Difference between revisions of "MechBuster"
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| Name = MechBuster | | Name = MechBuster | ||
| Manufacturer = [[Wakazashi Enterprises]] (former), [[Gorton, Kingsley, and Thorpe Enterprises]] | | Manufacturer = [[Wakazashi Enterprises]] (former), [[Gorton, Kingsley, and Thorpe Enterprises]] | ||
| − | | Use = | + | | Use = Close Air Support |
| − | | Tech Base = Inner Sphere | + | | Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]] |
| − | | Introduced = 3023 | + | | Introduced = [[3023]] |
| Mass = 50 tons | | Mass = 50 tons | ||
| Engine (Type) = Shinobi 250 Turbine | | Engine (Type) = Shinobi 250 Turbine | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | [[House Kurita]] needed to reinforce it's dwindling AeroSpace assets near the end of the [[Third Succession War]], and as a stopgap measure created the ''MechBuster'' conventional fighter. | + | [[House Kurita]] needed to reinforce it's dwindling 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-casing technique on its turbine blades meant to give them an operating life of 10,000 hours. However, .1 percent of the turbines suffered a catastrophic failure after only ten hours of operation. The loss of one prototype and thousands of man-hours spent trying to find the problem proved fruitless, with the [[DCMS]] finally ordering Shinobi to replace them with traditional blades.<ref name=TR26>''Technical Readout: 3026 Revised'', p. 50</ref> |
| − | + | Once assigned to combat duty, the '''MechBuster'' proved to be a further disappointment. The fighter had limited ammunition, very limited fuel load, and its lack of VTOL capability tied it to easily-targeted airfields. During the invasion of [[Sevren]] in [[3024]] by [[House Steiner]] forces, 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 siezed by an enemy air-mobile [[infantry]] battallion, and were forced to ditch their craft near friendly forces.<ref name=TR26/> | |
| + | |||
| + | The assembly line where ''MechBuster''s 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/> The remaining aircraft were transferred to the [[Free Rasalhague Republic]] where production was restarted. | ||
==Armament== | ==Armament== | ||
| − | The one asset to the ''MechBuster'' is | + | The one asset to the ''MechBuster'' is its Zeus 75 [[Autocannon/20]], which fires a four-round burst of hyper-velocity depleted uranium armor penetrators (HDUAP). A single hit from the Zeus 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 VTOL capability.<ref name=TR26/> |
==Cargo== | ==Cargo== | ||
| − | The ''MechBuster'' has ten external hardpoints, which can be used to carry bombs or other ordnance. When used in conjunction with the fighter's RCA Instract Mk II targeting computer, the pilot can see exactly where the bombs will land, | + | The ''MechBuster'' has ten external hardpoints, which can be used to carry [[:Category: Bomb Munitions|bombs or other ordnance]]. When used in conjunction with the fighter's RCA Instract 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/> |
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
| − | + | A common variant of the ''MechBuster'' is to replace the autocannon with four [[SRM-6]] missile launchers along with extra fuel and ammunition, while another second replaces it with three [[Medium Laser]]s with added [[heat sink]]s and fuel. Recently, a third variant has appeared, replacing the Zeus 75 with an [[LB 20-X AC]]. | |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 16:11, 2 September 2011
| |
| MechBuster | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Wakazashi Enterprises (former), Gorton, Kingsley, and Thorpe Enterprises |
| Equipment Rating | |
| Use | Close Air Support |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Cost | |
| Introduced | 3023 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 50 tons |
| Engine (Type) | Shinobi 250 Turbine |
| Fuel | 320 - 2 tons |
| Armament | 1x AC/20 |
| Armor | 3 tons |
| Crew | 1 |
| BV (1.0) | ??? |
| BV (2.0) | 417 |
Contents
Description
House Kurita needed to reinforce it's dwindling 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-casing technique on its turbine blades meant to give them an operating life of 10,000 hours. However, .1 percent of the turbines suffered a catastrophic failure after only ten hours of operation. The loss of one prototype and thousands of man-hours spent trying to find the problem proved fruitless, with the DCMS finally ordering Shinobi to replace them with traditional blades.[1]
Once assigned to combat duty, the 'MechBuster proved to be a further disappointment. The fighter had limited ammunition, very limited fuel load, and its lack of VTOL capability tied it to easily-targeted airfields. During the invasion of Sevren in 3024 by House Steiner forces, 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 BattleMechs, suffering only one loss with a lucky shot from a Rifleman. However, upon return to their airfield, the pilots discovered it had been siezed by an enemy air-mobile infantry battallion, and were forced to ditch their craft near friendly forces.[1]
The assembly line where MechBusters were built has since been converted to making Shilone aerospace fighters, with only a single workshift dedicated to producing spare parts.[1] The remaining aircraft were transferred to the Free Rasalhague Republic where production was restarted.
Armament
The one asset to the MechBuster is its Zeus 75 Autocannon/20, which fires a four-round burst of hyper-velocity depleted uranium armor penetrators (HDUAP). A single hit from the Zeus 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 VTOL capability.[1]
Cargo
The MechBuster has ten external hardpoints, which can be used to carry bombs or other ordnance. When used in conjunction with the fighter's RCA Instract 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.[1]
Variants
A common variant of the MechBuster is to replace the autocannon with four SRM-6 missile launchers along with extra fuel and ammunition, while another second replaces it with three Medium Lasers with added heat sinks and fuel. Recently, a third variant has appeared, replacing the Zeus 75 with an LB 20-X AC.
References
- Technical Readout: 3026
- Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, pp. 50-51
- Technical Readout: 3039, pp 184-185