Commando
Commando | |
---|---|
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Coventry Defense Conglomerate |
Model | COM-2D |
Class | Light |
Cost | 1,891,250 C-bills |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 25 tons |
Chassis | Coventry Metal Works |
Armor | Lexington Limited |
Engine | Omni & GM 150 |
Speed | 97.2 km/h |
Armament |
|
BV (1.0) | 432 |
BV (2.0) | 541 |
Description
The Commando was commissioned in 2463 to be built by Coventry Metal Works (then known as Coventry Defense Conglomerate) as the Lyran Commonwealth's first reconnaissance BattleMech, but it is also used for close-range support due to its firepower. It carries four tons of armor, but against anything other than other light 'Mechs the difference in the amount of armor is negligible.[1]
It is often claimed that the Commando was designed as a competitor with both the popular Wasp and Stinger light 'Mechs, but these were in fact only developed some years later (in 2471 and 2479, respectively).
Armament
The Commando carries two SRM launchers, a Coventry 4 tube and a Shannon Six Shooter, as its primary weapons. The secondary weapon is a Hesperus-B3M Medium Laser. This weapons load makes the Commando an effective urban combat 'Mech.
Variants
- COM-1A - The original Commando used prototype equipment that was similar primitive to those found in the Hegemony’s first BattleMech, the Mackie. This version never saw full production.
- COM-1B - During the Succession Wars, Lyran engineers revisited the 1A and upgraded it to created the 1B. The 1B wielded a Large Laser and an SRM-2 in addition to the Medium Laser. BV (2.0) = 616
- COM-1D - The original 1D variant has maintained a regular but low-profile in its existence throughout the Commando’s history. It fields a Large Laser and an SRM-6 rack but only 3 tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 558
- COM-3A - The 3A variant carries two SRM-6 launchers, a Medium Laser and a Flamer. This was accomplished by removing the SRM-4 launcher and lowering the amount of the armor on the 'Mech by one ton. BV (1.0) = 392, BV (2.0) = 540
- COM-4H - The 4H variant of the Commando is used in the Periphery and removes all of the SRM Launchers and replaces them with six Rocket Launcher 15s as well as a second Medium Laser. BV (1.0) = 628, BV (2.0) = 691
- COM-5S - The 5S variant of the Commando adds an Artemis IV Fire Control System, linked to the SRM-6 and replaces the SRM-4 with a Streak SRM-2 launcher. Additionally, the chassis has been upgraded with Endo Steel, the armor has been upgraded to Ferro-Fibrous, and CASE has been added to protect the ammunition. BV (1.0) = 504, BV (2.0) = 560
- COM-7B - Following the conquest of Coventry by Word of Blake, the Jihadists modified the 7S to meet their specifications. The 7B keeps on ER Medium Laser in the left arm, but adds two Flamers to it that make the 7B a lethal threat to unarmored infantry. A small cockpit makes room for two SRM-4s, which are still fed from a CASE-protected ammunition bin. The weight savings enabled engineers to add enough jump jets to rocket the Commando up to one hundred-twenty meters at a time and additional ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 602
- COM-7S - This update of the Commando is built on an Endo Steel chassis and uses a Light Fusion engine. The 'Mech carries two Streak SRM-2 launchers, an SRM-4 with an Artemis IV Fire Control System, and two ER Medium Lasers. BV (1.0) = 601, BV (2.0) = 658
- Commando IIC - The remnants of the SLDF did take a few Commandos with them on their exodus. These were later upgraded with Clan technology to create the Commando IIC. BV (1.0) = 816, BV (2.0) = 978
Notes
BattleTech line developer Herbert A. Beas II stated on the CBT forums that the Technical Readout: 3039 was incorrect:
- The introduction date for the Commando was 2463 and
- all references the Commando being built as a Stinger/Wasp competitor are also in error; the Commando was actually one of the Commonwealth's first forays into light 'Mech design.
The starting sentence should therefore read: "Coventry Metal Works (then known as Coventry Defense Conglomerate) produced the Commando as one of the Commonwealth's first home-grown entries into the newly created industry of BattleMech design and manufacture. Far lighter than most contemporary units, the Commando was also the Lyran Commonwealth's first bona fide reconnaissance BattleMech."[2]
This was announced in the "Ask the Writers" section of the CBT forums and the verdict is therefore supposed to be canonical information.
References
- Record Sheets: 3039
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
- Technical Readout: 3025
- Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3039
- Technical Readout: 3050
- Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
- Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3060
External Links
- The Commando is the symbol of Cavalier Cavalry Productions' Miniature Rules webcomic.