An update to a previous attempt (all standard 3025 tech because that's how I roll)
Dusk Hunter OWL-1D
Mass: 60 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Succession Wars
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/X-E-D
Production Year: 3028
Cost: 4,868,160 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,243
Chassis: DUN T1 Standard
Power Plant: 240 Pitban Fusion 240 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 43.2 km/h
Maximum Speed: 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Maxmillian 43 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Parti-Kill Heavy PPC
1 Ceres Arms Model T Autocannon/10
2 Martell Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Majesty Metals and Manufacturing
Primary Factory: Dunianshire
Communications System: O/P 300 COMSET
Targeting and Tracking System: O/P 2000A
Overview:
The Dusk Hunter OWL-1D was introduced in 3028 during the 4th Succession War by
the Majesty Metals and Manufacturing company exclusively for the Magistracy of
Canopus.
Magestrix Kyalla Centrella understood that another Inner Sphere conflict would
bring opportunity for expansion and the Magistracy Armed Forces would need to
supliment its aging and primarily light mech forces with capable frontline
battlemechs. However the Canopus IV plant was already producing Mauraders, the
only option was the Dunianshire plant, however that facility lacked the
resources and production facilities to design and fabricate a Battlemech from
the ground up, and instead based the design on the Shadow Hawk's venerable
Lang T1 chassis leveraging the versatility of the mechs external mount points
to dock larger and more powerful weapons systems.
Capabilities:
The first hurdle was to reinforce the Lang T1 chassis to support the upgraded
armor and armament. Fortunately the simple yet robust Lang 1 chassis relied
heavily on external weapon mount-points which meant that a complete redesign of
the chassis would be unnecessary and only minor reinforcement would be required
to increase structural integrity to support the added weight, the new chassis
was dubbed the DUN T1 in honor of the Dunianshire plant. However the ease of
refitting the chassis created problems of its own. This meant that the Dusk
Hunter would only be able to support two primary weapons systems, the arm mount
bracket and the articulated shoulder mount. This was a huge concern for the
design team, as a heavy front-line mech the Dusk Hunter was expected to bring
firepower on par with other contemporary heavy units.
These mount-point limitations actually lead to an innovated design decision
that accelerated development and production exponentially. Rather than use high
demand integrated components like the Magna Hellstar PPC (Marauder MAD-3R
another Magistracy of Canopus staple), the less expensive and more accessible
vehicle developed Parti-Kill PPC would be used (Manticore tank and Leopard
dropship). The initial Dusk Hunter prototypes retained the battle-proven
Armstrong J11 Autocannon/5, but demand for greater firepower lead to the
controversial decision to incorporate the higher caliber Ceres Arms Model T
Autocannon/10, an unpopular weapon at the time, it was only beginning to see
use in the newly developed Hatchetman (HCT-3F), but was readily available
through Ceres.
Further testing proved the Core Tek 275 fusion engine underpowered for the
increased tonnage, and a debate ensued about this critical component. Majesty
Metals and Manufacturing already produced the Vlar 300 fusion engine, but
moving to larger heavy engine raised two concerns. One, the chassis would need
to be redesigned, something that would take considerable time; two, the impact
on Marauder production and repair. Ultimately engineers looked once again to
the Manticore tank and specifically its 240 Pitban Fusion engine (also produced
on Dunianshire). The 240 Pitban could be mounted in the Dusk Hunter without
reengineering the entire chassis, and would offer same performance as the Core
Tek 275 with a significant decrease in tonnage.
All other components, including targeting, communications, gyro, and Sparrow
300J life support, were retained from the original Shadow Hawk SHD-2H. However
the Pitban LFT-50 jump jets, already underpowered on the Shadow Hawk, were
abandoned completely for the Dusk Hunter.
Battle History:
Following the 4th Succession War, which saw bordering Capellan Confederation
fractured and greatly weakened, The Magistracy of Canopus saw an opportunity
for expansion. Allying with the newly formed Duchy of Andurien (formerly of the
Free Worlds League) the Canopian-Anderian incursion into Capellan space began
in 3030. While the Dusk Hunter OWL-1D distinguished itself on the battlefield,
ultimately logistics and communications issues lead to an unsuccessfully
conclusion to the land grab and the Magistracy forces returned following
significant losses.
However in 3036 the Dusk Hunter saw intense action as the 2 battalions of the
4th Regiment of the infamous Big MAC (The Leo's Demons of McCarron's Armored
Cavalry) invaded Canopus IV in a retaliatory strike. Though taken by surprise
and suffering heavy losses, the defending forces rallied inflicting massive
casualties on the invading force, the MAC was driven off after 3 days of brutal
fighting, they would not return.
Deployment:
Despite the proven effectiveness of the Dusk Hunter, limited productoin made it
an uncommon sight outside of the Magistracy.
Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:
Dusk Hunter pilot Ensign Delta Halis of the "2nd Canopian Cuirassiers"
distinguished herself during the surprise attack of 3036 by McCarron's Armored
Caverly". Durring the early hours of the engagement the "Cuirassiers", were
called to support "Raventhir's Iron Hand", commanded by the Magestrix's only
daughter Emma Centrella.
The "Cuirassiers" found the "Iron Hand's" position nearly overrun by assault
mechs. Despite being out of ammo, Halis piloted her Dusk Hunter between Emma
Centerlla's Vulcan and an approaching Atlas. The Dusk Hunters right arm and
remaining primary weapon disintegrated under the withering Autocannon fire.
With her primary weapons unavailable, Halis engaged the Atlas in melee combat
severely damaging the larger mechs leg actuators with a well-placed kick. The
Atlas responded with a thunderous hammer fist to the Dusk Hunters head
crumpling it and the supporting structure, and seriously injuring Halis. Barely
conscious and with numerous broken bones, Halis threw up the Dusk Hunters
remaining arm to fend off a second blow before buckling the Atlas's knee with a
final kick, crippling the massive mech.
Following the engagement Ensign Halis declined medical treatment and requested
only an ammo reload to continue fighting. Eventually Halis was treated for 6
broken ribs a punctured lung, and a fractured orbital socket. For her heroic
efforts she was awarded the Canopus Cluster, presented personally by Emma
Centrella.
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 99 points 6.00
Engine: Fusion Engine 240 11.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 12 2.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 HD, 1 CT, 1 LT
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 184 11.50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 20 28
Center Torso (rear) 7
L/R Torso 14 23
L/R Torso (rear) 5
L/R Arm 10 18
L/R Leg 14 24
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00
Autocannon/10 LT 3 7 12.00
Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
PPC RA 10 3 7.00
@AC/10 (20) LT - 2 2.00
Free Critical Slots: 30
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 12
4 2 3 1 0 3 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SOA
Edited by Agent.0.Fortune, 13 November 2011 - 03:47 PM.
6
). ER Small and Mediums are more BV filler. ER Medium lasers are, by far, one of the most BV effecient weapons ever. 108 BV for one ton and crit. I only wish I could have had room for more instead of the Medium Pulse Lasers, but crits can be so limiting.
