This design assumes a five year jump-start on when Grumium Creations is turned into a full-on Mech manufacturer by ComStar. Since in this universe, the Word of Blake (probably) won’t be taking over Terra, the stimulus is probably ComStar’s desire to provide Rasalhague with greater ability to manufacture ‘Mechs and combat machines, and not have to rely solely on Terra’s production capability in order to rebuild both the ComGuard and Kungsarme.
Type: CP-11-E Series Cyclops
Production: Free Rasalhague Republic/ComGuard (Grumium Creations, Grumium)
CV/Price: 11-EC Command variant: 2135 BV – 12,621,700 C-Bills (160k ammo)
11-E2 AC/2 variant: 1783 BV – 11,140,460 C-Bills (153k ammo)
11-E5 UAC/5 variant: 1923 BV – 10,902,960 C-Bills (177k ammo)
11-E10 LB10-X variant: 1987 BV – 12,483,760 C-Bills (60k ammo)
Internal Struc (Endo): 4.5t
Engine: PlasmaStar 270: 14.5t
Walking: 3
Running: 5
Heat Sinks: 10(20): 0t
Gyro/Cockpit (std): 6t
Armor Factor (std): 17t (272 pips)
Head 3/9 (7 front, 10 sides/back)
Center Torso 29/45/12
R/L Torso 19/30/8
R/L Front Leg 15/30
R/L Rear Leg 19/35
Quirks: Battle Computer, Cowl, Difficult Ejection, Weak Head Armor (2)
WEAPONS INVENTORY (11-EC – Command variant)
1x Gauss Rifle (7cr/15t) RT
2x Ammo (Gauss) 16 (2cr/2t) RT
2x CASE (2cr/1t) RT/LT
1x Command Console (1cr/3t) H
1x Guardian ECM (2cr/1.5t) CT
1x C3 Master (5cr/5t) LT
2x LRM-15 (6cr/14t) LT/LA
4x Ammo (LRM) 32 (4cr/4t) LT
2x Medium Lasers (2cr/2t) RA/LA
+0.5t Standard Armor (0cr/0.5t) +3 each Leg, +1 CT
WEAPONS INVENTORY (11-E2 – AC/2 variant)
3x AC-2 (3cr/18t) RT
3x Ammo (AC) 225 (3cr/3t) RT
1x C3 Master (5cr/5t) RT
2x CASE (2cr/1t) RT/LT
2x LRM-15 (6cr/14t) LT/LA
5x Ammo (LRM) 40 (5cr/5t) LT
2x Medium Lasers (2cr/2t) RA/LA
WEAPONS INVENTORY (11-E5 – UAC/5 variant)
2x Ultra AC-5 (10cr/18t) RA/RT
3x Ammo (UAC) 60 (3cr/3t) RT
2x CASE (2cr/1t) RT/LT
1x C3 Master (5cr/5t) LT
2x LRM-15 (6cr/14t) LT/LA
5x Ammo (LRM) 40 (5cr/5t) LT
2x Medium Lasers (2cr/2t) RA/LA
WEAPONS INVENTORY (11-E10 – LB10-X variant)
2x LB10-X (12cr/22t) RT/LT
3x Ammo (LBX) 30 (3cr/3t) RT
1x CASE (1cr/0.5t) RT
1x Guardian ECM (2cr/1.5t) CT
1x C3 Master (5cr/5t) LT
2x PPCs (6cr/14t) RA/LA
2x Double Heat Sinks (6cr/2t) RA/LA
A legendary command ‘Mech first put into production by Stormvanger Assemblies at the height of the Star League, the Cyclops CP 10-Z featured a sophisticated holographic Tacticon B-2000 battle computer with planet-wide communications capability. Able to coordinate an entire Battlemech regiment in battlefield conditions, the Olmstead 840 tightbeam comms system also included a SatNav module that allowed it to communicate with (and quickly hack and control orbital satellite systems. It quickly became the standard headquarters unit for SLDF field commanders as a result, which compensated for its rather anemic armament and notoriously weak head armor. The high value of the machine was demonstrated when Stormvanger was targeted during the Amaris Coup, and without replacement units being produced, the Cyclops became a high-value target, and its overall numbers dwindled throughout the Succession Wars.
The rediscovery of the Grey Death Memory Core led a number of firms to attempt to restart production of the Cyclops, and particularly of its B-2000 battle computer, but it was Grumium Creations, a small Rasalhague armaments firm, that surprised everyone when they unveiled new production Cyclops models in late 3053, directly resupplying the shattered Kungsarme, but also a sizable quantity of new Cyclops models – with fully functional B-2000 battle computers – into the ComGuard, who is widely assumed to have provided the necessary technical expertise and design blueprints in order to jump-start new ‘Mech manufacturing on Grumium.
One clue as to Comstar’s involvement in the new ‘Mech is the use of PlasmaStar 270 fusion engines, an unusual fusion engine brand that is primarily used in Aerospace Fighters, such as the Tomahawk or Ahab (both produce in the Terra system under Comstar’s watchful eye). Although this drops the top speed of the Cyclops to a stately 53kph, it still has sufficient strategic mobility to be useful on campaign – and it provides sufficient extra tonnage to up-gun the ‘Mech, and make it a credible battlefield combatant at the battalion and even company level. Grumium’s new Cyclops (dubbed their “11-E series”) also redesigned the chassis with Stormvanger HV-7ES Endo Steel – a feat that typically requires several years of prototyping and infrastructure development, further suggesting that Comstar simply took the result of years of covert R&D onto Grumium’s factory floor.
Grumium also slathered another seven tons of Starshield “Special” standard armor onto their Cyclops, providing over 97% of the maximum effective armor onto their command ‘Mech, and tied both the B-2000 battle computer, and the Olmstead 840 tightbeam comms (with SatNav module) and Tactigon Tracer 280 targeting system, into a C3 Master Command Unit installed in the torso of their CP-11-E, truly providing top-tier command capability at the tactical as well as strategic level. Several of the CP-11-E-series also carry Guardian ECM suites, clearly intended to be used as counter-ECM nodes, to keep their C3 networks active.
Although a new ‘Mech manufacturer, Grumium is producing Cyclops ‘Mechs at a ridiculous clip – not only dozens of new ‘Mechs, but at least a half-dozen different varieties, all being distributed to a variety of different commands, with a variety of different tactical and strategic roles. By far the most common variant is their CP-11-EC command Cyclops, which not only includes an ECM, but also fits a Command Console behind the primary cockpit, allowing a commander to focus on battlefield command (and even, in conjunction with the B-2000, operating at both the small-unit level as well as maintaining a simultaneous satellite link and maintaining a regimental-wide or planetary-wide comms umbrella). The primary pilot, meanwhile, has access to an M-7 Gauss Rifle (most commonly found on ComGuard Ospreys) with two tons of ammunition, and a pair of Holly-15 LRM-15 launchers with four tons of ammunition, all with integrated CASE protection, both with exceptional range. Two arm-mounted Starflash Medium Lasers (another brand with clear Terran ties) provide some back-up firepower at close ranges.
Three other minor variants are also based on this Endo Steel chassis, although none carry the Command Console of the 11-EC. The 11-E2 is intended to act as extreme-range fire support, with a trio of Armstrong AC/2 supplied with a truly generous three-ton ammunition bin, opposite twin Holly-15 LRM-15 launchers with five tons of ammunition, all with integrated CASE protection. Capable of carrying a mix of specialty ammunition types, the 11-E2 often carries flak ammunition, making it lethal against VTOLs and light aerospace fighters, particularly when it can take advantage of superior targeting solutions provided by its C3 network. Two arm-mounted Starflash Medium Lasers provide close-range firepower.
The 11-E5, on the other hand, is fitted with a pair of Armstrong Spitfire Ultra AC/5s, again paired with twin Holly-15 LRM-15 launchers with five tons of ammunition, all with integrated CASE protection. Although at risk of jamming if used excessively, the Ultra AC/5s can have real spikes in damage potential, and when matched with the 30 tubes of long-range missiles, the 11-E5 can scrub armor off of units very effectively, even if it lacks the knock-out punch of an AC/20 or Gauss Rifle. Again, two arm-mounted Starflash Medium Lasers provide close-range firepower.
Finally, the 11-E10 is the largest departure from the others, with a pair Mydron Excel LB-10X autocannons, one in each torso, and three tons of case-protected ammunition. Instead of missiles or medium lasers, however, the 11-E10 is a mid-ranged fire support unit intended to capable of brawling, and packs two Hellstar PPCs as arm-mounted energy weapons, with two additional double heat sinks to help manage the additional heat from this variant. As this Cyclops is expected to approach to middle ranges, it includes a Guardian ECM suite, again clearly intended as a counter-ECM system to protect the C3 network.
Grumium produces two other, rarer, variants of their new Cyclops (described below), but as neither of these machines uses an Endosteel frame, this clearly implies that they have the ability to produce both standard AND Endosteel chassis for their new (recovered, lostech) ‘Mech, hinting at the impressive levels of investment being lavished on a formerly quite modest weapons parts company. The Combine and Commonwealth have already made inquires to see if Grumium’s 11-E series is available for purchase, and there are suggestions that Grumium is open to this possibility (implying that Comstar is also open to the possibility) – and the potential delivery dates suggest that Grumium is either being unrealistically optimistic about their production ceiling… or that they really do have the capability to expand production even further.
