OBT Forum

STK-3G Stalker

Overview:
Introduced in 2742, the STK-3G Stalker was an upgrade to the standard STK-3F
Stalker currently in production at the time.  Intended for use by the both the
SLDF and the House Militaries, the -3G Stalker used only standard technology,
not advanced components destined for royal regiments.

Although featuring less firepower than the STK-3F, the -3G used the additional
tonnage freed by the removal of one Magna Mk III Large Laser to increase its
ammunition capacity and armor protection.  Such BattleMechs were highly prized
during the Amaris Coup and the Liberation of Terra, as well as the subsequent
Succession Wars, as the heavier armor made these war-machines extremely
difficult to stop.

The design has remained in sporadic production to this day, but it has fallen
out of favor by the MechWarriors who dominate the fields of combat in modern
times.  With a belief that firepower determines victory, not passive armor
protection, the older STK-3F is generally (but not always) preferred.  The
STK-3G Stalker remains in limited production at the Irian Technologies facility
located on Shiro III in the Free Worlds League.

Capabilities:
The STK-3G differs from the standard STK-3F Stalker in that the -3G removes one
of the two torso mounted Magna Mk III Large Lasers, and shifts the remaining Mk
III to a centerline position in the center torso.  This alteration in the
design freed up five tons, which the engineers used to increase the amount of
Valiant Lamellor composite armor used on the frame from 13.5 to 16.5 tons, the
maximum possible protective coverage on an 85-ton BattleMech chassis.

The two remaining tons were used to provide each of the Jackon B5c LRM
launchers with a second ton of ammunition, doubling endurance.  Retaining all
other weapon systems and the twenty heat sinks associated with the STK-series,
the -3G does not suffer quite as much from overheating as its ancestor.  At
mid-ranges, when utilizing the Jackson B5c LRMs and remaining Mk III Large
Laser, the STK-3G dissipates more heat than it generates . . . even on a full
run.

The full battery of short range weapons (two Thunderstroke SRM-6 launchers and
four Magna Mk II Medium Lasers) generate exactly the heat that this design can
dissipate, allowing for only movement heat to be of concern.  MechWarriors
assigned to an STK-3G are advised not to mix the long- and short-range battery,
since such action can lead to extreme overheat concerns very rapidly.  However,
a third firing circuit consisting of all five lasers (four Mk II mediums and
the Mk III large) is normally preset for firing solutions too risky to expend
the limited SRM ammunition upon.  This weapons interlock generates the same
amount of heat as the short-range battery, and most STK-3G pilots switch
between the lasers, the long-range, and the short-range configurations quite
easily.

The heavy armor protection exceeds all other common BattleMechs in use during
the Succession Wars with the sole exeption of the AS7-D Atlas.  This armor
protection, combined with the excellent communications system manufactured by
Cronol and the sophisticated Spar 3c fire control and targeting system makes
the STK-3G Stalker a command BattleMech of choice for those lucky enough to
have one available.

Battle History:
The 6th Lyran Guards (aka, the Saucy Sixth) has managed to acquire a total of
eight STK-3G Stalkers in the long years it has spent fighting on the border of
the Free Worlds League.  In a rather surprising move, Leutnant-General Daniel
Voss-Steiner has concentrated all eight of these BattleMechs along with sixteen
standard STK-3F Stalkers in his Third (Heavy Assault) Battalion (nicknamed The
Iron Fist of Steiner).  The last company of BattleMechs assigned to The Iron
Fist is a mixed combat of Archers, Crusaders, and Thunderbolts; not one
BattleMech assigned to The Fist masses less than 65 tons.

A shining example of the patented Steiner Wall of Steel approach, The Iron Fist
eschews sublety for a brutal and relentless stead assault, relying on firepower
and armor to carry the day in their favor.  In conjunction with the lighter
medium and heavy BattleMechs of the First and Second Battalions protecting the
flanks of The Iron Fist, the 6th Lyran has developed a well-earned reputation
for a formidable and capaable Regiment. 

Although there are many officers in the LCAF who still consider the overall
weight of the 6th Lyran to be too light.  Voss-Steiner dismisses those opinions
however, noting that flankers and recon elements are a required portion of any
successful unit, lest the assault and heavy elements are led into a trap.

Personally decorated by Archon Katrina Steiner in 3024, Leutnant-General
Voss-Steiner is certain to remain in command of the 6th for some time to come.

Stalker STK-3G

Mass: 85 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D
Production Year: 2742
Cost: 7,123,425 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,622

Chassis: Titan H1 Standard
Power Plant: Strand 255 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Valiant Lamellor Standard Armor
Armament:
    1 Magna Mk III Large Laser
    2 Jackson B5c LRM-10s
    2 Thunderstroke SRM-6s
    4 Magna Mk II Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Triad Technologies (Irian Technologies)
    Primary Factory: Shiro III
Communications System: Cronol PR
Targeting and Tracking System: Spar 3c Tight Band
================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     130 points                8.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                255                      13.00
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             20                       10.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 263                 16.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     27           42       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  12       
                                           L/R Torso     18           28       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  8         
                                             L/R Arm     14           28       
                                             L/R Leg     18           36       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Medium Lasers                              RA        6         2         2.00
LRM-10                                       RA        4         2         5.00
2 Medium Lasers                              LA        6         2         2.00
LRM-10                                       LA        4         2         5.00
SRM-6                                        RT        4         2         3.00
SRM-6                                        LT        4         2         3.00
Large Laser                                  CT        8         2         5.00
@LRM-10 (24)                                 RA        -         2         2.00
@LRM-10 (24)                                 LA        -         2         2.00
@SRM-6 (15)                                  RT        -         1         1.00
@SRM-6 (15)                                  LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 21

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      9    Points: 16
3          2       3       1       0      4     0   Structure:  7
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0, IF 1