Here's a WiGE that combines mobility and firepower :)
Type/Model: Tucano WiGE
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3069
Config: Wing in Ground Effect
Rules: TW/Tournament Legal
Mass: 65 tons
Power Plant: 315 XL GM Nova Fusion
Cruise Speed: 75.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 118.8 km/h
Armor Type: New Samarkand Hvy Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 Lord's Light PPC
1 Imperator Code Red LB 10-X AC
1 Yori Flyswatter Anti-Missile System
Manufacturer: Pesht Motors
Location: Unity
Communications System: Neil 400
Targeting & Tracking System: Chichester ASR 26
Overview:
For the DCMS, the fallout that resulted from Operation Bulldog lasted for years. After the fighting ceased, the high command began the arduous task of rebuilding the shattered units. The conflict with the Ghost Bears only served to aggravate the problem, as the clansmen gave the Arm of the Dragon a stern testing indeed. Faced with the need for new hardware, Pesht Motors responded by entering the lucrative military market. Despite vociferous opposition from Wakazashi Enterprises, the Unity production facility soon became a beehive of activity as several prototypes began the testing cycle.
While the Hiryo transport garnered the lion's share of attention, Pesht Motors was also positioning itself for another potentially lucrative contract, that of the DCMS' call for a fast attack craft. Although never an enthusiastic supporter of combined arms tactics, the reforms instituted by Theodore Kurita called attention to the need for improved inter-service cooperation. Many potential soldiers who had no chance of becoming busosenshi instead channeled their energies toward the vehicle corps, which showed less discrimination in its choice of personell. This new perspective called for a conventional unit capable of supporting the main force in even the most adverse terrains. For this, Pesht Motors held the advantage. Well-versed in the technical aspects of wing-in-ground-effect (WiGE) technology, the firm impressed the Procurement Department not only by way of the Hiryo trials, but also by showing off the Tucano Cavalry WiGE.
Capabilities:
Like the Hiryo, Pesht Motors spared no expense in producing a vehicle capable of standing up to any and all possible opposition. Though costly, the firm authorized the use of a GM extralight fusion engine to power the vehicle. A rare sight in conventional units, the GM Nova provides ample power for the propulsion system, moving the craft at speeds exceeding 110 km/h for unlimited periods. Taking a lesson from the Fulcrum hovercraft, the engine is accessible from four different access points, which facilitates field maintenance. Located in the belly of the vehicle, the engine bay is heavily shielded and isolated from the other parts of the craft in order to protect the crew. Similarly, the craft is well-protected by eight tons of New Samarkand Heavy Ferro-Fibrous composites; despite the rather shady origin of the armor, there is no doubt as to its efficiency. A Yori Flyswatter AMS adds a further layer of protection; linked directly to the T & T suite the system is reliable and completely hands-free. Likewise, the interior, although decidedly spartan, is completely focused on smart ergonomics- not a single square centimeter is wasted despite giving ample room for even larger-than-normal crewmembers. Many traditional samurai frown upon this 'coddling' of the soldiers, but Pesht Motors has no intention of altering a policy that has endeared the manufacturer to technical staffs across the Combine.
Offensively, the Tucano relies on a tried-and-true weapon mix. Familiar to many mechwarriors is the combination of the proven Lord's Light PPC and the Imperator Code Red Clustergun, a reliable combo that gives the craft enough firepower to threaten even battlemechs. Mounted in a fully-traversable turret, the well-regarded and nationally-produced guns were, in the end, the selling point that won over the Procurement Department. Two tons of ammunition grant the ability to tailor the magazine according to the necessity of the mission, safely mounted in a Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment array.
Battle History:
The Tucano received its trial by fire on Pesht in 3069 alongside the Hiryo against a raiding party of Blakist forces. Actually faster than the mech lances deployed by the Word of Blake, the Tucanos were able to slash the invaders mercilessly, while suffering only moderate damage in return. While the transports took heavy losses while disembarking their charges, the cavalry WiGE was able to control the engagement range and thus minimize exposure to return fire.
This tactic would see revision and refinement. Commanders noticed that the Tucano served admirably in the role of providing cover fire for loaded Hiryos, which could use their high speed to deploy armored infantry in the enemy's rear area in a tactic reminiscent of the SLDF's use of Maultiers for disruption tactics. The swift duo demonstrated the validity of the trick on Luthien and Pesht when the Word of Blake's Fourty-second Shadow Division returned to Pesht in 3071. High Speed enfilades that forced a breach for the transports allowed the defenders throw the Blakist lines into chaos long enough for the mech companies to arrive and break the invaders' formations for good.
Variants:
From the Start, Pesht Motors intended for the Tucano to serve as the DCMS' modular omnipod platform. While omnipod technology is no real hurdle, the exigencies of the political climate forced the manufacturer to shunt the plan to the back burner in exchange for a vehicle that could be manufactured in time for the round of government bids. This act of necessity was successful, and the Tucano is in full production at the Unity production facility despite a near-endless supply of ill will from Wakazashi Enterprises. As of 3072, Pesht motors is beginning testing of prototypes containing a modular weapon bays. Initial specifications call for a maximum of twenty-two tons of pod space, the majority of which would lie in a two ton turret ring assembly, making the omni-vehicle comparable to other modular units, and superior to others such as the blakist Bolla stealth unit. All other aspects of the new variant remain in line with the original production model, as the firm is unwilling to make unnecessary changes in the base chassis. If testing proceeds without any major setbacks, the omni model is slated to enter production in mid-3073.
Notable Vehicles & Crews:
45th Pesht Defenders:
Attached to the 1st Amphigean Light Assault Group, the two battalions that are more colloquially known in the DCMS as "the balls and bayonets brigade" quickly put their new Tucanos through a strenuous testing on Pesht and Luthien. True to the unit's background, the 45th earns its pay by striking at the enemy across its flanks and into the rear areas. Against the Blakist fanatics, the unit has begun to favor the Tucano for headhunter missions: sending a company of the WiGE wide enough and fast enough to strike at the enemy's underbelly nearly from behind has allowed the unit to cause heavy damage to several Blakist Divisions while swiftly disengaging before enemy guns can be brought to bear.
Type/Model: Tucano WiGE
Mass: 65 tons
Equipment: Items Mass
Internal Structure: 35 pts Standard 0 6.50
Engine: 315 XL Fusion 2 11.00
Shielding & Trans Equip: 0 5.50
Cruise MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 3.50
Crew: 5 Members 0 .00
Lift Equipment: 0 6.50
Turret Equipment: 0 2.00
Armor Factor: 158 pts Hvy Ferro-Fibrous 3 8.00
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 7 42
Left / Right Sides: 7 30/30
Rear: 7 26
Turret: 7 30
Weapons & Equipment: Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
1 PPC Turret 10 1 7.00
1 LB 10-X AC Turret 0 20 2 13.00
1 Anti-Missile System Turret 0 12 2 1.50
CASE Equipment: Body 1 .50
TOTALS: 10 11 65.00
Items & Tons Left: 7 0.00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 6,554,000 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1175
