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Mosquito Spotter VTOL
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AWAD
Draconis Combine
Chu-sa
Chu-sa


Joined: 06-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 766

PostPosted: 27-Feb-2007 19:51    Post subject: Mosquito Spotter VTOL Reply to topic Reply with quote

BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout

Type/Model: Mosquito Spotter VTOL MOS-SFO1
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3060
Config: V.T.O.L.
Rules: Level 2, Standard design

Mass: 30 tons
Power Plant: 160 Magna Fusion
Cruise Speed: 108.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 162.0 km/h
Armor Type: Jolassa-328 Ferro-Fibrous

Armament:
1 Irian Beagle Beagle Active Probe
1 Garret Mole TAG
1 Improved Narc
1 Voelkers Parasol Anti-Missile System
Manufacturer: Brooks Incorporated
Location: Irian
Communications System: Irian E.A.R.
Targeting & Tracking System: Beagle Active Probe


Overview:
The Mosquito Spotter VTOL is exactly what its name implies, a helicopter designed to find, identify, and direct fire for other units. It was intentionally designed with a lack of any weapons. The pilot's single goal is recon and spotting. If he gets into trouble he is to run away or allow his escorts to take care of the problem while he focuses on the primary mission.

Brooks Incorporated is the unlikely designer and manufacturer of this vehicle. It is their first VTOL and the only unique and new VTOL designed and built in the Free Worlds League in 500 years. For a nation that prides itself on airpower and its space forces, VTOL design and forces languished in oblivion for a long time.

With all the new systems and weapons the FWL was churning out it was eventually discovered FWL forces had no real vehicle forces dedicated to putting rounds on target. So the LCCC put out an open bid. Almost no companies entered a bid or those that did were unknown design firms or those of questionable loyalty. Brooks Incorporated decided to make the big leap and design not just a VTOL but one with the latest technology.



Capabilities:
Brooks Incorporated had no experience with recon design or VTOL design. So they started with no preconceived notions of what it should be. This positive attitude allowed them to look at it from all angles but the drawback was the time it consumed.

Spotting was considered to be the Mosquito biggest role. So they gave it dual systems to perform its function. The Orestes Improved NARC beacon would be the primary system. Hard to acquire from the FRR but it was considered the best system for the mission. Secondary spotting system was the Garrett Mole Tag. This allowed to either guide artillery onto target or semi-guided missile ammunition.

The Irian Beagle Probe was mounted in a dome under the body of the Mosquito. Not very effective at forward looking but the good return with flying high altitude allowed it to find hidden units without them being aware of it. Also other then shots from directly below the expensive electronics are protected by the frame of the VTOL.

3.5 tons of Jolassa-328 from Kerr-McGinnis which was recently utilized on the new Galleon is used to protect the Mosquito. This allows the Mosquito to absorb a Gauss rifle hit. For added protection a Voelkers AMS with 2 tons of ammo was added. The fire control is on the right front skid and the actual AMS gun on the left skid.

The Irian EAR that is so famous on the Hermes II for its commo system was adapted to the Mosquito. Those were then routed directly into the Beagle targeting system. Tying into the NARC and TAG the information can be sent vast distances and even break through some basic ECM.

All in all an impressive system. Weighting in at 30 tons and carrying all the electronics a huge Magna 160 was needed to power it. Final cost ballooned but after initial field trials the LCCC was impressed and ordered a company on the spot. Every pilot has been impressed but have complained about the lack of weapons. The normal gun jockey need not apply.

The only two drawbacks that have been found is occasionally the AMS destroys its own NARC beacon as it is fired. The other is some commanders complain the limited NARC ammo means the Mosquito can not loiter for very long. Too often they are seen running to the rearm to rearm or rely on the TAG only.


Battle History:
To date the effectiveness has been par none. FWL troops have been very happy to see a pair of "giant skeeters" moving in to buzz around the enemy and harassing them.

Once they enemy decides to target the Mosquitoes the call sign "ORKIN" goes out and then the Mosquito's run away. At the same time the unit they are supporting move in to try and give cover.



Variants:
The SFO2 was developed after many commanders requested that it was better to have an inferior NARC with a lot more ammo than a superior NARC with little ammo.

To meet this Brooks decided on using Octagon Missile Magnet. By doing this they were able to carry two tons of ammo. The AMS ammo was also increased by one ton to make up for the extra loiter time the Mosquito would experience.


Deployment
Unlike most vehicles the Mosquito is not assigned to part of a company or any formation. A pair of Mosquitos and ground crew are assigned to either battlion of regiement level, vehicile or Mech. Each Mosquito unit can be shifted to different units as the needs arise.
One issue that has been found is they do need escort. The LCCC in the short term is trying to buy suitable VTOLs but has also put out a new contract.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model: Mosquito Spotter VTOL MOS-SFO1
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Items Mass

Internal Structure: 15 pts Standard 0 3.00
Engine: 160 Fusion 0 6.00
Shielding & Trans Equip: 0 3.00
Cruise MP: 10
Flank MP: 15
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 1.50
Crew: 2 Members 0 .00
Rotor Equipment: Main/Tail Rotors 0 3.00
Armor Factor: 63 pts Ferro-Fibrous 2 3.50

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 3 21
Left / Right Sides: 3 15/15
Rear: 3 10
Rotor: 3 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weapons & Equipment: Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
1 Beagle Active Probe Front 0 1 1.50
1 TAG Front 0 1 1.00
1 Improved Narc Front 0 4 2 6.00
1 Anti-Missile System Front 0 12 2 1.50
TOTALS: 0 8 30.00
Items & Tons Left: 3 .00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 2,329,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 518
Cost per BV: 4,496.14
Weapon Value: 1 / 1 (Ratio = .00 / .00)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 0; MRDmg = 0; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 10V, Armor/Structure: 0 / 3
Damage PB/M/L: -/-/-, Overheat: 0
Class: VA, Point Value: 5
Specials: tag, prb

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Created with HeavyMetal Vee
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Karagin
Imperial Karagin Army
Imperial General
Imperial General


Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 4120
Location: United States
PostPosted: 27-Feb-2007 21:13    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

Nice pain the neck, arm, leg etc...I can see these things driving folks nuts as arty rains down or long range missile fire slams into them.

Well done.
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Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato

"Wasted trip Man. Nobody said nuthin' about lockin' horns with no tigers." Oddball
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Sleeping Dragon
Draconis Combine
Tai-i
Tai-i


Joined: 06-Apr-2005 00:00
Posts: 4820
Location: Czech Republic
PostPosted: 28-Feb-2007 02:23    Post subject: Reply to topic Reply with quote

It looks nice, but it's a big VTOL... Well extra internal structure in rotor is handy Very Happy

If it moves a lot then it may last and cause some major damage.
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