Quikscell "Porcupine" Mine Control Vehicle

[Cavgunner]

Quikscell "Porcupine" MCV

Mass: 25 tons
Movement Type: Tracked
Power Plant: SitiCide 100 ICE
Cruising Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Armor: ProtecTech Light
Armament:
     2 Harvester SRM 2
Manufacturer: Quikscell
     Primary Factory: Various
Communication System: Basix  200
Targeting & Tracking System: Optisight-12
Introduction Year: 3010
Tech Rating/Availability: D/D-D-D-D
Cost: 440,208 C-bills

Overview
Alongside the "Widget" bridgelayer, the "Porcupine" Mine Control Vehicle is a recent addition to Quikscell's range of military products.

Capabilities
The Porcupine MCV is a Scorpion derivative that dispenses with the turret in favor of a combat minesweeper. In addition, the vehicle earns its name from the clusters of mine dispensers arrayed to the rear of the vehicle. The Porcupine efficiently combines the roles of minesweeper and minelayer into a single unit, which is why Quikscell promotes it as a dual-purpose Mine Control Vehicle.

The Porcupine is not really meant to enter combat, but it can defend itself with a pair of SRM-2s. These launchers are often loaded with smoke rounds so that the vehicle can screen itself while clearing a lane through a minefield (or while laying one).

Armor is identical to the Widget at 5 tons of protection.

Deployment
Mines remain an indispensable military tool in the Succession War era, so the Porcupine and vehicles like it remain in high demand.

Notes
The Porcupine is the predecessor to the mine clearing variant of the Scorpion that was produced in the 3080's.

Code: [Select]

Type: Quikscell "Porcupine" MCV
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Advanced)
Movement Type: Tracked
Tonnage: 25
Battle Value: 389

Equipment                                          Mass
Internal Structure                                  2.5
Engine                        100 ICE                 6
Cruising MP: 4
Flank MP:    6
Heat Sinks:                   0                       0
Control Equipment:                                  1.5
Power Amplifier:                                    0.0
Armor Factor                  80                      5

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         24   
     R/L Side               3/3      20/20   
     Rear                    3         16   


Weapons
and Ammo                     Location    Tonnage   
6 Vehicular Mine Dispenser     Rear        3.0     
Trailer Hitch                  Rear        0.0     
Mine Sweeper                  Front        3.0     
2 SRM 2                       Front        2.0     
SRM 2 Ammo (50)                Body        1.0     
SRM 2 Smoke Ammo (50)          Body        1.0     

Features the following design quirks: Ubiquitous (Inner Sphere), Poor Workmanship



[Daryk]

Hmmm... it's two points shy of being able to take an AC/20 from behind... Fractional Accounting would solve that in a heartbeat... ;)

[Cavgunner]

Unfortunately Megamek does not accept fractional accounting.

[Daryk]

Score one for SAW, then! ;)

[Cavgunner]

I'd much prefer if fractional accounting was still a core rule, but it's not, so these are the times we live in.

[Daryk]

I can only hope it will come back...

[Sabelkatten]

Nice design. Thought I first read it as "...Mind Control Vehicle" and started to get very nervous...

[Giovanni Blasini]

This is gonna sound weird, but I almost feel like it has too much armor.  Dropping a ton would net you a machine gun for anti-infantry protection, and you would still have the same protection as the original Scorpion.

[Daryk]

And FA would let you put a half ton of two different kinds of ammo in too... ;)

[Cavgunner]

This is gonna sound weird, but I almost feel like it has too much armor.  Dropping a ton would net you a machine gun for anti-infantry protection, and you would still have the same protection as the original Scorpion.

The somewhat improved armor is a requirement so that the vehicle can survive encounters with mines that get missed by the sweeper.

I thought about keeping the Scorpion's MG but in the end I decided that it's not really necessary. On the offhand chance that troops are encountered (or any kind of opposition, really) this vehicle should lay smoke and withdraw to a safe distance. Let other units handle the combat.

If for some reason anti-PBI capability is absolutely required then frag missiles and Infernos are better options anyway.

[Cavgunner]

And FA would let you put a half ton of two different kinds of ammo in too... ;)

I'm on the same page with you about fractional accounting and again, I'd prefer they never did away with it. However, at the moment it's still a highly optional rule that would invalidate dozens if not hundreds of current designs. Therefore it is not a rule I am considering.

[Cavgunner]

Nice design. Thought I first read it as "...Mind Control Vehicle" and started to get very nervous...

Now that WOULD be something. :)

[Cavgunner]

I appreciate all the comments and discussion. It's funny how the dinky, weird little vehicles often seem to get more attention in these forums.

[Daryk]

The tighter constraints make everything more interesting! :)