During the jihad NAIS had sent schematics of an updated Grasshopper that was relatively inexpensive and durable.
Qualities needed during that time frame sadly.
The brief was simple, make something that can be easily manufactured and at a decent price point. And something that could hold up to a beating.
In the end the grasshopper was chosen for those traits.
The only concession made was it had to be reasonably fast.
A oversupply of Magna 350 fusion engines allowed for the grasshopper to move 25% faster and combined with 5 jump jets gave an impressive 150metre jump capacity, thus filling that mandate. This also allowed for the use of 11 double heat sinks, thus providing roughly the same amount of heat dissipation as the standard models, except at less weight.
The weapons package was simple, yet effective. 1 Exostar ER large laser and 5 Diplan M3 medium lasers. The weapons package was tied into an NAIS Special Targeting computer.
An endo frame and ferro-fibrous hull gives it near maximum protection.
One common variant was to trade one of the medium lasers for a C3 slave computer
Grasshopper GRH-6D
Mass: 70 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3070
Cost: 7,858,307 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,832
Chassis: Ming z33/7-e Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Magna 350 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Lexington Lifters
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Maximillian 200 Ferro-Fibrous Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 Exostar ER Large Laser
5 Diplan M3 Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Jalastar
Primary Factory: Panpour
Communications System: Allet-C308
Targeting and Tracking System: NAIS Targeting Computer
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
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Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 107 points 3.50
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 3 RT, 3 LA, 3 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Engine: Fusion Engine 350 29.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT 5.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1.00
Gyro: Standard 4.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous AV - 197 11.00
Armor Locations: 3 LT, 3 RT, 3 LA, 3 RA, 1 LL, 1 RL
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 22 26
Center Torso (rear) 10
L/R Torso 15 20
L/R Torso (rear) 10
L/R Arm 11 20
L/R Leg 15 26
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
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Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00
Medium Laser LA 3 1 1.00
ER Large Laser RT 12 2 5.00
Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00
Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00
Targeting Computer LT - 3 3.00
Medium Laser CT 3 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 4
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 7 Points: 18
5j 3 3 1 0 3 1 Structure: 6
Special Abilities: ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
