Combat Vehicle Technical Readout
Name/Model: Joust Medium Tank BE701
Designer: Anonymous ONI agent
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Clan
Technology Rating: F
Tonnage: 40
Role: Skirmisher
Configuration: Combat Vehicle
Era/Year: Dark Age / 3086
Rules (Current): Standard
Rules (Era): Standard
Rules (Year): Standard
Total Cost: 1,613,267 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,074
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: 200 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 Series 7NC ER Large Laser
1 LRM 10
8 Series 2c Light Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Barcella Beta
Primary Factory: Irece
Communications: Build 1685/6 Tacticom
Targeting & Tracking: Series XXVIII IWS
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Overview:
The battlefield and commercial success of the SM1 tank destroyer encouraged Clan Nova
Cat’s scientists and merchants to bring another combat vehicle to market as quickly as
possible. Unfortunately for them, “as quickly as possible” was hampered by the Jihad,
and it wasn’t until 3077 that they succeeded in getting their new Joust medium tank into
the Clan’s touman.
Capabilities:
Though its light mass barely qualifies the Joust for inclusion in the medium weight class,
the tank is by no means weak on either armament or armor. Almost ten tons of Compound Beta
ferro-fibrous armor encases the Joust’s sensitive innards with protection equal to that of
many heavy tanks. An extended-range large laser provides the Joust’s primary offensive
armament, a threatening weapon to even the heaviest assault BattleMech. A nine-tube advanced
tactical missile system—liberally provided with three separate ammunition magazines to
offer a mix of munitions—sits beside the laser and allows the Joust’s gunner to engage
at any range. For close-in support, four light machine guns are spread across the turret in
a deadly phalanx.
The Joust is slower than many vehicles of comparable mass, but it is fast enough to move
with the heavier assault elements it is designed to accompany. In fact, when placed with
Mars or Ishtar Starmates it can act as heavy cavalry, given that it is normally much faster
than the rest of its Star. When placed against swifter enemies, the solution is simple:
trust in the thick armor, the big laser and the gunner’s skill.
Rumors have gathered around the Joust in recent months based on reports from the Triarii
that the ER large laser misfires without being triggered. As the Triarii Protectors are the
least-experienced units in the Republic Armed Forces, most observers put these reports down
to inexperience, but in the past two months similar reports have been made in the Draconis
Combine. If they prove true, it would be the first time quality complaints have been lodged
against an Irece manufacturer since the Nova Cats took over.
Deployment:
The Irece manufactory has been in full production since the first Joust tracked off the
assembly line, and Stars of this tank have been shipped to every Nova Cat second-line
Cluster and many front-line formations as well. A number have also been sighted in Draconis
Combine formations.
Many of the Nova Cats who remained inside The Republic with Devlin Stone brought Jousts with
them, and the RAF has been negotiating with the Nova Cat merchant caste to acquire a steady
supply of the tank. A number of the Hastati and Triarii are clamoring for this powerful tank
after seeing it in action on the Capellan border.
Variants:
Only one variant of the Joust has appeared, which replaces the advanced tactical missile
system with a ten-tube long-range missile battery. The savings in mass allows the tank to
add another four light machine guns, greatly increasing its anti-infantry ability and
utility in urban combat. Though the first BE701s are still undergoing testing on Irece, a
number of pundits have speculated that the Nova Cats intend to sell this version of the
Joust to Inner Sphere buyers, who might not have a logistical system able to procure the
expensive advanced tactical missiles. Reinforcing this supposition is the replacement of the
expensive XL engine with a cheaper standard engine, easily procurable away from Clan
production facilities.
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Equipment Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 4.00
Engine: 200 Fusion 13.00
Cruising MP: 5
Flanking MP: 8
Heat Sinks (Single): 12 2.00
Control Equipment: 2.00
Lift Equipment: 0.00
Power Amplifier: 0.00
Turret: 1.00
Armor Factor: 153 8.00
Type: Ferro-Fibrous
Armor
Value
Front: 45
R/L Side: 31
Rear: 20
Turret: 26
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Weapons and Ammo Location Tonnage
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ER Large Laser Turret 4.00
LRM 10 Turret 2.50
8 Light Machine Guns Turret 2.00
LRM 10 (Ammo 12) Body 1.00
Light Machine Gun (Ammo 100) Body 0.50
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Alpha Strike Statistics
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Point Value (PV): 29
TP: CV, SZ: 2, TMM: 2, MV: 10"t
Damage: (S) 3 / (M) 3 / (L) 2
Armor (A): 5, Structure (S): 2
Specials: CASE, IF1, SRCH, TUR(3/3/2, IF1)
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