Wednesday, May 18, 2016

TRO: 3087 - Birdeater

3087 is a Battletech alternate universe where The Jihad never happened. Instead, political fracturing continues in the wake of the technological and military upheavals of the 3050's. Its history is told through the pages and designs of TRO: 3087. With any luck this series will be the last anyone hears about 3087.

BRB-5OG Birdeater
Overview 
Offensives from the former Clan Wolf and Draconis Combine had eroded the Ghost Bears’ industrial capacity at the turn of the decade. Civil uprisings and precision deep-raids have caused further damage, but the Ghost Bears still have one of the most powerful industrial bases within the Inner Sphere.
Part of that comes from resilience and flexibility. When the Ursus plant on Alshain was damaged in a terrorist attack, it was rebuilt to create a new, similar OmniMech.
The Birdeater was conceived to fill the second-line role of the Ursus as well as to act as a cheap, reliable design to carry weapons into combat against the Draconis Combine. This is in keeping with the Bears’ new strategic plan to mix lower-cost OmniMechs with high-end BattleMechs instead of exclusively using high-end OmniMech units as their front-line forces.
It’s another stitch in the new fabric the Ghost Bears are weaving to unite the Clan with their Inner Sphere counterparts in the former Free Rasalhague Republic. That fabric has held despite a number of strains, so far.

Capabilities 
Relative to other Clan ‘Mechs, the Birdeater acts a pillbox, moving slowly and carrying over half its weight in weapons payload. It also a hardpoint and area denial unit when in a defensive role. With the correct loadout, it’s also a capable city fighter, replacing the Urbanmech IIC’s lost during the ilClan War. 
Its basis on the Ursus has caused some problems. The removal of the actuators has caused some problems with autocannons and particle projection cannons mounted in the arms. So far, such issues have been minor, but it’s caused Birdeater pilots to prefer variants without those kinds of weapons mounted in the arms.
The Birdeater was originally designed of as a quad ‘Mech, however the sheer mass of equipment available by its design couldn’t be incorporated on a quad design. Cues were taken from the Jade Falcon Howler to create a late-design conversion.

Battle History
A Dragoons Pact raid on Baldur ran into a star of Birdeaters in the Ravenroller configuration. Instead of fighting as standard defenders they engaged in high-risk, high-reward tactics. Given that the Hunchback IIC hasn’t been seen among front-line forces since the end of the ilClan War, it’s believed that the Birdeater has come to fill, amongst other roles, that of the Hunchback IIC.
After taking the defeated MechWarriors as bondsmen, the confirmed that despite massive social changes over a generation of Clan warriors, such suicidal engagements were still the norm for aging warriors without a bloodname.

Variants
Part of that mortar connecting the Inner Sphere and Clan elements of the Ghost Bears was a public submission and voting for names of Birdeater variants. It was hoped that relegating those names to a pool of candidates that planners could choose from would limit more irreverent winners. Sadly, social media campaigns subverted those hopes.
The Budgiedancer configuration is reminiscent of the Timberwolf’s D loadout. A pair of energy weapons--in this case large pulse lasers--backed by streak missiles make it a formidable duelist. A targeting computer gives it a lethality the Timberwolf lacked.
An LBX/5 backs up the Duckbiter configuration’s support role. Its ranged abilities are backed up by a single extended range laser and a quintet of smaller lasers are used for close quarters work. A suite of target acquisition gear, probes, and electronics countermeasures make it a versatile addition to any star. A full compliment of jump jets ensures that it remains a tricky target for enemies.
The paired ultra AC/10’s of the Ravenroller configuration don’t rival the AC/20’s of its predecessor the Hunchback IIC, but when linked with a pair of heavy medium lasers and jump jets it still packs a dangerous punch.
The Mockingbirdmincer configuration is primarily made for fire support. A pair of LRM 15’s fill its primary role well. An ECM suite paired with an anti-missile system cut down on counter-fire. A quintet of pulse lasers and a pair of machine guns give it close-in defense most support ‘Mechs would be jealous of. 
Eager to name any new configurations after notable warriors, the Ghost Bears were happy about this final variant. A gauss rifle and particle projection cannon linked to a targeting computer puts the “hard” in the Birdeater’s “hardpoint” mission profile. The supercharger pod and streak SRM pod are afterthoughts, but the configuration has been more common over the past few years, thanks to Star Colonel Hatoful Smol.

BRB-5OG Birdeater
Type/Model:    Birdeater BRB-5OG
Tech:          Clan / 3080
Config:        Biped OmniMech
Manufactured:  Ghost Bear Republic
Fielded:       
Ghost Bear Republic (Common)
Draconis Combine (Rare)

Mass:          50 tons
Equipment:              Crits     Mass
Int. Struct.:               7     2.50
(Loc: 1 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA, 3 RA)
  83 points
Engine:200    Fusion XL    10     4.50
 Walking MP:   4
 Running MP:   6
 Jumping MP:   0
Heat Sinks: 10 Double (C)   4     0.00
(Loc: 1 LT, 1 RA)
Gyro:                       4     2.00
Cockpit:                    5     3.00
Actuators:                 12     0.00
L: Sh+UA       R: Sh+UA
Armor Factor:               0    10.50
 168 pts

      Internal Structure  Armor Value
Head:                  3      9      
Center Torso:         16     23     
Center Torso (Rear):          8
L/R Side Torso:       12    18/18
L/R Side Torso (Rear):       6/6
L/R Arm:               8    16/16
L/R Leg:              12    24/24

Weapons and Equipment Loc  Crits  Tons
--------------------------------------
Budgiedancer Configuration
Targeting Computer     RT    3    3.00
2xStreak SRM-6         LT    4    6.00
Large Pulse Laser      RA    2    6.00
Streak SRM-6           RA    2    3.00
Large Pulse Laser      LA    2    6.00
Anti-Missile System    LA    1    0.50
@Streak SRM-6 (15)     RT    1    1.00
@Streak SRM-6 (15)     LT    1    1.00
@Anti-Missile... (24)  LA    1    1.00
Lower Arm Actuator     LA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          LA    1     0.00
Lower Arm Actuator     RA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          RA    1     0.00
Crits & Tons Left:         16     0.0

Duckbiter Configuration
Active Probe           HD    1     1.00
ECM Suite              CT    1     1.00
Supercharger           CT    1     0.50
LB 5-X AC              RT    4     7.00
2xER Medium Lasers     LT    2     2.00
TAG                    LT    1     1.00
2xER Medium Lasers     LA    2     2.00
ER Large Laser         LA    1     4.00
@LB 5-X (Cluster) (20) RT    1     1.00
Lower Arm Actuator     LA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          LA    1     0.00
Lower Arm Actuator     RA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          RA    1     0.00
2xJump Jets            RL    2     1.00
2xJump Jets            LL    2     1.00
2xDouble Heat Sinks    LT    4     2.00
Double Heat Sink       RT    2     1.00
2xDouble Heat Sinks    LA    4     2.00
2xDouble Heat Sinks    RA    4     2.00
Crits & Tons Left:          2     0.0

Ravenroller Configuration
ER Large Laser         CT    1     4.00
Heavy Small Laser      HD    1     0.50
Ultra AC/10            RT    4    10.00
Ultra AC/10            LT    4    10.00
Heavy Medium Laser     RA    2     1.00
Heavy Medium Laser     LA    2     1.00
@Ultra AC/10 (20)      RT    2     2.00
@Ultra AC/10 (10)      LT    1     1.00
Lower Arm Actuator     LA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          LA    1     0.00
Lower Arm Actuator     RA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          RA    1     0.00
2xJump Jets            CT    2     1.00
Jump Jets              LL    1     0.50
Jump Jets              RL    1     0.50
Free Critical Slots:       12

Mockingbirdmincer Configuration
ECM Suite              CT    1     1.00
3 Medium Pulse Lasers  RT    3     6.00
2 Machine Guns         RT    2     0.50
2 Medium Pulse Lasers  LT    2     4.00
Anti-Missile System    LT    1     0.50
LRM-15                 RA    2     3.50
LRM-15                 LA    2     3.50
@MG (1/2) (100)        RT    1     0.50
@Anti-Missile ... (24) LT    1     1.00
@LRM-15 (8)            RA    1     1.00
@LRM-15 (16)           LA    2     2.00
Lower Arm Actuator     LA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          LA    1     0.00
Lower Arm Actuator     RA    1     0.00
Hand Actuator          RA    1     0.00
2xJump Jets            RL    2     1.00
2xJump Jets            LL    2     1.00
Double Heat Sinks      LT    2     1.00
Double Heat Sinks      RT    2     1.00
Crits & Tons Left:          6     0.0

Hatoful Smol Configuration
Streak SRM-4           CT    1     2.00
Supercharger           CT    1     0.50
Targeting Computer     RT    4     4.00
ER PPC                 RA    2     6.00
Gauss Rifle            LA    6    12.00
@Streak SRM-4 (25)     LT    1     1.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)      LA    2     2.00
Crits & Tons Left:         19     0.0

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