STK-3G Stalker
Overview:
Introduced in 2742, the STK-3G Stalker was an upgrade to the standard STK-3F
Stalker currently in production at the time. Intended for use by the Free
Worlds League, the -3G Stalker used only standard technology, not advanced
components destined for Royal SLDF regiments. It is considered to be the direct
ancestor of the later STK-5M and -6M Stalkers that debuted following the Clan
Invasions.
Although featuring less firepower than the STK-3F, the -3G used the additional
tonnage freed by the removal of one Magna Mk III Large Laser to increase its
ammunition capacity and armor protection. Such BattleMechs were highly prized
during the Amaris Coup and the Liberation of Terra, as well as the subsequent
Succession Wars, as the heavier armor made these war-machines extremely
difficult to stop.
The design has remained in sporadic production to this day, but it has fallen
out of favor by the MechWarriors who dominate the fields of combat in modern
times. With a belief that firepower determines victory, not passive armor
protection, the older STK-3F is generally (but not always) preferred. The
STK-3G Stalker remains in limited production at the Irian Technologies facility
located on Shiro III in the Free Worlds League.
Capabilities:
The STK-3G differs from the standard STK-3F Stalker in that the -3G removes one
of the two torso mounted Magna Mk III Large Lasers, and shifts the remaining Mk
III to a centerline position in the center torso. This alteration in the
design freed up five tons, which the engineers used to increase the amount of
Valiant Lamellor composite armor used on the frame from 13.5 to 16.5 tons, the
maximum possible protective coverage on an 85-ton BattleMech chassis.
The two remaining tons were used to provide each of the Jackon B5c LRM
launchers with a second ton of ammunition, doubling endurance. Retaining all
other weapon systems and the twenty heat sinks associated with the STK-series,
the -3G does not suffer quite as much from overheating as its ancestor. At
mid-ranges, when utilizing the Jackson B5c LRMs and remaining Mk III Large
Laser, the STK-3G dissipates more heat than it generates . . . even on a full
run.
The full battery of short range weapons (two Thunderstroke SRM-6 launchers and
four Magna Mk II Medium Lasers) generate exactly the heat that this design can
dissipate, allowing for only movement heat to be of concern. MechWarriors
assigned to an STK-3G are advised not to mix the long- and short-range battery,
since such action can lead to extreme overheat concerns very rapidly. However,
a third firing circuit consisting of all five lasers (four Mk II mediums and
the Mk III large) is normally preset for firing solutions too risky to expend
the limited SRM ammunition upon. This weapons interlock generates the same
amount of heat as the short-range battery, and most STK-3G pilots switch
between the lasers, the long-range, and the short-range configurations quite
easily.
The heavy armor protection exceeds all other common BattleMechs in use during
the Succession Wars with the sole exeption of the AS7-D Atlas. This armor
protection, combined with the excellent communications system manufactured by
Cronol and the sophisticated Spar 3c fire control and targeting system makes
the STK-3G Stalker a command BattleMech of choice for those lucky enough to
have one available.
Battle History:
The 10th Marik Militia ("The Hammers") are a veteran force that are specialized
in shock tactics. To that end, Colonel Samuel Garibaldi (the Regimental
Commander) has concentrated his heavy and assault BattleMechs in the 2nd
Battalion under the command of Force Commander Barbara Shield. Known as the
Shield-Wall Battalion (and on occasion as the Case Red Assault Battalion), this
battalion includes no fewer than fourteen STK-3F and -3G Stalkers, supported by
Awesomes, Orions, Archers, Thunderbolts, Crusaders, and Wolverine-Ms.
Colonel Garibaldi uses the lighter and faster 1st and 3rd Battalions (comprised
mostly of mediums and fast heavies such as the Ostroc and Ostsol) to "herd"
opponents toward the slow-moving but powerful unit under Force Commander
Shield. If the 10th is required to make a frontal assault, this is the
battalion that leads it into combat, as the others protect its vulnerable
flanks and rear.
The 10th fought on the side of Janos Marik during the Civil War, and by 3020
had been assigned to Callison on the Steiner front. As of 3025, the regiment
remains stationed there protecting that vital system; the Falcons Regiment of
the Silver Hawk Irregulars is also assigned to the defense of Callison, and
Colonels Garibaldi and Michael Cameron-Witherspoon have been engaging a series
of maneuvers and wargames designed to give the green Falcons the training that
the Silver Hawk Coalition has been unable to provide.
Deployment:
Produced in conjunction with the STK-3F at Marik factories, the -3G sees
service throughout the Free Worlds League. The largest number of these
BattleMechs are employed by Federal forces, but the Duchy of Andurien's units
come a close second, followed by those of Oriente. Only a handful of STK-3Gs
are in service with minor provinces or other major political unions within the
League . . . a fact which irritates the Prince of Regulus.
Notable 'Mechs & MechWarriors:
Force Commander Barbara Shield directs her 2nd Battalion of the 10th Marik
Militia from the cockpit of her STK-3G Stalker which she has named The Forge.
A highly trained and experienced officer, Shield (a native of Gibralter) firmly
believes in the principles of applied force on a narrow point. She isn't
concerned with fairness or honor on the battlefield, but instead with winning.
Bounties have been placed her head by furious Capellan and Lyran officers over
her battalions extreme concentration of fire that deprived them of their
ancestral BattleMech.
Indeed, her actions have resulted in less salvage for the 10th than normal, and
she has been reprimanded several times; she still continues to mass the fire of
entire companies to eliminate single opponents quickly and efficiently, however.
Stalker STK-3G
Mass: 85 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D
Production Year: 2742
Cost: 7,123,425 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,622
Chassis: Titan H1 Standard
Power Plant: Strand 255 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Valiant Lamellor Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Magna Mk III Large Laser
2 Jackson B5c LRM-10s
2 Thunderstroke SRM-6s
4 Magna Mk II Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Triad Technologies (Irian Technologies)
Primary Factory: Shiro III
Communications System: Cronol PR
Targeting and Tracking System: Spar 3c Tight Band
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 130 points 8.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 255 13.00
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 20 10.00
Heat Sink Locations: 2 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 263 16.50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 27 42
Center Torso (rear) 12
L/R Torso 18 28
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 14 28
L/R Leg 18 36
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Medium Lasers RA 6 2 2.00
LRM-10 RA 4 2 5.00
2 Medium Lasers LA 6 2 2.00
LRM-10 LA 4 2 5.00
SRM-6 RT 4 2 3.00
SRM-6 LT 4 2 3.00
Large Laser CT 8 2 5.00
@LRM-10 (24) RA - 2 2.00
@LRM-10 (24) LA - 2 2.00
@SRM-6 (15) RT - 1 1.00
@SRM-6 (15) LT - 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 21
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 9 Points: 16
3 2 3 1 0 4 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0, IF 1