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Nightward
Clan Wolf
Point Commander
Joined: 19-Sep-2003 00:00
Posts: 39
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 Posted: 20-Sep-2003 21:38 Post subject: The HACS-01 MG-MP Hunter- A Low-Cost OmniMech |
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Type: HACS-01 MG-MP Hunter
Technology Base: Inner Sphere, 3060
Mass: 55 Tons
Chassis: Hunter Endo Steel
Power Plant: Core Tek 275
Cruising Speed: 54.0 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: None on Base Chassis
Jump Capacity: None as Standard
Armour: Durallex Special Medium with CASE
Armament:
18 Tons of Pod Space
Communications System: OmniCron-12R
Targeting and Tracking System: TargeTrak-12S
Primary Manufacturer: Trinity Alliance
Primary Factory: Canopus (Magistracy of Canopus), Taurus (Taurian Concordat), Sian (Capellan Confederation)
OVERVIEW
Although in recent times the Trinity Alliance has faltered somewhat, one of the more daring parts of the program was the institution of technology exchange. This led to the joint development of the Marshall, and when the Capellan Confederation released the technical blueprints for its new Men Shen OmniMech to the other two members of the Alliance, no-one expected anything to come of it, as the two Periphery nations seemed to be far too backwards to be able to maintain, let alone produce, sophisticated OmniMechs themselves.
The wily Periphery dwellers, however, have gotten past the thorny issue of high technology by approaching the situation from a unique perspective. Rather than rely upon high-technology Omni mounts and sophisticated software packages to control them, the Alliance members turned back the clock and used much simpler arrangements to arrive at the Hunter, using simple standardised bolt-on panels to mount its weapons arrays.
The team decided to base the Hunter around the successful Marshall, but instead of employing modular arms and torso slots, the Hunter comes with two arm assemblies, which are replaced as needed to house the required weapons systems. One arm only holds the usual Shoulder Actuator, ending in a heavy-duty bolt-on affair to which heavy weapons mounts can be attached. The second arm assembly is a more conventional 'Mech arm, with a bolt-on coupling and hand actuators. The smaller bolt-on panel allows for the attachment of anything up to a Large Laser.
The Torsos are home to another pair of bolt-on panels. They have been designed to feed into the Hunter’s CASE-lined ammunition bins. These torso mounts are able to hold missile and ballistic weapons, and there are also provisions for energy weapon mounts.
The Hunter is even more unusual to other OmniMechs in that it does not use a standard Targeting Computer. The designers of the Hunter, knowing that it would have a variety of weapons configurations, needed to ensure its versatility, though they could not turn to the usual avenue to solve the problem, as the Alliance would be hard-pressed to maintain such advanced computers. Instead, the design team bought a 'Mech simulator pod and stripped out its targeting CPU, analysing it and working out how to integrate it with a normal 'Mech targeting system. Though unorthodox, the simple elegance of this solution has astounded the House militaries- by wedding these two seemingly disparate technology bases, the Hunter’s design team managed to create a low-cost targeting system capable of analysing the Hunter and its current configuration and adjusting its fire control accordingly, thanks to a CPU capable of handling any of thousands of different 'Mech types and armaments.
The only part of the Hunter that uses conventional OmniMech technology is the gyroscope; the design team were unable to solve the problems which have been plaguing even the Clans for their centuries of OmniMech use. In order to ensure the 'Mech’s stability, the team was forced to use an OmniMech Gyroscope- but the thrifty Canopians have managed to sub-contract the part from Free Worlds League factories that use the same parts on their Firestarter OmniMech.
In sum, the Hunter has been designed to serve as a flexible workhorse, stepping into the shoes of specialty 'Mechs as needed or acting as a battle design in normal use.
CAPABILITIES
Based around the heavy-duty Core Tek 275 engine that has powered the venerable “55-Ton Trio” (Griffon, Shadow Hawk, and Wolverine), the Hunter takes existing technology and builds upon it for incredible versatility. With an Endo Steel frame to keep weights down, and fully armoured with 11.5 tons of Durallex Special Medium armour, the Hunter is a resilient design. Coupled with CASE to protect the valuable 'Mech from ammunition explosions, the Hunter’s field life is excellent.
Capable of moving at almost 90 kph over clear ground and equipped with Double Heat Sinks, the Hunter’s base chassis is a marvel of simplicity, effectiveness, and cost efficiency.
The Hunter Prime is designed to serve as a replacement to the Shadow Hawk in the Alliance’s most elite units. Armed with an adapted Armstrong J11 Autocannon on the right arm hardpoint and an LRM-10 on the left shoulder, he Hunter Prime also carries a pair of Medium Lasers for close-up firepower. Thanks to its suite of Double Heat Sinks, the Hunter Prime is capable of using every weapon on board without regard for heat.
The Hunter A is a powerful fire-support unit, and is capable of serving the role of a War Hammer in a pinch. Armed with massive dual PPCs, the Hunter A’s formidable long-range punch is augmented with a pair of Medium Lasers for close-range work. A pair of additional Double Heat Sinks leaves the Hunter A remarkably heat-efficient.
The Hunter B is designed to serve as an independent operations 'Mech. Armed with a pair each of SRM-4s and Medium Lasers, the Hunter B’s primary punch comes from its right arm-mounted Large Laser. 5 Jump Jets allow for exceptional maneuverability, and thanks to the pair of additional Double Heat Sinks added to the base chassis, the Hunter B is all-but immune to heat concerns. Unsurprisingly, this variant has become a firm favourite amongst the few ‘MechWarriors assigned to Hunters.
The Hunter C serves as a missile-support 'Mech, armed with a pair of LRM-15s. However, with no back-up weapons and only 16 salvoes available, the Hunter C sees little use outside of assaults on or defenses of static positions where it can be protected by its Lancemates and resupply is not a concern.
The Hunter D is the purpose-built, city-fighting Hunter variant. This variant is equipped with Jump Jets for ease of movement, and armed with a six-pack of Medium Lasers, backed up by a pair of SRM-4s, allowing for a withering short-range barrage. These weapons are backed up by a pair of Machine Guns for infantry suppression duties.
DEPLOYMENT
Currently deployed only sparingly, all Hunters have gone to the most elite warriors available. Although production is proceeding at unprecedented rates, the Hunter’s recent origins and distance between manufacturing firms have conspired to keep the 'Mech rare- though the fact that the Chancellor has set aside a production line on Sian for the Hunter has raised hopes of more extensive deployment in the near future.
VARIANTS
The Capellan Confederation has recently begun to show interest in the Hunter, largely due to its low-cost nature and excellent potential. It is rumoured that the Capellan variant used in the CCAF has more advanced software; all variants sighted so far have had different weapons packages as well.
COST ANALYSIS
The Hunter’s base chassis costs just 5,407,339 C-Bills, which is about a 15% increase in cost over a 3025-era SHD-2H Shadow Hawk. With all of the “Omni” variant pods included, the 'Mech totals out to just 7,324,527- a marvel of design efficiency.
MY BLURB
A low-cost OmniMech capable of doing whatever needs to be done. The name, designation, and primary configuration are all ripped off of DP9’s flagship Heavy Gear.
MASS BREAKDOWNS
Engine: 15.5
Gyro: 3
Cockpit: 3
Endo Steel: 3
Armour: 11.5
2 CASE: 1
Pod Space: 18 Tons
GAME STATISTICS
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Total Heat Sinks: 10 (20) Double Heat Sinks
Notes: Endo Steel Chassis
ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION
Head: 9
Centre Torso: 27/8
Side Torsos: 20/6
Arms: 18
Legs: 26
BVs
Base Chassis: 727
Prime: 1,115
A: 1,266
B: 1,322
C: 1,193
D: 1,386
LOCATIONS
Base Chassis
3 Endo Steel- Each Arm
2 Endo Steel, 1 CASE- Each Side Torso
2 Endo Steel- Each Leg
Prime
A/C-5, 1 Ton A/C Ammunition- Right Arm
LRM-10, 2 Tons LRM Ammunition- Left Torso
2 Medium Lasers- Centre Torso
A
1 Double Heat Sink, 1 PPC- Each Arm
2 Medium Lasers- Centre Torso
B
Large Laser- Right Arm
2 Medium Lasers- Left Arm
1 Double Heat Sink, 2 Jump Jets, SRM-4, 1 Ton SRM Ammunition- Each Torso
Small Laser- Head
Jump Jet- Centre Torso
C
LRM-15, 2 Ton LRM Ammunition- Each Arm
D
Medium Laser- Head
Jump Jet, Medium Laser- Centre Torso
Double Heat Sink, 2 Jump Jets, SRM-4, 1 Ton SRM-4 Ammunition (Left Torso also has 1 Ton MG Ammunition)- each Side Torso
2 Medium Lasers, 1 Machine Gun- Each Arm
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