Where are combat engineering 'Mechs? Yes, it can be argued that Industrial 'Mechs fulfill this role along with conventional combat engineering vehicles, but both of those are flimsy and lacking in mobility department, and engineering is inevitably vital for warfare.
So, i figure, why not retrofit older chassis for combat engineering tasks? This allows cheap creation of a mobile and durable platform that can accompany others and do tasks even under fire if necessary.
As an example concept, i came up with "Engineering Hawk", a retrofitted Shadow Hawk (designated SHD-2E, E for "engineering"). Figured the 'Mech is common and flexible enough for this purpose. I picked the equipment based on the official combat engineering vehicle.
Left arm has a backhoe, while the AC/5 and its ammo is replaced with a lift hoist. Final ton was spent on a flamer, to give the 'Mech some anti-infantry capability and a tool for causing fires and smoke for cover, and for clearing vegetation.
It retains the medium laser and Shadow Hawk's missiles. For self-defense, and those things can be used for laying smoke screens, laying mines, and later on for clearing mine fields, depending on loaded ammo.
Engineer Hawk SHD-2E
Mass: 55 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-A
Production Year: 2570
Cost: 4 410 112 C-Bills
Battle Value: 978
Chassis: Earthwerks SHD Standard
Power Plant: CoreTek 275 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54,0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86,4 km/h
Jump Jets: Pitban LFT-50
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor: Maximillian 43 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Martel Model 5 Medium Laser
1 Holly Long Range Missile 5 Rack LRM-5
1 Holly Short Range Missile 2 Pack SRM-2
1 Backhoe
1 Flamer
1 Lift Hoist
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated, Majesty Metals and Manufacturing
Primary Factory: Calloway VI (Earthwerks), Dunianshire (Majesty)
Communications System: O/P 300 COMSET
Targeting and Tracking System: O/P 2000A
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 91 points 5,50
Engine: Fusion Engine 275 15,50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 3 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 RT 1,50
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 12 2,00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 RT
Gyro: Standard 3,00
Cockpit: Standard 3,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 152 9,50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 18 23
Center Torso (rear) 8
L/R Torso 13 18
L/R Torso (rear) 6
L/R Arm 9 16
L/R Leg 13 16
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1,00
Backhoe LA - 6 5,00
LRM-5 RT 2 1 2,00
Lift Hoist LT 0 3 3,00
Flamer LT 3 1 1,00
SRM-2 HD 2 1 1,00
@LRM-5 (24) RT - 1 1,00
@SRM-2 (50) CT - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 29
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 5 Points: 10
5/2j 2 1 1 0 2 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: MEL, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
This said and done... Does the concept actually make sense?
And what other configurations would be useful for combat engineering tasks? Perhaps a bridgelayer 'Mech?
And ultimately, perhaps there should be an OmniMech whose configurations are primarily intended for combat engineering.
What do you think?
