Can Cossacks do the Cossack dance?
Today we take a look at one of the few 'Mechs designed and produced by the St. Ives Compact during it short life, the Cossack.
In the late 3050s, St. Ives Military was looking for new lighter 'Mech designs to complement its traditionally heavy-weight forces. Its procurement was something of a mess, originally St. Ives Military Command requested a fast recon design from Ceres Industries but later changed the requirement for a slower but more heavily armed recon design, and then more people added their requests. The finally result entered service in 3060 and is based on the second request. The 'Mech is named for Khorsakov’s Cossacks, a mercenary unit that has long and faithfully served the St. Ives Compact, with first produced Cossacks being gifted to the unit.
Do not be fooled by the name, the Cossack is a bug 'Mech in new clothes. At 20-tons and with maximum speed of 96 KPH and jumping distance of 180 meters, the C-SK1 Cossack is very much like the ancient Wasps and Stingers. Armor is equal to those ancient designs as well, though slightly differently arranged with weaker back and stronger head and center torso. Unlike those bug 'Mechs, the Cossack uses extralight fusion engine and endo-steel internal structure and the weight freed goes toward armament: Twin small lasers in the side torsos, a medium laser in the right arm and a SRM-6 in the center torso with a ton of ammo located in the right torso. Only ten single heat sinks are used, which is unfortunate as the 'Mech can produce 50% more heat than it can dissipate. Curiously the art shows the left arm having what looks like a medium laser housing, perhaps a result of the changing design goals.
Initially, this variant served the St. Ives and was offered to mercenary market, and after the Capellan-St. Ives War, the design entered service in the CCAF and ComStar. After the Jihad, the Cossack is also used by Magistracy of Canopus.
In 3076, in the middle of the Jihad, an advanced technology variant emerged. The C-1FC Cossack upgrades the armor to 3.5 tons of light ferro-fibrous, increasing protection just about everywhere by a point or two. The armament was overhauled, the medium laser being replaced with a medium variable speed pulse laser and the torso-mounted weapons being replaced with a trio of ten-pack rocket launchers.
Considering the variant's still low endurance, the rocket launchers are a welcome upgrade, offering range and firepower in compact package, just use them while you can. The MVSPL is somewhat questionable due to its weight, but considering the heat woes larger arsenal would cause and the accuracy bonuses it offers, it is acceptable weapon for this 'Mech. It also differentiates the Cossack from newer Wasp and Stinger models.
It is unclear if this variant is a factory-produced model or a refit-kit. Either way, it is only found in hands of mercenaries. Considering the 'Mech's nature as a cheap militia and second-line unit, I suspect the C-1FC is indeed a refit kit used by mercenaries to increase the 'Mech's potential, while nation-states simply aren't bothering with due to expense involved.
Use of the Cossack should be simple. Use it as if it were a Wasp or a Stinger. Unfortunately it is as easy to kill (or perhaps easier, thanks to the XL engine), and its greater firepower does make it more of a threat, which isn't something Cossack pilots like hearing.
I'd be inclined to pick the Cossack in its either form over the old Wasps and Stingers, it is but little more expensive in C-bills and BV. And looks pretty nice too. Unfortunately, compared to upgraded Wasps and Stinger the Cossack becomes considerably less attractive option. For example, the Wasp WSP-8T and Stinger STG-5G offer a light PPC but are about as expensive with similar mobility and double heat sinks.
All in all, the Cossack is mostly useful for militia units and small, cash-strapped mercs, everyone else is better off with more advanced and better recon and strike 'Mechs.
What are your thoughts about the Cossack? Any experiences?
Cossack is featured in TRO3060 and at...
...MUL:
http://masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/703/cossack-c-sk1...Camospecs:
http://camospecs.com/Miniature/Details/1166/cossack-c-sk1...Sarna.net:
http://www.sarna.net/wiki/Cossack
