The Impuratus and Messorem are the next logical step from the modified Drone-Control Laments already in service. Purpose built designs intended to operate full time alongside the Republic's growing drone forces, though figuring out what that really means is something of a work in progress. Though both feature the same hardended communications and drone control systems, their approach to using those drones is signficantly different.
The Impuratus ("Villain" or "Blackguard", though often mistranslated as Imperator due to its similar pronunciation) is a fairly typical heavy cavalry design, reminicent of the older Thug in capabilities, though using a more generous amount of advanced technology to produce a more mobile platform. For this design, drones function as supplemental forces, adding additional firepower or ablative protection to draw fire and keep the manned units in operation.
The Messorem ("Reaper", referred to under certain curcumstances as Messor by linguists who still haven't forgiven the Word of Blake for High Domini) is a dedicated fire support platform built around a massed battery of small diameter Thunderbolt missiles. With only limited mobility of its own, the Messorem relies on its drones to function as its eyes and ears, scouting the surrounding area to keep tabs on the enemy and better anticipate their movements, and when possible, to provide targeting data for a healthy volley of indirect missile fire.
Both designs are currently undergoing field testing, with a lance of each assigned to the 12th Hastati Sentinels on Northwind. Given the demands already on the Republic's military industries, further production is entirely dependent on the success of these field tests.
Design Quirks: The Impuratus possesses the Improved Communication and Improved Cooling Jacket (ER PPCs) design quirks. The Messorem possesses the Improved Communications and Fast Reload design quirks.
Impuratus IMP-1X
IS experimental
75 tons
BV: 1,719
Cost: 19,173,000 C-bills
Movement: 5/8
Engine: 375 XL
Heat Sinks: 15 [30]
Gyro: XL Gyro
Internal: 114 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 231/231
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Head 3 9
Center Torso 23 31
Center Torso (rear) 15
Right Torso 16 20
Right Torso (rear) 12
Left Torso 16 20
Left Torso (rear) 12
Right Arm 12 24
Left Arm 12 24
Right Leg 16 32
Left Leg 16 32
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
ER PPC LA 15
ER PPC RA 15
MML 5 LT 3
MML 5 RT 3
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
MML 5 SRM Ammo LT 20
MML 5 SRM Ammo LT 20
MML 5 LRM Ammo RT 24
MML 5 LRM Ammo RT 24
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
CASE LT
CASE RT
Drone Control Console HD
Messorem MSN-1X
IS experimental
65 tons
BV: 1,388
Cost: 8,643,525 C-bills
Movement: 3/5
Engine: 195 Light
Heat Sinks: 11 [22]
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 104 (Endo-Steel)
Armor: 184/211
Internal Armor
--------------------------------------
Center Torso 21 30
Center Torso (rear) 9
Right Torso 15 20
Right Torso (rear) 8
Left Torso 15 20
Left Torso (rear) 8
Right Arm 10 20
Left Arm 10 20
Right Leg 15 20
Left Leg 15 20
Weapon Loc Heat
----------------------------------------
Thunderbolt 5 RA 3
Thunderbolt 5 RA 3
Thunderbolt 5 RA 3
Thunderbolt 5 LA 3
Thunderbolt 5 RA 3
Thunderbolt 5 LA 3
Thunderbolt 5 LA 3
Thunderbolt 5 LA 3
Ammo Loc Shots
----------------------------------------
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo RA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo LA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo RA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo RA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo RA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo RA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo LA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo LA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo LA 12
Thunderbolt 5 Ammo LA 12
Equipment Loc
----------------------------------
Drone Control Console HD
CASE II RA
CASE II LA
Further Note: For visual purposes, I consider the CAV: Strike Operations Imperator and Reaper miniatures to be a decent representation of how these mechs would look.
