BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Gremlin (Black Falcon) GMN - 4J
Designer:           Kylo Kruis
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            30
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Jihad / 3073
Rules (Current):    Tournament Legal
Rules (Era):        Advanced
Rules (Year):       Experimental
Total Cost:         4,685,590 C-Bills
Battle Value:       1,171

Structure:            Standard
Power Plant:          210 XL
Walking Speed:        75.6 kph  
Maximum Speed:        118.8 kph 
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:             
    1 Medium Laser
    1 PPC
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

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Overview:
    Well known as one of the ugliest 'Mechs ever put into production, the Gremlin was designed
    to meet the Lyran Alliance's 'Specification X-1042' which called for a long range Light
    'Mech for low-medium intensity combat and general utility duties. Designed and built in the
    remarkably short time of 26 weeks, the Gremlin was first tested by the elite Skye Ranger
    'MechWarrior Mitt von Stalenhein in early February 3068 on Skye. During one of the test
    runs, von Stalenhein encountered 3 Word of Blake (formerly of the Lyran Alliance) Ursa
    MNR-3J 15 ton scout 'Mechs each armed with a Snub PPC. The Gremlin, with its Targeting
    Computer, easily destroyed them, despite being much slower. The Blakist 'MechWarriors were
    afterwards found out to be veterans. The Gremlin was placed into large scale production the
    next week and first entered service in early 3069 with the Skye Rangers. Other Lyran
    Alliance regiments adopted the 'Mech soon afterwards.
    
    During the test period, von Stalenhein noted an inherent instability at high speed in the
    early Gremlin design. With its long, spindly legs the Gremlin was apt to losing the tight
    turning circle that is expected from a BattleMech; often skidding in high speed
    'zero-turns'. To rectify this, a more complex terrain adjusting segmented 'crow's' foot was
    incorporated with a serrated base with improved traction over the standard solid foot.
    Additionally, fins similar to the rudders used on AeroSpace fighters were added to the
    design. They both help to keep the 'Mech stable at high speeds and during high speed turns
    the rear portion of the fin turns; effectively helping to steer the 'Mech.

Capabilities:
    Designed using several modern technologies, the Gremlin made full use of the Heavy
    Ferro-Fibrous armor that had recently been designed for the Lyran Alliance by Durallex for
    just such purposes. While this design of armor did not enter full scale production until
    almost a year after the 'Mech was designed, limited quantities of the technology were
    available for testing on Skye as early as November 3067 and it was this that was first
    fitted to the Gremlin.
    
    In an effort to strengthen ties with a powerful planet, designers opted to purchase
    production rights to the expensive but excellently designed Blackenburg Medium Laser and all
    new Light PPC which was later mated with an indigenous PPC Capacitor.
    
    As an interesting side note, if the Blackenburg Co. had put the deal with the Lyran
    Alliance on a lower priority then the Gremlin would most likely not exist in the form we see
    it today: the Jihad invaded Terra the week after the blueprints to the Medium Laser and
    Light PPC were sent to Skye.
    
    Contrary to popular belief, the gas canisters on the 'Mech's back are not Oxygen tanks for
    the life support system, which are internal for safety reasons, but pressurised Argon or
    Nitrogen depending on availability. The system, which can be automatic or manually engaged,
    floods pockets in the 'Mech's internal structure with the inflammable gas; reducing the
    chance of a fire or explosion in atmospheres where combustion is possible.
    
    As well as this, the Gremlin (in accordance with the original design brief) has excellent
    all-round vision, particularly in the downward and rearward directions.

Deployment:
    At the peak of its deployment with the Lyran Alliance in 3082, the Gremlin equipped most
    Lyran planets with a total of 80 'Mechs in the Skye area alone. It also had the distinction
    of serving with the Lyran Royal Guards, parading in front of Adam Steiner's procession after
    his first election in 3071.
    
    Used extensively during the battles of the Jihad era, the Gremlin was key to the victory in
    the battle of Benjamin III where it acted as a medium intensity patrol and reconnaissance
    'Mech. Once, a lance consisting of 4 Gremlin GMN-1Js encountered and destroyed a Blakist
    assault 'Mech whilst on patrol on Benjamin III by all the Gremlins concentrating their fire
    on one location using their Targeting computers.
    
    One of only a handful of 'Mechs to do so, the Gremlin worked in close co-operation with Clan
    Nova Cat during their assault against the Blakists on Benjamin III where it easily coped
    with fighting along side the superior Clan technology.

Variants:
    This variant, the GMN-4J, was developed from the GMN-2J and  was designed to meet the need
    for a cheaper, easier to manufacture 'Mech for the hoards of green 'MechWarriors flooding
    the ranks of the Inner Sphere during the wars of the Jihad. To do this, the engineers at
    Skye removed the ER PPC and replaced it with a standard PPC. As well as this, the Gremlin
    has the 'small' cockpit replaced with a 'standard' type for improved handling on tricky
    terrain.  For ease of manufacture, most other aspects of the 'Mech remain similar to the
    GMN-2J.
    
    In lower intensity areas, some Gremlins have 1 ton of armor removed and a C3 Slave added for
    improved lance communications or a Machine Gun with half a ton of ammo for areas with
    stronger infantry resistance. These simple modifications are often done outside the factory
    and are named GMN-4JA and GMN-4JB respectively.
    
    The GMN-4JA variant is easily identifiable by the large antenna on the right hand side
    (rather than the left side on the standard model) of the cockpit and the GMN-4JB by the
    Machine Gun mounted in the center torso.

Notable MechWarriors:
    To commemorate his victory, Mitt von Stalenhein was presented with his own personal Gremlin
    GMN-1J (No.14) in a special camouflage paint scheme with an advanced HUD and uprated
    electronics (see 'Mech photo). He frequently uses this 'Mech for light scouting duties and
    is an firm favorite of his in this role.

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Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                          Standard                  3.00                     
Engine:                                       210 XL                   4.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 7                                               
    Running MP:                                 11                                              
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         10 [20]                   0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  105                     5.50                     
    Type:                              Heavy Ferro-Fibrous                                      

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      10             16       
    Center Torso (rear):                               4       
    R/L Torso:                          7             12       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  2       
    R/L Arm:                            5             10       
    R/L Leg:                            7             14       

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Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                              CT                1          1.00             
Targeting Computer                                        RT                2          2.00             
PPC w/ Capacitor                                          LA                4          8.00