Hellcat
OverviewTo date, neither Clan Hell's Horses nor Clan Star Adder have made impressive showings in Project QUICKSILVER. Although each Clan had one victory apiece, both felt that they deserved more; both felt that their strong Clans needed more. But the Khans of those two Clans (Malavai Fletcher and Cassius N'Buta, respectively) were determined to change that.
With few options remaining as the OmniMech research, development, and optimization program drew to a close, the Khans decided to collaborate on what had been christened a "Zombie", although neither Clan primarily used such OmniMechs on a routine basis for their front-line forces. However, Clan Star Adder did have a strong tradition of using such standard fusion engine powered BattleMechs in their second-line and garrison units . . . and both Clans realized that potential profits could be squeezed from smaller Clans who simply could not afford better technology in large numbers.
Naming the OmniMech proved to be the first challenge . . . Khan Fletcher insisted that in some way the name must refer to HER Clan. Which ruffled the feathers (well, scales, to be honest) of Khan N'Buta in turn and threatened to end the joint project before it truly began. But then a Goliath Scorpion abtakha in the Star Adder Khan's command unit put forward a suggestion:
Name the new design after an exceptional pre-spaceflight atmospheric fighter craft of Old Earth. One known and respected for its sheer toughness, endurance, lethality, speed, and ability to destroy its opponents in amazing numbers.
He referred to the ancient F6F Hellcat of the long-forgotten United States Navy.
Both Khans were impressed by the suggestion (Khan Fletcher because the name included the word HELL, which met her requirements, and Khan N'Buta because not only was that WW2 fighter extraordinary, the Star League had named not just one, but TWO Aerospace Fighters after it).
After viewing ancient records found in the Clan's central archives of footage of the original F6F Hellcat, Khan N'Buta agreed.
And with that hurdle passed, work on the design began.
CapabilitiesThe new Hellcat OmniMech would be based upon the SA-85O Light endo-steel chassis of the Marauder IIC that was produced by Clan Star Adder on Albion. The design would incorporate the Forging MD4 ferro-fibrous armor plating (13.5 tons for 98.47% of maximum theoretical protective coverage) and the Consolidated 340 Fusion engine--both of which were also produced on Albion for the Marauder IIC.
This combination would allow the Hellcat to walk at speeds of 43.2 kilometers per hour and run at 64.8 kph . . . the same as the front-line Warhawk OmniMech (also 85-tons) produced by Clan Smoke Jaguar.
Clan Hell's Horses would contribute the communications array (CH3V Series Integrated), the targeting and tracking array (Version Kappa-III TTS), and the double-strength heat sinks from their Thunder Stallion line located on Kirin. Thirteen DHS would be integrated into the engine core, leaving the Hellcat with 30.0 tons of pod-space for weapons and equipment.
Both Khans were quite surprised when the scientists informed them of the available pod-space . . . just two and one-half tons less than the Warhawk moving at the same speed, possessing the same level of armor protection, and costing less than HALF the price in capital expenditures and resources! Of course, the Hellcat did possess seven fewer DHS than the Warhawk, making heat judgment on the part of the Warrior assigned to this war-machine of vital importance.
But the Khans deemed this as acceptable and ordered immediate production of a dozen prototypes for testing on Niles, Sheridan, and Strana Mechty. The design would be produced on both Kirin and Albion, with all components shipped as needed for assembly.
The Prime Configuraiton is a true zombie. Armament consists of three Large Pulse Lasers (right arm, left arm, and center torso) supported by five Medium Pulse Lasers (right arm, left arm, right torso, left torso, and head). Fifteen DHS allow the Hellcat Prime to generate just movement heat when using all three LPLs at range; in close, the Warrior can substitute five MPLs for two of the Large Pulse Lasers and maintain the same heat profile. Although not recommended, the lack of explosive munitions means that if necessary, the Warrior may utilize an Alpha-strike with all eight lasers laying out a blistering array of accurate fire. His OmniMech will probably shut-down seconds later, but he has that option.
Configuration A has an ecletic array of weapons: a Gauss Rifle in the left arm with three tons of ammunition (24 shots), an ER PPC and an ER Large Laser in the right arm, and a head-mounted ER Medium Laser. Seventeen DHS allow the Warrior to generate excess overheat only on a running Alpha Strike . . . and even then it is a minimal amount.
Configuration B has four jump jets for a 120-meter jump capability. Long-range armament consists of an ER PPC in the right arm while a head-mounted ECM Suite provides additional defenses. The ER PPC and the secondary weapons are tied into a three-ton Targeting Computer in the right torso for maximum accuracy. EIGHT ER Medium Lasers make up the secondary battery, with two each in the left arm, left torso, center torso, and right torso. Twenty-one DHS is sufficient to allow the Warrior to run and fire all eight ER Mediums and remain heat-neutral. At ranges exceeding the reach of the ERML, the design is quite cool-running, while the close-quarters damage potential is exceptional.
The Hellcat C is armed with two ER Large Lasers (right arm and left arm) and two ER Medium Lasers (center torso), supported by an Active Probe in the head. But the main close-quarters weapon is the massive LB-20X autocannon in the right torso fed by FIVE tons of ammunition stored in the left torso (25 bursts!!). Fifteen DHS allow the Warrior to use one ER Large, both ER Mediums, and the LB-20X autocannon at shorter ranges, while remaining heat-neutral even on a run.
Configuration D is a fire-support OmniMech that the Adders insisted upon. Four LRM-15 launchers (each with Artemis IV and emplaced two each in the right arm and left arm) with eight tons of ammunition (64 total missile flights) are the main guns. Two center torso mounted Medium Pulse Lasers are almost an afterthought. Although just the base thirteen DHS were fitted, excess overheat is quite low, even on a running Alpha-strike.
Configuration E was demanded by the Horses. Three ER PPCs (right arm, left arm, and center torso) form the main battery. Twenty-three DHS allow for the constant use of all three guns generating excess overheat only on a run. Two ER Medium Lasers were fitted to the right and left torso in a rear-firing position, providing for additional protection against lighter, faster opponents.
Finally, the Hellcat F is an exercise to see just how much potential damage the chassis can inflict. Two ER Large Lasers in the left arm supported by an LB-5X autocannon in the right arm (with two tons of ammo for 40 bursts) are the long-range guns. Medium-range, as well. In close, however, these weapons are overshadowed by the FOURTEEN ER Small Lasers mounted in the right torso (four), center torso (two), head (one), and left torso (seven). Fourteen DHS means that only movement heat is generated when using the ER Smalls in close . . . and at range the design simply cannot overheat. To make matters worse for the opponents of the Hellcat F, EVERY gun on this OmniMech has been net-worked into a five-ton Targeting Computer in the right torso for maximum accuracy, regardless of range. Lethal in close-quarters, the Adders expect the Hellcat F to serve admirably as heavy anti-Aerospace OmniMech configuration as well, in addition to being able to lay down direct supporting fire at long range with the twin ER Large Lasers.
DeploymentKhan Lincoln Osis of Clan Smoke Jaguar was NOT amused when the Hellcat was unveiled to the ilKhan on Strana Mechty. Khans Fletcher and N'Buta had drawn upon the services of the Scorpion abtakha who originally suggested the name to prepare a short introductory film explaining the lineage and name of the design for the ilKhan, the Khans, and their senior officers.
Knowing his audience well, the Scorpion-turned-Adder included gun-camera footage and vintage World War II film of the original Hellcat in action, spliced together with clips of the SLDF Hellcat and Hellcat II ASF. But what drove Khan Osis into a frenzy was the opening sequence where the former Scorpion showed Imperial Japanese fighters downing dozens of obsolte P-40 Warhawks and the voice-over that narrated the design and introduction of the Hellcat as a replacement for the aging and obsolete Warhawk.
Furious over the implications (and potential insults), Osis came close to challenging both Fletcher and N'Buta to a Trial of Grievance then-and-there, but his officers managed to restrain him before he could make that monumental error in judgment.
After a week spent in isolation to calm himself and collect his thoughts, Osis announced that the Smoke Jaguars would view the production of the Hellcat as an insult . . . and would Trial for the exclusive rights of any factory intended for its production in order to dismantle it on the spot.
To which ilKhan Kerensky answered . . . "Bargained well and done."
Hellcat
Mass: 85 tons
Tech Base: Clan
Chassis Config: Biped Omnimech
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E
Production Year: 3052
Cost: 9,890,948 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,157
Chassis: Type Sa-85O Light Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Consolidated 340 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Forging MD4 Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
30.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Albion MMA Complex; Kirin MechWorks I
Primary Factory: Albion; Kirin
Communications System: CH3V Series Integrated
Targeting and Tracking System: Version Kappa-III TTS
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 130 points 4.50
Internal Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine: Fusion Engine 340 27.00
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 13(26) 3.00
Gyro: Standard 4.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 259 13.50
Armor Locations: 1 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 27 40
Center Torso (rear) 10
L/R Torso 18 28
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 14 28
L/R Leg 18 36
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Loadout Name: Prime Cost: 11,826,510
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 2,421
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 15(30) 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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Large Pulse Laser RA 10 2 6.00
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2.00
Large Pulse Laser LA 10 2 6.00
Medium Pulse Laser LA 4 1 2.00
Medium Pulse Laser RT 4 1 2.00
Medium Pulse Laser LT 4 1 2.00
Large Pulse Laser CT 10 2 6.00
Medium Pulse Laser HD 4 1 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 22
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 24
4 5 5 3 0 4 1 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
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Loadout Name: A Cost: 12,097,073
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 2,510
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 17(34) 4.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 2 RT
CASE Locations: LA 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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ER PPC RA 15 2 6.00
ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4.00
Gauss Rifle LA 1 6 12.00
ER Medium Laser HD 5 1 1.00
@Gauss Rifle (16) LA - 2 2.00
@Gauss Rifle (8) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 16
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 25
4 5 5 4 0 4 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
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Loadout Name: B Cost: 13,336,573
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 3,252
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Jumping MP: 4 (Standard)
Jump Jet Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT 4.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 21(42) 8.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 3 LA, 2 RA
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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ER PPC RA 15 2 6.00
2 ER Medium Lasers LA 10 2 2.00
2 ER Medium Lasers RT 10 2 2.00
Targeting Computer RT - 3 3.00
2 ER Medium Lasers LT 10 2 2.00
2 ER Medium Lasers CT 10 2 2.00
ECM Suite HD 0 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 3
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 33
4j 6 6 2 0 4 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
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Loadout Name: C Cost: 13,230,429
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 2,342
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 15(30) 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT
CASE Locations: LT 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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ER Large Laser RA 12 1 4.00
ER Large Laser LA 12 1 4.00
LB 20-X AC RT 6 9 12.00
2 ER Medium Lasers CT 10 2 2.00
Active Probe HD 0 1 1.00
@LB 20-X (Cluster) (10) LT - 2 2.00
@LB 20-X (Slug) (15) LT - 3 3.00
Free Critical Slots: 10
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 23
4 4 4 2 0 4 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, PRB, RCN, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/0
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Loadout Name: D Cost: 13,174,698
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 2,476
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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CASE Locations: LT, RT, LA, RA 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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2 LRM-15s RA 10 4 7.00
Artemis IV FCS RA - 2 2.00
2 LRM-15s LA 10 4 7.00
Artemis IV FCS LA - 2 2.00
2 Medium Pulse Lasers CT 8 2 4.00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (16) RA - 2 2.00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (16) LA - 2 2.00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (16) RT - 2 2.00
@LRM-15 (Artemis) (16) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 15
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 25
4 7 7 5 0 4 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 5
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Loadout Name: E Cost: 12,480,948
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 2,632
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 23(46) 10.00
Heat Sink Locations: 4 LT, 4 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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ER PPC RA 15 2 6.00
ER PPC LA 15 2 6.00
(R) ER Medium Laser RT 5 1 1.00
(R) ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
ER PPC CT 15 2 6.00
Free Critical Slots: 9
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 26
4 5 5 5 0 4 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
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Loadout Name: F Cost: 12,028,970
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E BV2: 2,399
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 14(28) 1.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT
CASE Locations: RA 0.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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LB 5-X AC RA 1 4 7.00
2 ER Large Lasers LA 24 2 8.00
4 ER Small Lasers RT 8 4 2.00
Targeting Computer RT - 5 5.00
7 ER Small Lasers LT 14 7 3.50
2 ER Small Lasers CT 4 2 1.00
ER Small Laser HD 2 1 0.50
@LB 5-X (Cluster) (20) RA - 1 1.00
@LB 5-X (Slug) (20) RA - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 6
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 24
4 6 6 2 0 4 2 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Author
Topic: Quicksilver Program #15: 85 ton Zombie OmniMech (Read 1783 times)