Broadsword Powered Armour
Class: Powered Armour Light
Chassis: Inner Sphere Standard 80kg 2/2/2
Movement: 2 Ground 25kg
Armour: 2 Stealth Basic 110kg 3 Slots
Manipulators: 2 Armoured Glove 0kg
Weaponry
LRM 1 60kg 2 Slots
LRM 1 Ammo (15) 125kg
Thunderstroke II (Hand Held) 0kg
Total 400kg
BV: 97 (Squad of Four)
If the Clan Invasion and subsequent wars had cast doubt on the survivability of unprotected infantry on the battlefield, the Jihad was the final nail in the coffin. With the goal of 100% Battle Armoured forces out of reach of all but the most prestigious regiments, the Broadsword Powered Armour was developed to fill the gap and allow infantry to take the field without suffering undue casualties.
Developed on the Planet Logandale in 3091, the Broadsword is intended to be used in the roles normally occupied by infantry, holding ground and supplying fire support. It is not intended to replace actual battle armour, nor is it intended to have a particularly offensive role and would do poorly if forced into such roles against anything other than unarmoured infantry. Users are reminded that this is an upgrade to unarmoured infantry and should be treated as such.
The suit offers improved protection for the infantryman; the armour is capable of weathering a direct hit from an SRM and has basic stealth capability. In terms of personal armament the standard issue rifle is the powerful and accurate Thunderstroke II, an effective weapon against infantry. This is backed up in the anti-armour role, by a LRM launcher with a massive fourteen reloads. This allows a platoon of Broadswords to engage targets at a much longer range than unarmoured infantry, but also to do so over a prolonged period of time. As a consequence the suit is not as fast as other light weight suits and needs an APC or IFV to get into suitable positions quickly.
Treated as an improved kind of conventional infantry, the Broadsword can make a valuable contribution to the battle, supporting other units from range and providing strong points to fall back on. It will struggle however, if it is used as a poor man’s battle armour.
Challenger
