Editing MechBuster

{{InfoBoxConvFighter
| image = [[File:MechBuster.jpg|200px]]
| Name = MechBuster
| Manufacturer = [[Wakazashi Enterprises]] (former), [[Gorton, Kingsley, and Thorpe Enterprises]]
| Use = Close Air Support
| Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]]
| Cost = 767,792
| Introduced = [[3023]]<ref>[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/2154/mechbuster-standard MUL online date for {{PAGENAME}}]</ref>
| Mass = 50 tons
| Engine (Type) = [[Shinobi 250 Turbine]]
| comsys = [[Duoteck 5]]
| T&T = [[RCA Instatrac MK II]]
| heat sinks = None
| Fuel = 320 - 2 tons
| Armament = 1x [[AC/20]]
| Armor = 3 tons
| Crew = 1
| BV (1.0) = 434<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 215</ref><ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 10</ref>
| BV (2.0) = 417<ref name=TRO3039>''Technical Readout: 3039'', pp. 184-185, "MechBuster Profile"</ref><br>368<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 293</ref>
}}

==Description==
[[House Kurita]] needed to reinforce its dwindling [[aerospace fighter|aerospace]] assets near the end of the [[Third Succession War]], and as a stopgap measure created the '''MechBuster''' [[conventional fighter]].  While having good offensive capabilities, the MechBuster was a long way from a stellar success when it was first introduced.  Its Shinobi 250 Turbine engine used a powder-casting technique for its turbine blades which was meant to give them an operating life of 10,000 hours.  However, 0.1 percent of the turbines suffered a catastrophic failure after only ten hours of operation.  The loss of one prototype and the thousands of man-hours spent trying to find the problem proved fruitless, with the [[Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery]] finally ordering Shinobi to replace them with traditional blades.<ref name=TR26>''Technical Readout: 3026 Revised'', p. 50</ref><ref name=TRO3039/>

Once assigned to combat duty, the MechBuster proved to be a further disappointment.  The fighter had limited ammunition, a very limited fuel load, and its lack of VSTOL capability tied it to easily-targeted airfields.  This was well illustrated during the invasion of [[Sevren]] in [[3024]] by [[House Steiner]] forces, when two air lances of MechBusters made several brutal attacks on a company from [[Winfield's Brigade]] threatening a strategic bridge.  The four fighters destroyed seven [[BattleMech]]s, suffering only one loss with a lucky shot from a ''[[Rifleman]]''.  However, upon return to their airfield, the pilots discovered it had been seized by an enemy airmobile [[infantry]] battalion, and were forced to ditch their craft near friendly forces.<ref name=TR26/><ref name=TRO3039/> 

The assembly line where MechBusters were built has since been converted to making ''[[Shilone]]'' [[aerospace fighter]]s, with only a single workshift dedicated to producing spare parts.<ref name=TR26/>  However, after its declaration of independence from the Draconis Combine, the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] began purchasing used MechBusters and restarted production to bolster their growing [[KungsArmé]].<ref name=TRO3039/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The one asset to the MechBuster is its [[Zeus-75 Mark IX]] [[Autocannon/20]], which fires a four-round burst of hyper-velocity depleted uranium armor penetrators (HDUAP).  A single hit from the AC/20 can take out most light and medium 'Mechs, however it only carries one ton of ammunition.  The sheer weight of the autocannon and its ammunition also makes the fighter slower and is responsible for the lack of VSTOL capability.<ref name=TR26/><ref name=TRO3039/>

==Cargo==
The MechBuster has ten [[External Stores Hardpoint|external hardpoints]], which can be used to carry [[:Category: Bomb Munitions|bombs or other ordnance]].  When used in conjunction with the fighter's RCA Instatrac Mk II targeting computer, which adjusts for attack angle, drift and altitude, the pilot can see exactly where the bombs will land, improving upon the fighter's capability as a dive-bomber.<ref name=TR26/><ref name=TRO3039/>

==Variants==
*; SRM : A common variant introduced in [[3022]]<ref name=MUL>''Master Unit List'', "MechBuster variants"</ref> of the MechBuster replaces the autocannon with four [[SRM-6]] missile launchers along with extra fuel and ammunition. BV (1.0)= 484<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 218</ref><ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 12</ref>, BV (2.0)= 465<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 296</ref>

*; Laser : This variant introduced in [[3024]]<ref name=MUL/> replaces the AC/20 with three [[Medium Laser]]s with added [[heat sink]]s and fuel. BV (1.0)= 234<ref>''AeroTech 2 Record Sheets'', p. 11</ref> ,BV (2.0)= 380<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 216</ref>, (316)<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 294</ref>

*; LB-X :  Recently, a third variant introduced in [[3063]]<ref name=MUL/> has appeared during the [[FedCom Civil War]], replacing the Zeus-75 with an [[LB 20-X AC]]. BV (2.0)= 524<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039'', p. 217</ref>, (492)<ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 295</ref>

*; SeaBuster Strike Fighter (Early): Built as a prototype system, the "SeaBuster" variant of the MechBuster marries a [[flotation hull]] with a [[Recon Camera]]. These two modifications allow the SeaBuster to take off from any available lake or river and function as a reconnaissance asset. This is very useful as the [[Improved Heavy Gauss Rifle]] that acts as the main armament only carries a single ton of ammunition, severely limiting battlefield endurance. A mere two and a half tons of [[Heavy Ferro-Aluminum]] armor protect the fighter. BV (2.0) = 764<ref name=XTRO>''Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery'', p. 12</ref>

===Custom Variant===
*;MechBuster Mary : This MechBuster is based on a simple weapon swap. The AC/20 has been replaced by a [[Light Gauss Rifle]] and two tons of ammunition. The fuel tank has also been expanded so it can carry three tons of fuel. BV (1.0) = 414<ref>''Record Sheets: Unique Fighters'', p. 9</ref>

==Design Quirks==
The SeaBuster variant is subject to the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=XTRO/>
* [[Hard to Pilot]]
* [[Prototype]]

==Notes==
* In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to '''MechKiller'''. 

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:MechBuster.jpg|Original MechBuster from ''[[Technical Readout: 3026|TRO:3026]]''
Image:SeaBuster.jpg|Variant SeaBuster from ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery|XTRO:Periphery]]''
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
*''[[AeroTech 2 Record Sheets]]''
*''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Periphery]]''
*''[[Master Unit List]]''
*''[[Master Unit List: Battle Values]]''
*''[[Record Sheets: 3039]]''
*''[[Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged]]''
*''[[Record Sheets: Unique Fighters]]''
*''[[Technical Readout: 3039]]''
*''[[Technical Readout: 3057]]''

[[Category:Conventional Fighters|MechBuster]]
[[Category:German renamed units]]