BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Francisca FRC-5A
Designer: Snowjeepney
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: D
Tonnage: 35
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Star League / 2740
Rules (Current): Introductory
Rules (Era): Introductory
Rules (Year): Introductory
Total Cost: 3,004,898 C-Bills
Battle Value: 893
Structure: Standard
Power Plant: 210 Fusion
Walking Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Small Laser
2 LRM 5s
2 Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking: Unknown
================================================================================================
Overview:
Starting out in the planet of Franklin, Sarao Steelworks was a civilian vehicle manufacturer
for the Federated Suns during the first Star League Era, before expanding to manufacturing
and supplying Industrialmech parts. Eventually, the company expanded into building 'mechs
themselves; first by gaining a licence from Eden Corporation to produce their own Crosscut
Industrialmechs, and later on, they started building Wasps for the AFFS.
After the passing of the Preparedness Act of 2735, Sarao Steelworks saw an opportunity to
expand and create their own in-house designed battlemech, The company's efforts resulted in
a 35-ton battlemech known as the Franscisca, in which the design was quickly picked up by
the AFFS.
The DCMS occupation of Franklin during the First Succession War halted the production of the
Francisca battlemech, as the invaders appeared to have destroyed the "main" battlemech
facilities. However, the Kuritans actually destroyed a near-perfect replica of the
facilities, as Sarao Steelworks actually built their "batttlemech" facilities underground,
and duped the invaders into assuming otherwise, with a little help from the Gorgon
batallion; the actual reason for the halt in production was due to lack of supplies. After
Franklin was liberated and returned to the Davion fold, Sarao Steelworks started 'mech
production once again, starting with the Wasps, and later on with the Francisca, once the
supply lines have been re-established.
Capabilities:
Named after a type of throwing axe used in the Early Middle Ages by the Franks, the
Francisca was intended to be a direct competitor and/or replacement to the Wasp and Stinger
battlemechs currently fielded by the AFFS; although it failed to completely do the latter,
the Francisca was still purchased and deployed in signifcant numbers. Just like the "Bug
'mechs" that it is competing against, the Francisca has a top speed of 97.2 km/h, and has
comparable jumping distance courtesy of five jump jets, with one per leg, one per side
torso, and one on the center torso; this arrangement allows the Francisca to "twist" in
mid-air more easily, as well as lessening the stress put on the legs while jumping or
landing. It also helps that the Francisca has 6.5 tons of armor protection, which is
expected since the 'mech is virtually twice as heavy as its competition.
The Francisca has an eclectic mix of armaments, consisting of two Federated 5-Shot LRM-5
launchers for long-range bombardment, with one per side torso, and supplied with one ton of
ammo; the LRM ammo was initially planned to be placed in the center torso, but persistent
jamming issues led to the ammo bin being installed on the left torso instead. Backing up
the missile launchers are two arm-mounted ChisComp 39 Medium Lasers, with one mounted per
arm, as well as one ChisComp 32 Small Laser on the head. Finally, the Francisca also has a
hand actuator on each arm, allowing the 'mech to grapple, grab, or punch (or flip the bird)
if the situation calls for it. With only ten heat sinks to keep the 'mech cool, the pilot
must keep an eye on the heat gauge.
Deployment:
Prior to the fall of the Star League, the Francisca was often deployed in AFFS units that
were garrisoning worlds on the border with the Periphery, as well as units that got involved
in the Third Hidden War.
In the ranks of the AFFS, the Francisca is primarily deployed in recon lances, often being
paired up with Valkyries or Phoenix Hawk battlemechs.
Variants:
FRC-5B
- A relatively popular variant, this model swaps the two LRMs for two SRM-4 launchers,
turning the Francisca into a dedicated close-combat machine.
FRC-5C
-Almost similar to the 5B, but this model drops the Small Laser and shaves off a half-ton
of armor, in favor of a machine gun on the head, for anti-infantry combat. This variant is
often used for city fighting.
FRC-5D
-A minor field modification of the original, this variant drops the LRM-5 on the right
torso, in exchange for a Medium Laser and another heat sink.
================================================================================================
Equipment Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 3.50
Engine: 210 Fusion 9.00
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks (Single): 10 0.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 104 6.50
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 11 15
Center Torso (rear): 6
R/L Torso: 8 11
R/L Torso (rear): 5
R/L Arm: 6 10
R/L Leg: 8 11
================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Laser H 1 0.50
Jump Jet CT 1 0.50
Jump Jet RT 1 0.50
LRM 5 RT 1 2.00
Jump Jet LT 1 0.50
LRM 5 LT 1 2.00
LRM 5 (Ammo 24) LT 1 1.00
Medium Laser RA 1 1.00
Medium Laser LA 1 1.00
Jump Jet RL 1 0.50
Jump Jet LL 1 0.50
|
