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Bodhi
Free Worlds League
Private
Joined: 22-Sep-2003 00:00
Posts: 18
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 Posted: 25-Sep-2003 01:18 Post subject: BCT-1A Bobcat |
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BattleMech Technical Readout
Type/Model: Bobcat BCT-1A
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3050
Config: Biped BattleMech
Rules: Level 1, Standard design
Mass: 30 tons
Chassis: Johnston Biped L-25-a2 Standard
Power Plant: 150 Pitban Fusion
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: 5 Pitban LFT-50 Standard Jump Jets
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor Type: Longanecker PlastiSteel Standard
Armament:
1 Lushann Redbeam Large Laser
2 Hovertec SRM 2s
Manufacturer: Mountain Wolf BattleMechs
Location: Alpheratz
Communications System: Magestrix Alpha
Targeting & Tracking System: Magestrix Gamma
==Overview:==
Following the relative success of the Merlin BattleMech, Mountain Wolf BattleMechs began looking for a follow-up design. Management wanted a companion that could work with the Merlin, be a low-cost design to cash in on the Merlin's market of mercenary and militias, and have compatible parts with the Merlin for ease of maintanence. The result was the Bobcat.
Originally tagged as the Mage (to maintain the Merlin theme), the marketing division of Mountain Wolf noticed a distinct similarity in design and function to both the the Panther and Wolfhound class BattleMechs and suggested a name change. The CEO of Mountain Wolf at the time, Duke Carlos Urbina, personally picked the name Bobcat.
The Bobcat began the design process in 3024, and began the prototype and trials phase in 3026. Although there were snags along the way, the standardized and common parts used in both the Merlin and the Bobcat offset many design challenges, shortening the time the Bobcat spent in the later design phases. As a result, the first production Bobcat rolled off the assembly lines in June 3027.
==Capabilities:==
Although the Bobcat is five tons lighter than the Panther and Wolfhound, it fits in nicely with the two. Faster than the Panther, but slightly slower than the Wolfhound (but more maneuverable thanks to the inclusion of Pitban Jump Jets, the Bobcat is capable of keeping up with either design. Like many designs that trades a bit of speed for firepower, the Bobcat has a bit of trouble keeping up with faster 'Mechs, but is more than able to put them out of action when it engages them. The top speed of 86 kph may seem slow for a light 'Mech, but the Bobcat is not designed as a scout and the firepower available more than offsets that.
The Bobcat was designed from the start to work in tandem with the Merlin. Typically, the Bobcat will be let the Merlin engage the target 'Mech while the Bobcat circles the target to keep it from escaping. Once, the Merlin has punched holes in the target, the Bobcat rushes in for the kill. This is made very easy with the combination of a Large Laser and dual SRM launchers. When infantry or vehicles are expected opponents, Inferno SRM ammunition is loaded. Although MechWarriors are superstitiously afraid of an Inferno ammunition explosion, they are no more volatile than any other ammunition.
Nearly every internal system is shared with the Merlin, with ease of maintenance a major selling point. Routine maintenance takes roughly 75% of the time as it does with comparably sized 'Mechs. By designing around common systems of the Merlin, logistics are simplified as well. This is another major selling point that seems to have worked since sales of the Merlin have increased somewhat since the introduction of the Bobcat.
The only major design problem was in the internal heat systems. In early production Bobcats, some of the heat flow piping leading between the fusion engine and the heat sinks was easily corroded and led to multiple coolant leaks. The problem was corrected in a recall and subsequent runs have not had this issue.
==Battle History:==
Perhaps the Bobcat's greatest moment of glory came in the so-called Ronin War following the formation of the Free Rasalhague Republic.
One of the mercenary units hired to defend the fledgling country was the Tigerstripe Terrors, a battalion-sized armor unit with a company of BattleMechs for support. The unit was assigned to cover the Richmond Pass on Last Frontier. Holding the Pass for FRR forces was very important because the planet's spaceport was located in the valley beyond, surrounded by the Kendall Mountains. If the Ronins held the pass, the planet would essentially wither on the vine.
Willis Kurita, a distaff relation to the ruling line of the Draconis Combine, led the attacking company of Ronins. Although technically in violation of the Coordinator's edicts by becoming Ronin, it is thought by ComStar that the Ronin had the tacit approval of the Coordinator and that the family of Willis Kurita would gain socially by allowing Willis to fight.
Piloting his family's heirloom Panther into the fight, Willis led the Ronin troops into the pass. At first it seemed as though the pass would fall to the Ronin MechWarriors. The Terrors might know the terrain, but the BattleMech is superior to tanks. The appearance of the Terrors 'Mech support changed that.
Willis Kurita spotted the Bobcat piloted by Jasmine Baxter and gave chase into the foothills. The fight lasted close to an hour with each MechWarrior using their machine to it's maximum. The duel between the Panther and Bobcat could best be described as cat-and-mouse, with each warrior sneaking around the rocks for a quick shot. Both sides scored devastating hits on the other and both 'Mechs were in bad shape by the end of the duel, but thanks to a lucky shot by Baxter, Kurita's Panther was knocked out of action. Rather than surrender, Kurita killed himself in ritual suicide. Although the Ronins took the pass, the death of their leader left them demoralized and they faltered during the FRR counterattack the next morning.
Baxter became a media darling of the FRR for a short while. Documentaries made much of the death of a Kurita family member, while downplaying the fact that Baxter was a mercenary. More importantly for Mountain Wolf BattleMechs, the publicity of the fight graphically demonstrated the abilities of the Bobcat over the Panther, and an increase in sales resulted. Grateful, Mountain Wolf BattleMechs awarded Baxter with her own Bobcat. Baxter has passed the Bobcat down to her son who is currently serving in the Free Worlds League.
==Variants:==
The only factory-built variant is the 1B. It removes the right side SRM launcher in favor of a machine gun and half a ton of ammunition in its place. However, this variant proved unpopular with MechWarriors and customers alike and is fairly uncommon as a result.
Mountain Wolf BattleMechs has been experimenting with the idea of adding advanced technology to the Bobcat. The prototype 1B replaces the standard Large Laser with an Extended Range model. The heat Sinks are upgraded to the "freezer" type to compensate for the extra heat generated.
==Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:==
Josiah "Doc" Scurlock
As a member of the Lincoln County Regulators mercenary company, Scurlock (almost certainly not his real name) was the first MechWarrior to achieve "Ace" status by making five kills in a Bobcat. Although three of the kills required assistance from teammates, two were solo efforts resulting from Scurlock's superior marksmanship. Scurlock's fifth kill was a solo kill of a Federated Suns Crusader in 3028. Scurlock managed this feat by ambushing the Crusader and shooting the Crusader's cockpit twice with the Bobcat's laser. Scurlock would later contend that the attack wan an ambush, but Scurlock's comrade's say that he was just as surprised as the Davion pilot was.
Sadly, Scurlock was killed in a raid in 3032.
==Deployment==
Like its big brother, the Merlin, the Bobcat is intended for the mercenary and militia market. Few Bobcats have been delivered to the regular House militaries simply because they have the resources to buy more specialized BattleMechs, although militias do purchase the design. However, mercenaries and militias must buy more generalized 'Mechs capable of multiple tasks.
The Bobcat has been spotted in units from one end of the Inner Sphere to the other and is especially popular with Mercenary units. It is rumored that Wolf's Dragoons bought the entire 3030 production run of Bobcats during their rebuilding following the Fourth Succession War.
Mountain Wolf BattleMechs produces an estimated 12-15 Bobcats per year and sells them all on the open market. Between 3030 and 3040, Mountain Wolf BattleMechs sold paired Merlins and Bobcats together for a discounted price. As a result of this marketing, and standardized parts between the two designs, many units that fielding the Merlin are also fielding the Bobcat.
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Type/Model: Bobcat BCT-1A
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Crits Mass
Int. Struct.: 51 pts Standard 0 3.00
Engine: 150 6 5.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 4 .00
(Heat Sink Loc: 2 LL, 2 RL)
Gyro: 4 2.00
Cockpit, Life Supt., Sensors: 5 3.00
Actuators: L: Sh+UA+LA+H R: Sh+UA+LA+H 16 .00
Armor Factor: 96 pts Standard 0 6.00
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 10 13
Center Torso (Rear): 4
L/R Side Torso: 7 10/10
L/R Side Torso (Rear): 3/3
L/R Arm: 5 9/9
L/R Leg: 7 13/13
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Crits Mass
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1 Large Laser RA 8 2 5.00
1 SRM 2 RT 2 50 2 2.00
(Ammo Locations: 1 CT)
1 SRM 2 LT 2 1 1.00
5 Standard Jump Jets: 5 2.50
(Jump Jet Loc: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 CT)
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TOTALS: 12 45 30.00
Crits & Tons Left: 33 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 2,175,940 C-Bills
Battle Value: 588
Cost per BV: 3,700.58
Weapon Value: 234 / 234 (Ratio = .40 / .40)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 10; MRDmg = 5; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 5J, Armor/Structure: 2/3
Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-, Overheat: 1
Class: ML; Point Value: 6
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If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love.
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Sir Henry
Team Bansai
Senior Tech Specialist
Joined: 04-Feb-2002 00:00
Posts: 4899
Location: United States
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| Posted: 25-Sep-2003 07:37 Post subject: RE: BCT-1A Bobcat |
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A little slow for a 30 ton, but with JJs it can be workable...
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Sir Henry
A Dragon in the disguise of a bunny, is still a Dragon.
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