Among the classic TRO 3039 55t classic medium mechs the Griffin is seen as the capable long range fighter, the wolverine as the short range brawler and the shadow hawk as the failed jack of all trades mech.
For the FWL more modern versions of the Shadow Hawk, like the Marik 5M and 7M though they come close as to what the mech should be, they ultimately fall short of the designs potential.
Not the 8M
A Magna Firestar ER PPC replaces the main ballistic weapon found in other Marik designs. The Delta Dart LRM-15 launcher of the 7M remains the choice for the main long range missile launcher. With a lighter line of sight main weapon the short range missile launchers could be upgraded to two SRM-4 Hovertec Quad systems located in the head and center torso of the mech. Both share one ton of SRM-4 ammunition, allowing for 12 shots per launcher. Another two tons of LRM-15 ammo with 16 shots are CASE protected stowed together with the SRM ammunition in the right torso. Compared to the SRM-2/ Streak SRM-2 launchers of prior designs the SRM-4 allows for enough firepower to better counter Clan Elementals, especially if the choice is inferno rounds. Three Martell medium lasers round up the armament of the design.
Mechwarriors can engage enemy targets from a distance with the ERPPC and LRM-15 without heat issues, even when bringing the mech to a run. The 11 double heat sinks of the design also allow the mechwarrior to engage targets when jumping while still remaining heat neutral.
For passive protection the mech uses 10 tons of StarSlab/1d Light Ferro-Fibrous, a full ton shy of max armor weight potential.
The tried and true Hermes 275 extralight engine of previous variants and the five Chilton 360 jump jets are retained propelling the machine to the familiar 5/8/5 movement profile.
All in all the SDH-8M fields a weapons package to surpass that of similarly armed heavy Thunderbolt mech, the de facto heavy trooper mech of the inner sphere, while being well armored and mobile.
Shadow Hawk SDH-8M
Mass: 55 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: F/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3070
Dry Cost: 10.557.257 C-Bills
Total Cost: 10.644.257 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1.654
Chassis: Earthwerks SHD II Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Hermes 275 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54,0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86,4 km/h
Jump Jets: Chilton 360
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: StarSlab/1d Light Ferro-Fibrous w/ CASE
Armament:
1 Magna Firestar ER PPC
1 Delta Dart LRM-15
3 Martell Medium Lasers
2 Hovertec Quad SRM-4s
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Incorporated
Primary Factory: Calloway VI
Communications System: Neil 9000
Targeting and Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mk.XII
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 91 points 3,00
Internal Locations: 3 LT, 4 LA, 3 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine: XL Fusion Engine 275 8,00
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 2 LT, 2 RT 2,50
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 11(22) 1,00
Gyro: Standard 3,00
Cockpit: Standard 3,00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Light Ferro-Fibrous AV - 169 10,00
Armor Locations: 1 LT, 2 LA, 4 RA
CASE Locations: 1 RT 0,50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 18 25
Center Torso (rear) 7
L/R Torso 13 21
L/R Torso (rear) 5
L/R Arm 9 17
L/R Leg 13 21
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Laser RA 3 1 1,00
2 Medium Lasers LA 6 2 2,00
LRM-15 RT 5 3 7,00
ER PPC LT 15 3 7,00
SRM-4 CT 3 1 2,00
SRM-4 HD 3 1 2,00
@LRM-15 (16) RT - 2 2,00
@SRM-4 (25) RT - 1 1,00
Free Critical Slots: 0
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 6 Points: 17
5j 3 4 2 0 2 1 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, IF 1