The main story here is the art, but I'm quite pleased with how the stats turned out. A 95 ton mech with a jump of 180m, triple snubnosed PPCs, and TSM
Apache AP-1MMass: 95 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Experimental Tech
Era: Dark Ages
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F-A
Production Year: 3132
Cost: 24,558,495 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2,257
Chassis: StarFrame Ultra Endo-Composite
Power Plant: Pitban 285 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h (43.2 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h (64.8 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters / 180 meters
Armor: Durallex Heavy Standard Armor
Armament:
3 Fusigon Smarttooth Snub-Nose PPCs
2 Diverse Optics Sunfire ER Medium Lasers
2 Magna Small Pulse Lasers
1 FlameTech Flamer
Manufacturer: StarCorps Industries
Primary Factory: Emris IV
Communications System: Garret T20-C
Targeting and Tracking System: Garret D5j
Overview:Originally a homegrown design produced for the FWLM in the early 28th century,
the Apache incorporated what was at the time cutting edge technologies to
produce a highly mobile assault class battlemech. StarCorps Industries saw the
potential of fast heavy and assault battlemechs, as exemplified by the SLDF's
Spartan and Flashman designs, and equally noticed the lack of such in the
League forces. The result proved popular and the mech enjoyed a long production
run, but died along with the Star League in the fires of the succession wars.
The current wave of turmoil that has been churning the Inner Sphere in the wake
of Devlin Stone's return and the fragmentation of the Republic of the Sphere
has been quite the stimulus to the military manufacturing sector. Executives
among StarCorps Industries sensed parallels with the 28th century and its
chaotic end. The intellectual property for the Apache was retrieved from the
older archives as a relatively low risk venture in the current market
conditions.
Capabilities:For an advanced design, the Apache relied to a large degree on proven
technologies. The rugged StarFrame skeleton, upgraded in the current
incarnation with endo-composite technology, was sheathed in a thick shell of
Durellex heavy plating. Even today this made the Apache capable of performing
under extreme adversity. This endurance was enhanced by a reliance on energy
weapons, which granted excellent tactical flexibility. While rather mundane
today, it was a radical departure from established doctrines of the time.
Four centuries of war have left their mark on battlemech design, and the new
Apache incorporates some innovative modifications to the original design. The
massive 380XL engine was replaced with a smaller 285XL, reducing the top speed
to no more than 54kph. In addition, the gyroscope was replaced with an
extralight model. The biggest change, however, is the installation of triple
strength myomer fibers and a pair of massive mechanical jump boosters. Between
the two the Apache is now capable of shocking mobility for such a large unit.
The 3X myomer fibers also grant the AP-1M an edge in close quarters combat, a
common situation even on the ultramodern battlefields of today.
The massive array of pulse lasers granted the original -001 model a solid
reputation for high intensity combat as well as excellent endurance. The new
-1M model upgrades the main guns to Snubnosed PPCs while maintaining the
smaller pulse lasers and Flamer that proved useful in -001 model. The original
model boasted three medium lasers for extra clout at short range; these have
been replaced by a pair of extended range models in the modern incarnation.
Such an extensive payload generates an equally extensive thermal output, which
is satisfactorily handled by the fifteen double strength heatsinks.
Deployment:Similar to its decendant, the original Apache began its service in the Free
Worlds Guards and from there spread out to the provincial forces. Likewise,
successful deployment among the Orloff Grenadiers gave the design a credibility
that greatly facilitated its accaptance in the FWLM. Unfortunately , Kenyon
Marik's campaigns in the Capellan Confederation put such pressure on the
manufacturing supply chain that StarCorps was forced to wind down production of
the AP series by 2793. Later campaigns on the Lyran front burned through
stockpiles of replacement parts at such a rate that by the time of the battles
for Bella I in 2813 the mech had all but disappeared from the League's
deployment roster.
The reborn Apache also began its second career in the Free Worlds Guards.
Remaining primarily in Federal forces, the Tamarind Regulars also recieved a
fair number of Apaches that culminated in the successful recapture of Tamarind
by the Regulars in 3142. The Fourth Regulars in particular, have made good use
of the highly mobile assault mech. The Fourteenth Atrean Dragoons have also
recieved the Apache as part of its ongoing rebuilding efforts, whose fast
response tactics are well suited to the StarCorps design.
Variants:As mentioned previously, the original -001 model differed from the current
version in several areas. Relying on a massive 380XL extralight fusion motor
and four conventional jumpjets the first Apache could keep pace with much
lighter units. Three Large Pulse Lasers provided the main firepower, and was
supported by a secondary array of three medium lasers, two small pulse lasers,
and a flamer. The -001 proved useful against mixed units, but suffered
disproportionately high attrition rates against LRM equipped units.
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Composite 145 points 7.50
Internal Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 3 LA, 2 RA
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 285 8.50
Walking MP: 3 (4)
Running MP: 5 (6)
Jumping MP: 0 / 6 Jump Booster
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 15(30) 5.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA
Gyro: XL 1.50
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA
TSM Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 2 LA, 2 RA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 288 18.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 30 45
Center Torso (rear) 10
L/R Torso 20 32
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 16 32
L/R Leg 20 40
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Snub-Nose PPC RA 10 2 6.00
ER Medium Laser RT 5 1 1.00
Small Pulse Laser RT 2 1 1.00
Snub-Nose PPC RT 10 2 6.00
ER Medium Laser LT 5 1 1.00
Small Pulse Laser LT 2 1 1.00
Snub-Nose PPC LT 10 2 6.00
Flamer HD 3 1 1.00
Jump Booster * - 4 28.50
Free Critical Slots: 0
* The Jump Booster occupies 2 slots in each leg.
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 10 Points: 23
3/6j 4 2 0 0 4 1 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: TSM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
