Editing Viper (BattleMech)

{{otheruses|the 70-ton Inner Sphere BattleMech|other uses|Viper}}
{{InfoBoxBattleMech
|image = Viper RGilClan v32.jpg
|name = ''Viper''
|manufacturer = [[Kallon Industries]]
|model = VP-1
|Tech Base = Inner Sphere
|mech type = BattleMech
|mass = 70
|feet = biped
|production year = 2832
|year reference = <ref name=MUL>http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/9466/viper-vp-1</ref>
|chassis = [[Crucis-B]]
|armor = [[Riese-500]]
|engine = [[VOX 280 XL]] 
|comsys = [[Garret T11-B2]]
|T&T = [[Garret A6]]
|heat sinks = 17 [[double heat sink|double]]
|speed = 64
|jumpjets = [[Chilton 465]]
|armament =
* 2x [[Binary Laser Cannon]]
* 3x [[Medium Pulse Laser]]
|BV (2.0) = 1,609<ref name=ICRG32>''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32'', p. 13</ref>
}}

==Description==
After the [[FWLM]] issued a call for the development of a low-maintenance, easily manufactured heavy 'Mech in response to the ravages of the [[First Succession War]], [[Kallon Industries]] responded with the fully-developed '''''Viper'''''. Utilizing an upscaled [[Crusader]] chassis, the ''Viper'' was manufactured periodically beginning in the [[twenty-ninth century]], with its production competing with that of the ''Crusader''. The ''Viper'' was never produced in particularly large quantities, and the design gradually vanished over the course of the [[Second Succession War|Second]] and [[Third Succession War]]s before finally going extinct. The ''Viper'' was then brought back into production in the [[thirty-second century]] after a stockpile of [[Binary Laser Cannon|blazers]] was found by Kallon Industries, just as they were trying to develop a new 'Mech for the [[RAF]].<ref name=ICRG32></ref>

==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Viper'' relied on a pair of [[Binary Laser Cannon]]s as its primary armament, with an additional three [[Medium Pulse Laser]]s as backup. Kallon had originally intended to use [[Extended Range PPC]]s as the 'Mech's main weapons, but those had been growing increasingly scarce at the time of the ''Viper'''s development.<ref name=ICRG32></ref>

==Variants==
*; VP-5 : This variant is the only documented one of a number of downgrades developed during the [[Succession Wars]] as the Star League technology used by the VP-1 was gradually lost. It was a typical Late Succession War downgrade using standard components and weapons; the blazers were replaced with two [[Large Laser]]s and the medium pulse lasers were replaced with six [[medium laser]]s.<ref name=ICRG32></ref>

*; VP-7 : Developed during the Republic era, this variant replaced the VP-1's medium pulse lasers with [[Clan]] [[ER Medium Laser]]s, and added a [[Targeting Computer]] and [[Active Probe]]. It also featured a [[Light Engine]].<ref name=ICRG32></ref>

*; VP-8 : A Dark Age-era design, this variant was based on the VP-7 and modified it by replacing the blazers with two [[Clan]] [[ER Large Laser]]s and replaces the standard armor with [[ferro-fibrous armor]]. The weight savings allowed Kallon to use a larger XL engine than the light engine used in the VP-7, translating into a higher top speed.<ref name=ICRG32></ref>

*; VP-9 : Another Dark Age-era design to come out of Kallon Industries, this variant uses the same light engine as the VP-7, while replacing all of its weapons. The VP-9 carries four [[Plasma Cannon]]s sourced from [[Clan Sea Fox]], together with a [[Mace]], [[Active Probe]], and [[AES]].<ref name=ICRG32></ref>

==Notes==
* According to [[:File:Viper origin.PNG|the BattleMech's eventual designer]] [[Keith Hann]], the ''Viper'', in name and appearance, originates from a piece of pre-[[Battledroids]] concept art. FASA used its silhouette for the armor diagram on FASA's record sheets, leading to widespread speculation. Many years later, Keith identified the mystery silhouette in a collection of concept art. As a result, he was tasked with writing stats, fluff, and variants for its eventual release in ''Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32''.

==References==
<references/>

==Bibliography==
*''[[Master Unit List]]''
*''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32]]''

[[Category:'Mechs]]
[[Category:Free Worlds League BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Republic of the Sphere BattleMechs]]
[[Category:Heavy BattleMechs]]