Field Briefing Update 3079 Vol XXIX (amendment 23/A)When Clan Smoke Jaguar invaded Luthien way back in 3052 they brought with them moderate numbers of a new Mech that would become widespread amongst the Invader Clans and is reportedly in use with the Homeworld Clans as well.
The 65 tonne Cauldron-Born initially was mistaken for a larger Nova but is a very different machine and thanks to Clan Warriors captured post Luthien and Tukayyid have stated that the Cauldron-Born or Ebon Jaguar as it is known in Clan service (although they do use both names) was seemingly a replacement for the older Loki/Hellbringer in the 65 tonne bracket.
Like most Clan Mech’s its weight the Cauldron-Born is fast and can reach 86kph thanks to its 325 rated XL engine. Extensive use of endo-steel and ferro-fibrous armour save weight and allow it to carry 9.5 tonnes of advanced Ferro-fibrous compound armour. This is not enough to fully armour the machine but it is a greater load and has a thicker hide than the Loki/Hellbringer.
The Cauldron-Born comes in four primary variants (
*EDIT* Since the time of this report another four variants have been seen in service with the Clans.)
It should be noted that the Cauldron-Born comes equipped as standard with thirteen double heatsinks, all of them integrated into the engine, venting heat across the machines broad squat hull that from some angles led some MechWarrior’s to label it an Aerospace Fighter that forgot to fly but grew legs. This poor comparison reportedly lead ROM into sending some of its Agents into an intensive hunt for possible Clan Land Air Mech’s, a hunt that turned up empty.
Prime – Built round a long range paradigm the Prime is built to engage targets at long range with a rather varied mixture of weapons. Its main punch comes from an arm mounted Gauss Rifle in the right arm, whilst backing this weapon up as well as serving as an AA/Anti-vehicle weapon an LB-5X auto-cannon sits in the left arm. Each weapon is fed by a two tonne ammo bin with integrated CASE protection. Backing up the direct fire weapons an LRM-10 with another 2 tonnes of ammo provides yet more long range firepower. The deep ammo bins are a curiosity for Clan Mech’s at this time as it gives the Cauldron greater battlefield endurance than many machines both larger and smaller within the Clan’s inventory that rely so much on ballistic weaponry.
For short to medium range combat and self-defence a SRM-2 and ER Medium laser round out the armament. (*EDIT* It should be noted that in recent years during the Jihad Clan pilots in this Config often loaded the SRM-2 with fragmentation or inferno warheads to deal with tanks and infantry).
This version is also extremely cool running for a Clan Mech of the time period and would only suffer from heat problems if the engine has taken significant damage or the Mech is literally coated in inferno gel.
Alpha – This config came as a nasty surprise for the DCMS MechWarrior’s who first encountered it. Under fire from a pair of ER Large lasers they charged to close the range but this only succeeded in bringing them within the range of a fearsome Ultra-20 Autocannon as well as a pair of medium lasers (ER and Pulse respectively). Needless to say they did not live to learn from their mistakes and it was only when the Battle ROMs were recovered that the details of this variant became known. Further investigation also revealed a pair of machine guns as well as a flamer buried under one of the arm mounted ER Large Lasers make this machine a fearsome killer of infantry whilst a pair of ER Medium lasers guard its back. Like its Prime brother the Alpha has a deep ammo bin for its UAC-20 a large 3 tonne bin keep the heavy cannon in the fight and allow the pilot to liberally use the Ultra cannon’s burst mode. A ton of ammo also feeds the machine guns providing more than enough firepower. The main problem with this config is that for all its firepower, there are no extra heatsinks and it runs far hotter thanks to its potent weapons load.
Beta – Again data on this config came from salvaged Battle ROM’s on Luthien. Engaging what they thought was a scout Mech due to forward elements being illuminated by a TAG and Active probe emissions being detected the light and medium Mech’s that went forwards to engage the ‘spotter’ fell to it coming out of its ambush position and cutting them down.
A pure ‘energy boat’ again built around a long range paradigm the Beta is armed with a pair of fearsome ER PPCs and deadly accurate Large Pulse Lasers (which I consider a long range weapon, the Clan Pulse lasers far outrange our own). A pair of medium pulse lasers sit almost unnoticed in the left and right torso with the TAG and Active probe systems that initially got this machine tagged as a scout. It does not increase its heatsinks at all and it would be a brave or indeed desperate pilot that fired an alfa strike of all six guns although it would also be the destruction of many Mech’s its size or larger to be hit by such a volley.
Charlie – Many Clan variants often feature a dedicated fire support machine and this is the case with the Charlie Config. For direct fire at extreme range a pair of UAC-2’s each drinking from a separate 1 tonne ammo bin provide very long ranged if somewhat underwhelming damage. Backing the cannons up is a pair of torso mounted LRM-15 launchers, each launcher has a 2 tonne ammo bin again allowing for longer engagements than most missile armed Clan Mech’s. For short range firepower a pair of standard SRM-6 launchers, one in each arm provide close in firepower and again the two launchers each come with a tonne of ammo each. Built with harassment fire in mind the lethality of Clan LRMs with their non-existent minimum arming range should not be underestimated and when firing bursts the UAC-2’s can sting most Mech’s.
Delta – Largely foregoing long range weaponry save a single ER Large Laser this variant is a mid-range brawler which thanks to its dual UAC-10’s packs the firepower of an Annihilator on a much smaller and faster package. Joining the aforementioned ER Large Laser and dual UAC-10’s a pair of ER Medium lasers add to the mid-range punch and share similar range brackets with the big cannons. Each cannon draws from a 2 tonne ammo bin making it suitable for shorter battles but long engagements will see this formidable variant withdrawing to reload.
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*EDIT* Below are the four new variants that have been spotted in Clan service during, before and after the Jihad. It is unknown why the Clans did not create a Foxtrot and Golf named Config.)
Echo – Seemingly an attempt to upgrade the weapons of the Prime with more modern weapons which strips out all the Prime’s weapons save the single ER Medium. In their stead a HAG-20 with a 3 tonne ammo bin sits in the left arm, a Large Pulse laser sits in the right and a fearsome ATM-12 is buried in the torso. This launcher is also fed by a 3 tonne ammo bin allowing a pilot to draw on the varied missiles offered by the ATM system. Whilst lacking the direct punch of the Prime the Echo config should not be discounted at any range and the HAG makes for a lethal weapon against VSTOL and other flyers.
Hotel – Like the Echo this appears to be an upgrade of the Alpha Config and focuses purely on being a close quarter’s power house. Retaining the UAC-20 all other weapons are replaced with a battery of Heavy Large Lasers. One Heavy Large Laser lives in the right arm whilst two heavy medium’s fill out the left arm. A medium pulse laser rounds out the armament and like the Alpha config the Ultra autocannon draws from a deep 3 tonne ammo bin. Another three double heatsinks struggle to counter the heat of the new lasers but the remaining tonnage is taken up by a four tonne targeting computer which counters the inaccuracy issues that plague the Heavy Laser system and makes the Ultra even more dangerous.
Uniform – Exceptionally rare due to its highly specialised nature the Uniform was built to engage targets under water. To this end it is armed with a large and ER small laser in each arm whilst each torso is equipped with a LRT-15 each of which draws from a 2 tonne ammo bin. The most interesting feature is the five Underwater Manoeuvring Units that make this machine very agile in its chosen environment. Due to weight and space constraints though a harjel system could not be fitted.
X-ray – Currently being marketed by the Sea Foxes as both a potent Mech and almost certainly a technology demonstrator/tester the X-ray config has already seen brisk sales to other Clans who use the Cauldron-Born but they do not seem to be on sale to Inner Sphere clients. Yet. This is the Sea Foxes after all. An advanced Angel ECM buried in the torso protects the Mech from hostile ECM and targeting systems whilst a targeting computer links all its weapons together for lethal accuracy.
The main gun is one of the newly developed Clan Rotary AC-5’s in the right arm. A trio of ER Medium Pulse Lasers provide extra long range fire whilst an ER Small Pulse laser covers the shorter distances as well as providing some anti-infantry fire. Lacking the raw smack down punch of other configs this Mech no doubt rewards a skilled MechWarrior who can control the range with the machines speed whilst maintaining a barrage of fire that cannot be easily answered due to the ECM and the benefits of the targeting computer. The Republic has made inquiries about purchasing these machines but thus far the Foxes have politely rebuffed them, probably due to the bleeding edge weapons fit.
General Overview.When first encountered the Cauldron-Born was an unpleasant surprise for DCMS and other Inner Sphere forces, thanks to its wide variety of armaments and generally deep ammo bins for projectile weaponry it has seen yeoman service in the Clans and those Inner Sphere regiments lucky enough to salvage and maintain them. Whilst not as popular as the Mech it was supposed to replace, the Cauldron-Born is seeing increased production after contact was lost with the Homeworlds and the numbers of Loki/Hellbringer’s continues to drop in all of the Clan’s save Jade Falcon. This machine is seemingly viewed as one of the few positive things that Clan Smoke Jaguar produced and its utility keeps it in production now.
According to the Techs I have spoken to the machine’s internal layout is well thought out and despite using both advanced compounds in its skeleton and armour the Cauldron-Born is enjoyable to work on with its electronics system being apparently very robust (typical Clan engineering at work) whilst the interior of the hull is still roomy enough for a tech to work on without being unduly challenged by the wiring and hull components.
It should be noted that due to the machines design that extra attention should be paid to the hip actuators due to the considerable stress they are put under taking a 65 tonne machine’s weight at the Cauldron’s typical combat speeds.
Because of its combination of firepower, protection and speed the Cauldron-Born like many Clan Mechs are often capable of engaging a considerably larger machine, especially with a Clan pilot at the helm. With a large number of variants you can often be unsure of what you're facing until it opens fire, but expect anything when facing a Cauldron-Born. Common tactics for dealing with these machines are often shoot them until they fall over. Their above average (for Clan) ammo bin sizes does make them slightly more prone to ammunition explosions and many of the variants suffer the heat problems that so defined the earlier machines of Operation Revival. To this end plasma and inferno weaponry is also advised for use against these mechs to lessen their return fire. If you are in a slower machine, it is advisable to get some assistance as the faster Clan Mech will no doubt control the engagement with its speed and thus control the range it fights you at.
