Editing Rattlesnake

{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image = Shrapnel 09 Cover.png
|name = ''Rattlesnake''
|manufacturer = 
|model = JR7-31<ref name=S9>''Rattlesnake II'' writeup in ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #9, pp. 53-55</ref>
|class = Light
|cost =  
|Tech Base = [[Inner Sphere]]
|mech type = BattleMech
|feet = 2
|mass = 35
|chassis = 
|armor = [[Ferro-fibrous]]<ref name=RS/>
|engine = 245 [[XL engine]]<ref name=RS>''Rattlesnake'' record sheet in ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #9, p. 58</ref>
|comsys = 
|T&T = 
|heat sinks = 11 [[Double Heat Sink|double]]<ref name=RS/>
|speed = 118.9
|jumpjets = 
|armament = 
* 7x [[Medium laser]]s
|BV (1.0) = 
|BV (2.0) = 1,398
}}
The '''''Rattlesnake''''' [[BattleMech]] was created for the [[MIIO]] by Dr. [[Robert Madson (31st c.)|Robert Madson]] as part of [[Project Trapdoor]] sometime after [[3042]].<ref name=VG>''Vengeance Games'', part 2 (in: ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #7)</ref><ref name=S9>''Rattlesnake II'' writeup in ''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #9, pp. 53-55</ref>

It is derived from the ''[[Jenner]]'' to the point of ultimately being (arguably) just an upgrade variant of it, and even shares the ''Jenner''&#39;s JR7 alphanumerical code. However, for the purpose of the Sarna.net [[BattleTechWiki]] it is considered a separate design and not a mere variant because it was treated as such in its original writeup.

==Canonicity==
Originally published in [[BattleTechnology#Issue 21|Issue #21]] of ''[[BattleTechnology]]'' magazine, the ''Rattlesnake'' was then implicitly considered [[canon]] but was downgraded to apocryphal when it was clarified that periodicals did not meet the criteria for canon and thus default to apocrypha.

With the ''[[Vengeance Games]]'' serial published in the explicitly canonical ''[[Shrapnel (magazine)|Shrapnel]]'' magazine, the ''Rattlesnake'' regained its canon status.

==Description==
The ''Rattlesnake'' was an upgrade to the ''Jenner'', designed to make use of cutting-edge technology recovered from the [[Helm Memory Core]] while outwardly appearing as a standard ''Jenner''.<ref name=VG/><ref name=S9/> As far as can be established, they were created by refitting existing ''Jenner''s as opposed to being built in a proper factory. As part of Project Trapdoor, the ''Rattlesnake''s were deployed with an eye to sowing confusion and uncertainty among [[Draconis Combine]] forces, and they were also used for [[MIIO]] black ops. One mission which involved the destruction of a ''[[Warhawk (Masakari)]]'' [[OmniMech]] by ''Rattlesnake''s was embellished and altered to an unspecified degree before being published as part of the psyops.<ref name=VG/><ref name=S9/> As of [[3084]] the 'Mech was widely regarded as an urban legend.<ref name=VG/>

Stated [[quirks]] for the ''Rattlesnake'' are "Rugged (2)" and "No/Minimal Arms".<ref name=S9/>

It is not known how many ''Rattlesnakes'' were built, but even at the height of Project Trapdoor, no more than 20 to 30 were deployed.<ref name=S9/> Operation Trapdoor was discontinued after around seven years,<ref name=S9/> and while the Trapdoor 'Mechs continued to be used, only few of them survived into the [[Jihad era]].<ref name=S9/>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The original JR7-31 ''Rattlesnake'' from the 3040s reportedly featured cutting-edge technologies including [[Ferro-fibrous]] armor, an [[XL Engine]] and a [[Guardian ECM Suite]]. Its main armament are seven [[medium laser]]s. Its 11 [[double heat sink]]s are only just capable of keeping its heat in check. Two [[jump jet]]s were added to the original five, for a total of seven.

No specific manufacturers are known for any of the components, probably because each ''Rattlesnake'' was effectively hand-built instead of a formal standardized production. Given that it is essentially a rebuild of the ''Jenner'' and deliberately trying to mimic the original design, it stands to reason that all components that it shares with the ''Jenner'' would in fact be the original ''Jenner'' components (by the respective manufacturers).

{{ApocryphalContentStart}}According to the ''BattleTechnology'' writeup, which is said to be rooted in fact yet at the same time edited with the intent to deceive, the ''Rattlesnake'' was built by "[[Phoenix Industries]]" and features a [[Phoenix JR35]] chassis, a [[Phoenix 245 XL]] engine, [[Phoenix J245]] jump jets, [[Phoenix Cuirass 112 Ferro-Fibrous]] armor, [[Hammerstorm Mjolnia-5]] {sic} medium lasers, a [[Hammerstorm Mjolnir-3]] [[small laser]], a [[Hammersorm Hugin Mk XIV]] {sic} communication system and a [[Hammerstorm Munin Mk IX]] targeting/tracking system.

Any of this may or may not be accurate, given the peculiar status of the only source.
{{ApocryphalContentEnd}}

==Variants==
*; JR7-31P : A variant that came up in [[3043]] replaced the ECM suite with a head-mounted [[C3 Slave]] unit and a [[small laser]] in the left torso. This variant is the original ''Rattlesnake'' as it was presented in the ''BattleTechnology'' magazine. It would eventually be put back in production by the time of the [[ilClan era]].<ref name=S9/> BV (2.0) = 1,323<ref>Official ''Shrapnel-9'' Record Sheets publication (digital), freely available from the [https://bg.battletech.com/shrapnel/ CGL website].</ref>

===Custom Variants===
*; JR7-31R (Gideon) ''Rattlesnake'' : The personal 'Mech of [[Gordon Wozniak]], after it passed to his son [[Gideon Wozniak|Gideon]] during his time on [[Solaris VII]] in [[3084]] it was fitted with [[Clan]]-grade [[ER medium laser]]s, a [[targeting computer]] and an [[Angel ECM suite]]. BV (2.0) = 1,959<ref name=S9p89>''Shrapnel Issue 9'', p.89-94: "RSN-1 Rattlesnake II"</ref><ref name=VG/>

==Related designs==
*''[[Rattlesnake II]]''

==Notes==
*The cover of ''Shrapnel'', issue #9, depicts Gideon Wozniak's ''Rattlesnake'' in battle, a scene from the story found in this issue.
* The original ''BattleTechnology'' magazine writeup (comprising of the short story ''[[Snake Dance]]'', scenario "Snake Rattle & Roll", and ''Rattlesnake'' technical details and game stats) was canonically alluded to as an in-universe publication that was rooted in fact yet "did not ring true", having been deliberately published as part of the Project Trapdoor psyops with the aim to mislead and deceive. The writeup thus straddles the line between [[apocryphal]] and being a [[canon rumor]].

==See also==
* Shrapnel #9: Fight with Confidence ''(Rattlesnake Variants)'' - [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Source/Details/508/shrapnel-9 Rattlesnakes]

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* [[BattleTechnology#Issue 21|''BattleTechnology'', Issue #21]]
* ''[[Vengeance Games]]'' (in ''[[Shrapnel (magazine)]]'')

[[Category:'Mechs]]
[[Category:Light BattleMechs]]
[[Category:35 ton BattleMechs]]
[[Category:BattleTechnology BattleMechs|Rattlesnake]]