Based on the recent Mech of the Week post, here are a few hypothetical upgrades to the Vulcan.
First, replace the AC2 with a Light AC2, 1 heat sink, and 1 ton of armor (seriously, for protection against 10 point hits)
Vulcan VL-2TL
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Mather Tech 500
Power Plant: Pitban 240
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: StarGuard I
Armament:
1 Medium Laser
1 Machine Gun
1 Light AC/2
1 Flamer
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Hartford 200S
Targeting & Tracking System: Hartford TA10
Introduction Year: 3068
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-F-D
Cost: 3,516,100 C-bills
Type: Vulcan
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 679
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 4
Engine 240 Fusion 11.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Heat Sink 11 1
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 96 6
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 12 13
Center Torso (rear) 6
R/L Torso 10 10
R/L Torso (rear) 4
R/L Arm 6 8
R/L Leg 10 12
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
2 Jump Jet CT 2 - 1.0
Heat Sink RT 1 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet RT 2 - 1.0
Light AC/2 RT 1 1 4.0
LAC/2 Ammo (45) RT 1 - 1.0
Machine Gun LA 1 0 0.5
Machine Gun Ammo (200) LT 1 - 1.0
Medium Laser LT 1 3 1.0
2 Jump Jet LT 2 - 1.0
Heat Sink RL 1 - 1.0
Flamer RA 1 3 1.0
Features the following design quirks: Narrow/Low Profile
Next, the obligatory LAC/5 version. Here, I cut down the MG ammo bin to half a ton, and used the weight for a Beagle Active Probe. Better for COIN/Support work.
Vulcan VL-5TL
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Mather Tech 500
Power Plant: Pitban 240
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: StarGuard I
Armament:
1 Light AC/5
1 Medium Laser
1 Machine Gun
1 Flamer
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Hartford 200S
Targeting & Tracking System: Hartford TA10
Introduction Year: 3068
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-F-D
Cost: 3,852,800 C-bills
Type: Vulcan
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 707
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 4
Engine 240 Fusion 11.5
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Heat Sink 10 0
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 80 5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 8
Center Torso 12 10
Center Torso (rear) 6
R/L Torso 10 8
R/L Torso (rear) 4
R/L Arm 6 6
R/L Leg 10 10
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
2 Jump Jet CT 2 - 1.0
Heat Sink RT 1 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet RT 2 - 1.0
LAC/5 Ammo (20) RT 1 - 1.0
Light AC/5 RT 2 1 5.0
Machine Gun LA 1 0 0.5
Medium Laser LT 1 3 1.0
2 Jump Jet LT 2 - 1.0
Active Probe LT 2 - 1.5
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100) LT 1 - 0.5
Flamer RA 1 3 1.0
Features the following design quirks: Narrow/Low Profile
Now, here's my sidegrade to the 5T. I went hog-wild on this for equipment. Ferro-fibrous armor, Light Fusion Engine, ER and Pulse medium lasers, a Beagle Probe, CASE, and a Light Machine Gun. The classic flamer stays.
Vulcan VL-5T2
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Mather Tech 500
Power Plant: Pitban 240
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: StarGuard I
Armament:
3 ER Medium Laser
1 Light Machine Gun
1 Flamer
1 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Hartford 200S
Targeting & Tracking System: Hartford TA10
Introduction Year: 3070
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 6,088,250 C-bills
Overview
Republican forces fought tooth and nail to defend the Terran Hegemony worlds they had taken over. Close-quarters fighting in urban environments allowed their infantry to shine the brightest, and scores of Star League Defense Force 'Mechs were disabled or destroyed by ambushes and assaults. An anti-infantry platform was quickly commissioned in response, and the Vulcan entered SLDF forces only shortly before the end of the way. With its original designer, MartherTechno Inc, facing destruction just a matter of months after the fall of the Star League, the Vulcan spread throughout the Sphere with schematics for the design falling into Lyran and Free Worlds hands.
Capabilities
Above all an urban combatant, the Vulcan is highly maneuverable and built around anti-infantry firepower. Commonly fielding a longer-ranged ballistic weapon as well, this larger gun is commonly used as an anti-'Mech or anti-building weapon. While its armor is underwhelming for a 'Mech of its size, its protection is more than adequate for its role.
Deployment
The Lyran Commonwealth and Free Worlds League are the primary users of the Vulcan. As they control both primary manufacturing plants for the design, their Vulcans are commonly in better repair than those fielded by other interstellar powers. Even so, the design remains in use throughout all of human space, with its speed and specialist role ensuring that many remain in relatively good condition. The VL-5T is a common variant, one fielded in large numbers by the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns. Replacing the larger autocannon with more lasers and armor, it is often used in line or heavy scouting roles.
Type: Vulcan
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 1,083
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 4
Engine 240 Light 9
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Double Heat Sink 12 [24] 2
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor (Ferro) 125 7
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 12 17
Center Torso (rear) 7
R/L Torso 10 15
R/L Torso (rear) 5
R/L Arm 6 12
R/L Leg 10 14
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
2 Jump Jet CT 2 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet RT 2 - 1.0
Double Heat Sink RT 3 - 1.0
3 ER Medium Laser RT 3 5 3.0
Light Machine Gun LA 1 0 0.5
Medium Pulse Laser LT 1 4 2.0
Light Machine Gun Ammo (100) LT 1 - 0.5
2 Jump Jet LT 2 - 1.0
CASE LT 1 - 0.5
Active Probe LT 2 - 1.5
Double Heat Sink LT 3 - 1.0
Double Heat Sink RA 3 - 1.0
Flamer RA 1 3 1.0
Features the following design quirks: Narrow/Low Profile
Finally, a hypothetical Vulcan IIC. Great for keeping populations in the Occupation Zones inline! An XL engine and Endo Steel free up space here. Two flamers for dealing with infantry, a Medium Pulse laser for general destruction, and a LB-5X with two tons of ammo are the warload. Supporting this are both an ECM suite and Active Probe, along with two A-pods. The pilot may be a garrison warrior, but he does have a decent BattleMech.
Vulcan IIC
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Mather Tech 500
Power Plant: Pitban 240
Cruising Speed: 64.8 kph
Maximum Speed: 97.2 kph
Jump Jets: Standard
Jump Capacity: 180 meters
Armor: StarGuard I
Armament:
1 LB 5-X AC
2 Flamer
1 Medium Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Unknown
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: Hartford 200S
Targeting & Tracking System: Hartford TA10
Introduction Year: 3050
Tech Rating/Availability: F/X-X-D-D
Cost: 7,635,600 C-bills
Type: Vulcan IIC
Technology Base: Clan (Standard)
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 1,167
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure Endo Steel 2
Engine 240 XL 6
Walking MP: 6
Running MP: 9
Jumping MP: 6
Double Heat Sink 10 [20] 0
Gyro 3
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 128 8
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 12 18
Center Torso (rear) 5
R/L Torso 10 15
R/L Torso (rear) 4
R/L Arm 6 11
R/L Leg 10 18
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
2 Anti-Personnel Pods LL 2 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet CT 2 - 1.0
LB 5-X AC RT 4 1 7.0
2 Jump Jet RT 2 - 1.0
6 CASE RT 0 - 0.0
LB 5-X Cluster Ammo (20) RT 1 - 1.0
LB 5-X AC Ammo (20) RT 1 - 1.0
Flamer LA 1 3 0.5
Active Probe LT 1 - 1.0
2 Jump Jet LT 2 - 1.0
Medium Pulse Laser LT 1 4 2.0
ECM Suite LT 1 - 1.0
Double Heat Sink RL 2 - 1.0
Flamer RA 1 3 0.5
Features the following design quirks: Narrow/Low Profile