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Design Overview
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                 BattleMech Technical Readout

Name/Model:         Cataphract III CTF-3X
Designer:           09-Tyba
Source(s):          Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology:         Inner Sphere
Technology Rating:  E
Tonnage:            70
Role:               Sniper
Configuration:      Biped BattleMech
Era/Year:           Civil War / 3063
Rules (Current):    Standard
Rules (Era):        Standard
Rules (Year):       Standard
Total Cost:         16,090,273 C-Bills
Battle Value:       2,303

Chassis:              Earthwerks CTF Endo Steel
Power Plant:          General Motors 280 XL
Walking Speed:        43.2 kph  
Maximum Speed:        64.8 kph  [86.4 kph]
Jump Jets:            HildCo Model 12 
    Jump Capacity:    120 meters
Armor:                Kallon Royalstar with CASE
Armament:             
    1 Inokuma Gauss Rifle
    1 Ceres Arms Warrior ER PPC
    2 Kajuka Type V ER Medium Lasers
    1 Ceres Arms Model W Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer:         Earthwerks Incorporated
    Primary Factory:  Grand Base
Communications:       Ceres Metals Model 666 with Guardian ECM Suite
Targeting & Tracking: Dynatec Special

================================================================================================
Overview:
    Imported from fan-made TRO:3063, organized and directed by Steve Satak. Which of the writing
    team created this mech is unknown.
    
    Ever since the loss of House Liao?s largest ?Mech- producing complex to the Federated
    Commonwealth, the Earthwerks BattleMech facility on Grand Base has been hard pressed to keep
    up with demand for the Cataphract CTF-3L. Featuring an ER PPC and LB 10-X autocannon for
    long-range fighting and four medium pulse lasers for close quarters combat, the 3L would
    appear to be a superb heavy ?Mech.
    
    However, with mediocre armor and an extra-light fusion engine, the 3L?s firepower comes at
    the cost of survivability. Even the appearance of a highly durable stealth variant has not
    silenced critics, who claim that the CTF-4L is prone to overheating and too slow to take
    advantage of its stealth capabilities. Thus a further variant based on the CTF-4L?s endo
    steel frame has been commissioned, tentatively named ?Cataphract III? in recognition of the
    prototype?s fresh lines.

Capabilities:
    The Cataphract CTF-3X indeed appears to be an all-new design. Based on an endo steel
    chassis, the CTF-3X main guns consist of one Inokuma Gauss rifle and a Ceres Arms extended
    range particle projection cannon. While this far-reaching, hard-hitting pair is enough to
    handle most opponents, they are backed by two extended range
    medium lasers for close combat. A Ceres Metals medium pulse laser, a Guardian Electronic
    Countermeasure suite and over thirteen tons of armor ensure the Cataphract III can finish
    any fight it starts.
    
    Increasing the CTF-3X?s mobility are four HildCo Model 12 jets. The new model runs cool
    while firing both main guns, but with five fewer heatsinks, pilots are well-advised to
    monitor their heat in close combat and avoid jumping unless absolutely necessary.
    
    The Cataphract III has been equipped with Myomer Accelerated Signal Circuitry (MASC),
    allowing bursts of speed in excess of 85 km/h. Observers note that, although this variant is
    also powered by an extra light engine, critics have remained silent since watching the ?Mech
    perform in a company-sponsored live-fire test.

Deployment:
    Set up against consecutive opponents on the Earthwerks
    proving grounds, the Cataphract III was matched against a CTF-3L Cataphract and a ninety-ton
    Yu Huang. The new ?Mech?s pilot executed high-velocity maneuvers and alternated between
    running and jumping to corner its first target. Pounding the older model with long-range
    fire, the Cataphract III pilot quickly broke through the CTF-3L?s light back armor and
    destroyed its gyro.
    
    The Yu Huang was a tougher proposition due to its heavy armor and weaponry; the
    demonstration gradually devolved into a tedious game of ?tag?. The Cataphract III repeatedly
    used its greater speed to outflank the Yu Huang, staying at the edge of the heavier ?Mech?s
    fire envelope as both ?Mechs traded occasional shots.
    However, the Cataphract III had an advantage in ground speed and was, in the end, more
    accurate more often. With both ?Mechs heavily damaged and their pilots nearing exhaustion, a
    PPC strike finally stripped the armor from the Yu Huang?s cockpit, ruining the sensors and
    injuring the pilot. Company officials halted the contest at this point and the victorious
    Cataphract III was left to limp from the field, having removed all doubt as to the
    effectiveness of its design.

Variants:
    One interesting alternative to the current Cataphract III is powered by a salvaged light
    fusion engine and equipped with Triple Strength Myomer rather than MASC. With the same
    weaponry as the CTF-3X, the CTF-3XT can maintain its top speed without over-stressing its
    advanced myomer ?muscles.? Furthermore, when running ?hot,? this design can deliver massive
    damage in physical combat, something Cataphract pilots normally avoid. However, Capellan
    scientists have not yet reverse-engineered the light fusion engine and so this promising
    ?Mech will remain a prototype for the foreseeable future.

Notable MechWarriors:
    Sao-wei Farouk Diallo
    
    A test pilot with Earthwerks Inc., Diallo operated the Cataphract III during its final
    trials on Grand Base in late 3063. His fight against consecutive opponents took its toll;
    Diallo was reportedly taken directly from his cockpit to the corporation?s sickbay shortly
    after combat concluded, overcome by exhaustion.

================================================================================================
Equipment                                                             Mass                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure:                         Endo Steel                 3.50                     
Engine:                                       280 XL                   8.00                     
    Walking MP:                                 4                                               
    Running MP:                               6 [8]                                             
    Jumping MP:                                 4                                               
Heat Sinks (Double):                         11 [22]                   1.00                     
Gyro:                                        Standard                  3.00                     
Cockpit:                                     Standard                  3.00                     
Armor Factor:                                  216                    13.50                     
    Type:                                    Standard                                           

                                    Internal         Armor     
                                    Structure        Value     
    Head:                               3              9       
    Center Torso:                      22             33       
    Center Torso (rear):                              10       
    R/L Torso:                         15             22       
    R/L Torso (rear):                                  8       
    R/L Arm:                           11             22       
    R/L Leg:                           15             30       

================================================================================================
Weapons and Ammo                                       Location          Critical     Tonnage   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Jump Jets                                               CT                2          2.00             
CASE                                                      RT                1          0.50             
2 ER Medium Lasers                                        RT                2          2.00             
Gauss Rifle (Ammo 16)                                     RT                2          2.00             
Jump Jet                                                  RT                1          1.00             
ER PPC                                                    LT                3          7.00             
Jump Jet                                                  LT                1          1.00             
MASC                                                      LT                4          4.00             
Medium Pulse Laser                                        LT                1          2.00             
Gauss Rifle                                               RA                7         15.00             
Guardian ECM Suite                                        LL                2          1.50             

================================================================================================
Alpha Strike Statistics                                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Value (PV): 45
TP: BM,  SZ: 3,  TMM: 2,  MV: 10"/8"j
Damage: (S) 3 / (M) 4 / (L) 3,  OV: 1
Armor (A): 7,  Structure (S): 3
Specials: CASE, ECM, JMPW1
 
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Code Release 2.24.12 (2024-04-24T21:08:37-04:00)