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Okay folks, I am going to call an end to this contest at 12 AM ET tonight which is fourteen hours away from now. I've had a lot of fun looking at our first Big Mech here and hope you have as well.

For an untimed phase two of this challenge anyone can submit their Level 3 Locusts now. These experimental units really are not meant for full scale production but to push the bounds of the Mechs capabilities. As always have fun with these concepts.

My 'Super Locust' which I have yet to actually design out will be 25 tons probably from the same minds at NAIS which gave us the 'Super Wasp' and 'Super Griffin'. However, there are two other inspirations for me to go there (enlarging the chassis to improve the basic concept). One is the Locust IIC which does the same thing for the Clans and while not seen in bulk by the InnerSphere at this time they would at least know of it to draw inspiration. Two is masterarminas old maxim for the Clans who in his alternate realized 20 tonners just couldn't take the pounding of modern combat. That really got me thinking about why some crackpot in the InnerSphere could come to the same conclusion and even go so far as to reclassifying 20 tonners as Ultra Light 'Mechs. The proposal is more in depth than just this single reclass but a whole sale rethinking of Mech weights which is why it fits here.

So you still have fourteen hours to submit your 3052 level 2 designs for the Locust or go outside the box for any and all Level 3 concept, enjoy folks!

I am still working on this as well as ranking the 28 entries.

For an untimed phase two of this challenge anyone can submit their Level 3 Locusts now. These experimental units really are not meant for full scale production but to push the bounds of the Mechs capabilities. As always have fun with these concepts.

My 'Super Locust' which I have yet to actually design out will be 25 tons probably from the same minds at NAIS which gave us the 'Super Wasp' and 'Super Griffin'. However, there are two other inspirations for me to go there (enlarging the chassis to improve the basic concept). One is the Locust IIC which does the same thing for the Clans and while not seen in bulk by the InnerSphere at this time they would at least know of it to draw inspiration. Two is masterarminas old maxim for the Clans who in his alternate realized 20 tonners just couldn't take the pounding of modern combat. That really got me thinking about why some crackpot in the InnerSphere could come to the same conclusion and even go so far as to reclassifying 20 tonners as Ultra Light 'Mechs. The proposal is more in depth than just this single reclass but a whole sale rethinking of Mech weights which is why it fits here.

So you still have fourteen hours to submit your 3052 level 2 designs for the Locust or go outside the box for any and all Level 3 concept, enjoy folks!

LCT-25 LOCUST II (Super Locust)

Mass: 25 tons
Chassis: (Super LCT) Endo Steel
Power Plant: Nissan 200 Fusion Engine
Cruising Speed: 86.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 129.6 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: () Ferro Fibrous
Armament: 5 tons for weaponry and equipment
Manufacturer: NAIS / Wolf Dragoons
   Primary Factory: New Avalon / Outreach
Communications System: ()
Targeting and Tracking System: ()

OVERVIEW


CAPABILITIES

Armor protection goes up to an 89 which is the max for the weight class
Given the limitation of the 20-ton chassis, 69 max (77.5% of the 25 ton max)
This is a 22.5% improvement in overall protection but more importantly the endurance of individual locations is markedly better
Most areas can now take a hit without an automatic penetration

DEPLOYMENT
Experimental model
Wolf Dragoons

Type: Locust II
Technology Base: InnerSphere Level 2
Tonnage: 25 tons

Equipment                           Mass
Internal Structure:          EndoSteel            1.5
Engine:            200               8.5
   Walking MP:         8
   Running MP:         12
   Jumping MP:         0               0
Heat Sinks:            10               0
Gyro:                              2
Cockpit:                           3
Armor Factor:            89 max               5

            Internal Structure      Armor Value
   Head            3            9
   Center Torso           8            12 / 4
   R/L Torso         6            10 / 2
   R/L Arm         4            8
   R/L Leg         6            12

Weight and Space Allocation
Location            Fixed            Spaces Remaining
Head                              1
Center Torso                           2
Right Torso           Double Heat Sink            3
                  3 EndoSteel
               3 Ferro-Fibrous 
Left Torso           Double Heat Sink            3
                  3 EndoSteel
               3 Ferro-Fibrous 
Right Arm           No lower arm or hand actuators         3
                  3 EndoSteel
               4 Ferro-Fibrous 
Left Arm           No lower arm or hand actuators         3
                  4 EndoSteel
               3 Ferro-Fibrous 
Right Leg                           2
Left Leg                           2

Weapons and Ammo:      Location      Criticals   Mass


Any recommendations here with five tons available? We could also XL the engine but in doing so would be out of space in the side torsos and the price tag would jump.

If this was Wolf Dragoons wouldn't it technically have clan equipment or was that not until later that they used that.

For the LCT-25 I would use an XL Engine.(again light mech- if you're hit it's a problem so you might as well get the extra 4 tons of equipment).  Move 2 Endo Steel crits to each leg.  with the 9 tons left I would do the following:
2 LRM-5s (one in each arm)
2 tons of ammo (one in each torso)
2 CASE
1 Medium Laser in the CT
1 Flamer in the CT

Yes it is a lot of ammo but you have to figure the locust is being used as a scout or raider so a long endurance is a good thing.  Have 2 tons of ammo also allows you to use specialized ammo like thunder rounds which can be used to set traps or to discourage pursuit if the Locust is detected. 

Alternatively the LRMs could be replaced with an ER PPC.  Or if you want electronics, an ER Large Laser, a Beagle Active Probe and Guardian ECM (requires removing the Medium Laser).

The Review

Well we had a total of twenty-eight design entries from eight designers on two different forums. There were nine winners overall which will join the older One Series (LCT-1V, LCT-1M, LCT-1S, LCT-1E) and the newer Three Series (LCT-3M, LCT-3D, LCT-3S) in service currently for my Salient Horizon setting. Well lets get right down to it as there is plenty to go over here.

28. LCT-3F Locust (Takiro)
As Bradshaw quite correctly pointed out this Steiner protest model could only have one Flamer of the originally envisioned two. While I liked the idea of this ‘Fire Bug’ operating with traditional Lyran Firestarters it would have a hard time overcoming the LCT-2S or the LCT-2T-4 (to be known as the LCT-4S) which were more appropriate as the Steiner FedCom variant. It could have been a viable option as a variant but my initial overestimation of Flamers soured that possibility as well so it finishes in last place here. Got to be toughest on myself.

27. LCT-6X Locust (Irose)
This tissue paper recon LRM element had too much in the way of advanced electronics at least in my opinion. I really fear putting all those systems on such a lightly armored Mech and sending it off for an enemy for bountiful salvage. I do like the increase in speed which almost makes me think of this as a proof of concept model for the Fireball (TRO3055). I know it is a tough place to finish here but I thought most of the other designs were better.

 26. LCT-2M Locust (Abele)
One of the biggest wastes at least in my opinion is to pair an LRM-5 with an Artemis IV FCS. Better to go with a Narc Missile Launcher which would have been a far better option here at least to me. While the rest of the design isn’t bad it was the Artemis IV with the LRM-5 that really placed it here.

25. LCT-2S2 Locust (Abele)
Was never such a fan of this variant as the LCT-3S is sort of similar. Streak SRM-2s on a Locust might not go well at least in comparison to regular SRMs plus there is no CASE on this version which means you could have a very expensive explosion here.

24. LCT-3OA Locust (Abele)
While I absolutely loved its lower tech variants this XL Engine version is something of a pipe dream. Yeah it would be nice to have this variant in the Outworlds arsenal one day but right now it is way too advanced for them. I could see one being built for a wealthy Avellar Mechwarrior Scion or as an experimental upgrade, perhaps both. But in the overall scheme of rankings here it is twenty forth and the start of the custom or singular existing models.

23. LCT-* Locust ‘Old Roubidoux’ (Abele)
While the downgrading of a Locust power plant to a 140 Fusion Engine after salvaging it from a Kurita Panther is a great hook I don’t love the idea of slowing this fragile Mech down. It is a nice story however and I can certainly see it as a one off custom job for the Davion Mechwarrior. Interestingly enough the infamous Davion PPC variant is supposed to be a lot of this angle so good job even though you are too slow for my tastes.

22. LCT-* Locust ‘LosTech Roubidoux’ (Abele)
The upgraded version of the 7/11 Locust or what you get when you cross a Locust and a Panther is better than the 3025 version. I will have to remember this Notable Mechwarrior for my universe and try to work this Mech in if only once.

21. LCT-URB Locust (Bradshaw)
The so-called Urban Explorer is an interesting concept but the firepower is a tad underwhelming with six Small Lasers. You have to get so close in order to engage targets with any effectiveness it would put this Light ‘Mech in constant danger of being annihilated. Would have rather three Medium Lasers or two Mediums and two Smalls to make it better. Probably would have had more of a chance with better weaponry, sorry bud!

20. LCT+ Locust (Daryk)
This entry from the CBT forums via PM was pretty simple and relatively straight forward. Daryk went with EndoSteel and Ferro- Fibrous and swapped the Machine Guns for Small Pulses. The ton he saved was allocated to a Recon Camera and Remote Sensor Dispenser which all cost less than 100,000 c-bills over a LCT-1V Locust. Not bad at all but I thought others were better.

19. LCT-4D Locust (Bradshaw)
My strategy for developing new variants here was not to put all my eggs into one basket and this variant much like Irose’s 6X does the opposite. I like the more protection and long range weaponry but the potential boon for enemy salvage efforts is just too much for me to green light this variant.

18. LCT-2K Locust (Abele)
I was looking for a Kurita variant of the Locust but this model proved to be too much for me again but this time it was more than just sophisticated electronics. Not sure Kurita could get their hands on a 180 XL Fusion Engine at this time for widespread manufacturing which is further hamstrung by their loss of the Alshain factory. Also, a C3 Slave would have helped your case here so I am sorry bud this variant is being placed here.

17. LCT-2Er Locust (Abele)
The start of our three entry Dasher clone series which could see as a super high tech and largely experimental effort to match the 20-ton Clan OmniMech. While pretty effective this model lacks a MASC which would only cost one ton and see a significant movement increase. So I am going to place it in last place for our Dasher imitators.

16. LCT-2Era Locust (Abele)
I liked this second variant of your Dashing Locust better than the first as it swaps out the Medium Pulse for a Medium Laser and a TAG which I like as the Laser gives you greater range than the Pulse and so does the TAG. Like I said with the base model it real works as a InnerSphere experiment built to gauge the ability of Star League tech to match Clan tech.

15. LCT-DSH Locust (Bradshaw)
My winner of the experimental Locusts which could match the terrific speed of the Clan Dasher which almost certainly would have been undertaken by the Great Houses during the Clan War. Love the movement profile of this Light Clan Omni matched with the InnerSphere ER Large. While expensive and given the fact there is no 200 XL Engine currently in production any effort to start widespread construction would never likely be undertaken. However, I think there would be a handful around at various training grounds in the Successor States but no production model.

14. LCT-2L Locust (Abele)
One of two experimental Liao models featuring a Triple Strength Myomer presented by Abele. Since the 180 XL Engine could indeed be obtained from the Hatchetman upgrade (raid or covert theft) this variant is certainly possible. Again, I don’t see mass production by any means but this model could certainly be seen on a Liao Proving Grounds somewhere with its highly advanced materials being the pride of the state.

13. LCT-2L2 Locust (Abele)
This one I liked a little better and with especially with the winners to come I think you will see why the use of a 160 XL Engine is a ok. Still at best a test bed for high tech stuff like the Triple Strength Myomer and the Guardian ECM but very nice!

12. LCT-2M2 Locust (Abele)
The start of our three near misses this hard hitter which can almost as much damage as it weighs at medium range is a solid option. While I criticized the Streak SRM-2 and there might have been a better option for more firepower here it does the job and keeps the Mech running pretty cool. Could have been better but not bad.

11. LCT-2S Locust (Abele)
Looking into the availability of the 180 XL Engine it was nice to see it in use already on the Hatchetman. This fact plus the boost in speed which is life for the Locust is a great touch and nearly won you the Steiner model. Plus you used the old standard chassis which would provide a great basis for modification of existing models. The twin Streak SRM-2s and the two Medium Lasers pack a solid punch – unfortunately you got beat by a slightly better concept even though your use of available parts was better. Very close!

10. LCT-2T Locust (masterarminas)
Love the concept but this is just too advanced for the Taurians as of now. Perhaps there is hope for the future and thanks to Irose for giving more Concordat input which helped you here. The rest of Bullrun concepts did make it so perhaps this will lay the foundation for this model one day.

9. LCT-4M Locust (Takiro)
The first of the winners per say or entries approved is my primitive version of the 5M which is something inspired by this contest. This honestly wasn’t on my mind going in but going over everything including the availability of the 240XL at this time and the Project Phoenix variant it just made sense. This version recaptures the speed title for the traditional champion so I like it.

8. LCT-4K Locust (Takiro)
I was looking for a Kurita version of the Locust with a C3 Slave and after not getting exactly what I wanted I did the best I could. Think it came out alright and fits with the Bullrun storyline that came out of this contest.

7. LCT-2T-3 Locust (masterarminas)
The LCT-4D as I will be calling it here is the first of the Four Series (Locust variants with an XL Engine) which in its modified form was accepted by me. This Davion harasser from hell is not only going to run around you firing its twin LRM-5s but with a center torso mounted TAG it can call as a spotter for Arrow IV Artillery assets. While the 160 XL would have to be fabricated, I think it is possible especially for the Davions here and NAIS nearby.

6. LCT-2T-4 Locust (masterarminas)
The LCT-4S as it will now be called narrowly overcame some stiff competition but the two up rated regular old SRM-4 racks can do a lot of damage or heat if you want to utilize inferno rounds. With the Medium Laser mounted in the center torso this model can do more damage than it weighs at medium range. Very nice!

5. LCT-2T-2 Locust (masterarminas)
My favorite of the Bullrun Concepts as the storyline will flow is gonna be this one now known as the LCT-4F. Used by a rebuilding ComGuards this ER Large sniper is ideal for future operations against the Clans. Very nice!

4. LCT-5D Locust (marauder648)
Adding to the Three Series (non-XL Engine Locusts) will be this simple upgrade from marauder648. I was thinking a generic mercenary upgrade here but it is cheap and straightforward with components readily available for new kits. Nice job!

3. LCT-3a Locust (drakensis)
The bronze medal goes to another Three Series (non-XL Engine Locusts) which is my favorite InnerSphere version put forward. The 3L (which will be made at Ares) and the 3G (mounting a Guardian ECM will be made at Gibson) are ideal refits in my opinion. These are what the Three Series (in TRO 3050) should have been. Great job drak!

2. LCT-2OA Locust (Abele)
The silver goes to this Periphery refit from the Outworlds Alliance which was a surprise for one and was super well done. Its Medium Pulse upgrade plus a Small Laser exchange from Machine Guns were pretty effective. Its use of Ferro-Fibrous armor is the only other high tech advance featured here for maximum protection. Design wise simple but the fluff playing on Kurita and Davion diplomacy as well as an unstated need created by the Clans makes this minimal yet effective upgrade second to only one. Great stuff Abele!!!

1. LCT-2OA-2 Locust (Abele)
Topped only by his weapon swap here which sees a Medium Laser paired with two Small Pulses these two variants now designated the LCT-3A will probably work best together complementing each other on the battlefield. Pure gold Abele, keep up the great work!!!!

I’d like to thank everybody for participating in this contest and hopefully the next one will go up in a week or so as real-life permits. Thanks again everyone!

Congrats Abele, not only did you submit the most designs but your fluffy were the best and needed the least work. Also I wanted existing component availability. I felt I failed you a little bit with LCT-2S especially when I found the 180XL was already in production but felt the Four Series as bought to us by Bullrun Concepts (my thanks to masterarminas and Irose for those ideas) was better. The creation and proliferation of the 160XL Engine are easier if everyone does it for the Four Series (New Avalon, Terra, Furillo, and Solaris) so it kind of got screwed in the process.

Congrats abele

I actually looked up the 200xl I thought Nissan made it a few places

The 200XL first appears in mass production with the Tarantula circa 3054 at Corean Enterprises on the world of Stewart. This facility does also make the Locust. So in the new future this could have happened justifiably if not for the 4M which I created that uses a 240XL Engine to achieve a higher speed.

The Power Plant really achieves wide spread usage after the Blackjack-O (OmniMech) is introduced in 3057 at several different facilities.