An oldie but goodie, I'm posting this now to compliment the other sub designs being posted.
Note that this is done by hand; if anyone wants to plug it into a cost/BV calculator, feel free to post the readout in this thread.
Yes. that is a 15-rated ICE. ^-^
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L-5 "Doberman" Escort Submarine
Overview:
When the Lyran Commonwealth joined with the Federated Suns, a wealth of ideas flowed both ways, including placing C3 compounds underwater and defending them with submarines; however, is an unusual move for the Lyran military, the high command objected to the use of the 100-ton Neptune-class submarines used by the AFFC and its attendant specialized equipment (mainly because it took resources that were required by assault 'mech lines), so Wagner Industries of Skye (WIS) offered a solution; instead of a single large sub, which required a specialized dropship to transport, why not use several smaller subs that could be carried in the cargo bay of any dropship?
Thus was born the ever-vigilant "Doberman"; a single-crew underwater "fighter" deployed to defend underwater assets in a cheap and effective manner.
Capabilities:
Laid out like a fighter craft, the Doberman mimics many of the construction techniques of the significantly larger Neptune, such as double hull construction, periscopes, and a compact version of the SonarSync Tracker T&T system. The Wagner 15 Diesel/Hyperox is a very reliable engine commonly used in the underwater mining industry, so it is easy to maintain using off-the-shelf technology commonly available throughout the Inner Sphere, with a large body of qualified mechanics available in and out of the military, which is good, because the engine requires a significant amount of preventive maintenance to maintain its reliability.
The PentaSpear V torpedo system is a downsized Sea Devastator built locally under license, giving the L-5 unparalleled stand-off distance from potential targets. Two tons of ammo are considered excessive by some, but allowed for the possibility of multiple torpedo types, such as dead-fire missiles (DFM) or the naval FASCAM torpedoes being developed at the time. The superior underwater range of the PentaSpear does not risk return fire, which could be devastating, considering the lightness of the simple plate SeaSlab 1.5, which is highly resistant to corrosion, but provides minimally acceptable protection for the sub.
The "cockpit" is a pressure sphere in the fore part of the sub, allowing the sub to reach any depth a [i[Neptune[/i] can (on paper).
Weighing in at under 10 tons, several can be carried in cargo holds, mounted on trailers that can be easily driven to water for convenient (if not particularly fast) deployment. Hover or amphibious light cargo carriers can load one or more L-5s as cargo and embark on light vehicle bays, for fast deployment, dumping the subs upon reaching sufficiently deep water. Rumors in FWL military intelligence circles hint that the Lyran Commonwealth may be developing a light WiGE sub hunter capable of deploying two L-5s directly into the battlefield from a dropship in flight.
Variants:
The L-5P removes this second ton of ammo, using the tonnage gained to improve its underwater docking ring and provide seating for up to ten passengers in very cramped conditions, allowing the L-5P to double as a shuttle to the underwater facility.
The L-6 is a rare variant used to ambush attackers in narrow underwater canyons; it replaces the LRT-5 and ammo for a set of three SRT-2 launchers (two fore, one aft) sharing a single ton of ammo.
BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout
DESIGN MADE BY HAND
Type/Model: L-5 "Doberman" Escort Submarine
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: WiGE Vehicle
Rules: Level 2, Standard design
Mass: 9 tons
Power Plant: 15 Wagner I.C.E. diesel/hyperox
Cruise Speed: 54 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86,4 km/h
Armor Type: Standard
Armament:
1 LRT-5
Manufacturer: Wagner Industries of Skye
Location: Skye, Lyran Commonwealth
Communications System: TharHes Seaweed PG-2SS
Targeting & Tracking System: SonarSync Tracker II
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Type/Model: L-5 "Doberman" Escort Submarine
Mass: 9 tons
Equipment: Items Mass
Int. Struct.: 1 pt Standard 0 1,00
Engine: 15 ICE 0 1,00
Shielding & Transmission Equipment: 0 0,00
Cruise MP: 5
Flank MP: 8
Heat Sinks: 0 0 0,00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 0,50
Crew: 1 0 0,00
Diving Equipment: 0 1,00
Armor Factor: 24 pts Standard 0 1,50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 1 10
Left / Right Sides: 1 5/5
Rear: 1 4
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
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1 LRT-5 Fore 0 48 2 4,00
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TOTALS: 0 3 9,00