By the early 32nd century, the CP-10 series Cyclops had been supplanted by newer BattleMechs both in terms of battlefield role as an assault BattleMech, and in its command role, including by newer Cyclops variants. While some Cyclops were upgraded to newer standards, the lower-intensity "brushfire" warfare of the Republic era resulted in some CP-10 series Cyclops repurposed to a less militant standard to support exploration, survey and colonization efforts.
During the height of the Star League era, it was not uncommon for BattleMEchs to be refit for these roles, and the refit of the Cyclops to the CP-10-CE "standard" followed these guidelines. The Hermes 360 engine, while valued for its ability to allow the 90-ton Cyclops to attain a high land speed for a 'Mech of its size of 64 kph, this came at the price of taking more than a third of the 'Mech's mass, and poorer parts availability than some more common engines. Taking a page from the CP-11-B, the CP-10-CE replaced the Hermes powerplant with the more common GM 270 fusion plant commonly available and used in BattleMechs like the Highlander and PHX-1 series Phoenix Hawk. With the reduction in powerplant and gyro size, this freed up 18 tons of mass for payload in the CP-10-CE. To offset this loss of speed, three jump jets were added to the CP-10-CE to assist it in crossing otherwise impassible terrain.
To support its new role, a collapsible command module similar to that of the CP-10-HQ was retained, mounted on the back of the BattleMech. Rather than using military-grade communications and sensor packages, this HQ module uses civilian-grade equipment, acting as a central communications and coordination hub for exploration and colonization efforts on exoplanets. Paired with this are an additional seven tons of communications gear, also civilian grade, mounted on the Cyclops itself, operated by a second crewmember seated in the supplemental command console added to the BattleMech's cockpit.
Also mounted on the CP-10-CE is a 10-ton standardized cargo module, mounted on the 'Mech's back, to provide additional supplies and equipment to teams operating with the BattleMech. A single torso-mounted lift hoist provides the Cyclops additional cargo-handling capabilities, and simplifies handling of both the cargo container and collapsible command module. A light bridge layer assists light vehicles with crossing otherwise impassible terrain.
This added utility for its new mission role came at a significant cost to combat capability, however. Of the original weaponry of the Cyclops, only the arm-mounted medium lasers are retained. Supplementing these are a small x-pulse laser and flamer, both useful for engaging large numbers of potentially hostile fauna. While less useful against megafauna, these do still have a deterrent value, as do the original medium lasers, and the CP-10-CE is still a 90-ton BattleMech, capable of engaging up to Megasaur-level xenofauna if necessary.
Due to its high degree of specialization, the CP-10-CE Cyclops is not a common refit of the venerable command BattleMech, and is most frequently found in groups working with Interstellar Expeditions or the handful of colonization and recolonization efforts found in the Periphery.
Cyclops CP-10-CE
IS experimental
90 tons
BV: 1,042
Cost: 9,036,210 C-bills
Movement: 3/5/3
Engine: 270
Heat Sinks: 10
Cockpit: Command Console
Gyro: Standard Gyro
Internal: 138
Armor: 160/279
Internal Armor
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Head 3 9
Center Torso 29 30
Center Torso (rear) 11
Right Torso 19 20
Right Torso (rear) 8
Left Torso 19 20
Left Torso (rear) 8
Right Arm 15 10
Left Arm 15 10
Right Leg 19 17
Left Leg 19 17
Weapon Loc Heat
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Medium Laser LA 3
Medium Laser RA 3
Small X-Pulse Laser RA 3
Flamer LA 3
Equipment Loc
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Standard None
Standard None
Collapsible Command Module LT
Cargo Container (10 tons) CT
Communications Equipment (7 ton) RT
Paramedic Equipment LL
Paramedic Equipment RL
Lift Hoist RT
Light Bridge Layer RT
