WSP-2W Wasp
Designed and developed by Blackwell Industries (on Outreach), the WSP-2W Wasp is the direct descendant of the older WSP-1W Wasp which originated within the mercenary regiment Wolf's Dragoons.
Like the WSP-1W, the -2W variant forgoes any missile weapons to focus on carrying lasers exclusively. But whereas the older version carried only six Small Lasers, the new built WSP-2W instead mounts two Diverse Optics Type 2 Medium Lasers, supported by four Diverse Optics Type 1 Small Lasers. This simple change not only increases maximum damage output, but also gives the WSP-2W Wasp extra reach that older version simply did not have.
In order to mount this formidable (for a 20-ton light-class BattleMech, at least!) weapons array, Wolf's Dragoons authorized Blackwell to design and incorporate an Endo-Steel II internal structure. And to compensate for the high heat production, double-strength heat sinks were ordered to be fitted to the design. Still, the design engineers found that they could not accommodate the desired weapons load, not without further cost increases and weight savings.
One study, however, showed that by utilizing a Hermes 140 Extra-Light Fusion engine (which would boost speed to 75.6 kilometers per hour walking and 118.8 kph running), the tonnage would become available . . . although excess internal space was rapidly disappearing! Computer simulations showed that with the addition of a 7th Rawlings 52 Jump Jet (for a total jump distance of 210 meters), the proposed WSP-2W Wasp could (barely) manage to squeeze the desired weapons loadout onto the chassis. Enough tonnage remained to boost the Durallex Light armor to a full 4.0 tons, giving the new Wasps of Wolf's Dragoons a higher chance of survival on the modern battlefield.
Although expensive, General Wolf authorized Blackwell to begin limited production in 3053. The first production run was intended exclusively for the use of Wolf's Dragoons, but in 3055, General Wolf gave the green light to market a limited number of the new Wasps for export.
The WSP-2W remained in production until Blackwell's factories on Outreach were destroyed during the Jihad. Just under 500 examples had been produced by that time, roughly 20% of which remained assigned to active or reserve Wolf's Dragoons units. The remainder were deployed throughout the Inner Sphere and near Periphery in the ranks of other mercenary formations and the armed forces of the Federated Commonwealth.
Wasp WSP-2W
Mass: 20 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3053
Cost: 2,581,520 C-Bills
Battle Value: 613
Chassis: 1A Type 3b Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Hermes 140 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 75.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 118.8 km/h
Jump Jets: Rawlings 52
Jump Capacity: 210 meters
Armor: Durallex Light Standard Armor
Armament:
2 Diverse Optics Type 2 Medium Lasers
4 Diverse Optics Type 1 Small Lasers
Manufacturer: Blackwell
Primary Factory: Outreach
Communications System: Duotech 65
Targeting and Tracking System: RadCom TXX
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 33 points 1.00
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 3 RT, 4 LA, 2 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 140 2.50
Walking MP: 7
Running MP: 11
Jumping MP: 7 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL 3.50
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 10(20) 0.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 2 RA
Gyro: Standard 2.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 64 4.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 8
Center Torso 6 8
Center Torso (rear) 2
L/R Torso 5 8
L/R Torso (rear) 2
L/R Arm 3 6
L/R Leg 4 7
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
Small Laser LA 1 1 0.50
Small Laser RT 1 1 0.50
Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
Small Laser CT 1 1 0.50
Small Laser HD 1 1 0.50
Free Critical Slots: 0
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 2 Points: 6
7j 3 1 0 0 1 0 Structure: 1
Special Abilities: ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
