OBT Forum

The Kingfisher is one of my favorite canon Clan assault-weight OmniMech designs.  Not because it has the most weapons or mounts all of the modern bells-and-whistles, but because it just refuses to DIE.  This is a machine that keeps on fighting and giving out the pain until you core out the engine, gyro, or center torso internal structure (or blow off the head!).

It does not stop.  It does not seem to feel pain.  And while the pod-space is fairly limited, it can bring some serious pain.

Okay, having said that, here is my take on the Quicksilver Kingfisher.



Overview:  With the Quicksilver Upgrade Trials in full swing and new, more effective, and efficient OmniMech configurations entering general service, many Clan leaders and Warriors began to consider the Kingfisher for a QS overhaul.  Although the oldest OmniMech still in active duty service in the Clans, this war machine was much loved by those who were lucky enough to be assigned to them.

The chassis was forgiving, reliable, rugged, and easily repaired.  Not to mention relatively inexpensive when compared to modern 3rd and 4th generation OmniMech designs. 

And so it was that saKhan Daryl Keller of Clan Blood Spirit pressed his Khan for the resources to submit an upgrade of Kingfisher configurations for the ilKhan to consider as part of Project Quicksilver.

Khan Schmitt agreed and the Spirits moved ahead rapidly with preliminary design studies and configuration testing.  It was in this stage that the Technicians discovered that they could remove the three "fixed" double-strength heat sinks mounted external to the engine core on the design.  Doing so increased available pod-space from 24 tons to 27 tons.

Testing on existing Kingfishers in the Spirit Touman showed that doing so was easily accomplished and resulted in no adverse consequences other than reducing the capacity of the cooling system.

The final results impressed Khan Schmitt and she submitted the proposals to the ilKhan.  With a full third of her Clan's Assault-weight OmniMechs being comprised of Kingfishers, the Spirit Khan had a vested interest in seeing Keller's configurations win acceptance.

Kingfisher

Mass: 90 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: 3070
Cost: 10,851,375 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,237

Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 360 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
    27.0 tons of pod space.
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                   138 points                4.50
    Internal Locations: 4 LT, 3 RT
Engine:             Fusion Engine                360                      33.00
    Walking MP: 4
    Running MP: 6
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             14(28)                    4.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               4.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Ferro-Fibrous                AV - 278                 14.50
    Armor Locations: 1 HD, 3 LT, 3 RT

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     29           44       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  13       
                                           L/R Torso     19           28       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     15           30       
                                             L/R Leg     19           38
Configurations:  Configuration Prime was well regarded among the Clans, but Keller believed that it could be improved.  He retained the two Large Pulse Lasers (center torso and right arm), but removed all other weapon systems.  In place of the shorter-ranged Medium Pulse Lasers, he mounted two ER Medium Lasers (right torso and left torso), while an LRM-20 launcher with Artemis IV Fire Control Systems (fed by three tons of ammunition for 18 salvos) replaced the existing LRM-10 and Streak SRM-6 launchers.  The ER Small Laser of the original Prime was removed as well.  Four additional double-strength heat sinks were mounted, allowing the new Kingfisher Prime to be heat neutral while firing all weapon systems.  Excess overheat is generated only by movement.  While maximum damage was slightly decreased, heat management was simplified and the range at which all weapon systems could engage a target was expanded.

Loadout Name: Prime                                          Cost: 13,069,625
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 2,459

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             18(36)                    4.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT
    CASE Locations: LA                                                     0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Large Pulse Laser                            RA        10        2         6.00
LRM-20                                       LA        6         4         5.00
    Artemis IV FCS                           LA        -         1         1.00
ER Medium Laser                              RT        5         1         1.00
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1.00
Large Pulse Laser                            CT        10        2         6.00
@LRM-20 (Artemis) (18)                       LA        -         3         3.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 15

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 25
4          6       6       4       0      4     0   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 2
Configuration A retained the ER PPC (center torso) and LB-10X autocannon (right arm, with two tons of ammunition for 20 bursts) of the original configuration.  The original Medium Pulse Laser, ER Small Laser, and SRM-6 launcher were removed, however, and replaced with a second ER Medium Laser (right torso and left torso) and a pair of Streak SRM-4 launchers in the left arm sharing a ton of ammunition (25 salvos).  Two additional DHS provides excellent cooling ability.  If only one Streak launcher manages to lock-onto a target, the design is heat neutral while running. 

Loadout Name: A                                              Cost: 13,587,375
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 2,337

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             16(32)                    2.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT
    CASE Locations: LA, RA                                                 0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 10-X AC                                   RA        2         5        10.00
2 Streak SRM-4s                              LA        6         2         4.00
ER Medium Laser                              RT        5         1         1.00
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1.00
ER PPC                                       CT        15        2         6.00
@LB 10-X (Cluster) (10)                      RA        -         1         1.00
@LB 10-X (Slug) (10)                         RA        -         1         1.00
@Streak SRM-4 (25)                           LA        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 19

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 23
4          6       6       3       0      4     0   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/1
While the Spirit Warriors relished the hard-hitting nature of the Ultra AC-20 autocannon of the B Configuration, the limited tactical combat endurance was a cause for concern.  saKhan Keller replaced the UAC-20 with an LB-20X, reducing the strain on the cooling system while simultaneously doubling the on-board ammunition reserve from two tons of ammunition to four.  As with the original B Configuration, a center torso mounted ER Large Laser provides a token long-range armament, but the remainder of the original designs weapons have been removed.  Two ER Medium Lasers provide back-up weaponry (right torso and left torso), while a Streak SRM-6 launcher in the left arm fed by a ton of ammunition complements the heavy-bore autocannon nicely.  Fifteen DHS eliminate all heat generated by this design--provided that the Streak SRM-6 fails to achieve a weapons lock.  However, even if the weapon does lock, the excess overheat generated is minor and easily handled by any veteran Warrior.

Loadout Name: B                                              Cost: 13,786,875
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 2,306

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             15(30)                    1.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 RT
    CASE Locations: RT, LA, RA                                             0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LB 20-X AC                                   RA        6         9        12.00
Streak SRM-6                                 LA        4         2         3.00
ER Medium Laser                              RT        5         1         1.00
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1.00
ER Large Laser                               CT        12        1         4.00
@LB 20-X (Slug) (5)                          RA        -         1         1.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)                           LA        -         1         1.00
@LB 20-X (Cluster) (10)                      RT        -         2         2.00
@LB 20-X (Slug) (5)                          RT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 16

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 23
4          5       5       1       0      4     0   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, FLK 1/1/0
For Configuration C, saKhan Keller kept the two primary weapons (ER PPCs in the right arm and center torso), but eliminated all secondary systems in favor of adding a third ER PPC to the left arm!  Twenty-three double-strength heat sinks are included which make Kingfisher C heat neutral on a walking Alpha Strike . . . and while maximum possible damage output may be lower than the original configuration, three Clan Extended-Range PPCs being able to constantly and reliably fire with little to no worry of heat build up or on-board ammunition explosions; well, saKhan Keller believed that such an OmniMech posed a threat that no one (Clan or Inner Sphere) could afford to ignore.

Loadout Name: C                                              Cost: 13,117,125
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 2,622

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             23(46)                    9.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT, 2 LA, 1 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ER PPC                                       RA        15        2         6.00
ER PPC                                       LA        15        2         6.00
ER PPC                                       CT        15        2         6.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 13

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
Next is Configuration D.  Keller removed all of the on-board weapon systems except for the center torso mounted ER Large Laser.  In their place, the Blood Spirit saKhan had fitted a Gauss Rifle (right arm) with three tons of ammunition (24 shots), an LRM-10 launcher with Artemis IV FCS (left arm) with two tons of ammunition (24 shots), a brace of ER Medium Lasers (right torso and left torso) and a rear-firing ER Small Laser mounted in the center torso.  Although the new Kingfisher D mounts only the integral 14 DHS fixed within the engine core, the configuration is heat neutral on a walking Alpha Strike with all forward weapon systems.

Loadout Name: D                                              Cost: 13,158,094
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 2,445

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CASE Locations: LA, RA                                                 0.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle                                  RA        1         6        12.00
LRM-10                                       LA        4         1         2.50
    Artemis IV FCS                           LA        -         1         1.00
ER Medium Laser                              RT        5         1         1.00
ER Medium Laser                              LT        5         1         1.00
ER Large Laser                               CT        12        1         4.00
(R) ER Small Laser                           CT        2         1         0.50
@Gauss Rifle (24)                            RA        -         3         3.00
@LRM-10 (Artemis) (24)                       LA        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 20

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 24
4          5       5       4       0      4     0   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1
Finally, there is the Kingfisher E.  Designed as a dual purpose OmniMech configuration for duels as well as situations where range is constricted and tactical mobility is paramount, the E Configuration includes four Jump Jets fitted to the legs.  These jets allow for a 120 meter jump capacity for the design.  Long range armament consists of a pair of ER Large Lasers mounted in the center torso, tied into a three-ton Targeting Computer placed in the right torso.  Fifteen double-strength heat sinks allow the Kingfisher E to jump and fire these weapons while still reserving some cooling capacity.

But the remaining tonnage has been used to fit fourteen ER Small Lasers to the design:  four each in the right and left arms, three each in the right and left torsos.  At point-blank range, the MechWarrior assigned to a Kingfisher E can utilize this massive battery of ER Small Lasers to inflict three-and-a-half times the damage of the twin ER Large Lasers . . . and still remain heat neutral on a run.  Due to the lack of any explosive munitions on-board, a MechWarrior sorely pressed by his opponent can even select to fire all weapons systems simultaneously, although doing so severely strains the cooling systems and impairs both movement and targeting.

However, doing such an Alpha Strike on a hostile unit will often eliminate that unit completely, giving the Warrior of the Kingfisher time to recover from his heat spike.  At the very least, few enemy units can survive unscathed against a laser barrage that vaporizes over five-and-a-half tons of standard armor plating in one massive volley.

Loadout Name: E                                              Cost: 12,944,938
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E                         BV2: 2,587

Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Jumping MP: 4  (Standard)
    Jump Jet Locations: 2 LL, 2 RL                                         8.00
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             15(30)                    1.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA

Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 ER Small Lasers                            RA        8         4         2.00
4 ER Small Lasers                            LA        8         4         2.00
3 ER Small Lasers                            RT        6         3         1.50
Targeting Computer                           RT        -         3         3.00
3 ER Small Lasers                            LT        6         3         1.50
2 ER Large Lasers                            CT        24        2         8.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 12

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 26
4j         6       6       2       0      4     2   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: OMNI, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA