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Disappointed but I understand bud. Got a snow storm rolling in this week here.

Just want to post marauder's wonderful research fluff that preceded this contest.

(Please note that as a head canon thing, for me the JJ’s on the Executioner are on the torso, it just makes more sense than the legs.  With a huge mech like this you’re going to want the JJ’s to be as close to the reactor as possible instead of routing all that power through the legs.)

Briefing 041/c Dated 29/09/3053

A in depth structural details regarding possible alterations to the Mech’s hull for the Quicksilver Protocols.

After extensive investigations of the Clan Series Assault SXE chassis which serves as the basis for the Executioner Assault weight OmniMech we have some good news. 
As per the Quicksilver protocols the Scientist Caste begin investigations into the true flexibility of the SXE chassis and where we could take the Executioner with future refits to improve its combat efficiency.

The Heavy Force 380 XL engine has 15 heatsinks built into it and these are an integral part of the cooling systems and superconductors for the reactor and help cool the magnets maintaining the Tokomaks magnetic field and thus cannot be altered.  An additional heatsink, mounted in the right torso (technically under the Mech’s shoulder actuator in its ‘armpit’ however can be removed with little change other than closing off the power leads and coolant pipes, the work of a mere ten minutes, the heatsink itself took 20 minutes to remove and this was with a crew chosen at random.
This frees up 1 ton of weight but we obviously want more.

The MASC system cannot be moved, like the reactor, the Executioner is constructed around it and the adjustments to the myomers as well as all the actuators and associated systems mean that removing them would require a complete redesign of the hull and this obviously falls outside of the remit Quicksilver trials.  Stymied here, our investigations turned to the Executioner’s jump jets. 

As you are no doubt aware the Executioner presents a tall and intimidating profile, but it is comparatively ‘thin’ for a machine its mass, and its internal volume mostly comes from the Mech’s great height and roomy arm actuators.  This somewhat narrow chassis in turn presented a challenge when choosing to fit jump jets to the chassis and the necessarily large reaction masses needed to produce enough thrust to jump successfully.  This was solved in 3000 when the Executioner was being designed with the installation of a large ‘jet pack’ an installation that was successful on the earlier Phoenix Hawk IIC and this was used as inspiration for the Executioner’s jump jets.

The large ‘backpack’ or ‘jet pack’ on the Executioner’s back and shoulders is mostly given over to the jump jets themselves as well as their propellant masses, coolant linkages, power feeds as well as sensors and the flexible thruster nozzles that help keep the mech stable in flight. 
And, save for the linkages to the coolant system, the reactor and the various sensors and T&T system, it is in essence, bolted on.  The large radiator vents either side of the cockpit are mostly decorative as the cooling comes mostly from the engine.  Indeed, some Mechwarrior’s have altered the shoulder mounted intakes so when air is forced through them it produces a loud, and disconcerting ‘roar’, which whilst causing significant ware on the vents themselves is a useful psychological weapon against Spheroid infantry forces.

Under my own authority I had Technicians perform an evaluation of a badly damaged Executioner that had been shot up in a trial and was awaiting repair.  With two weeks of trial and experimentation, we now believe it is possible to actually remove the jump jets and their associated systems from the ‘back pack’.  The jump jets themselves are single units with slot in ports allowing their position to be adjusted depending on the pilots preference and are easily decoupled once the main restraint bolts are removed and the power feeds disconnected.
Removing the reaction tank also took less time than feared.  Unlike smaller Mechs like the Summoner, the Executioner relies on a single large tank of propellant which feeds into all four jump jets.  The plumbing (for lack of a better word) is thus far simpler than the rather complex multi-bottle and feed system of the Summoner.
Once the tank was removed and the associated pipes and feeds removed they were reinstalled and removed repeatedly, and the jump jets still worked when tested after fifty removal and installation tests.  These tests allowed us to refine the methodology for demounting the jets in a workshop environment. 
It was found that by following the protocols we established, the entire thruster array could be removed within eighteen man hours and reinstalled in nine man hours and we still feel that this could be improved upon with further testing, please bear in mind that this is merely a preliminary test and further experimentation and refinement of the protocols will be required.  But, we still feel that 12 man hours is perfectly doable, and eight man hours is a reachable goal.  This could be done whilst a DropShip is in transit from orbit to a target world and requires not special tools, just instructions to follow.

Whilst we realise that this is not one hundred percent ideal, the system is not designed to be modular.  As you are aware even Mechs that are equipped with podded jump jets often have a far higher maintenance need, whereas the Executioner is built for these manouvers and thus the jump jet system is far more integrated to its design. 

But, combined together with the removal of the external heatsink, removing the Jump jets also frees up a not inconsiderable 9 tons of weight and allows for more weapon systems to be installed in the formerly rather restrictive torso area of the Mech.  This more than a payoff for eight hours work if we can free up nine tons of weapons and equipment without overburdening the chassis.

Attached is a complete rundown and data file of the processes used, as well as video files and discussion logs if you should need to present them to the ilKhan at the next Quicksilver meeting.



Senior Scientist Greggor (Nansen).

And even though we went in a different direction lets not forget a link to masterarminas's Executioner AISHB.

https://www.ourbattletech.com/forum/index.php?topic=3723.0


A little less than three hours remaining for this one folks if anyone else wants to jump in!

Well real life interrupted my efforts to finish today but I can give you what is written out thus far and build as we go. Enjoy the first few reviews, more to follow!

Review

Well this one has been a long time in coming but hopefully it will be worth the wait for everyone. While some time has elapsed between my last review my anticipation of the Executioner sans jump jets has never waned. I really want to see how this truly upgraded Quicksilver OmniMech comes out so let’s get to it. To refresh everyone’s memories we had forty-nine completed entries (sorry Ice your last one was apparently cut off because of word count) from our six design masters competing against five canon configurations. Those canon variants will set the dance floor for the first five contests while five new supplemental loadouts will round out the new Executioner.

First off to fluff where everyone except Abele managed to at least throw together an overview here for evaluation. Bradshaw’s straightforward attempt at a Hell’s Horses inspired effort was well reasoned as was marauder648’s focus on the Jade Falcons. However, third place goes to Ice Hellion for fluff who tied everything in with a nice Cloud Cobra angle working with Goliath Scorpion and Ghost Bear. These three Clans possessed the greatest amount of Executioner in their Toumans so this story worked well. Second place went to drakensis who very nearly got the top prize here for his Hell’s Horse project involving Burrock. These rivals of the Bears would have the most to gain by tipping over the apple cart so to speak but I liked one other just a bit better. First place for fluff goes to masterarminas for the joint Goliath Scorpion-Ghost Bear story which makes a ton of sense. Ever since his Sand Devil fluff walked the Scorpions away from the Wolves I was looking for another ally for them and the Executioner deal here makes a great deal of sense. So top marks for fluff goes to masterarminas although I really want to incorporate a little bit of everyone’s excellent storyline here.

Setting the agenda for the Primary Weapon Configuration was canon prime with its twin ER Larges, Gauss Rifle, dual Machine Guns, four Double Heat Sinks, and four Jump Jets. While Abele Prime and drakensis Prime went in much the same direction as we did swapping the Larges out for PPCs I wanted to stay true to the extreme range profile of the original especially if we are cutting loose jump jets. One intriguing change that I did permit here was Ice Hellion Prime who swapped the Gauss for an ER PPC going for more of a bracket fire energy approach. Nearly ridding himself of ammo is a plus and those extra tons go to secondary weapons like six ER Mediums and two Streak SRM-4s. Linking those direct fire weapons to a Targeting Computer is another plus and makes for a pretty potent adversary on the field of battle. The other four (Bradshaw Prime, masterarminas Prime, marauder648 Prime, Ice Hellion D) all were more standard fire in their approach which I admit I like more. While each of those did a nice job themselves my favorite out of all was marauder648 Prime. Tying the ER Larges and Gauss to a four ton Targeting Computer he also added two Streak SRM-4 packs for close in support. To effectively defend the new Executioner Prime he included an ECM Suite and an Anti-Missile System. Nice job and design point one to marauder648!

Canon Alternate A set the pace with three (or more) Large Pulse Lasers backed up by four ER Mediums, two Machine Guns, four Double Heat Sinks, and four Jump Jets. Three competitors went after this genre which promises to give aerospace fighters fits. Abele A went another way with four ER Larges but it just ran to hot for my taste perhaps if they were joined by a small LB-X and a Targeting Computer I would have said yeah. There were other small LB-X entries like Abele Zeta (better), Bradshaw F, and Ice Hellion F but none outshined the Large Pulses this time around. While masterarminas A (3 Large Pulses, 4 Medium Pulses, Flamer, 9 Double Heat Sinks) and marauder648 A (3 Large Pulses, 3 Medium Pulses, Flamer, ECM, 5 ton Targeting, 5 Double Heat Sinks) better there was one that stood above them all. Bradshaw A with four Large Pulses tied to a 5 ton Targeting Computer cooled by five extra Double Heat Sinks and protected by an Anti-Missile was the best in my opinion. It narrowly edged out marauder648 which I could see as a variant of this configuration. Point to Bradshaw!

sorry Ice your last one was apparently cut off because of word count

And it seems I am running out of luck here. 

We're in the same boat but six configurations to go.

 

Unfortunately my time has run out in the short term for this review but I hope to be back at it in a day or two.

Take your time.

I wish you had gotten these in Ice. Not bad at all. Got a few more for you today and if tomorrow cooperates I might be able to finish the write up review tomorrow afternoon. Here are the next three.


Having your finger on the Pulse is what canon Alternate D originally did but unlike canon A it was focused on smaller Pules creating an effective anti-infantry fighter. There was a plethora of design entries that had one or two Large Pulses along with smaller lasers and some SRMs that could fit this role. Ice Hellion H departed from pulses with two ER Larges and two ER Mediums linked to a two ton Targeting Computer. Two Streak SRM-6s and Flamer complete the arsenal which is highly accurate. With seven Double Heat Sinks it can cool itself well and thanks to four Jump Jets is mobile. Very nice. A straight up mode from drakensis D which dumps the Jump Jets and the SRMs for one more Large Pulse a five ton Targeting Computer. While he also added three Double Heat Sinks from canon D the masses Small Pulses was not a favored choice of mine. Abele E is in the boat sticking close to canon even retaining Jump Jets. I liked his choice to upgrade the SRMs to Streaks and swap the Medium Pulses for ER Mediums. I really liked what Ice Hellion E which was very similar to canon D but without the Small Pulses. Dropping a Medium Pulse as well he added a two ton Targeting Computer, two Flamers, four Machine Guns, an ECM, an Active Probe, as well as upgrading the SRMs to Streaks. Very nice but unfortunately masterarminas D was a bit better in my opinion doubling the number of Streak SRM-6s to four. With Jump Jets this is my choice for the new Alternate D. Point two to masterarminas!!

I decided that setting our own course with the new Alternate E meant going for an LRM boat here. While not a pure missile boat per say marauder648 D with a Gauss Rifle, two ER Mediums, and an ER Small supplementing twin LRM-20s both linked to Artemis IV FCS is pretty solid. Wanting more cowbell I looked to Abele F which thanks to three LRM-20s has greater damage potential. While it plenty of ammo, 18 rounds of fire each, this core missile boat is then geared towards destroying infantry with three Medium Pulses and two A-Pods. Not sure I like that setup. Ice Hellion C had five LRM-15s linked to Artemis IV FCS but just under ten rounds of ammo. However, it also has an ER Large Laser and an ER Medium which is interesting. Adding just two Double Heat Sinks means that it can't fire all its long-range weaponry beyond a single turn without experiencing issues. What I liked best was drakensis C with five LRM-15s linked to Artemis IV FCS each possessing sixteen salvos was backed up by three ER Mediums. Point to drakensis!!

For Alternate F I have to say that there were a lot of good concepts presented during this challenge. Small caliber autocannons while light on pure offense could transform this fast assault OmniMech into a harasser. Three LB 2-X ACs were a little bit too much or little for me Ice Hellion F. A Large Pulse, LRM-15, and twin  ER Mediums makes for a light hotter albeit with two Jump Jets. Abele G with two LB 5-X ACs, two ER Larges, a Small Pulse, and an ER Small is kinda in the same boat here, not enough offense although it does have four Jump Jets for mobility. I think Bradshaw F was trying for an anti-air configuration with two Large Pulses, two LB 5-X ACs, and a LRM-15 with Artemis which is a bit better. Bradshaw E was my choice for a harasser (LB-2X AC) here with triple headcappers (2 ER PPCs & a Gauss Rifle) it can slap you at extreme range then pound opponents at long range. It was however a unique concept by marauder648 (F) that got my attention after a second look. At first two Gauss Rifles don't look like a good match for the Executioner which has low pod space and a large engine favoring energy weapons. Matching those two big guns fed by deep three ton ammo bins each with five ER Mediums and an ER Small makes for a cool running hard hitter which can devastate opponents. Point two for marauder648!!

I am sorry Ice, that really stinks. Hopefully that will not happen again. I always scroll to the end of my big posts to make sure everything is there.

Just finished the Executioner review. I still have some additional things to do here before moving on to the Turkina but the review has been concluded.

I wanted to look at some short-range configurations for Alternate G which included some SRM boats. Abele Iota and marauder648 E both utilize four Streak SRM-6s with four tons of ammo to deliver an impressive punch. Abele backed this arsenal up with Pulse Lasers while marauder648 went for ERs and mounted jump jets for mobility. Not bad guys but I liked Bradshaw D which embraced the masses SRM battery (10 in this case) paired with a Narc. Backed by an ER PPC it's drawback seems to be heat as only four additional Double Heat Sinks are included. Still not that bad however it was masterarminas G which overcame the SRM challenge. Eight Medium Pulses and a Small Pulse linked to a 4 ton Targeting Computer makes for an impressive short range arsenal capable of incredibly precise short damage. Four additional Double Heat Sinks help cool this offense which is mobile thanks to four Jump Jets. An Anti-Missile System and Active Probe just add to this hard charger’s effectiveness. Point three to masterarminas!!!

Alternate H is for headcappers this time around we will look at all variants that mount three big guns which can do 15 damage a piece. I just mentioned Bradshaw E as the best harassing headcapper around but there were other takes on this theme. Reminding me a lot Duke Topi's personal configuration seen in the Trial of Restoration drakensis Prime went with 2 ER PPCs and a Gauss. Instead of Jump Jets though drak has an LRM-10 with Artemis IV FCS, not too shabby. Others went the way of triple ER PPCs even though I had thoughts of a Hellstar configuration dancing through my head it was just not practical (26 DHS max, darn it). That didn’t stop Ice Hellion A from getting all hot and bothered with 3 ER PPCs, 8 ER Mediums, an ER Small, plus nine Double Heat Sinks. Of course, my friend the Bracketeer doesn’t want to fire everything at once but alternate weaponry depending on the situation. Not bad at all but I thought masterarminas E with its three ER PPCs and Medium Pulse all linked to a four ton Targeting Computer and cooled by ten additional Double Heat Sinks was the best. Its accuracy and continuous cool operation stand out to me plus an Anti-Missile System thrown in helps increase your defenses especially against missiles. Point four to masterarminas!!!!

Finally, Alternate I took me on a review of all class 10 Autocannon models remaining in this contest which could be quite effective in their own right. While masterarminas B with its dual Ultra AC/10s already managed to win a place among the Executioner’s top ten most common configurations there were two other variants which utilized one of those weapons. Both marauder648 G (ER PPC, LRM-15 with Artemis, 2 Medium Pulses, 2 Machine Guns, ECM, 3 DHS) and Bradshaw G (2 LRM-10s with Artemis, Streak SRM-6, ER Medium, 2 Medium Pulses, Anti-Missile System, TAG, ECM, Active Probe) were pretty solid combatants in their own right but so are the LB 10-X variants which could really do a number on infantry or Elementals. Abele B with two LB 10-X ACs, four Medium Pulses, and an Anti-Missile System was a bit too much here though as the two big guns take up so much weight and don’t inflict that much punishment. Ice Hellion G with a single LB 10-X AC, Large Pulse, LRM-15, ECM, Active Probe, and two Jump Jets is better but I didn’t love the three Small Pulses. What I thought was best was drakensis A with an LB 10-X AC, eight ER Mediums, ER Small, seven Double Heat Sinks, and four Jump Jets which created a hard hitting Elemental killer. Point two to drakensis!!

Once again it is masterarminas with four design points and a bonus fluff point (5 total) who comes out on top. For second place there is a log jam with three contestants (drakensis, marauder648, Bradshaw) each finishing with two design points. Unfortunately, this means that Abele and Ice Hellion got shut out this time around despite some solid entries. The good news is that you guys combined to shut out canon and, in my estimation, create a far better final product then we began with. Well it will be onto the Turkina and Dire Wolf reviews following the first battle of Sadurni for me folks. Thanks again to everyone who participated, great job!