV 400 engine and replaced it with the Pitban 320 that is used on the Victor produced at Tao Mechworks and HildCo Interplanetary.  It was planned to convert all of the CGR-1Ls to this configuration but the 4th Succession War, and the loss of the HildCo plant on St Ives where the Pitban 320s were being manufactured, halted these plans after less then half of the CGR-1Ls had been upgraded. 

While lacking the production facilities for the Pitban 320, which prevented the further conversion of any CGR-1Ls to the -1A5 configuration, the recovery of lost Star League technology allowed the CCAF to improve their existing CGR-1A5s.  The biggest change was to the mech's weapon systems.  The old Tomodzuru autocannon was replaced with a Dragon's Fire Gauss Rifle imported from the Free Worlds League.  While dealing slightly less damage, the much longer range is considered an advantage as the Charger does not need to close to be effective.  The 2 Bical SRM-6 launchers have been replaced with 4 Hovertec streak racks.  While reducing the number of tubes available, they greatly improve ammo efficiency, allowing the single ton of ammo to last during extended battles.  The mech also retains the head mounted Magna Mk I Light Laser but upgrades the Agra 3L Medium Laser to a Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER Large Laser from the FWL. 

While the Gauss Rifle generates less heat the the Tomodzuru Autocannon, the addition of the Sunbeam laser more then offsets it.  To help compensate for the added heat, the mech switches to Double Strength heatsinks.  Due to the added weight of the Gauss Rifle and ER Large Laser, the designers were forced to remove 3 heatsinks and 2 tons of armor.  In an effort to offset the reduced weight of armor, the old Durallex Heavy plate has been replaced with the Jolasa-328 Ferro-Fibrous armor from the FWL. 

The CGR-1A7 has proven very popular with mechwarriors in the Capellan Confederation.  The Capellans have begun to look into acquiring additional Pitban 320 engines from the Draconis Combine.  If they can acquire a supply of the engines, they will convert all of the remaining CGR-1Ls to the the CGR-1A7 variant.


Model CGR-1A7
Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Wells 990
Power Plant: Pitban 320
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 66.4 kph
Jump Jets:  None
Jump Capacity: 0
Armor: Jolasa-328
Armament:
   1 Dragon's Fire Gauss Rifle
   4 Hovertec SRM 2 Streak Launchers
   1 Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER Large Laser
   1 Magna Mk I Light Laser
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated (refit)
Primary Factories:  Grand Base
Communications System: Tek BattleCom
Targeting and Tracking Dalban Hirez

Type: CGR-1A7
Technology Base: Inner Sphere
Tonnage:  80 tons

Equipment:                       Mass
Internal Structure               8
Engine     320           22.5
   Walking MP:   4
   Running MP:  6
   Jumping MP:  0
Heatsinks          10(20)      
Gyro                           4
Cockpit                      3
Armor Factor      232         13
                  IS      Armor
Head               3      9   
CT               25      33/10
R/L Torso         17      26/8
R/L Arm         13      24
R/L Leg         17      32

Weapons & Ammo   Location   Critical   Tonnage
Gauss Rifle      RT      7      15
Ammo (16)      LT      2      2
SRM 2 Streak      LT      1      1.5
SRM 2 Streak      LT      1      1.5
SRM 2 Streak      LT      1      1.5
SRM 2 Streak      LT      1      1.5
Ammo (50)      LT      1      1
ER Large Laser      CT      2      5
Small Laser      H      1      0.5

Lunch time field refit different then ones I have at home.

A field refit of the newly produced 3K variants coming out of Luthen Armor Works, inspired by Kuritan technicians that had assisted with the salvaging of some Clan Blackhawks after the Battle of Luthien. Stripping out of the entirety of the new weapon systems in the process. With the hardest aspect of the refit being the incorporation of more heat sinks in its massive Hermes 400 XL engine. The technicians have added the max amount of armor able to fit on its 80 ton frame. With such an expensive piece of equipment this was seen as a requirement for the 'Mech. The rest of the design is centered around the bevy of Omicron Medium Lasers. With such limited ranges the inclusion of an ECM was felt needed to either interfere with opponents targeting and communications or secure the signals being broadcast by its new C3 unit. A TAG was also added to call in friendly fire in situations where heavier armament was needed to be called in for support.


Charger CGR-3Kfr

Introduction Year: 3052
Cost: 21,787,440 C-bills
Battle Value: 2,003

Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Standard Biped
Power Plant: Hermes 400 XL
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Lexington Ltd. Lifters
     Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: New Samarkand Royal Ferro Fibrous
Armament:
     10 Omicron 4000 Medium Laser
     1 TAG
Manufacturer: Unknown
     Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Boran Meta-Sygnus Plus
Targeting & Tracking System: Delta Track w/TAG

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                    8
Engine                        400 XL               26.5
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Double Heat Sink              16 [32]                 6
Gyro                                                  4
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor (Ferro)          247                    14

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Head                    3         9     
     Center Torso            25        38   
     Center Torso (rear)               12   
     R/L Torso               17        26   
     R/L Torso (rear)                  8     
     R/L Arm                 13        26   
     R/L Leg                 17        34   

Weapons              Location  Critical   Heat    Tonnage
5 Medium Lasers          RT        5        3       5.0   
5 Medium Lasers          LT        5        3       5.0   
ECM Suite                RT        2        -       1.5   
TAG                      CT        1        0       1.0   
C3 Computer              HD        1        -       1.0   
2 Jump Jets              RL        2        -       2.0   
2 Jump Jets              LL        2        -       2.0   
Jump Jet                 CT        1        -       1.0   

Not sure which is better the above or removing two medium lasers and two heat sinks and including a MASC

Was trying to keep it as a refit of the 3K so costs were already done just stripping out the weaponry for the beefier Komodo. I don't have access to refit rules atm so don't know how much it is too include MASC.




Edit so I think its equivalent to Maintenance which would require access to transport bays, but not to the extreme which would need factories. As I read it MASC affects the myomers but isn't replacing one type for another. That would be TSM for standard which would require factories.