Michael Reconnaissance Hovercraft MRH-1
IS advanced
5 tons
BV: 287
Cost: 189,750 C-bills
Movement: 23/35 (Hover)
Engine: 75 XL
Internal: 5
Armor: 8 (Ferro-Fibrous)
Internal Armor
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Front 1 3
Right 1 1
Left 1 1
Rear 1 1
Turret 1 2
Weapon Loc Heat
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Medium Laser TU 3
In 2730, some of the Bowie Industries aerospace team employees responsible for the Gabriel Hovercraft met with members of the one of the engine teams, related to fitting the aging Chippewa heavy aerospace fighter with a engine upgrade. After one such meeting, discussion turned to past projects and work each team had done. As the Gabriel Hovercraft was mentioned, one of the junior engineers pointed out that an XL engine would allow for even faster movement. Quickly, older members of both teams began to run initial numbers, mostly as a joke and to show their superior experience and that such an upgrade would be too expensive and heavy, but rapidly realized that it was in fact feasible.
Eventually their concept reached the desk of engineering management, where the potential of gaining an additional SLDF contract and new, ultralight engines proved too much resist.
Starting with a VOX 80 standard fusion engine, the engine team downrated and modified the miniscule powerplant with weight saving technologies, creating the first 75 rated XL engine in history. As preliminary numbers had suggested, thanks to the relatively small size of the fusion engine, the cost increase and use of expensive materials was so small in absolute terms as to not matter.
Meanwhile, the ground and aerospace teams began to hash out modifying the chassis for the initial, high speeds that computer simulations predicted. The engine was mated to the modified chassis, and the initial unmanned testing quickly shoved that the resulting vehicle was ludicrously fast. G-forces measured in turns were comparable to a light conventional craft in combat maneuvres. The first prototype almost took flight, as it broke the three hundred kilometre barrier, though quick action managed to limit the damage to only the hull. Parts of the Gabriel's control surfaces would literally tear themselves off due to the forces imposed upon them. The teams soldiered on, continuing to doggedly solve each problem.
By 2731, the vehicle was ready for manned tests, and was fitted with dummy weapon simulating the real payload. Much like its predecessor, the 'Michael' used a turret more familiar to aerospace fighters, as the speeds were too much for most pilot's gunnery skills to handle otherwise.
The resulting vehicle was even thinner skinned than the Gabriel, but as it wasn't intended to be a front line combatant and the fact that Gabriel itself could not survive a medium laser hit in the first place, this was deemed acceptable tradeoff by the team. SLDF Procurement Command was contacted, who sent several officers familiar with the Gabriel Hovercraft.
During the testing, officers involved were at first lukewarm to the design, as it seemed to be to lack anything new. Only until one of the officers, a then current Gabriel commander, pointed out that the craft wasn't skidding out of control even when moving at full speed and pulling extreme turns rapidly. This was when the marketing department gave the signal, and the vehicle straightened out and blasted to full throttle.
Reaching the speed of three hundred and fifty two kilometers per hour, the howl of the lift fans was awe inspiring as the Michael proceeded to make history and become the fastest ground vehicle accepted into SLDF service, taking the mantle from its predecessor in 2732.
The Michael Hovercraft would not replace the Gabriel due to the latter being more forgiving for driver or 'pilot' error and requiring a strong constitution. Green crew reportedly would often feel extreme nausea, existential fear and general terror at the speeds and turns the hovercraft could pull off in the hands of a true 'throttle jockey', moniker normally reserved for aerospace and conventional plane pilots.
Instead the Michael would be assigned to more seasoned crews, who could handle the high performance machine and utilize its speed to the fullest extent.
Michael Reconnaissance Hovercraft is armed with a single medium laser, which gives it the ability to defend itself quite well, given the weight limitations. Protected by a half-a-tonne of aerospace grade Ferro-Aluminium, the armor mostly serves a structural purpose of keeping the craft together during high-speed turns, where forces exerted resemble a slow moving aerospace fighter in atmosphere, rather than any conventional ground vehicle. Cruise speed of two hundred and thirty kilometres is similar to the Gabriel, but maximum recorded flank speed is beyond unbelievable at three hundred and fifty five, admittedly achieved at slight downward slope.
The speed is so great, that the craft can at times threaten to take off depending on planetary atmospheric pressure and gravity. On lower gravity worlds, the Michael can actually glide in the air, giving it 'wings'. Much like the Gabriel's trumpet this is heavily discouraged, but has predictably become something of a rite of passage. Michael Hovercraft 'pilots' are considered true 'pilots' only once they have their 'wings', often pinning patches with pair of angel wings on their jumpsuits afterwards.
The Michael's speed allows it to outrun almost any known ground vehicle, while its medium laser and blistering movement speed means that even if it has no armor for all intents and purposes, a 'flight' of Michaels is sufficiently dangerous to either intimidate or destroy any craft that can actually hope to catch it. It also remained affordable, as the vehicle cost less than weapon suites on many light and medium 'mechs.
Second variant was made, MRH-1e, mounting either a Guardian ECM or a Beagle Active Probe depending on the mission, though this meant no weapon could be carried. The turret was retained for mounting optics and sensors for the suites. This created the fastest electronic warfare unit on land.
Due to the ravages of Succession Wars, the second line design first made in 2751 for successor states using a 45 rated Standard Fusion Engine allowed the design to survive, even if diminished in capability. Flank speed is downgraded to 'mere' two hundred and sixty two, while cruise speed is down to hundred and seventy one kilometres per hour. This model is known as the MRH-2, though due to using less common engine it would not be as popular as designs like the Savannah Master.
Eventually, Gibson Industries would re-open their 75 XL engine 'line' in 3047, and the Michael would return to former specs as the MRH-3LE.
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This seemed like the next logical step from the Gabriel Hovercraft, put an XL engine in it.
Surprisingly cheap, given that it can move so fast. An LRM-15 and a tonne of ammo will cost more than the entire vehicle.
Good luck hitting it too, since it can probably run out of range of even a Gauss Rifle if it loses initiative.
Blasting Kenny Loggins is mandatory while driving this. :D
