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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Hermit Crab HCR-1A
Designer:           Knightrunner
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            50
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Clan Invasion / 3050
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Standard
Rules (Year):       Standard
Total Cost:         4,526,000 C-Bills
Battle Value:       1,452

Chassis:              Endo Steel
Power Plant:          250 Fusion
Walking Speed:        54 kph    
Maximum Speed:        86.4 kph  
Jump Jets:            None
    Jump Capacity:    None
Armor:                Standard
Armament:             
    2 PPCs
    3 Medium Lasers
Manufacturer:         Unknown
    Primary Factory:  Unknown
Communications:       Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown

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Overview:
    Impressed with the dependable Crab design, House Kurita attemped to develop its own version
    that could be manufactured wihin the Combine.  The design team was ordered to keep the mech
    as cheap and easy to maintain as possible.  The result was an inexpensive, versatile mech
    with strong firepower that is well suited to extended campaigns.
    
    In computer simulations against Clan forces, the shorter range of the standard PPCs
    forced test pilots to scuttle from cover to cover, using terrain to its maximum advantage.
    This jerky movement reminded one tech of a hermit crab searching for a new shell, and "Crab
    Refit 3-A" was immediately renamed.

Capabilities:
    The basic Crab chassis has been upgraded to Endo-Steel to make space for additional weapons,
    and the armor downgraded to standard for ease of repair.  The old large lasers were replaced
    with standard PPCs, the small laser pulled and additional medium lasers added for additional
    short range firepower.  The team also mounted twin hand actuators under the PPCs; a nod to
    the minimum range limitations on the Hermit Crab's main weapons.  Although the mech's
    firepower and speed are unexceptional when compared to Clan forces and many modern IS
    designs, this is seen as a minor drawback.  Hermit Crabs are meant to be deployed en masse;
    skilled pilots working together should be able to neutralize most threats.
    
    With full armor, a standard engine, and a pure energy weapons loadout the Hermit Crab can
    absorb quite a beating.  The standard armor and cheap weapons are in plentiful supply
    throughout the Combine, making this one of the most durable mechs in the Kurita aresenal.

Deployment:
    Prototype Hermit Crabs have been field tested in a punitive raid against Periphery bandits.
    The mechs fared even better than expected, and concerns about the minimum range of the
    standard PPCs proved baseless.  When a bandit Panther jumped within the minimum range of a
    Hermit Crab's PPCs, the pilot immediately dispatched it with a punch and a trio of laser
    blasts.  The design team is hoping to begin full-scale production after the next round of
    tests are complete.

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Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 2.50                     
Engine:                                     250 Fusion                12.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 5                                               
    Running MP:                                 8                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 0                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         11 [22]                   1.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  169                    11.00                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      16             25       
    Center Torso (rear):                               7       
    R/L Torso:                         12             19       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  5       
    R/L Arm:                            8             16       
    R/L Leg:                           12             24       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                              H                 1          1.00             
2 Medium Lasers                                           CT                2          2.00             
PPC                                                       RA                3          7.00             
PPC                                                       LA                3          7.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
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Point Value (PV): 36
TP: BM,  SZ: 2,  TMM: 2,  MV: 10"
Damage: (S) 3 / (M) 3 / (L) 2,  OV: 1
Armor (A): 6,  Structure (S): 4
Specials: ENE