BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout
VALIDATED
Type/Model: Kolibri Heavy Attack VTOL
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: V.T.O.L.
Rules: Level 1, Standard design
Mass: 30 tons
Power Plant: 100 Hermes Fusion
Cruise Speed: 86.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 129.6 km/h
Armor Type: Tortiseshell Heavy Standard
Armament:
1 Donal-V PPC
1 Hovertec SRM 2
2 M100 Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Daimler MotorWerks
Location: Stampfer
Communications System: Transtech VCC-537
Targeting & Tracking System: Transtech VTC-650
==Overview:==
The Kolibri is the epitome of the heavy attack VTOL, designed to provide fast and responsive battlefield support against most ground-based threats. While most attack VTOLs use either light autocannon or missile launchers to provide the knockout punch, Daimler Motorwerks went with a PPC to provide the long-range attack. While the design as intended was on the expensive side due to the fusion powerplant, Daimler MotorWerks decided to take a chance on the VTOL; the capabilities of the design and the market for such a vehicle made it worthy of such a chance.
==Capabilities:==
The heart of the Kolibri is the Donal-V PPC, a lightweight version of the highly dependable Donal PPC that has long been a staple of heavy
BattleMechs. The Donal-V has the reliability of the regular Donal, but has a shorter emitter barrel to save on weight. The magnets in the plasma chambers have been strengthened to provide similar performance to the baseline PPC, with no increase in heat. However, the downside is that more expensive and heavily shielded Transtech avionics had to be used to avoid the enhanced EM pulse produced by the redesigned PPC. To provide defense within 90 meters, the Kolibri mounts a brace of high-caliber low-firing rate M100 heavy machineguns and a single Hovertec SRM launcher mounted to the side of the PPC housing.
The main rotor of the Kolibri uses 5 blades; while the design is highly unorthodox, it provides enhanced maneuverability as well as mutes the sound produced by the VTOL to a level barely louder than its environment. The tail rotor is a NOTAR unit, which makes it easier to armor and protect, as well as making the vehicle as short as the main rotors. This helps the Kolibri in maneuvering in tight spaces as well as making it a smaller target. The use of a fusion powerplant was hotly debated, but the use of a heavy energy weapon necessitated the use. The Hermes 100 is a somewhat unreliable unit, but it is well-placed to make repair and replacement easier. The fusion powerplant is housed in a self-contained module that can be
accessed through a rear-mounted armored hatch.
The previously mentioned Transtech avionics are heavily shielded and somewhat hard to reach, due to being built into and around the cockpit. The reason for the use of such powerful electronics suites is that they are very reliable and highly resistant to the magnetic pulse generated by the PPC when in use. Also, the systems are also very easy to use, even by a pilot just out of flight training. The life-support systems are also rugged and dependable, but with a short duration that tends to limit longer missions.
The Tortiseshell Heavy armor is a new design, but the relatively light-weight armor is as strong as any other currently in use. This enables the Kolibri to carry more armor than many medium tanks and light Mechs. While the rotors remain a weak point, the nose and sides can take several hits from PPCs and heavy autocannons and remain flying.
==Battle History:==
Many Kolibris are organized as regimental fire-support units and heavy scouts. As such, they are often called upon to enter heavy combat. Quite often, it is their unique combination of maneuverability, firepower, and armor protection that can swing a battle. Just such an occurance happened in 3009 on the planet Hampton, near the Kuritan border.
The planet was rocky and sparsely populated, but rich with industrial minerals. The Steiner defence force was somewhat small, composed primarily of medium mechs and VTOLs, particularly Kolibris. When a DCMS force invaded Hampton, the Kolibris maneuverability and firepower were used in several battles to great effect, keeping the Kuritan forces pinned with accurate PPC fire while other units arrived to finish off the survivors. When the enemy forces tried to destroy the Kolibris, the nimble VTOLs proved an elusive target that refused to go down even if hit.
Eventually, the invading DCMS forces had suffered too many losses and were force to retreat offplanet.
==Variants:==
There are no major variants planned, though some commanders have substituted both heavy LRM racks and light autocannons for the Donal-V, with mixed results. The LRMs are inaccurate but have a longer range, while the light autocannons generally do not have a sufficient punch to do much damage.
==Deployment==
The expensive VTOL is most often seen in Steiner armored cavalry units attached to Regimental Combat Teams. The Kolibris often provide a first response during a crisis, provide flanking support for offenses; in short, carry out the traditional duties given to modern armored cavalry. The high cost of the VTOL has kept most other possible operators away, except for some of the larger mercenary units that have contracts with the Lyran Commonwealth.
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Type/Model: Kolibri Heavy Attack VTOL
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Items Mass
Int. Struct.: 15 pts Standard 0 3.00
Engine: 100 Fusion 0 3.00
Shielding & Transmission Equipment: 0 1.50
Cruise MP: 8
Flank MP: 12
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 1.50
Crew: 2 Members 0 .00
Rotor Equipment: Main/Tail Rotors 0 3.00
Armor Factor: 112 pts Standard 0 7.00
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 3 40
Left / Right Sides: 3 26/26
Rear: 3 18
Rotor: 3 2
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
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1 PPC Front 10 1 7.00
1 SRM 2 Front 0 50 2 2.00
1 Machine Gun Left 0 100 2 1.00
1 Machine Gun Right 0 100 1 1.00
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TOTALS: 10 6 30.00
Items & Tons Left: 5 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 1,366,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 829
Cost per BV: 1,647.77
Weapon Value: 351 / 351 (Ratio = .42 / .42)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 11; MRDmg = 7; LRDmg = 2
BattleForce2: MP: 8V, Armor/Structure: 0 / 4
Damage PB/M/L: 2/1/1, Overheat: 0
Class: VA; Point Value: 8
