OBT Forum

Going with the "Five Rings" theme of the Hatamoto series, this uses the Taoist element of Metal ('kin') in the name.  Nice 'gap' design until the development of the slightly superior (lower BV, higher speed) O-Bakemono

Type: Hatamoto-kin HTM-27K
Production: Draconis Combine (Luthien Armor Works, Luthien)
Combat Value: 1794 BV
Total Cost: 7,409,700 C-Bills (including x1.8 tonnage premium)

Internal Struc (std): 8t
Engine: Pitban 240: 11.5t
  Walking: 3
  Running: 5
Heat Sinks: 10(20): 0t
Gyro/Cockpit (std): 6t
Armor Factor (std): 15.5t (247-max pips)

Head 3/9
Center Torso 25/34/16
R/L Torso 17/25/9   
R/L Arm 13/26
R/L Leg 17/34   

Quirk: Easy to Maintain, Modular Weapons (Torso weapons)

2x Arrow IV (30cr, 30t) 10RA/5RT/5LT/10LA
6x Ammo (Arrow) 30 (6cr, 6t) RT/LT
2x CASE (2cr, 1t) RT/LT
1x Medium Laser (1cr, 1t) CT
1x Flamer (1cr, 1t) H

Inspired by the Naga artillery ‘Mech design used by Clan Wolf at the Battle of Tukayyid, the DCMS tasked Luthien Armor Works with developing a Combine equivalent that could provide close artillery support, as the Dragon was convinced that they could better integrate artillery into combat doctrine than could the zellbrigen-obsessed Clans.  Turning to their versatile 80-ton Hatamoto/Charger chassis, LAW immediately began tinkering with fitting a pair of Arrow IV Artillery Systems into the assault frame, and by the end of 3053, they had managed to produce a ‘Mech that met most of the design criteria.

The first thing LAW engineers realized was that the Earthwerks VOL Endo-Steel chassis of the Hatamoto series was far too bulky to allow a pair of Arrow IV systems to be fitted to their proposed ‘Mech, and so they reverted to a few Wells 990 frames that had not yet been scrapped after upgrading their legacy Chargers.  The second thing LAW engineers realized was that the heavy Pitban 320 engine of the Hatamoto precluded the addition of two heavy Arrow IV systems.  Either Luthien Armor would have to produce a 320XL engine – a design not currently produced anywhere in the Combine – or they would have to import the pricey engines from the Free Worlds League.  Instead, LAW switched to the use of Pitban 240 engines, produced to date in limited numbers for their Lancelot fire-support ‘Mech.  This effectively turned the Hatamoto into a samurai-stylized Challenger, but as the new ‘Mech was intended to avoid direct-fire combat, that was not seen as a significant issue.

With the spare weight now available, engineers fitted a pair of Arrow IV Launchers, using SLDF-era schematics from the Helm Memory Core.  Although LAW branded their launchers with the ‘Shigunga’ name, they are technically almost identical to the Luxor and Valiant systems used by the Confederation and Commonwealth.  One was fitted into each side torso, effectively ‘upgrading’ the SRMs of the standard Hatamoto-Chi, but the greater bulk of the Arrow IV systems required the removal of both arms.  Three tons of CASE-protected ammunition sit in each side torso, enough for one or two close-range artillery bombardment missions.  A center-torso Victory 23R medium laser (also from the Lancelot lines) acts as very minimal backup weaponry, and a head-mounted Firestorm ‘Mech Flamer discourages enemy infantry from getting too close, and also can add a little smoke and devastation and built-up terrain.

DCMS senior leadership were intrigued enough by the concept that Luthien produced nearly twenty of the redesignated Hatamoto-Kin artillery-support ‘Mechs, before eventually developing and producing in 3058 a specially designed ‘Mech with almost identical capabilities: the O-Bakemono.

Wow guess I did forgot about that iteration of it. Ahh the Evils of getting old

Initially tested for use in the War of 3039 the Hatamoto rebranding of the traditional Charger has garnered a lot of interest across the Draconis Combine. With slower speed and increased weapons load the variant most commonly seen reminds mechwarriors of the Star League era Thug design. With interest spiking and increasing sources of lostech technologies, LAW has put forth a few new variants for distribution to the DCMS.

The Ono variant returns to the roots of the Chargers history, that of a larger scout design that can penetrate enemy lines or provide recon for larger assault mechs in its wake. Maintaining its survivability with keeping the Pitban 320 engine the variant incorporates MASC technology for bursts of speed on the field of battle. Incorporating the increasing number of tons of Endo Steel from its orbital facility the design was able to lower its internal frameworks tonnage to incorporate additional weaponry and equipment. By also downgrading its Tiegart PPCs to Victory Nickel Alloy Large Lasers an additional four tons were able to be devoted to this. Unfortunately due to the inclusion of the MASC and an advanced electronics package upgrade including not only an ECM suite, advanced sensor package and C3 uplink small a small assortment of remote sensors are able to be deployed to monitor a large area. With this package the Bical-6 missiles systems were need to be replaced with the more advanced Guided Technologies 2nd Gen missile systems. Lastly though denigrated by the more traditional mechwarriors of the DCMS calls by commanders of the Ghost Regiments as well as the new Sohei regiment have asked for inclusion of Hatchet personal defense equipment. The inclusion of the design has driven LAW engineers to contemplate further efforts in melee attack weapon development to include more traditional mechwarriors to favor the design.

Hatamoto-Ono

Introduction Year: 3052
Cost: 11,633,520 C-bills
Battle Value: 1,862

Mass: 80 tons
Chassis: Luthien Class M
Power Plant: Pitban 320
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: None
     Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
     2 Victory Nickel Alloy ER Large Laser
     2 Guided Technologies 2nd Gen Streak SRM 2
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
     Primary Factory: Luthien
Communication System: Colmax 90 w/ECM
Targeting & Tracking System: Garret D2j w/Active Probe

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure            Endo Steel              4
Engine                        320 Fusion           22.5
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6(8)
Jumping MP: 0
Double Heat Sink              12 [24]                 2
Gyro                                                  4
Cockpit                                               3
Armor Factor                  247                  15.5

                          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
ER Large Laser                CT        2        12      5.0   
ER Large Laser                LA        2        12      5.0   
Hatchet                       RA        6        -       6.0   
Streak SRM 2                  RT        1        2       1.5   
Streak SRM 2                  LT        1        2       1.5   
Active Probe                  LL        2        -       1.5   
ECM Suite                     RL        2        -       1.5   
C3 Computer                   HD        1        -       1.0   
MASC                          LT        4        -       4.0   
Remote Sensors/Dispenser      RT        1        -       0.5   
Streak SRM 2 Ammo (50)        RT        1        -       1.0   
CASE                          RT        1        -       0.5   


Remember that fluff Brad Shaw.

Yeah I saw the sohei references but I saw pictures of real samauri helmets that had Ono or hand axes on them. As well as some art from the 1800s

http://gunbai-militaryhistory.blogspot.com/2017/09/masakari-samurais-war-axe.html

Not to stay off topic but the Hatchet not being used by the DCMS was one of my inspirations for creating the Sohei and yes we still have to finish the battle of Rockland.

Anymore Chargers, Hatamoto Chis, or Challengers out there?

Irose: I think your armor on the 1A7 is incorrect.  Did you mean for it to have 234 pips of ferro-fibrous armor, or 208 pips of standard armor?

It's FF armor- the 232 is correct- (16 pts per ton * 13 tons) * 1.12 = 232.96 - round down to 232. 


Takiro- I think I am done with the Charger- I can't think of any other variants that fit.