CGR-2K1 Great Dragon
As the only manufacturer of the Charger remaining intact, Luthien Armor Works has spent decades attempting to refit this BattleMech into an effective weapon of war. The Hatamoto-series was one such attempt that used a lighter engine (and corresponding reduction in speed) to give the 'Mech a usable amount of weaponry, heat sinks, and armor.
But the design teams at LAW remained convinced that the original high-speed (for an 80-ton BattleMech, that is!) could quite possibly have a place in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. If, the House of Kurita had access to advanced Star League technology.
In the wake of the Helm Memory Core leading to a resurgence of that technology, LAW unveiled three prototypes of the Charger for field-testing. While effective, these 'Mech have the dubious distinction of being among the most expensive BattleMechs ever produced for the Draconis Combine (or any Successor State!).
The first--and quite possibly the most popular--of the new designs was the CGR-2K1 Great Dragon. LAW used an LTV 400 Extra-Light Fusion engine to retain the high-speed of the original Charger: 54.0 kilometers per hour walking and 86.4 kph running. A newly developed Endo-Steel Internal Structure was used to save further weight, and twelve Double-Strength heat sinks were fitted to the chassis.
Only standard armor (Durallex Heavy Special) was used, but fifteen tons of this armor plating were installed, giving the Great Dragon excellent armor protection, with CASE installed in the right torso to protect against ammunition explosions.
This left very little tonnage remaining for the weapon systems, but enough remained to install a Lord's Light 2 ER PPC (left arm), a Shinuga LRM-10 long-range missile launcher outfitted with Artemis IV Fire Control Systems and fed by two tons of ammunition for 24 missile salvos (all in the right torso), two Victory 23R Medium Lasers (right arm and rear-mounted in the left torso), and a Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Laser (center torso).
With six tons remaining, the design team at LAW installed a Tanadi Citizen C3 Slave Module in the head and a Tanadi Coordinator C3 Master Computer in the left torso.
While only having slightly more firepower than a Dragon (a 'Mech 20 tons lighter), the Great Dragon was just as mobile, had far greater armor protection, and was able to coordinate itself and up to three other BattleMechs in a C3 Lance Network . . . and link with two other Command C3 units to bind together an entire Company of twelve 'Mechs!
One difficulty was with the cooling systems as twelve DHS cannot quite handle the full heat load. However, excess overheat production is relatively minor and easily dealt with. Some examples seen in the field, though, show the Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Laser being repositioned to fire towards the rear, while the left torso Victory 23R Medium Laser has been moved to fire forward, reducing (slightly) excess overheat concerns. However, this field modification is relatively uncommon (and frowned upon by the DCMS).
Charger (Great Dragon) CGR-2K1
Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3053
Dry Cost: 23,723,520 C-Bills
Total Cost: 23,843,520 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,674
Chassis: Alshain Class 92 Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Hermes 400 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy Special Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
1 Lord's Light 2 ER PPC
1 Shinuga LRM-10 w/ Artemis IV FCS
1 Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Laser
2 Victory 23R Medium Lasers
1 Tanadi Citizen C3 Computer (Slave)
1 Tanadi Coordinator C3 Computer (Master)
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
Primary Factory: Luthien
Communications System: Sipher Security Plus
Targeting and Tracking System: Cat's Eyes 5
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 122 points 4.00
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 1 RT, 3 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 400 26.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 12(24) 2.00
Gyro: Standard 4.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 240 15.00
CASE Locations: 1 RT 0.50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 25 35
Center Torso (rear) 12
L/R Torso 17 26
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 13 26
L/R Leg 17 32
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
ER PPC LA 15 3 7.00
LRM-10 RT 4 2 5.00
Artemis IV FCS RT - 1 1.00
C3 Computer (Master) LT 0 5 5.00
(R) Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
Medium Pulse Laser CT 4 1 2.00
C3 Computer (Slave) HD 0 1 1.00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (24) RT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 10
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 8 Points: 17
5 3 3 2 0 4 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: C3S, C3M, TAG, CASE, MHQ6, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1
The second version offered by LAW was the CGR-2K2 Super Griffin. The C3 Master Computer and both Victory 23R Medium Lasers were removed to include five Jump Jets (Chilton 460 taken from the Quickdraw production line. All other armament remains the same as the CGR-2K1. Two additional DHS were installed as well, making this version heat-neutral even on a jumping Alpha Strike! While the Super Griffin might lack the command abilities of the -2K1, it makes an excellent heavy addition to a mobile force and is still equipped with a C3 Slave Module so it can slot into a C3 Network.
Charger (Super Griffin) CGR-2K2
Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3053
Dry Cost: 21,621,120 C-Bills
Total Cost: 21,741,120 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,769
Chassis: Alshain Class 92 Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Hermes 400 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Chilton 460
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy Special Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
1 Lord's Light 2 ER PPC
1 Shinuga LRM-10 w/ Artemis IV FCS
1 Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Laser
1 Tanadi Citizen C3 Computer (Slave)
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
Primary Factory: Luthien
Communications System: Sipher Security Plus
Targeting and Tracking System: Cat's Eyes 5
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 122 points 4.00
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 1 RT, 3 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 400 26.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT 5.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 14(28) 4.00
Gyro: Standard 4.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 240 15.00
CASE Locations: 1 RT 0.50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 25 35
Center Torso (rear) 12
L/R Torso 17 26
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 13 26
L/R Leg 17 32
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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ER PPC LA 15 3 7.00
LRM-10 RT 4 2 5.00
Artemis IV FCS RT - 1 1.00
Medium Pulse Laser CT 4 1 2.00
C3 Computer (Slave) HD 0 1 1.00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (24) RT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 12
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 8 Points: 18
5j 3 3 2 0 4 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: C3S, CASE, MHQ1, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1
The final version is the so-called Super Charger, the CGR-2K3. This version uses the same engine, internal structure, and armor as the -2K1 and -2K2 and retains the head mounted C3 Slave Module. However, it adds a four-ton MASC (Myomer Acceleration Signal Circuitry) to the left torso allowing it boost its sprint speed to a massive 108 kilometers per hour!
In addition, the design team removed the CASE system and installed a New Samarkand Nimbus Guardian ECM Suite in the right torso. All fourteen DHS of the -2K2 were retained as well.
The weapons suite consists of a Lord's Light standard PPC in the left arm (LAW was justifiably concerned that the newer Lord's Light 2 production might not be sufficient should this 'Mech be authorized for full-scale production) . . . plus it aids in heat management. The remaining weapon consists of five Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Lasers (right torso, left torso, right arm, and two center torso), all firing forward.
With the fourteen DHS fitted to the chassis, the -2K3 runs just as cool as the -2K1, overheating slightly on a running Alpha Strike.
While not quite as effective at long-range as the -2K1 and -2K2, the -2K3 has the potential of being one of the fastest 'Mechs of it weight-class . . . and is exceptionally dangerous at close range with the arsenal of highly accurate Medium Pulse Lasers, while the standard PPC provides a punch at ranges of up to 510 meters.
Charger (Super Charger) CGR-2K3
Mass: 80 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3053
Dry Cost: 23,943,120 C-Bills
Total Cost: 23,943,120 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,918
Chassis: Alshain Class 92 Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Hermes 400 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h (108.0 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy Special Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Lord's Light PPC
5 Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Lasers
1 Tanadi Citzen C3 Computer (Slave)
1 New Samarkand Nimbus Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
Primary Factory: Luthien
Communications System: Sipher Security Plus
Targeting and Tracking System: Cat's Eyes 5
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 122 points 4.00
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 1 RT, 3 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 400 26.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8 (10)
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 14(28) 4.00
Gyro: Standard 4.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 240 15.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 25 35
Center Torso (rear) 12
L/R Torso 17 26
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 13 26
L/R Leg 17 32
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2.00
PPC LA 10 3 7.00
Medium Pulse Laser RT 4 1 2.00
Guardian ECM Suite RT 0 2 1.50
Medium Pulse Laser LT 4 1 2.00
MASC LT - 4 4.00
2 Medium Pulse Lasers CT 8 2 4.00
C3 Computer (Slave) HD 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 13
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 8 Points: 19
6 5 5 1 0 4 0 Structure: 4
Special Abilities: C3S, ECM, ENE, MHQ1, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
All three designs remain in the field-testing stage and it is unknown at this time whether nor not the DCMS will authorize LAW to begin full-scale production of one (or more) of these 'Mechs.
