BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Fennec FEC-5CMC
Designer: Alisa Wolfstein
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere (Mixed)
Technology Rating: F
Tonnage: 55
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Republic / 3106
Rules (Current): Advanced
Rules (Era): Advanced
Rules (Year): Experimental
Total Cost: 14,268,267 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,944
Chassis: Endo Steel
Power Plant: 275 XL
Walking Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Ferro-Lamellor
Armament:
2 Large Pulse Lasers (C)
2 ER Small Lasers (C)
2 Flamers (C)
Manufacturer: Corean Enterprises
Primary Factory: Augusta
Communications: PCE-5X1 "Zapper" with Angel ECM Suite
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown with Bloodhound Active Probe
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Overview:
The Federated Suns was quick to copy the Draconis Combine?s C3 technology during the
post-REVIVAL era of détente. By the outbreak of the Jihad, the AFFS had deployed C3 systems
heavily throughout its front-line forces. Despite this strong adoption, the Suns would learn
harsh lessons from the Word of Blake on the effective use of C3 in combat. The FedSuns had
concentrated their C3 master systems in primarily heavy and assault units. Among their
BattleMech forces, only the imported Cyclops and Gunslinger could serve as lance leaders and
their only standard company command units were tanks. This proved a dangerous limitation as
the Word was easily able to outmaneuver these units, isolating them with ECM or destroying
them outright. While the Suns had been successfully experimenting with their new boosted C3
systems and a company command version of the Cyclops, it was still very clear that a more
mobile and durable C3 master unit was needed. The Fennec is the byproduct of that
realization.
Capabilities:
The Fennec project took advantage of development work done to bring the Legionnaire to
production. Built on an early Legionnaire chassis design, the Fennec uses several of the
same base components as the cavalry ?Mech. Though equipped with an extra-light VOX 330, the
FedSuns? new C3 master machine is slower than its Legionnaire cousin. The reduced speed
allows the Fennec to carry nearly twice the weapon tonnage as the Legionnaire and still have
room to mount a C3 Master Computer system.
The dual arm-mounted PPC/medium pulse laser combination is reminiscent of battle-proven
designs like the Warhammer and Marauder, giving it a reasonable long range punch and some
close-in defense. The arm weapons pods make for easier maintenance, but have led to problems
in combination with the Fennec?s narrow, digitigrade legs if the ?Mech loses its footing. An
examination of the design?s compactly-designed torso explains the decision to mount the
weapons in the arms (and probably why this chassis was not chosen for the final
Legionnaire), but does not change this weakness of the handless design.
The use of standard-grade PPCs is another interesting note as it limits the maximum range of
a design that should avoid short-range combat at all costs. Analysts are split on the
reasoning for this, with most believing this is an attempt to limit the heat burden on a
design that can ill afford losing speed due to overheating. A smaller group wonders if this
might be a sign of technology shortages in the Federated Suns, pointing to the recent
collapse of the military market in the post-Jihad recession that is gripping that nation.
Deployment:
The Fennec has only seen a small initial production run so far. The entirety of this run was
distributed to the Davion CGuards, with the Assault and Heavy Guards? medium strike
companies receiving the lion?s share.
The unveiling of the Fennec has provided some missing intelligence from Federated Suns'
conflicts against the Taurian Concordat in 3080. The Davion Assault Guard conducted several
rapid deployment strikes that put the TDF off-balance. Reports of an ultra-fast Marauder
leading a force of Centurions, Enforcers, and Firestarter Omnis that hit with incredible
accuracy were initially discounted as fog of war or a modified Maelstrom. It is now believed
that this was an early prototype of the Fennec.
Variants:
A single planned variant is undergoing field trials. The FEC-3C is designed to be a
companion to the 1CM. It removes the master computer, replacing it with a C3 slave. The
medium pulse lasers are replaced with twin light PPCs and two heat sinks are added to the
engine, allowing the slave Fennec to maintain a higher level of sustained fire. Initial
deployments are still at least a year away, as the engineers are reworking the gyro to
handle the drop of weight on the right side with the swapping out of the heavy C3 master for
a one-ton slave.
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Equipment Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo Steel 3.00
Engine: 275 XL (C) 8.00
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks (Double): 12 [24] (C) 2.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 182 13.00
Type: Ferro-Lamellor (C)
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 18 27
Center Torso (rear): 6
R/L Torso: 13 21
R/L Torso (rear): 5
R/L Arm: 9 18
R/L Leg: 13 26
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Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
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C3 Computer (Master) RT 5 5.00
Angel ECM Suite LT 2 2.00
Bloodhound Active Probe LT 3 2.00
ER Small Laser (C) RA 1 0.50
Flamer (C) RA 1 0.50
Large Pulse Laser (C) RA 2 6.00
ER Small Laser (C) LA 1 0.50
Flamer (C) LA 1 0.50
Large Pulse Laser (C) LA 2 6.00
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Alpha Strike Statistics
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Point Value (PV): 55
TP: BM, SZ: 2, TMM: 2, MV: 10"
Damage: (S) 4 / (M) 3 / (L) 3, OV: 1
Armor (A): 7, Structure (S): 3
Specials: AECM, BH, C3M, CR, ENE, MHQ5, RCN, TAG
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