BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Longrifle ((Perrin42's Mech)) LRF-8B
Designer: The Grand Poobah
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: E
Tonnage: 65
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Civil War / 3067
Rules (Current): Tournament Legal
Rules (Era): Tournament Legal
Rules (Year): Tournament Legal
Total Cost: 5,660,600 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,206
Chassis: Endo Steel
Power Plant: Nissan 260
Walking Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Starshield with CASE
Armament:
1 Corean Light Gauss Rifle
1 Magna Mark III Large Laser
2 Imperator Smoothie-2 Autocannon/2s
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications: Corean Transband-J9
Targeting & Tracking: Corean B-Tech
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Overview:
Corean Enterprises executives laid out plans in early 3059 for a battlemech design to take
advantage of their new breakthrough in weaponry, the light gauss rifle. The Longrifle
Project was originally intended as a line battlemech to compete with the Warhammer, however,
design and procurement problems forced the initial prototypes to be scrapped in favor of a
fire-support model.
Capabilities:
Despite the selection of the fire-support prototype, the Longrifle still bears some
attributes of the original plan for a line battlemech. The reinforced skeleton for the
chassis is bulky due to the incorporation of endo-steel construction techniques, but the
overall profile is very small for a sixty-five ton battlemech. Many fire-support mechs do
not bother with maintaining a small profile, as they are rarely intended to engage in direct
combat. Engineers felt that the reduced profile could only benefit the Longrifle and
therefore chose to use the XIV chassis instead of the proposed XIV-b. The chassis is
covered by ten tons of Starshield plate, which is more than adequate protection for a
support mech considering contemporaries such as the Rifleman, Catapult, and Jagermech.
Armor for the chassis was actually decided upon before the final decision for a prototype.
Ten tons was chosen to make direct competition with the Warhammer, which also carries ten
tons of armor plate.
To ensure the Longrifle would have an advantage in range, Corean developed a weapons package
to allow it to engage targets at very extreme distances. Falling off at over seven-hundred
meters, the Longrifle does not lack reach with its Corean light gauss rifle. Intended as
the focus of the weapons package, the light gauss rifle can deliver respectable damage well
outside the range of many other weapons systems. With two full tons of ammunition, the
Longrifle has an adequate supply for sniping at targets outside of standard engagement
envelopes. Supporting the new light gauss rifle are a pair of Imperator Smoothie-2 light
autocannons. Not very common among battlemechs, the light autocannon are ideal weapons to
support the light gauss rifle. Boasting a maximum range just under that of the main
armament, and with enough rounds for sustained fire for three minutes, the Smoothie-2s make
a nice addition to the weapons
complement on the Longrifle.
A point of contention among the design team, the Magna Mk III Heavy Laser wraps up the
weapons package. Many team members argued that the Longrifle should carry several medium
lasers instead of the larger Magna, however, senior team members successfully argued that
the heavy laser provided better support for a battlemech that should not stray too close to
combat. Citing the several battles where Whitworth pilots attempted to finish off foes
after expending their missile stores, only to be defeated in close, they did not want the
same temptation for pilots of the Longrifle.
Deployment:
Currently involved in combat trials, the Longrifle is awaiting deployment with several units
in the Free Worlds League. Some analysts predict that if the trials go well, the Longrifle
will be sent to Free Worlds League units to replace the venerable Rifleman. Whether being
fielding alongside the Rifleman, or replacing it, the Longrifle is still several months away
from deployment as designers
continue to conduct trails on the design. Spokesmen for Corean have stated that they plan
for an aggressive marketing campaign within the Free Worlds League, as this newly developed
design comes in well under the costs of newer battlemechs.
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Equipment Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo Steel 3.50
Engine: 260 Fusion 13.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks (Single): 10 0.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 160 10.00
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 21 23
Center Torso (rear): 8
R/L Torso: 15 17
R/L Torso (rear): 6
R/L Arm: 10 15
R/L Leg: 15 22
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Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
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Large Laser CT 2 5.00
Autocannon/2 (Ammo 45) RT 1 1.00
CASE RT 1 0.50
CASE LT 1 0.50
Light Gauss Rifle (Ammo 16) LT 1 1.00
2 Autocannon/2s RA 2 12.00
Light Gauss Rifle LA 5 12.00
================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics
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Point Value (PV): 27
TP: BM, SZ: 3, TMM: 1, MV: 8"
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 2 / (L) 2, OV: 0
Armor (A): 5, Structure (S): 5
Specials: CASE
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