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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Tarantula ZPH-1A
Designer:           Catalyst Game Labs
Source(s):          Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade
                    Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged
                    Record Sheets: 3055 & 3058
                    Record Sheets Volume 6, 3055 'Mechs
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            25
Role:               Scout
Configuration:      Quad BattleMech
Era/Year:           Clan Invasion / 3054
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Standard
Rules (Year):       Standard
Total Cost:         3,560,417 C-Bills
Battle Value:       666

Chassis:              Corean IX (Quad) 
Power Plant:          Nissan 200 XL
Walking Speed:        86.4 kph  
Maximum Speed:        129.6 kph 
Jump Jets:            Rawlings 75 
    Jump Capacity:    240 meters
Armor:                StarSlab/2
Armament:             
    2 Magna Mark II Medium Lasers
    1 Hovertec Streak SRM 2
Manufacturer:         Corean Enterprises MacAdams-Suharno
    Primary Factory:  Stewart
Communications:       Garret T10-B
Targeting & Tracking: Corean Calcmaster

================================================================================================
Overview:
    The recent success of the GOL-3M Goliath has prompted Corean Enterprises to take another
    look at four-legged 'Mech designs. In an effort to avoid the kind of problems shown by the
    poorly regarded Scorpion, the designers decided on an entirely new purpose for the quad
    chassis. Intended to serve as a light recon 'Mech, the Tarantula is the first four-legged
    design to mount jump jets.

Capabilities:
    Corean designers decided to take advantage of the stability and maneurerability provided by
    a four-legged chassis to build an extemely agile recon 'Mech. The resulting design combined
    the squat, four-legged look of the Scorpion with the sleek lines of the Mercury.
    
    A primary concern was to improve the pilot's comfort, since quad 'Mechs are notorious
    for giving MechWarriors a bumpy ride. Care was given to enlarging the cockpit and to
    installing a special seat that helps negate the jarring bounces that occur whenever the
    Tarantula crests a hill. The 'Mech's legs are equipped with sophisticated shock absorbers,
    which not only smooth the ride, but help absorb the enormous impact of a 240-meter jump.
    
    The Tarantula's armor protection is good for a 'Mech of its size, and also spread more
    evenly around the front and back than is usual. In addition, the 'Mech's legs are heavily
    armored and reinforced to prevent loss of the limbs during battle or landing.
    
    The Tarantula's primary weapons are two Magna Mk II medium lasers, mounted in raised
    pods on the upper surface and the left and right torso. The Tarantula also sports a Hovertec
    Streak SRM-2 Pod in the center torso, directly below the cockpit.
    
    All the test pilots have commented on the noticeably comfortable ride, improved
    stability, and handling. In fact, once a pilot grows accustomed to the four-legged
    differences, the Taratula is clearly superior to a bipedal 'Mech of similar specifications,
    such as the Spider.
    
    Naturally, there are many skeptics who doubt that a four-legged design can ever compete
    with the more traditional 'Mechs. Old habits die hard, and it will be difficult for most
    MechWarriors to drop preconceived notions based on the old Scorpion design. Those who can
    will discover a startling new 'Mech of unsurpassed agility and a low profile particulary
    well-suited to recon and surveillance.

Deployment:
    Because of this 'Mech's unusual nature, many pilots simply will not accept an assignment to
    it, preferring instead to enter the ranks of the Dispossessed. With this in mind, the
    Tarantula is assigned on a purely voluntary basis. Unit commanders are offered the 'Mech,
    and they consult with their men for volunteers. Corean's public relations department is busy
    working out a promotional holovid for distribution to appropriate units, utilizing actual
    battle footage and MechWarrior testimonials. It may take a long time, but Corean hopes to
    eventually erase the Scorpion form the minds of pilots, and replace it with the Tarantula.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                          Standard                  2.50                     
Engine:                                       200 XL                   4.50                     
    Walking MP:                                 8                                               
    Running MP:                                 12                                              
    Jumping MP:                                 8                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         10 [20]                   0.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  2.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                   72                     4.50                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              6       
    Center Torso:                       8             10       
    Center Torso (rear):                               6       
    R/L Torso:                          6              7       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  4       
    R/L Front Leg:                      6              7       
    R/L Rear Leg:                       6              7       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Streak SRM 2                                              CT                1          1.50             
Streak SRM 2 (Ammo 50)                                    CT                1          1.00             
Medium Laser                                              RT                1          1.00             
Medium Laser                                              LT                1          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                              RFL                2          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                              LFL                2          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                              RRL                2          1.00             
2 Jump Jets                                              LRL                2          1.00             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 22
TP: BM,  SZ: 1,  TMM: 3,  MV: 16"j
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 2 / (L) 0,  OV: 0
Armor (A): 2,  Structure (S): 1
Specials:
 
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Code Release 2.24.13.1 (2024-09-02T12:52:21-04:00)