OBT Forum
General BattleTech => General Discussion => MechFactory => Topic started by: Takiro on March 19, 2020, 02:17:07 PM
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In my never ending quest to improve existing BattleMech designs I began work on the Komodo not too long ago and came up with these two designs. Thanks to Bradshaw I have revised the Grand Komodo into a faster more refined concept which can actually compete against the Great Komodo. My question to you - which one is better? Please vote and comment why. This will reflect their competition at the New Samarkand Testing Grounds in universe.
GKMD-4 GRAND KOMODO
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Alshain Type Chi EndoSteel
Power Plant: GM 300 XL
Cruising Speed: 64 kph
Maximum Speed: 97 kph
Jump Jets: Icarus 81
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: Valiant Lamellor
Armament:
10 Victory 23R Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
Primary Factory: New Samarkand
Communications System: Sipher Security Plus with Guardian ECM Suite
Targeting and Tracking System: Eagle Eye 410 XX with C3 Slave
Overview:
The first enlarged concept of the Komodo quickly became known as the Grand Komodo and it was five tons heavier than its immediate predecessor. Word of a second larger competitor, the Great Komodo, soon left many working on this project dismayed. Problems in obtaining the Hermes 250 XL from suppliers in the chaotic Free Worlds League threw further cold water on the effort which appeared destined for failure. The team refused to give up however and struck upon an intriguing idea, make the Komodo faster and its core lighter. While this would require a lot of reengineering work the team immediately set to work with a new vigor. They would create the superior Elemental destroyer which would ultimately outperform all others.
Capabilities:
The initial enlargement of the Alshain Type Chi chassis to accommodate the five-ton heavier mass proved easily accomplishable and well within design tolerances. Producing new EndoSteel molds however would not prove easy as would fitting its bulky internal structure within its already crowded interior. The BattleMech’s arms had to be extensively redesigned with its lower arm and hand actuators removed. Luckily the GM 300 XL Engine produced on Qandahar for the Kurita Marauder would help in that second obstacle. Not only did it allow the Grand Komodo to move ten kilometers faster than its competitors but it allowed a dozen Double Heat Sinks to fit internally on that power plant. To make room for these modifications designers choose to remove both Anti-Missile Systems altogether. Early design had already paired down their ammunition but now with space being even more critical these defensive systems would be eliminated in favor of enhanced speed and armor. Ten and a half tons of Valiant Lamellor armor offered ninety nine percent protection which was four tons greater than the original Komodo drastically upgrading defense. Thankfully many of the components were identical to the Komodo and proved easy to uprate to the new fifty-ton design. The TAG swapped for a C3 Slave allowing greater coordination with lancemates and even a company if so equipped. This extensively redesign left the Grand Komodo without any free interior space which makes it difficult for technicians to work on.
Type: GKMD-4 Grand Komodo
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 50
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: EndoSteel 2.5
Engine: 300 XL 9.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Heat Sinks: 16 (32) 6
Gyro: 3
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 168 10.5
Internal Structure Armor Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 16 23 / 8
R/L Torso 12 18 / 6
R/L Arm 8 16
R/L Leg 12 24
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
5 Medium Lasers Right Arm 5 5
5 Medium Lasers Left Arm 5 5
Guardian ECM Suite Right Torso 2 1.5
C3 Slave Head 1 1
Jump Jets Center Torso 2 1
Jump Jets Right Leg 2 1
Jump Jets Left Leg 2 1
Cost - 10,329,000 C-bills
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GKMD-5 GREAT KOMODO
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: Alshain Type Chi
Power Plant: Nissan 275 XL
Cruising Speed: 55 kph
Maximum Speed: 87 kph
Jump Jets: Icarus 81
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Valiant Lamellor
Armament:
10 Victory 23R Medium Lasers
2 Yori Flyswatter Anti-Missile Systems
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
Primary Factory: New Samarkand
Communications System: Sipher Security Plus with Guardian ECM Suite
Targeting and Tracking System: Eagle Eye 410 XX with C3 Slave
Overview:
While the Komodo was well received by the DCMS there were those perfectionists who insisted they could do better. Intent on optimizing the performance of the original designers set forth to build a better Komodo. Driven to create the ultimate Elemental destroyer the team postulated if they could simply enlarge their original it could improve heat dissipation and dramatically increase armor protection. While dimly viewed as a ‘fat Lyran effort’ by some designers held strictly to the Medium BattleMech standard intent on maintaining all the advantages offered by this weight class. Looking into a 50-ton version dubbed the Grand Komodo and an apex 55-ton they named the Great Komodo it was finally decided that bigger was ultimately better.
Capabilities:
Reinforcing the existing Alshain Type Chi internal structure to bear the full 55-ton mass of this Medium ‘Mech proved possible even if it was determined that this was the maximum allowable tolerance for the design. The Nissan 275 XL Engine produced at Marduk for the Griffin and Wolverine was brought in to power the Great Komodo. This too proved positive and allowed engineers to fit eleven Double Heat Sinks with this larger power plant that maintained the Komodo’s eighty-seven-kilometer per hour maximum speed. This enabled a total of sixteen Double Heat Sinks to be mounted on the Great Komodo which allowed a Running Alpha Strike without substantial concern. Even a Jumping Alpha Strike produced only minor overheating consequences which could be mitigated with careful weapon restraint by its Mechwarriors. As with the Grand Komodo designers swapped the TAG swapped for a C3 Slave which allowed it to integrate into a lance or company that could maximize coordinated attacks against Clan invaders. Armor protection was boosted to eleven and a half tons which provided ninety nine percent maximum coverage for this fifty-five-ton frame. This enhanced endurance enabled it to take a single Autocannon/20 burst to any torso location or leg without critical damage which was an impressive threshold that even its competitor could not match. Like its armor plating the rest of its components are identical to the original Komodos which allowed for rapid production. Perfection did not come cheap as the Great Komodo costs three million C-bills more than the original model.
Type: GKMD-5 Great Komodo
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 55
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: 5.5
Engine: 275 XL 8
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 16 (32) 6
Gyro: 3
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 184 11.5
Internal Structure Armor Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 18 25 / 10
R/L Torso 13 20 / 6
R/L Arm 9 18
R/L Leg 13 26
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
5 Medium Lasers Right Arm 5 5
Anti-Missile System Right Arm 1 .5
Ammo (Anti-Missile) 12 Right Arm 1 1
5 Medium Lasers Left Arm 5 5
Anti-Missile System Left Arm 1 .5
Ammo (Anti-Missile) 12 Left Arm 1 1
Guardian ECM Suite Right Torso 2 1.5
C3 Slave Head 1 1
Jump Jet Center Torso 1 .5
Jump Jets Right Leg 2 1
Jump Jets Left Leg 2 1
Cost - 10, 895,156 C-bills
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I prefer the 50 ton one. If I was to redesign it from scratch this would have been my choice, you need more speed to engage with all that medium lasers
Komodo KOM-020
Cost: 10,287,000 C-bills
Battle Value: 1,573
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 5
Engine 300 XL 9.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Double Heat Sink 15 [30] 5
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 128 8
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 16 18
Center Torso (rear) 5
R/L Torso 12 16
R/L Torso (rear) 4
R/L Arm 8 11
R/L Leg 12 17
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
C3 Computer HD 1 - 1.0
5 Medium Lasers RA 5 3 5.0
5 Medium Lasers LA 5 3 5.0
TAG RT 1 0 1.0
ECM Suite RT 2 - 1.5
2 Jump Jets LL 2 - 1.0
2 Jump Jets CT 2 - 1.0
2 Jump Jets RL 2 - 1.0
Double Heat Sink RT 3 - 1.0
2 Double Heat Sinks LT 6 - 2.0
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Interesting model, would eliminating the Anti-Missile System be the way to go. Could EndoSteel work with a larger engine?? Hmm....
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Antimissile system is useless vs elementals because it only works once per turn 5 elementals 4 of them missiles are gonna hit. Worked better under old system sorta because it could at least destroy 2 of them ,missiles now good chance at least one of two will hit at least
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Just updated this based on Bradshaw's faster 50 ton concept to make this into a true contest. Which design is better?
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Here's my take on the Grand Komodo. 5/8/5 movement and some rear-firing weaponry to aid in the fight against elementals. AMS is gone and replaced with a Beagle probe and armor.
Grand Komodo GKM-2
Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3053
Dry Cost: 9,188,000 C-Bills
Total Cost: 9,188,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,704
Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 250 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
12 Medium Lasers
1 TAG
1 Beagle Active Probe
1 Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Standard 83 points 5.00
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 250 6.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LL, 2 RL 2.50
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 14(28) 4.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 160 10.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 16 23
Center Torso (rear) 8
L/R Torso 12 17
L/R Torso (rear) 7
L/R Arm 8 15
L/R Leg 12 21
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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TAG HD 0 1 1.00
Guardian ECM Suite RT 0 2 1.50
(R) Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00
Beagle Active Probe LT 0 2 1.50
(R) Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
5 Medium Lasers RA 15 5 5.00
5 Medium Lasers LA 15 5 5.00
Free Critical Slots: 7
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 5 Points: 17
5j 5 5 0 0 2 0 Structure: 2
Special Abilities: TAG, PRB, RCN, ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
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Thats actually pretty smart to put R facing ones when dealing with Elementals
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Intriguing idea, forgot to mention with the Grand Komodo's new redesigned arms (minus lower arm and hand actuators) flipping is possible and that is a key point.
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Both arms? because I've learned that both arms need to have none in order to actually do any arm flips
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Got a citation for that bud?
I see we are up to three votes on the above poll which is very nice. Please get your vote in folks for what you think is the better approach!
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Got a citation for that bud?
I see we are up to three votes on the above poll which is very nice. Please get your vote in folks for what you think is the better approach!
Page 106 total warfare
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Got a citation for that bud?
I see we are up to three votes on the above poll which is very nice. Please get your vote in folks for what you think is the better approach!
Page 106 total warfare
I'll have to look that up.
Up to 5 votes now and the 50 ton Grand Komodo is pulling away. 8)
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Just refreshing this poll with four days left even though its 5 to 1 in favor of one type over the other.
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Tomorrow is the last day for votes here folks so get your opinions in!
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Okay folks thanks for your opinions and it looks like Bradshaw's concept of a faster Komodo has won out. Nice job!
To take this one step further if I may should we retain the larger 55 ton Great Komodo as the C3 Command element for these lances? By dropping the two Anti-Missile Systems (3 tons) and the C3 Slave (1 ton) from the design above we get awful close to the 5 tons needed for a C3 Master. We could shave off the last ton needed from either Heat Sinks or Armor. Me personally I am thinking one Double Heat Sink could be removed.
Just think of a lance of 3 Grand Komodos led by a Great Komodo! Death to elementals!!
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If doing a Great Komodo to lead them with the C3 master why not a 60 tonner with same engine makes logistical sense.
Great Komodo Gojira
Mass: 60 tons
Chassis: Endo Steel Biped
Power Plant: 300 XL
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
2 ER Large Laser
2 Medium Pulse Laser
1 C3 Computer [Master]
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3053
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 14,193,600 C-bills
Type: Great Komodo
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 60
Battle Value: 1,582
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure Endo Steel 3
Engine 300 XL 9.5
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Double Heat Sink 16 [32] 6
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 184 11.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 20 28
Center Torso (rear) 9
R/L Torso 14 20
R/L Torso (rear) 6
R/L Arm 10 18
R/L Leg 14 25
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Weapons Location Critical Heat Tonnage
ER Large Laser LA 2 12 5.0
ER Large Laser RA 2 12 5.0
Medium Pulse Laser RA 1 4 2.0
Medium Pulse Laser LA 1 4 2.0
C3 Computer LT 5 0 5.0
2 Jump Jets LL 2 - 2.0
2 Jump Jets RL 2 - 2.0
Jump Jet CT 1 - 1.0
3 Double Heat Sinks RT 9 - 3.0
Double Heat Sink LT 3 - 1.0
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I was actually thinking of a 60 tonner with a 300 XL (5/8/5) as the company commander (2 C3 Masters) with roughly the same weaponry (10 Medium Lasers).
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Company commander could be the 75 ton variant all with 300 XL engines ;)
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75 tons is too heavy and slow (4/6/4) in my opinion for the King Komodo but the 300 XL is the reason I like the 60 ton (5/8/5) concept.
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75 tons is too heavy and slow (4/6/4) in my opinion for the King Komodo but the 300 XL is the reason I like the 60 ton (5/8/5) concept.
Agreed in combat speed is life, 60 tons is heavy enough
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King Komodo
Mass: 75 tons
Chassis: Standard Biped
Power Plant: 300 XL
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Small Pulse Laser
5 Medium Laser
1 Anti-Missile System
1 ER Large Laser
2 C3 Computer [Master]
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3053
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 22,985,375 C-bills
Type: King Komodo
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 75
Battle Value: 1,822
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 7.5
Engine 300 XL 9.5
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6(8)
Jumping MP: 4
Double Heat Sink 14 [28] 4
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 231 14.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 23 35
Center Torso (rear) 11
R/L Torso 16 24
R/L Torso (rear) 8
R/L Arm 12 24
R/L Leg 16 32
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm
Weapons Location Critical Heat Tonnage
ER Large Laser RA 2 12 5.0
5 Medium Lasers LA 5 3 5.0
Small Pulse Laser RA 1 2 1.0
C3 Computer RT 5 0 5.0
C3 Computer LT 5 0 5.0
ECM Suite CT 2 - 1.5
Active Probe LT 2 - 1.5
MASC RT 4 - 4.0
Anti-Missile System Ammo (12) LT 1 - 1.0
Anti-Missile System LT 1 1 0.5
2 Jump Jets LL 2 - 2.0
2 Jump Jets RL 2 - 2.0
Double Heat Sink LA 3 - 1.0
Double Heat Sink RA 3 - 1.0