Editing Viper (BattleMech)

{{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, but fans noted that it did not correspond to any known BattleMech design (with similarities to the ''Crusader'' and ''[[Chameleon]]'' often mentioned), leading to widespread speculation. Hann 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'' some 38 years later.

==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]]