GLD-3R Gladiator
Source: BattleTechnology - February 3028
Mass: 55 tons
Chassis: MW240
Power Plant: CoreTek 275
Cruising Speed: 58.1 kph
Maximum Speed: 84.2 kph
Jump Jets: GE-2200
Jump Capacity: 120 meters
Armor: Kemplar 5000
Armament:
2 DLC-10 Long Range Missle 10-Racks
1 Duodyne Mark II Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Merryweather Industries
Primary Factory: Luthien
Communications System: Fujika Multiband
Targeting and Tracking System: General Systems AV-12
Overview:
In 2464, the Office of Military Procurement of the Star League sent out a request for bid proposals for a new type of 'Mech that would be specially designed for long-ranged support of advanced units. One of the 'Mech factories to bid on this lucrative contract was Merryweather Industries, a firm long forgotten within the Successor States of today. Merryweather’s design and proposal survived the initial screening given to all manufacturers and funding was made available for a series of prototypes to be developed. Thus was born the GLD-3R Gladiator BattleMech, a type nearly forgotten in this age of rapid aging and loss of war materials.
The Gladiator design proved successful in its first field tests in 2468. There was great celebration within the Merryweather Home Office on Alula within the confines of what is now the Successor State of House Marik. This applause was premature, however. In early 2470 the Star League Military Procurement Office revoked the contract it had given to Merryweather for 1200 Gladiator 'Mechs, citing computer simulation reports which showed that, as designed, the ’Mech was not powerful enough to fulfill its intended role. Merryweather Industries nearly went into bankruptcy, having built nearly 160 of the 'Mechs and tooled up for at least 2,000 more. Private investors were sought and some House Lords, notably of the Lyran Commonwealth and the Draconis Combine, were convinced to purchase a portion of the overrun, with the permission of the Star League government. In this way, Merryweather was able to continue production to the 2,000 figure level. It then discontinued the Gladiator program and went into production of civilian type 'Mechs for the construction and mining industries. The long-range close-support role in ’Mech lances was eventually filled with the highly successful ARC-2R Archer design – a ’Mech fully 15 tons heavier than and with twice as much long-range missile weaponry as the Gladiator carried. Merryweather Industries was utterly destroyed during the total wars of the First Succession Conflict. The areas of its main factory complex on Alula are still dangerous to enter even to this day. It is now known how many Gladiator 'Mechs are still in existence, but a reasonable estimate would be between 100 and 150.
Capabilities:
The Gladiator design appeared to be capably armed for the initial decades of the BattleMech era. Unfortunately, ’Mech design simply bypassed it before it could become fully operational. Like the ancient naval vessels of Terra’s early 20’ Century, it became an obsolescent "Pre-Dreadnought" in the wake of a far more capable design.
As a lighter support ’Mech, however, the Gladiator has proven to be well qualified. The two DLC-10 shoulder-mounted long-range missile racks can deliver severe punishment to lighter 'Mechs in the field. For close-in defense, the Gladiator also possesses two arm-mounted Duodyne Mark II medium lasers. In today's 'Mech battlefield, this would indeed be a light armament for a 55-ton BattleMech.
The Gladiator does possess above average maneuverability for a medium 'Mech. With its maximum speed of 84.2 kph, it can keep up with most scouting forces in the field. its GE-2200 Jump Jets allow a certain amount of altitude variation in its movement ability. Heat build-up is a controllable problem with the addition of two additional heat sinks within the structure of the vehicle.
The area where the Gladiator surpasses all other ’Mech types within her tonnage class is in protection. Currently, this ’Mech sports more armor than any other mass-produced 55-ton type. This armor advantage aids the Gladiator in any confrontation with opponents of her size or less but is little solace when the vehicle is attacked by a larger, more powerfully armed 'Mech.
There is little doubt that Gladiators will be almost entirely eliminated from the field of combat within the next fifty years or so. None have been produced for nearly 550 years and spare parts for them are nonexistent. In fact, it is a wonder that the type has survived so long and hasn't followed the way of such extinct 'Mech types as the Mackie and the Behemoth. More and more, Gladiators will turn up as additional pieces replacing the destroyed parts of other ’Mech types. Even today, nearly all Gladiators in operation are of a hybrid nature; none are left as they were built.
Deployment:
In 2476, during the Battle of Beckvern Hill on the planet Nox, Gladiators under the command of the Archon of the Lyran Commonwealth, Michael Steiner, undertook to support a general Steiner advance on the slopes surrounding the House Kurita defensive positions. The initial attack was a success but trouble soon developed when Kurita heavy 'Mechs supported by AeroSpace fighters staged a counterattack on the Gladiator support line, sending them into total confusion. The Steiner assault was repulsed with heavy losses. Michael Steiner was later killed in the same battle while leading an attack into the rear areas of the Kurita forces.
More recently, in 3007, during a minor raid by Davion forces on Graham IV in Marik-held space, a Gladiator-supported lance attacked a scouting force of the attackers with more success. While Marik light 'Mechs pinned down the recon ’Mechs of the Davion raiders, long-ranged Gladiators poured fire into the enemy position, forcing them to retreat with heavy losses. The Marik defenders suffered little damage.
Type: GLD-3R Gladiator
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure: 5.5
Engine: 275 15.5
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 4
Heat Sinks: 12 2
Gyro: 3
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 160 10
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 18 25
Center Torso (rear) 6
R/L Torso 13 24
R/L Torso (rear) 6
R/L Arm 9 15
R/L Leg 13 15
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
LRM 10 RT 2 5
LRM 10 LT 2 5
Ammo (LRM) 12 RT 1 1
Ammo (LRM) 12 LT 1 1
Medium Laser RA 1 1
Medium Laser LA 1 1
Jump Jets RT 2 1
Jump Jets LT 2 1
