BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout
VALIDATED
Type/Model: AirMobile HQ
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: V.T.O.L.
Rules: Level 1, Custom design
Mass: 30 tons
Power Plant: 70 Omni Fusion
Cruise Speed: 75.6 km/h
Maximum Speed: 118.8 km/h
Armor Type: Starshield Standard
Armament:
1 Tronel II Medium Laser
Manufacturer: Rim Worlds Defence Industries (Destroyed)
Location: Apollo, Finmark, Erdvynn
Communications System: Olmstead 840 with SatNav Module
Targeting & Tracking System: 650 RND
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==Overview:==
A proof-of-concept design pressed into service by General Kerensky, the VTOL
now known generically as the AirMobile HQ was developed by the Rim Worlds
Republic shortly before the Amaris Coup. Kerensky wasted no time in securing
an industrial base for the his army, and quickly approved the mass production
of experimental designs for use by the SLDF.
Unknown to Kerensky's staff though was the the AirMobile HQ's inspiration: Rim
Worlds officers, while efficient, were not very well liked by their
subordinates. A system of one-upmanship kept the officer corps sharp, but made
those below their rank mere pawns. Theoretically, such acts were suspended in
combat operations, but that wasn't always (read: never) honoured. Since a
unit's loyalty needed bolstering from time to time, the AirMobile HQ was put
together (using Hegemony technology, processes, and funding no less) to
address the problem of command, discipline, and morale. In that order.
==Capabilities:==
The biggest coup for the design was the use of the same communications suite
as the Cyclops command 'Mech, giving each bulky VTOL the capability to
coordinate communications throughout the whole planet (with satellite
assistance). This suite is backed up with a more traditional communications
system and planning center, giving each VTOL the capability to coordinate an
entire 'Mech regiment as well as its supporting assets.
For defence, the AirMobile HQ relies on a lone Tronel II medium laser mounted
on the craft's nose. When grounded, the 4-ton infantry bay often disgorges
heavy assault troops often cross-trained (on paper) as "military police".
These soldiers were rightly feared throughout the Republic, being drawn from
the same pool as the infamous Rim stormtroopers. Their application in the
field depended on the commander; some would bolster morale with their presence
alone, heroic examples. Others resolved morale issues with fists or bullets.
Though included as a necessary morale-booster, the well-equipped field kitchen
aboard an AirMobile HQ was often used as a carrot on a stick. The VTOL would
make its way to an objective, or announce plans that it was relocating there,
and the soldiers would be motivated (directly or forcefully) to march. In many
cases, commanders used the field kitchen (staffed with their own private chefs
and supplies) to reward or bribe a unit's loyalty. This was observed several
times during the Rim Worlds occupation of the Terran Hegemony. Less
politically-inclined commanders often redeployed near units that had sustained
combat losses or were needed to push. The practical value of having a command
vehicle there was worth just as much as the morale boost these officers
supplied freely.
==Variants:==
The variants have been limited, mostly local replacements of spares. Some have
done away completely with the Tronel II, replacing it with a Flamer: to set
various things on fire and sometimes create smoke cover. As the centuries of
war take their toll, many have sacrificed some or all of the communications
equipment to enlarge the troop carrying capacity and press the relatively
well-armoured VTOLs into service as APCs.
The Draconis Combine secured a large cache of spare AirMobile HQs frames.
Having nothing installed in the craft beyond the engines and the 2-man crew
compartment, the DCMS pressed these craft as cargo carriers: able to lift half
their tonnage in supplies internally. A few were experimentally grafted with
four myomer-powered lift hoists. These modified "Grabcraft" were able to haul
a total of 120 tons though at a significant loss speed and an increased
maintenance cycle as the craft was never meant to handle such stresses for
very long. The Free Worlds League has purchased several of these copies and
now produces them for sale to everyone (with discounts to the Combine). It
didn't take long for both the Marian Hegemony and Magistracy of Canopus to
acquire several of these Grabcraft as well.
The Federated Suns replace some of the communications equipment and sacrifice
25% of the troop carrying capacity and install a Tronel III large laser in the
nose, in place of the Tronel II. This moves the AirMobile HQ to company or
battalion-level coordination and can provide immensely powerful direct fire
support. Not to be outdone, the DCMS sacrificed the unnecessary field kitchen
and comm gear to install a Lord's Light PPC.
Both the Confederation and Commonwealth militaries have seen no use for the
extensive command compartment. The Capellans replace the medium laser with
LRM-5 launchers and two tons of ammunition, turning the craft into a decent
long ranged attack vehicle. Lyran generals have gone the other route and
maintained some of the comm gear but have upgraded the troop bay as an
observation hold for various VIPs to use. Minor nobles and merchants are
whisked about on battlefield tours, with live communications chatter at a
tasteful volume to add to the drama. Drinks are served and oftentimes even a
full-course meal once the craft settles down.
ComStar keeps its AirMobile HQs in pristine condition, with some having been
upgraded to use a much lighter fusion engine and equipped with an advanced
scanner suite or electronic countermeasure system.
==Deployment==
With only 4.5 tons of standard armour, the VTOL is heavily protected but must
still rely on speed to escape danger. That said, the VTOL is weighed down by
the equipment and passengers it carries, with a top speed of barely 118 kph.
Though the command compartment is heavily insulated from the noise of the
rotors, the bucking and weaving some AirMobile HQ pilots have been required to
perform forced padding to be installed in the compartment. Since the room was
now padded, and the comm personnel strapped down, it gave the impression of a
mental facility and the compartment was nicknamed the "Crazy Room".
The stigma of Amaris did not linger long on the design. SLDF units discarded
the VTOL and many were gobbled up by the Great House militaries even before
the Exodus, with a larger number brought in by SLDF Regulars joining the
militaries of the soon-to-be-Successor States. Secondary plants were built by
the SLDF throughout the Inner Sphere, to alleviate the shipping costs from the
Republic, and the craft has survived to this day despite the rampant
cannibalism of any vehicle with a fusion engine. (The fact that the AirMobile
HQ uses such a low-rated engine and that its excellent kitchen facilities
required fusion-levels of power to operate is what most likely saved the craft
from extinction.)
Nearly all powers field the AirMobile HQ (in one form or another), including
Periphery states, mercenaries, and pirates.
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Type/Model: AirMobile HQ
Mass: 30 tons
Equipment: Items Mass
Int. Struct.: 15 pts Standard 0 3.00
Engine: 70 Fusion 0 2.00
Shielding & Transmission Equipment: 0 1.00
Cruise MP: 7
Flank MP: 11
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: 72 pts Standard 0 4.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 3 25
Left / Right Sides: 3 15/15
Rear: 3 15
Rotor: 3 2
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
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1 Medium Laser Front 3 1 1.00
Communications Equipment Body 1 7.00
Field Kitchen Body 1 3.00
Infantry Bay Body 1 4.00
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TOTALS: 3 4 30.00
Items & Tons Left: 7 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 780,000 C-Bills
Battle Value 2: 320 (old BV = 199)
Cost per BV: 2,437.5
Weapon Value: 60 / 60 (Ratio = .19 / .19)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 4; MRDmg = 1; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 7V, Armor/Structure: 0 / 3
Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-, Overheat: 0
Class: VA; Point Value: 3
Specials: tran4
