Difference between revisions of "Ironsides"
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| manufacturer = [[Brooks Incorporated]] | | manufacturer = [[Brooks Incorporated]] | ||
| model = IRN-SD1 | | model = IRN-SD1 | ||
− | | Class = Medium | + | | Class = Medium Aerospace Fighter |
| Tech Base = Star League | | Tech Base = Star League | ||
| Cost = 3,862,795<ref name=CO107>''Combat Operations'', p. 107</ref> | | Cost = 3,862,795<ref name=CO107>''Combat Operations'', p. 107</ref> | ||
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
− | The '''''Ironsides''''' was designed in [[2613]] as a heavily armed | + | The '''''Ironsides''''' was designed in [[2613]] as a heavily armed Aerospace Fighter. Its manufacturer, [[Brooks Incorporated]], offered 500 prototypes of the design to any command that wished to field test the design; as such, examples of the ''Ironsides'' were deployed by the [[SLDF]] as well as every [[Inner Sphere]] power and even the [[Rim Worlds Republic]]. Though a costly ploy for the company, the result was a fighter field-tested in a variety of environments and situations, resulting in the production model having few if any bugs.<ref name=TRO2750-74-75>''Technical Readout: 2750'', pp. 74-75, "Ironsides Fighter Profile"</ref> |
− | As a medium-fighter, the ''Ironsides'' is lightly armored with eleven and a half tons of StarWeave standard armor, but it carries impressive firepower for its weight class. | + | As a medium-fighter, the ''Ironsides'' is lightly armored with eleven and a half tons of StarWeave standard armor, but it carries impressive firepower for its weight class. This is thanks in part to the IRN-SD1 engine, which uses an alignment system to shift the engine's position relative gravitational and velocity influences, to produce an design more compact than others while having the same power-to-weight ratio. The craft's only other design flaw was an inadequate cooling system of only ten [[Double Heat Sink]]s and limited ammunition stores, lending the ''Ironsides'' for use mainly in quick-strike missions thanks to a devastating first-strike capability.<ref name=TRO2750-74-75/><ref name=TRO3050U240-241/> |
− | As is true elsewhere, production of the ''Ironsides'' would suffer during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]], with an initial five factories reduced to one by [[2910]]. | + | As is true elsewhere, production of the ''Ironsides'' would suffer during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]], with an initial five factories reduced to one by [[2910]]. The [[Carver V]] plant would eventually be shut down as a cost-saving measure, and by [[3050]] most ''Ironsides'' still located within the [[Inner Sphere]] were family heirlooms or museum pieces. The Carver factory would be reopened by the [[Word of Blake]] at a later date to produce superior variants to fight in the [[Jihad]].<ref name=TRO3050U240-241/> |
==Weapons and Equipment== | ==Weapons and Equipment== | ||
− | The wide range of weapons mounted on the ''Ironsides'' allowed it to fill many of the gaps in fighter technology of the time. | + | The wide range of weapons mounted on the ''Ironsides'' allowed it to fill many of the gaps in fighter technology of the time. Its primary weapon system are five Yaeger-6 [[SRM-6|Short Range Delivery Systems]], two in each wing and one in the nose, which can be targeted in groupings from the individual launchers or separately to maintain a spread. However, limited storage space means there is only one ton of ammo, just enough for fifteen salvos. These SRMs are backed up by paired Ringer Technologies Model 1 [[PPC]]s also in the nose, which use high-density chamber coils to create a narrower beam that will not disrupt the SRM's flight path. The narrower beams also concentrate firepower on a smaller area, though these hot-running weapons are partly responsible for the fighter's poor heat management. Finally the ''Ironsides'' has two wing-mounted Allied Technologies Model 2 [[Medium Laser|Medium Lasers]], which have proven to be a constant thorn in the fighter's sides. Extensively firing the lasers can rupture the power-chain housing which controls the flow of power to the weapons, resulting in an explosion and considerable damage to the wing structure. Three recall efforts failed to eliminate the problem, resulting in many modern pilots having little respect for the fighter.<ref name=TRO2750-74-75/><ref name=TRO3050U240-241/> |
The weapon systems in the ''Ironsides'' are controlled by the Ryder Track II targeting system, which is able to not only independently track targets from sensors placed in several locations throughout the fighter rather than a single, central cluster, but also allows an [[Alpha strike (Tactic)|alpha strike]] without disrupting any of the individual systems' effectiveness.<ref name=TRO2750-74-75/><ref name=TRO3050U240-241/> | The weapon systems in the ''Ironsides'' are controlled by the Ryder Track II targeting system, which is able to not only independently track targets from sensors placed in several locations throughout the fighter rather than a single, central cluster, but also allows an [[Alpha strike (Tactic)|alpha strike]] without disrupting any of the individual systems' effectiveness.<ref name=TRO2750-74-75/><ref name=TRO3050U240-241/> | ||
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
− | *;IRN-SD1b : The IRN-SD1b ''Ironsides'', designed and deployed exclusively for [[SLDF Royal units|SLDF Royal]] commands, saves space by installing an [[XL Engine]]. | + | *;IRN-SD1b : The IRN-SD1b ''Ironsides'', designed and deployed exclusively for [[SLDF Royal units|SLDF Royal]] commands, saves space by installing an [[XL Engine]]. The craft increases the SRM ammunition by 1 ton, adds [[CASE]] and 5 additional [[Double Heat Sink|Double Heat Sinks]], and upgrades the PPCs to [[ER PPC|ER PPCs]]<ref>''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 169, "Ironsides Variant"</ref>. BV (2.0) = 1,653<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 41</ref> |
− | *;IRN-SD2 : A rare variant of the ''Ironsides'', the IRN-SD2 mounts three [[Large Laser|Large Lasers]] in the nose section in place of the PPCs, with the extra room allowing for an additional ton of SRM ammo. | + | *;IRN-SD2 : A rare variant of the ''Ironsides'', the IRN-SD2 mounts three [[Large Laser|Large Lasers]] in the nose section in place of the PPCs, with the extra room allowing for an additional ton of SRM ammo. This resulted in a longer endurance during skirmishes.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 298</ref>. BV (2.0) = 1,388<ref name=MUL180/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 350</ref> |
*;IRN-SD3 : A Word of Blake variant, this model uses the SD2 frame to mount an [[ER PPC]] and [[ER Large Laser]] in the nose, and replace the SRMs with five [[MRM-10|10-Tube Medium Range Missile Launcher]]s with 120 rounds of ammunition.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 299</ref>. BV (2.0) = 1,399<ref name=MUL180/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 351</ref> | *;IRN-SD3 : A Word of Blake variant, this model uses the SD2 frame to mount an [[ER PPC]] and [[ER Large Laser]] in the nose, and replace the SRMs with five [[MRM-10|10-Tube Medium Range Missile Launcher]]s with 120 rounds of ammunition.<ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)'', p. 299</ref>. BV (2.0) = 1,399<ref name=MUL180/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 351</ref> | ||
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*''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' | *''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' | ||
− | + | [[Category:Aerospace Fighter classes]] | |
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Medium Aerospace Fighter classes]] |
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:SLDF Royal Aerospace Fighter classes]] |
− | [[Category:SLDF Royal | ||
− |
Revision as of 05:40, 13 October 2015
191px | |
Ironsides | |
Production information | |
Manufacturer | Brooks Incorporated |
Production Year | 2613[1] |
Model | IRN-SD1 |
Class | Medium Aerospace Fighter |
Tech Base | Star League |
Cost | 3,862,795[2] |
Technical specifications | |
Mass | 65 tons |
Structural Integrity | |
Frame | Lockhead FairFax |
Power Plant | Thankor 260 Fusion Engine |
Fuel | |
Armament |
|
Communications System | OP/1/2/3.66 Mk IIa |
Tracking & Targeting System | Ryder Track IV |
Heat Sinks | 10 (Double) |
BV (1.0) | 1,179[2][3] |
BV (2.0) | 1,466[4][5][6] |
Contents
Description
The Ironsides was designed in 2613 as a heavily armed Aerospace Fighter. Its manufacturer, Brooks Incorporated, offered 500 prototypes of the design to any command that wished to field test the design; as such, examples of the Ironsides were deployed by the SLDF as well as every Inner Sphere power and even the Rim Worlds Republic. Though a costly ploy for the company, the result was a fighter field-tested in a variety of environments and situations, resulting in the production model having few if any bugs.[7]
As a medium-fighter, the Ironsides is lightly armored with eleven and a half tons of StarWeave standard armor, but it carries impressive firepower for its weight class. This is thanks in part to the IRN-SD1 engine, which uses an alignment system to shift the engine's position relative gravitational and velocity influences, to produce an design more compact than others while having the same power-to-weight ratio. The craft's only other design flaw was an inadequate cooling system of only ten Double Heat Sinks and limited ammunition stores, lending the Ironsides for use mainly in quick-strike missions thanks to a devastating first-strike capability.[7][4]
As is true elsewhere, production of the Ironsides would suffer during the Succession Wars, with an initial five factories reduced to one by 2910. The Carver V plant would eventually be shut down as a cost-saving measure, and by 3050 most Ironsides still located within the Inner Sphere were family heirlooms or museum pieces. The Carver factory would be reopened by the Word of Blake at a later date to produce superior variants to fight in the Jihad.[4]
Weapons and Equipment
The wide range of weapons mounted on the Ironsides allowed it to fill many of the gaps in fighter technology of the time. Its primary weapon system are five Yaeger-6 Short Range Delivery Systems, two in each wing and one in the nose, which can be targeted in groupings from the individual launchers or separately to maintain a spread. However, limited storage space means there is only one ton of ammo, just enough for fifteen salvos. These SRMs are backed up by paired Ringer Technologies Model 1 PPCs also in the nose, which use high-density chamber coils to create a narrower beam that will not disrupt the SRM's flight path. The narrower beams also concentrate firepower on a smaller area, though these hot-running weapons are partly responsible for the fighter's poor heat management. Finally the Ironsides has two wing-mounted Allied Technologies Model 2 Medium Lasers, which have proven to be a constant thorn in the fighter's sides. Extensively firing the lasers can rupture the power-chain housing which controls the flow of power to the weapons, resulting in an explosion and considerable damage to the wing structure. Three recall efforts failed to eliminate the problem, resulting in many modern pilots having little respect for the fighter.[7][4]
The weapon systems in the Ironsides are controlled by the Ryder Track II targeting system, which is able to not only independently track targets from sensors placed in several locations throughout the fighter rather than a single, central cluster, but also allows an alpha strike without disrupting any of the individual systems' effectiveness.[7][4]
Variants
- IRN-SD1b
- The IRN-SD1b Ironsides, designed and deployed exclusively for SLDF Royal commands, saves space by installing an XL Engine. The craft increases the SRM ammunition by 1 ton, adds CASE and 5 additional Double Heat Sinks, and upgrades the PPCs to ER PPCs[8]. BV (2.0) = 1,653[9]
- IRN-SD2
- A rare variant of the Ironsides, the IRN-SD2 mounts three Large Lasers in the nose section in place of the PPCs, with the extra room allowing for an additional ton of SRM ammo. This resulted in a longer endurance during skirmishes.[10]. BV (2.0) = 1,388[5][11]
- IRN-SD3
- A Word of Blake variant, this model uses the SD2 frame to mount an ER PPC and ER Large Laser in the nose, and replace the SRMs with five 10-Tube Medium Range Missile Launchers with 120 rounds of ammunition.[12]. BV (2.0) = 1,399[5][13]
- Ironsides CX-19
- This ComStar-built variant combines Clan and Inner Sphere technology. The craft carries seven Streak SRM-6 launchers backed by two tons of ammunition. Additional firepower comes from five Clan-spec ER Medium Lasers. Engine performance and armor protection remain unchanged.[14]
Design Quirks
The Ironsides CX-19 variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[14]
References
- ↑ MUL online date for the Ironsides
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Combat Operations, p. 107
- ↑ AeroTech 2 Record Sheets, p. 110
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 240-241, "Ironsides Fighter Profile"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 180
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 349
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Technical Readout: 2750, pp. 74-75, "Ironsides Fighter Profile"
- ↑ Technical Readout: 3075, p. 169, "Ironsides Variant"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 41
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), p. 298
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 350
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League), p. 299
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 351
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Experimental Technical Readout: ComStar, p. 14
Bibliography
- AeroTech 2 Record Sheets
- Combat Operations
- Experimental Technical Readout: ComStar
- Master Unit List: Battle Values
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Clan & Star League)
- Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)
- Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War
- Technical Readout: 2750
- Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
- Technical Readout: 3075