Right after the MK1 LAMs were rolled out there was another set of Wasp, Stinger, and Phoenix Hawk models in the works. Realizing the versatility that LAMs had it was decided that it may be a good idea to equip them for reconnaissance duty and carry a versatile weapons load. There were also attempts to cut the costs of the designs. These efforts produced the “3” series which were unsuccessful.
The Wasp and Stinger designs are almost identical to their BattleMech counterparts. Their weight was increased by 5 tons to account for all of the LAM equipment, give a sight change in structural integrity and reduce costs. They otherwise retain the same armor, weapons, and maneuverability. These models are known for their specialized Recon Camera that would go on to inspire the dual-camera system used on the Boomerang Spotter Plane. Both the Wasp and Stinger 3 LAMs still exist in the Inner Sphere (this report being written during the 4th Succession War) and are identifiable by their vertical stabilizers. The Stinger has one in between both turbines while the wasp has two total. These fins were prone to jamming during conversion and eventually dropped from future models. Also, they are known for their arm mounted medium lasers that are detached and mounted on the belly of the craft in Aircraft mode. The Wasp also keeps the SRM-2 launcher on the left leg which rotates toward the rear arc, which was later dropped in later models.
WSP-103
Wasp LAM WSP-103
Mass: 25 tons
Chassis: Standard LAM
Power Plant: 150 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
1 SRM 2
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2701
Tech Rating/Availability: D/D-E-F-F
Cost: 2,008,438 C-bills
Type: Wasp LAM
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 636
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
LAM Conversion Equipment 2.5
Engine 150 Fusion 5.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
AirMech Cruising MP: 18
AirMech Flanking MP: 27
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Heat Sink 10 0
Gyro 2
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 48 3
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 4
Center Torso 8 6
Center Torso (rear) 4
R/L Torso 6 6
R/L Torso (rear) 2
R/L Arm 4 4
R/L Leg 6 5
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
SRM 2 LL 1 2 1.0
SRM 2 Ammo (50) CT 1 - 1.0
2 Heat Sink RT 2 - 2.0
3 Jump Jet RT 3 - 1.5
Recon Camera RT 1 - 0.5
2 Heat Sink LT 2 - 2.0
3 Jump Jet LT 3 - 1.5
Medium Laser RA 1 3 1.0
STG-A3
Stinger LAM STG-A3
Mass: 25 tons
Chassis: Standard LAM
Power Plant: 150 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
2 Machine Gun
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2701
Tech Rating/Availability: D/D-E-F-F
Cost: 1,954,063 C-bills
Type: Stinger LAM
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 591
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
LAM Conversion Equipment 2.5
Engine 150 Fusion 5.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
AirMech Cruising MP: 18
AirMech Flanking MP: 27
Safe Thrust: 6
Max Thrust: 9
Heat Sink 10 0
Gyro 2
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 48 3
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 4
Center Torso 8 6
Center Torso (rear) 4
R/L Torso 6 6
R/L Torso (rear) 2
R/L Arm 4 4
R/L Leg 6 5
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
Machine Gun Ammo (200) CT 1 - 1.0
2 Heat Sink RT 2 - 2.0
3 Jump Jet RT 3 - 1.5
Recon Camera RT 1 - 0.5
Machine Gun LA 1 0 0.5
2 Heat Sink LT 2 - 2.0
3 Jump Jet LT 3 - 1.5
Medium Laser RA 1 3 1.0
Machine Gun RA 1 0 0.5
The Phoenix Hawk had no room for cost-cutting measures and kept its 50 ton chassis. This version followed the same design philosophy of the Wasp and Stinger “3” by adding a Recon Camera. Both medium lasers were actually dropped to allow for an arm-mounted large laser. It made the weapon more versatile, also mounted below the belly in Aircraft mode, but it was prone to weapons fire and heat issues because of its size. This model also had the SRM-2 feature found on the Wasp. It is identifiable by both of these external features and is extremely rare.
PHX-HK3
Phoenix Hawk LAM PHX-HK3
Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Standard LAM
Power Plant: 250 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Standard
Armament:
2 Machine Gun
1 SRM 2
1 Large Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 2701
Tech Rating/Availability: D/D-E-F-F
Cost: 4,328,938 C-bills
Type: Phoenix Hawk LAM
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 50
Battle Value: 1,326
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 5
LAM Conversion Equipment 5.0
Engine 250 Fusion 12.5
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5
AirMech Cruising MP: 15
AirMech Flanking MP: 23
Safe Thrust: 5
Max Thrust: 8
Heat Sink 12 2
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 128 8
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 6
Center Torso 16 23
Center Torso (rear) 5
R/L Torso 12 18
R/L Torso (rear) 4
R/L Arm 8 10
R/L Leg 12 15
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
SRM 2 LL 1 2 1.0
Jump Jet CT 1 - 0.5
Heat Sink RT 1 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet RT 2 - 1.0
Recon Camera RT 1 - 0.5
Machine Gun LA 1 0 0.5
Heat Sink LT 1 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet LT 2 - 1.0
SRM 2 Ammo (50) LT 1 - 1.0
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100) LT 1 - 0.5
Large Laser RA 2 8 5.0
Machine Gun RA 1 0 0.5
“3” series LAM models are extremely rare because they were not produced in significant numbers. The Wasp and Stinger were highly specialized and fragile, eventually regulated into training programs. Fortunately most of their hardware is compatible with today’s Wasp and Stinger BattleMech parts, which kept them from extinction. Most are in service among the Combine/Commonwealth boarder and frequenting the Rasalhague province. No Phoenix Hawk “3” models are known to exist and are considered extinct, all reports being unconfirmed.
