OBT Forum

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