Editing Mad Dog (Vulture)

{{Redirect|Vulture||Vulture (disambiguation)}}
:''Vulture Mk II'' also redirects here; see ''[[Mad Dog (Vulture)#Vulture Mk II|Vulture Mk II]]'' section below.
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image=Mad Dog RGilClan v10.png
|name=''Mad Dog''
|manufacturer=Various<ref name=TRCIp46f>''Technical Readout: Clan Invasion'', pp. 46–47: "Vulture"</ref> <!-- reprinted from TRO:3050U -->
| production year=2963
|year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3473/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
|model=Prime<ref name=TRCIp46f />
|class=Heavy
|cost= 15,292,000 C-bills
|Tech Base = Clan
|mech type = OmniMech
|mass=60
|chassis=[[Eden Mk 60-OM (Vulture)|Eden Mk 60-OM]] <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|armor= [[Compound SJ6CW Ferro-Fibrous]] <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|engine=[[300 Type I XL]] <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|comsys=[[Build OSJ-41]] <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|T&T=[[Cat's Eye MD6]] <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|heat sinks=12 [[Double Heat Sink|double]] <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|speed=86 <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
|armament=
Primary Configuration <!-- <ref name=TRCIp46f /> -->
* 2x [[LRM-20]]
* 2x [[Medium Pulse Laser]]
* 2x [[Large Pulse Laser]]
|BV (1.0) = 1,871<ref name=CO>''Combat Operations'', p. 109</ref>
|BV (2.0) = 2,351<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 82</ref>
}}

==Description==
The '''''Mad Dog''''' is a heavy Clan [[OmniMech]] used for long-range indirect fire support.  With hunched shoulders, a protruding head, and reverse-jointed legs, the ''Mad Dog'' resembles a vulture, so much so that it was [[Inner Sphere Designation for Clan BattleMechs|code-named]] '''''Vulture''''' and '''''Hagetaka''''' ("Vulture" in Japanese) by the [[Inner Sphere]] forces which first encountered it.  The name also fit the perceived battlefield role of the ''Mad Dog''; technical documents from the thirty-first century suggested the role of the ''Mad Dog'' was to act as a support 'Mech, and it was theorized to be intended to hold a hill and maintain constant watch over the entire battlefield, like a vulture waiting for its prey. The reality is that such behavior would be a violation of ''[[zellbrigen]]'' and that the ''Mad Dog''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s configurations are intended to take the fight to the enemy at all ranges.<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10'', p. 12</ref><ref name=TRO3050>''Technical Readout: 3050'', pp. 28–29: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"</ref>  

With its ample firepower and decent speed of 86.4 km/h, it makes a highly mobile firing platform, and as such has spread to near ubiquity among the forces deployed by the Clans, although the design is favored more by [[Clan Ghost Bear]] [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]]s.  The ''Mad Dog'' carries eight and a half tons of [[ferro-fibrous]] armor for decent protection, although it will not be able to stand up to heavy fire.<ref name=TRO3050Up130f>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', pp. 130–131: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"</ref><ref name=TRO3050>''Technical Readout: 3050'', pp. 28–29: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"</ref><ref name=TRO3050R>''Technical Readout: 3050 Revised'', pp. 26–27: "Vulture OmniMech Profile"</ref>

The ''Mad Dog'' was designed by [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] as a second generation OmniMech based on the original heavy OmniMech ''[[Lupus]]'' of [[Clan Coyote]].<ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 41</ref> The ''Mad Dog'' also used some of the same molds of the Clan Wolf ''[[Timber Wolf]]'' OmniMech. However, despite using some of the same molds (which might be viewed as high praise), the ''Mad Dog'' was named as a slur to the ''Lupus'' and ''Timber Wolf'', and to Clans Wolf and Coyote. Because of its widespread production, most Clans maintain a large number of ''Mad Dog''s in their ''[[touman]]s''.<ref name=TRO3050Up130f/><ref name=TRO3050/><ref name=TRO3050R/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
For its fire support purposes, the ''Mad Dog'' is armed with twin shoulder-mounted [[LRM-20]] missile racks, which allow the 'Mech to inflict heavy damage on any opponent it may target. The ''Mad Dog'' is also more than capable of going on the offensive, mounting dual [[Large Pulse Laser|large]] and [[Medium Pulse Laser|medium]]-sized pulse lasers, one of each on each arm. ''Mad Dog'' pilots have been known for showering missiles on opponents before swooping down with a finishing blow from the lasers, much like a vulture swooping down for carrion.<ref name=TRO3050Up130f/><ref name=TRO3050/><ref name=TRO3050R/>

In the case that the ''Mad Dog'' must retreat or face down heavier opponents, it can adequately do such as well, as the pulse lasers it mounts are much more accurate than standard lasers, allowing it to move and fire at the same time. This allows it to stall opponents and slowly back into a more defensible position, although overheating may become an issue.<ref name=TRO3050Up130f/><ref name=TRO3050/><ref name=TRO3050R/>

==Alternate Configurations==
*; Alternate Configuration A : The ''Mad Dog'' A can bring devastating fire on targets at any range, mounting an [[Extended Range Particle Projector Cannon|ER PPC]] and an [[LB 5-X autocannon]], with which it can easily cripple enemies from long range. Should it get close enough, its six [[SRM-6]] racks ensure the demise of nearly any foe.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (1.0) = 1,510;<ref name=CO/> BV (2.0) = 1,923<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 83</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration B : A more general-purpose configuration, the ''Mad Dog'' B mounts more laser weaponry, with two [[ER Large Laser]]s in the left arm, and three [[Medium Pulse Laser]]s in the other. For additional long-range firepower, the ''Mad Dog'' B mounts only one [[LRM-20]] having replaced the other with two [[Streak SRM-6]] launchers.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (1.0) = 1,903;<ref name=CO/> BV (2.0) = 2,284<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 84</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration C : The ''Mad Dog'' C greatly differs from other configurations, having replaced its entire weapon load with two massive [[Gauss rifle]]s for a powerful long-range punch.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (1.0) = 1,707;<ref name=CO/> BV (2.0) = 1,892<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 85</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration D : This variant uses a pair of [[ATM 12]]s that are powerful at all ranges. It also uses paired [[ER Medium Laser]]s, [[Medium Pulse Laser]]s, and [[ER Small Laser]]s. An extra heat sink helps to keep heat levels under some control.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (1.0) = 1,966;<ref name=CO/><ref>''Record Sheets: Upgrades'', p. 105</ref> BV (2.0) = 2,447<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 86</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration DD : The Double D is built for long ranged combat on the left side and short range combat on the right. The right arm carries a trio of [[Medium Pulse Laser]]s. A [[Streak SRM-6]] and one ton of ammo are carried in the right torso. The left torso carries an [[Artemis IV]] enhanced [[LRM-20]] with a meager one ton of ammunition. A pair of [[LB 2-X AC]]s and their shared ton of ammo are mounted in the left arm. (Note: this variant is a canonization of the D variant featured in the German Solaris VII box set. See Apocryphal section below) BV (2.0) = 1,970<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10'', p. 12</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration E : The E configuration makes use of a [[Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle 30]] in each arm, though each one only has a single ton of ammunition to draw upon.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (2.0) = 2,031<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 87</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration F : The ''Mad Dog'' F has a pair of [[HAG 20]]s. Though they don't have the sheer power of the larger guns, the four tons of ammunition provide substantially better staying power than the E variant has. To back the HAGs up, the F mounts four [[ER Medium Laser]]s.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (2.0) = 2,300<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 88</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration G : This variant carries a pair of Streak SRM-6s in the right torso and a [[Streak LRM-15]] in the left. The ''Mad Dog'' G carries a single ER PPC in the left arm, while the right mounts a trio of [[ER Medium Pulse Laser]]s. BV (2.0) = 2,503<ref>''Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades'', p. 141</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration H : Built with new Heavy Laser technology, the ''Mad Dog'' H downgrades the [[LRM-20]] launchers to [[LRM-15]]s, compensating with [[Artemis IV]] capability, so it can mount its arsenal of a [[Heavy Large Laser]] and three [[Heavy Medium Laser]]s, making it much more capable at close range; eight extra heat sinks handle some of the extra burden.<ref name=TRCIp46f /> BV (1.0) = 1,735;<ref name=CO/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 168</ref> BV (2.0) = 2,097<ref name=TRCIp46f /><ref>''Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)'', p. 89</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration I : With its capacitor enhanced left arm [[ER PPC]], the ''Vulture'' I can create giant holes in its foes at long range. Following that up with its twin Clan-built [[Rotary AC/2]]s the I is able to damage internal components with ease. Two tons of ammo feed the autocannons. Three additional heat sinks are used to keep the design cool. BV (2.0) = 2,042<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10'', p. 12</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration S : An [[ER PPC]] is carried in each arm. A [[Medium Pulse Laser]] is installed in each torso; two double heat sinks are installed in the right torso and left torso. The left torso has an [[Active Probe]]. Five jump jets are scattered across the rear of each torso to provide a 150 meter jump capability. BV (2.0) = 2,676<ref>''Battle of Tukayyid'', p. 152</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration T : The T sacrifices the Prime’s accuracy for improved long range damage capabilities. Gone are the pulse lasers and in their place is an [[ER Large Laser]] and an [[ER Medium Laser]] in each arm. The Prime’s [[LRM-20]]s are still in place but now feature [[Artemis V]]. Each launcher has a two-ton magazine. An extra double heat sink is mounted in the CT. BV (2.0) = 2,555<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10'', p. 12</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration U : An underwater configuration, this version uses [[BattleMech HarJel System]] to prevent hull breaches. It's equipped with five [[UMU]]s to maintain a high cruising speed underwater. Its weaponry consists of twin [[LRT-15]]s with [[Artemis IV]] guidance and each arm carries a Medium Pulse Laser and ER Medium Laser. BV (2.0) = 2,488<ref>''Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New'', p. 141</ref>

*; Alternate Configuration V : An unusual design, the V is used for mobile artillery. An [[Arrow IV]] launcher is jammed into the right torso with some of the weapon spilling out into the right arm as well. Two tons of ammo Arrow ammo are carried in the left torso. Unlike some designs, like the ''Naga'', the ''Vulture'' V is more than capable of self-defense, and isn’t nearly worthless when out of artillery ammo. An [[LRM-20]] is carried in the left torso and is provided with its own two tons of ammo. Additionally, each arm carries both a [[Medium Pulse Laser]] and an [[ER Medium Laser]]. BV (2.0) = 2,182<ref>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10'', p. 12</ref>

*; Vulture Mk. II : Produced by [[Bergan Industries]] for [[Clan Ghost Bear]], the Vulture Mk. II introduced by the time of the [[FedCom Civil War]] is almost functionally identical to the original, but has a slightly different appearance in terms of armor, structure, engine mounting and other cosmetic areas due to being produced from factories using Spheroid tooling. One such change of note was moving the Medium Pulse Lasers to a torso-mounted chin turret.<ref>[http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,32373.msg753910.html#msg753910 Ask The Developer ruling, 21-Aug-2013]</ref> A chin turret was featured in the Vulture's (apocryphal) depiction in [[MechWarrior 4]].

===Apocryphal Configurations===
{{ApocryphalContentStart}}
''From [[MechWarrior Online]]:''
*; MDD-BA ''Bandit'' : [[PGI]]'s first [[Hero 'Mech]] configuration, the ''Bandit'' is themed as being piloted by [[Russou Howell]] and is armed with a mammoth [[Ultra Autocannon/20]] in each side torso. With only twin ER Small Lasers in each arm as supporting weapons, its pilot must make every shot of its combined total of two tons of reloads count.<ref name=MWO-C2>''MechWarrior Online'' Clan Wave Two Hero Sale Page</ref>

*; MDD-RV ''"Revenant"'' : Themed as the battered ''Mad Dog'' used by ex–Smoke Jaguar [[Garrett (Blackstar Stables)|Garrett]] on [[Solaris VII]], the second MWO Hero 'Mech is configured as a long-range specialist mounting sixty Long Range Missile tubes - twin LRM-20s and twin [[LRM-10]]s split between its side torsos - supported by four Medium Pulse Lasers, one in each arm and two in a ''Mad Dog Mk II'' style center torso mounted turret. Four tons of LRM ammunition is more than enough for the average Solaris duel or Clan Trial.<ref name=MWO-S7>''MechWarrior Online'' Solaris-7 Sale Page</ref>

''From [[Solaris VII: The Game World#Arena-Planet Solaris VII|Solaris VII Boxed Set - German Edition]]:''
*; ''Vulture'' D : A different loadout from the canonical "D" version, this one sports 3 medium pulse lasers, 2 LB 2-X autocannons, an LRM-20 and a Streak SRM-6. BV (2.0) = ??<ref name=GermanSolaris>''Arena-Planet Solaris VII'': "German-language edition of the boxed set Record Sheets Booklet"</ref>
{{ApocryphalContentEnd}}

==Design Quirks==
The ''Vulture'' has the following [[Design Quirks|Design Quirk]]:<ref>''BattleMech Manual'', p. 95: BattleMech Quirk Table - Vulture Entry</ref>
* [[Improved Targeting (Medium)]]

==Vulture Mk II==
While the later ''[[Mad Dog Mk III (Vulture Mk III)|Vulture Mk III]]'' and ''[[Mad Dog Mk IV (Vulture Mk IV)|Vulture Mk IV]]'' evolutions of the ''Mad Dog'' design became rather prominent, the '''''Vulture Mk II''''' is hardly ever mentioned. In a [[Line Developer]] clarification/ruling of 21 August 2013<ref>In [http://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php/topic,32373.msg753910.html#msg753910 this] thread on the official [[BattleTech Forum]]</ref> (and thus established as fully [[canonical]]), [[Herb Beas]] made a connection between the following quote from ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]'' (p. 130: "Deployment") and the ''Vulture Mk II'':
{{Quote|Indeed, since their move to the Inner Sphere, [[Clan Ghost Bear]]'s [[Bergan Industries]] factory line is building more and more Clan designs, including a homegrown ''Vulture''. Minor variances in structure, armor, and engine design—legacy of Bergan's Spheroid factory tooling—have slightly altered the appearance of these ''Vulture''s, but these new machines are functionally indistinguishable from their Homeworld forebears.

The bottom line: The Mk. II is functionally identical to the original; it merely differs cosmetically.|Herbert A. Beas, Line Developer - 21 August 2013}}

Although credited as a Ghost Bear redesign, the ''Vulture Mk II'' owned by [[Latonya Lyons]] is stated to be of [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] manufacture in her dossier.<ref name=DADossiers238>''MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards'', p. 238: "Latonya Lyons"</ref> To reconcile this with the Line Developer ruling, it can be assumed the 'Mech was originally built by the Jaguars, but refurbished and thereby turned into a Mk II version by the Ghost Bear factory at a later point.

The [[MechWarrior IV: Vengeance|MechWarrior 4]] series depicted the Medium Pulse Lasers as mounted in a chin rack, the results are the moving of the Medium Pulse Lasers into the Center Torso. This model is called the ''Mad Dog Mk II (Vulture Mk II)'' by the online BattleTech Community, but it remains uncertain if this is among the cosmetic changes mentioned above. (Technically, changing the location of the lasers from one torso section to another arguably goes beyond being functionally indistinguishable.) 

There is some circumstantial evidence that the depiction in ''MechWarrior 4'' was a result of conceptual blending with the ''[[Avatar]]'' during the game's development.  Since the ''Avatar'' is a ''Mad Dog'' analogue which had appeared in ''MechWarrior 3'' alongside other ''[[Technical Readout: 3058|TRO:3058]]'' Inner Sphere OmniMechs, but did not return alongside those other 3058 chassis for ''MechWarrior 4'', the ''Mad Dog (Vulture)'' and ''Avatar'' may have been "condensed" into a single design (most likely due to schedule and resource issues).  Indications of the evolving depiction of the ''Mad Dog'' in the games go back as far as the intro movie of ''MechWarrior 3'', where a ''Mad Dog'' Prime displays arms more similar to an ''Avatar'' and the MechWarrior 4 ''Mad Dog'' than the ''Mad Dog'' Prime's canonical arms.

==Notable Pilots==
:''See [[:Category:Notable Mad Dog (Vulture) Pilots]]''

==Related BattleMechs==
* ''[[Lupus]]'' - [[Clan Smoke Jaguar]] based their second generation ''Mad Dog'' on the first generation ''Lupus'' introduced by [[Clan Coyote]].<ref>''Era Digest: Golden Century'', p. 23</ref>

* ''[[Mad Dog Mk III (Vulture Mk III)|Vulture Mk III]]'' - Originally created to bolster [[Clan Ghost Bear Touman|the ''touman'' of Clan Ghost Bear]], and shared with [[Clan Snow Raven]], this design adds more protection while also increasing the missile payload considerably. A fair complement of backup weapons allows the ''Vulture Mk III'' to defend itself at closer ranges.

* ''[[Mad Dog Mk IV (Vulture Mk IV)|Vulture Mk IV]]'' - Manufactured by Clan [[Clan Sea Fox|Sea Fox]] and sold to every nation and Clan, the ''Vulture Mk IV'' OmniMech is largely unchanged from the original ''Vulture'' in basic design terms.

* ''[[Bushwacker]]'' - Recovered schematics of the Vulture allowed TharHes engineers to overcome many issues with the ''Bushwacker''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s design, which would have otherwise precluded the 'Mech from active service.

* ''[[Avatar (OmniMech)|Avatar]]'' - Battlefield salvage left after the [[Battle of Luthien (3052)|Battle of Luthien]] allowed [[Luthien Armor Works]] engineers to reverse engineer their own OmniMech, the ''Avatar''.  The torso of the ''Avatar'' was widened to allow the incorporation of a bulkier, Inner Sphere [[XL engine]].<ref>''Technical Readout: 3058'', p. 92</ref>

* ''[[Timber Wolf]]'' - The ''Mad Dog'' shares similar parts to the venerable OmniMech due to the fact it was made from the same mold as the ''Timber Wolf''. But the name of the 'Mech itself was used to insult the ''Timber Wolf'' and ''Lupus'' designs that came before it.{{cn}}

==Notes==
* In German products, the unit's Clan name was translated to '''''Bluthund''''', which literally means ''Bloodhound''. The unit's Inner Sphere name was translated to '''''Geier'''''.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Mad Dog 3050.png|Original ''Mad Dog'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3050|TRO:3050]]''
Vulture TBTC.jpg|''Mad Dog'' from ''[[The BattleTech Compendium|BT:Compendium]]''
Vulture BTCTRoW.jpg|''Mad Dog'' from ''[[BattleTech Compendium: The Rules of Warfare|BTC:TRoW]]''
Mad_Dog.jpg|''Mad Dog'' Prime from ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade|TRO:3050 Upgrade]]''
Mad Dog RGilClan v10.png|''Mad Dog'' from ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 10|RG:ilClan v10]]''
Honor_duel.gif|''Mad Dog'' C in battle from ''[[Combat Operations]]''
Vultures vs Infantry HBHK.png|A pair of ''Mad Dogs'' charge through a platoon of infantry
Vulture SolarisVII.jpg|A ''Mad Dog'' on [[Solaris VII]]
Mad Dog - interior.jpg|Interior of ''Mad Dog'' from ''unknown'' source
Vulture Prime (Mad Dog).jpg|''Mad Dog'' Prime from ''[[BattleTech Trading Card Game|CCG]]''
Vulture_A_(Mad_Dog).jpg|''Mad Dog'' A from ''CCG''
Vulture C (Mad Dog).jpg|''Mad Dog'' C from ''CCG''
MWDA Mad Dog-Vulture.jpg|''Mad Dog'' from ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age Collectable Miniatures Game|MWDA]]''
MW4-M Vulture.png|Model of ''Mad Dog'' from ''[[MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries|MW4: Mercenaries]]''
MWO Mad Dog.jpg|Model of ''Mad Dog'' from ''[[MechWarrior Online|MWO]]''
File:Clan Heavy Striker Star - Mad Dog.jpg|''Mad Dog'' miniature from ''[[BattleTech: Clan Heavy Striker Star]]''
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
<div class="desktop-3-col">
* ''[[BattleTech: Battle of Tukayyid]]''
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
* ''[[Era Digest: Golden Century]]''
* ''[[Field Manual: Warden Clans]]''
* ''[[MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards]]''
* [https://mwomercs.com/clan-heroes-two ''MechWarrior Online'' Clan Wave Two Hero Sale Page]
* [https://mwomercs.com/solaris-7 ''MechWarrior Online'' Solaris 7 Hero 'Mech Sale Page]
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrades Unabridged (Clan & Star League)]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3060]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: Upgrades]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades]]''
* ''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Revised]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3058]]''
</div>

[[Category:'Mechs]]
[[Category:BattleMechs]]
[[Category:OmniMechs]]
[[Category:Heavy BattleMechs]]
[[Category:60 ton BattleMechs]]

[[Category:Clan Smoke Jaguar BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Clan OmniMechs]]
[[Category:German renamed units]]