InnerSphere BattleMech number four for our optimization process is the Commando. I say again Commando. Sorry just referencing my guilty cinema pleasure which has never translated to this ‘Mech which was never one of my favorites. Upgrading it for peak performance during the Clan Invasion for this project just might help though. There doesn’t seem to be a ‘Mech of the Week Article on the Commando so I will like us up with the BattleTechWiki page.
https://www.sarna.net/wiki/CommandoOptimal Design Thoughts on the CommandoRole. The Commando is a small unit which relies on massed short to medium ranged firepower to destroy its opponents. As a Light ‘Mech it really isn’t meant to go toe to toe with heavier opponents rather (to paraphrase sarna.net and TRO3039) it is an excellent scout hunter and superb at hit-and-run strikes. Quite properly referred to as a striker this hard charging war machine is likely to inflict heavy damage if it can close but even then, is also likely to suffer for it. So, in my opinion this is an aggressive piece of any military – kind of weird that I never before regarded this brave little Mech so favorably.
Factories. Coventry (Coventry Metal Works) Federated Commonwealth/ Steiner
First designed in 2463 by Coventry Defense Conglomerate it was the second Lyran BattleMech ever created and for over five hundred and sixty years remained almost exclusively in Steiner hands. With the formation of the Federated Commonwealth it along with the Valkyrie became one of the AFFC standard Light BattleMechs.
Illiushin (Vandenburg Mechanized Industries) Taurian Concordat
Sometime after the Fourth Succession War (I think, I will let Irose fact check me) the Concordat was allowed to begin production of the old COM-2D model.
(N/A) Free Rasalhague Republic
Following this nation’s independence, the Rasalhague KungsArme came into possession of large amounts of Commandos. This BattleMech along with the Panther, Dragon, and Zeus became the standard for the young nation right through the Clan Invasion.
Internal Structure. As with any 25-ton Mech the Commando’s traditional Coventry Metal Work chassis makes up a tenth of the design’s overall mass. This two and half ton skeletal structure is quite common thanks to its five hundred plus year service life and not that weighty. The 5S which was introduced in 3050 featured a new Foundation Ultralight Endo Steel chassis which lowered the amount of tonnage required for the internal structure by a full ton. However, this lostech feature requires 14 critical spaces to account for its bulkier nature not too mention its higher overall cost.
Engine. The Commando featured a 150 Fusion rated power plant which moved the 25-ton Light Mech at a rate of 6/9 or 64 cruising kph / 97 flank kph. This is really what I consider the bottom end for the speed is life war machines that make up the smallest categories of BattleMechs. However, if offense is the highest priority might an investment in an InnerSphere Extra-Light (XL) Engine be worth the extra cost and the internal bulk. While the inclusion of this advanced power plant might make the Commando more fragile especially when combined with its ammunition it would grant you more mass for weaponry. Also, there is the problem of having no current 150 XL Engine in production at this time.
Jump Jets. The Commando is not a mobile design to speak of and rarely mounts jump jets as part of its design preferring instead to concentrate on firepower. With no significant technical advances being made in mobility at this time I really don't see jump jets on this BattleMech. That being said I wouldn‘t completely rule them out either.
Heat Sinks. Usually featuring single heat sinks the base 150 Fusion Engine can only mount 6 Heat Sinks as a part of its interior design meaning that at least 4 have to be mounted within the Commando itself. So, if you Double them it means giving up 12 more criticals which could be a deal breaker for Ferro-Fibrous or EndoSteel especially if you feature an XL Engine. But how hot does the Commando run? Its missile batteries and Medium Laser don’t really exceed 10 heat even when running.
Cockpit & Gyro. Sadly, enough like most machines of the era not much can be done here to improve the Commando’s performance given the available level of technology. Thankfully, both components are plentiful and have proven to be reliable over time.
Armor. The COM-2D mounts 4 tons of Lexington Limited armor for a 64 factor or 71% overage which could be better. The COM-5S reduces coverage to 60% with 3 tons of ferro-fibrous presumably for greater offense but we could max the armor here as the 25 tonners are a lot more survivable then the 20 tonners. 5.5 tons of standard armor plating would result in an 88 factor which provides almost full coverage while 5 tons of ferro-fibrous results in an 89 armor factor which is the maximum for a 25 tonner.
Weapons & Equipment. You probably want to load up here on this striker for maximum offensive potential. Given dual SRM batteries, a Medium Laser, and in some cases a Flamer your arsenal is likely going to be pretty short ranged and geared for damage. I guess you could go the other way or back to the beginning with a Large Laser or something longer ranged but it doesn’t feel very Commando to me. I’d concentrate on massed short to medium range damage to devastate your opponents before they devastate you.
Design CriteriaDesign: Commando Light BattleMech
Era: 3052, just following the Truce of Tukayyid
Tech: InnerSphere Level 2
Mass: 25 tons
Cockpit: (3 tons)
Tech BaseThe tech base for this enterprise will be InnerSphere Level 2, also known as Star League lostech, circa 3053. Remember some Level 1 standards which Bradshaw and myself think still have value like Large Lasers and PPCs which feature the same damage factor as their higher tech brethren with less range and perhaps most significantly less heat. I've also become a fan of massed LRM-5s over the larger batteries (Free Worlds League in particular has gone in this direction) which could provide closer equivalents to Clan LRMs. Here is a list for your design reference. Let me know if there is anything I missed!
Star League LosTechAnti-Missile System
Arrow IV Artillery Missile System
Extended Range Large Laser (ER Large Laser)
Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon (ER PPC)
Gauss Rifle
Ultra Autocannon/5
LB 10-X Autocannon
One-Shot Missile Packs
Pulse Lasers (Small, Medium, & Large)
Streak SRM-2
Swarm LRMs
Thunder LRMs
Artemis IV FCS
Beagle Active Probe
Guardian ECM Suite
Myomer Accelerator Signal Circuitry (MASC)
Narc Missile Beacon
TAG
Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE)
Double Heat Sinks
Endo Steel Internal Structure
Ferro-Fibrous Armor
Extra Light (XL) Engine
InnerSphere Low TechBlazer Cannon (or Binary Laser)
Recon Camera
Remote Sensor Dispenser
New InnovationsTriple Strength Myomer
Hatchet
C3 Computer
Unlike our Bug Mechs (the Locust, the Stinger, and the Wasp) the Commando seems to have far fewer users. We are really cut down to the Lyrans and the larger Federated Commonwealth for our main users but perhaps we can expand that market to mercenaries. After all House Steiner frequently employed large and well-known mercenary groups like Eridani Light Horse which I think I recall use the Commando. The Free Rasalhague Republic is another angle which I think I have an idea for… Then there is the Taurian factor which I feel that Irose and masterarminas will hit hard but I believe I remember the Commando from the new BattleTech game as well. But I could be mistaken please do your research (think Objective Raids) for available components as this will be another factor in rapid production. I love fluff and your designs will be featured in my BattleTech Salient Horizon alternate setting.
I'd like to go beyond the refits bought to you by Technical Readout 3050 and delve into extensive redesigns of your BattleTech favorites. Sharpen up your favorite war machines perhaps drawing on past or current variants while remembering the spirit or role of these Mechs. Don't forget to justify the expense of your project and multiple winners are possible. Figure that all entries have to be completed and posted on these forums by Friday September 13, 2019 by 11:59 PM which should give you all a full seven days for this contest, good luck!!