Banshee (BattleMech)

Banshee
Production information
Manufacturer	Star League Weapons Research, Defiance Industries
Production Year	2445
Model	BNC-3E
Class	Assault
Cost	9,530,853 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	95 tons
Chassis	Star League XT
Armor	Starshield
Engine	GM 380
Communications System	Dalban Comline
Speed	64.8 km/h
Armament	1xPPC 1xAutocannon/5 1xSmall Laser
BV (1.0)	1,223
BV (2.0)	1,422

Description

The Banshee, introduced in 2445 by the Terran Hegemony, is a 'Mech that was designed specifically for 'Mech hunting operations during the early years of BattleMech warfare. A contemporary of the Mackie, the 'Mech is built to stay at a long range outside of the reach of the enemy 'Mech and to slowly pound away at the target until the enemy pilot finally surrenders or until the enemy 'Mech is disabled. Because of this, and the time in which the Banshee was originally built, it carries a limited, long-range focused arsenal. The 'Mech was well protected for when it was built, carrying fifteen tons of armor. With its maximum speed of 64.8 km/h, it has above average maneuverability for a 'Mech of its size.

The Banshee can be found in almost every army in the Inner Sphere.

Armament

The two primary weapons on the Banshee, a Magna Hellstar PPC matched up with an Imperator-A Autocannon/5, are both intended to keep the target at a distance. The Autocannon and PPC compliment each other as they both have similar range profiles. The 'Mech also carries a Magna Mk I Small Laser, which appears to have been installed as an afterthought.

Variants

• BNC-3M - The 3M looks to increase the raw firepower that the Banshee has. To do this, the Autocannon/5 has been removed from the 'Mech, and in its place a second PPC has been installed with two Medium Lasers. While this does increase the firepower of the 'Mech, it puts an incredible heat burden on the machine as well. BV (1.0) = 1,267, BV (2.0) = 1,595

• BNC-3MC - The 3MC was developed by the Magistracy of Canopus. It removes five heat sinks and the AC/5 to make room for an Autocannon/10 with two tons of ammunition. Armor protection, speed, and other weaponry remains the same as the -3E model Banshee. BV (2.0) = 1,487

• BNC-3Mr - This field refit replaces the standard heat sinks with double strength models. An ER PPC and ER Medium Lasers replace the standard versions, with the updated heat sinks able to dissipate the increased heat. BV (2.0) = 1,801

• BNC-3Q - The 3Q removes both the Autocannon/5 and the PPC and replaces them with a massive Autocannon/20. While this increases the sheer firepower that the Banshee brings to the fight, the fact that it has no long range weapons makes it vulnerable to long range bombardment from lighter, better armed 'Mechs. BV (1.0) = 1,151, BV (2.0) = 1,394

• BNC-3S - The 3S looks to turn the Banshee into a typical assault 'Mech. The 'Mech's speed has been reduced to 54 km/h, which frees up a great deal of room for weapons. The 'Mech is armed with two PPCs for long range, with an Autocannon/10 to engage an enemy at intermediate ranges. Finally, for short range combat, the 'Mech has four Medium Lasers and an SRM-6 launcher. Two Small Lasers round out the weapons payload. BV (1.0) = 1,323, BV (2.0) = 1,751

• BNC-5S - An upgrade of the 3S variant using Star League technology, the 5S replaces the engine with an XL Engine and uses double heat sinks to save weight, restoring its top speed to 64.8 km/h. The 'Mech is armed for long range combat with a Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle and two Defiance 1001 ER PPCs. For close ranges, the 'Mech has a TharHes Maxi SRM-6, four Defiance B3M Medium Lasers, and two Defiance B3S Small Lasers, he is also equiped with an Angst Clear Channel 3 comsys. BV (1.0) = 1,613, BV (2.0) = 2,065

• BNC-6S - The 6S variant of the Banshee is powered by a Light Fusion Engine and built on an Endo Steel chassis. The 'Mech is armed with an LB-X Autocannon/10 for long-range combat. For close to medium ranges, the 6S carries a Heavy Gauss Rifle. The 'Mech retains the Small Laser of the 3E model, and is armored with fourteen and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,713, BV (2.0) = 1,899

• BNC-7S - The 7S is an upgrade of the 5S model and is also powered by a Light Fusion Engine. The 'Mech is built on an Endo Steel chassis and carries fifteen and a half tons of armor. The 7S is armed with a Gauss Rifle and an ER PPC for long-range firepower. For close range support, it has an SRM-6 and four ER Medium Lasers. BV (1.0) = 1,687, BV (2.0) = 2,126

• BNC-8S - The variant of the Banshee was created by Word of Blake after they took over Hesperus II in 3070. It turns the 'Mech into a brawler with the inclusion of Triple Strength Myomer and a Hatchet. It returns to the XL Engine of the 5S and keeps the ubiquitous Small Laser. The LB-X Autocannon/10 is retained from the 6S, though it moves to the other side. An ER Large Laser is added for use at long range and a Snub-Nose PPC is effective at medium range, though it is more damaging up close. An XL Gyro frees up tonnage for four medium lasers, two standard and two extended range models, as well an ER Small Laser. The inclusion of only thirteen double heat sinks ensures that the myomer activates easily. A C3 Slave Unit allows the 8S to share targeting telemetry, though the fact that it is not one of the Word's improved versions suggests that this 'Mech is not intended for use by Word of Blake Militia, but rather their mercenaries or even important planetary garrisons. Finally, eighteen tons of armor and a Guardian ECM Suite radically improve the defenses of the venerable Banshee. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 2,369

• BNC-9S - This upgrade of the 8S was produced by Defiance Industries at their Kwangjong-ni annex while Word of Blake held Hesperus II. It retains the light engine of earlier models, but returns to the speed of the earliest versions. It carries a Defiance 753 Heavy PPC, Defiance 250 Light PPC, and Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle for long range combat. Should an enemy survive long enough to close with the 9S, it can utilize three Defiance E3M ER Medium Lasers and a single Defiance B3M Medium Laser. A TharHes Maxi SRM-6 can exploit weaknesses in an opposing unit's armor, while CASE keeps the ammunition from doing too much damage in the event of an explosion. In order to make room for all of these things, the XL Gyro of the 8S is also retained. Finally, a Targeting Computer improves the accuracy of all the weapons except for the missile launcher. BV (1.0) = ?, BV (2.0) = 2,487

Custom Variants

• BNC-11X - Limited to three chassis, this Banshee model was a thought experiment by Defiance Industries engineers at Kwangjong-ni. Seeking to maximize protection, these engineers installed Armored Shoulder and Armored Hip actuators to prevent the 'Mech from losing a limb. The MechWarrior is protected by an Armored Cockpit. They also maximized protection by adding a ton of Modular Armor to each arm, leg, and forward torso. To make room for this equipment, they used an Endo Steel chassis and a Clan-spec XL Engine. For weapons, the engineers installed a Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle and a pair of Bombast Lasers, while an ER Small Laser fills the head as an afterthought. Though not particularly quick (max speed 54 km/h) this Banshee variant can take massive amounts of damage before it falls. BV(2.0)= 2,030

Notable Pilots

• Marshal Sharon Bryan piloted a Banshee during the invasion of Huntress until it was destroyed by a Smoke Jaguar Cauldron-Born. Her variant used two PPCs and one Gauss Rifle, likely a -5S model.

Gallery

• 

  BNC-3S Banshee

• 

  BNC-5S Banshee

• 

  BNC-3E Banshee in Battle

• 

  BNC-5S Banshee in Combat

• Banshee 11X.jpg

  Experimental BNC-11X Banshee in Motion

Bibliography

• Another Banshee rears its Death's Head
• Combat Operations
• Era Digest: Age of War
• Introductory Record Sheets
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3025/3026
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Sword and Fire
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3085
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Experimental Technical Readout: Steiner