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ML-1 MAUL

Mass: 90 tons
Chassis: StarCorp 150 EndoSteel
Power Plant: Hermes 360 XL
Cruising Speed: 43 kph
Maximum Speed: 64 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Leviathan Plus with CASE
Armament:
   1 Fusigon Longtooth Extended Range Particle Projection Cannon
   1 Donal Particle Projection Cannon
   2 Holly LRM-15 Missile Racks
   2 Martell Medium Lasers
   2 Defiance D5S Small Pulse Lasers
Manufacturer: StarCorp Industries
   Primary Factory: Loburg & Son Hoa
Communications System: O/P 3000 COMSET
Targeting and Tracking System: O/P 1500 ARB

Overview:
   Generous patronage of the rebuilding StarCorps Industries by the Federated Commonwealth led directly to the creation of the largest Warhammer model yet to be created. While other lostech concepts focused on optimizing its capabilities and costs which usually led to a reduction in size this was not the Steiner tradition. Nixing several proposals led frustrated company executives with the blessings of the Archon to ask for suggestions from Lyran Mechwarriors who naturally preferred a scaled up the Warhammer. Designers set to work on an assault class concept that they appropriately named the Maul in honor of the long-handled heavy hammer from medieval times. The first of these massive BattleMechs walked off the assembly lines in December 3053 and was quickly requested several AFFC commands.

Capabilities:
   The Maul has been accurately described as a Warhammer on steroids because of its overall size and weaponry enhancements. The newly enhanced StarCorp 150 EndoSteel chassis is able to bare nearly thirty percent more mass than its forebearer. To power this massive ninety-ton war machine designers choose the Hermes 360 XL which was already in development at the time for another prototype BattleMech. This engine enabled the Maul to not only match the ground speed of the Warhammer and integrate fourteen Double Heat Sinks without external mounts. Even though two additional ‘freezers’ were placed outside this immense power plant to help cool its combat operations the design can still run hot. This is despite the use of a single Fusigon Longtooth ER PPC from the WHM-7M and a Donal Particle Projection Cannon from the WHM-6R. This unique old and new weaponry pairing was made to better balance waste heat generated by its massive arsenal which also includes Long Range Missiles. Two Holly LRM-15 Missile Racks linked to Artemis IV FCS are mounted in the side torsos of the Maul enabling further ranged support fire. Both arm mounted PPCs and the missile batteries maybe fired while walking but continuous fire must be carefully monitored in order to avoid overheating. For close in support the Warhammer’s original dual Martell Medium Lasers have been retained along with two Defiance D5S Small Pulse Lasers. These small lasers used primarily against infantry replace the Warhammer’s machine guns and eliminate the need for ammunition. The Maul also features an increase in armor plating not simply caused by its greater weight. Seventeen tons of Leviathan Plus with CASEs in the side torso provide excellent protection for this durable Assault ‘Mech.

Deployment:
   Nicknamed the Arch-hammer for its Archer like LRM batteries and its Warhammer PPCs the new ‘Mech is being prioritized for service along the Clan front. Units from all over the Federated Commonwealth have requested production runs of the Maul even though the design is proudly Lyran in origin. To that end both Steiner StarCorps plants have begun to ramp up manufacturing of the Big Hammer to fill these orders which could one day include allied and mercenary commands. Depending on its performance other StarCorp factories outside the Commonwealth could also start production of this fearsome BattleMech. As a result, it is very possible that the Maul may quickly proliferate the militaries of the InnerSphere.

Variants:
   While splitting the PPCs into old and new proved optimal there are Mechwarriors who would prefer one way or another. Younger technophiles insist on the Extended Range models especially for use against the Clans in spite of the enormous heat load. Older grognards like the older PPCs which can be fired continuously along with the LRMs while running without any worries about overheating. Concerns about the minimum ranges are addressed with the replacement of the Small Pulse Lasers with two additional Medium Lasers. Both variations are propositions at this point and will not become official until wider spread deployment is reached.

Type: Maul
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 90

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         EndoSteel         4.5
Engine:            360 XL         16.5
Walking MP:         4
Running MP:         6
Jumping MP:         0            0
Heat Sinks:            16 (32)            6
Gyro:                           4
Cockpit:                         3
Armor Factor:            272            17

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         29         45 / 10
R/L Torso         19         30 / 8
R/L Arm         15         30
R/L Leg         19         36

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
ER PPC         Right Arm      3      7
PPC            Left Arm      3      7
LRM-15         Right Torso      3      7
Artemis IV FCS      Right Torso      1      1
Ammo (LRM) 16      Right Torso      2      2
CASE            Right Torso      1      .5
LRM-15         Left Torso      3      7
Artemis IV FCS      Left Torso      1      1
Ammo (LRM) 16      Left Torso      2      2
CASE            Left Torso      1      .5
Medium Laser         Right Torso      1      1
Medium Laser         Left Torso      1      1
Small Pulse Laser      Right Torso      1      1
Small Pulse Laser      Left Torso      1      1


Cost = 23,451,700 C-bills