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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Viper VP-4
Designer:           Hotwire
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  D
Tonnage:            70
Role:               Brawler
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Succession Wars / 2841
Rules (Current):    Introductory
Rules (Era):        Introductory
Rules (Year):       Introductory
Total Cost:         6,150,373 C-Bills
Battle Value:       1,496

Chassis:              Crucis-B* 
Power Plant:          VOX 280 
Walking Speed:        43.2 kph  
Maximum Speed:        64.8 kph  
Jump Jets:            Chilton 465 
    Jump Capacity:    120 meters
Armor:                Riese 500
Armament:             
    2 Magna Mark III Large Lasers
    5 Intek Medium Lasers
Manufacturer:         Kallon Industries
    Primary Factory:  Asuncion
Communications:       Garret T11-B2
Targeting & Tracking: Garret A6

================================================================================================
Overview:
    In 2840, during the Second Succession War, the Capellan Confederation managed to conquer the
    world of Asuncion from the Free Worlds League and in doing so took possession of the Kallon
    Industries facility located there. In assessing its new 'Mech factory, House Liao decided to
    restart Viper production to establish another source of heavy BattleMechs. Due to the
    degradation of technology caused by the war,  a downgraded variant, the VP-4, was designed
    and by 2841 was being manufactured by Kallon. Output however was low due to the competing
    production of the Viper's sister BattleMech the Crusader. By 2847 Asuncion was once again in
    the hands of House Marik and further manufacture of the VP-4 Viper was stopped.

Capabilities:
    The Viper in all its variants is an excellent frontline BattleMech with great endurance
    thanks to the decent damage output of its laser-based weaponry, solid armor protection and
    mobility. In particular it excels at independent operations, either in spearheading or
    opposing reconnaissance missions.  The VP-4 was the first variant that was no longer capable
    of being produced with any Star League era technology. An attempt was made to keep the
    overall design as similar to the VP-1 as possible, but compromises had to be made in the
    engine, weapons, heat management systems and armor in manufacturing this model of the Viper.
    Efforts were made to deal with the 'Mech's problematic MechWarrior ejection due to the
    obstructing communications array by slightly reducing the cockpit armor, but this failed to
    solve the problem. Even so, the variant is an effective BattleMech despite the realities
    imposed by the Third Succession War, as is the VP-5 that followed.  However, the
    modifications necessary to the Crucis-B chassis to produce the Viper caused Kallon to favor
    manufacturing the Crusader BattleMech and by the early 31st century the Viper was all but
    extinct on the battlefield. Quirks: Improved Communications, Rugged (1), Searchlight,
    Difficult Ejection.

Deployment:
    The VP-4 Viper is a rare BattleMech, found mostly in House Liao line regiments and Warrior
    Houses.

Variants:
    The original VP-1 model contained advanced Star League era technology - an XL engine, double
    heat sinks and pulse and binary laser weaponry. Subsequent variants contained downgraded
    technology due to the widespread loss of scientific expertise due to the destruction caused
    by the Succession Wars. The VP-5, first produced during the Third Succession War by the Free
    Worlds League on both Asuncion and Bernardo, is the most common variant and like the VP-4
    carries an all laser weapon load.

Notable MechWarriors:
    Subcommander Sorcha McBride is a Strike Lance commander in Ambermarle's Highlanders and a
    strong proponent of the "dump and chase" tactic favored by her battalion wherein two Lances
    of mobile 'Mechs drop behind enemy lines in hopes of being chased by opposing units. With
    the enemy so distracted, the remainder of the Highlanders attack en masse.  Her VP-4 Viper,
    "Lilith," is perfect for these missions and McBride's luck and skill in executing them have
    earned her praise from her superiors and induction into the Order of the Legion of Liao.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                          Standard                  7.00                     
Engine:                                     280 Fusion                16.00                     
    Walking MP:                                 4                                               
    Running MP:                                 6                                               
    Jumping MP:                                 4                                               
Heat Sinks (Single):                            19                     9.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  208                    13.00                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              8       
    Center Torso:                      22             38       
    Center Torso (rear):                               6       
    R/L Torso:                         15             23       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  7       
    R/L Arm:                           11             22       
    R/L Leg:                           15             26       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser                                            CT (R)              1          1.00             
Medium Laser                                              RT                1          1.00             
Medium Laser                                              LT                1          1.00             
Large Laser                                               RA                2          5.00             
Medium Laser                                              RA                1          1.00             
Large Laser                                               LA                2          5.00             
Medium Laser                                              LA                1          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                               RL                2          2.00             
2 Jump Jets                                               LL                2          2.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 35
TP: BM,  SZ: 3,  TMM: 1,  MV: 8"j
Damage: (S) 3 / (M) 3 / (L) 0,  OV: 1
Armor (A): 7,  Structure (S): 6
Specials: ENE, REAR1/1/-
 
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Code Release 2.24.13.1 (2024-09-02T12:52:21-04:00)