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Rocust RCT-1V
Mass: 35 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D
Production Year: 2488
Cost: 2,814,863 C-Bills
Battle Value: 545
Chassis: Achernar Special Type 2 Standard
Power Plant: DAV 280 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 86.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 129.6 km/h
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: StarGuard III Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Federated-5 Shot LRM-5
1 ChisComp 12 Small Laser
2 Grizzly-3 Machine Guns
Manufacturer: Achernar BattleMechs
Primary Factory: New Avalon
Communications System: Achernar Electronics HICK-3
Targeting and Tracking System: Federated Gatherer Mk. II
Overview:
Following their introduction of modern technology in 2475, the Federated Suns
had produced only two homegrown designs. While Achernar BattleMechs'
BattleAxe and Hammerhands fulfilled its requirements for heavier
line units, the AFFS found itself lacking an answer to the lighter 'Mechs
fielded by its opponents, such as the Capellan Confederation's WAM-B and the
Taurian Concordat's Toro. In order to fill the gap in its BattleMech
forces, the AFFS turned to Achernar to produce a modern light scout 'Mech.
Development of the RCT-1V Rocust — a name that continues to puzzle
military historians — began in 2485 at Archernar BattleMechs' New Avalon
facility. In an effort to lower development costs and ease logistics, the
Rocust was designed around the same engine used by the BattleAxe,
and reused many other components from designs already in service with the AFFS.
Trials began on the RCT-1V in 2487 and, despite some reservations about the
unit's effectiveness, was accepted into production early in the following year.
Capabilities:
While primarily utilized for logistical reasons, the massive DAV 280 Fusion
Engine powering the Rocust granted the 35-ton 'Mech impressive
maneuverability for its time. Capable of hitting a maximum running speed of 129
km/h, the Rocust proved far faster than its primary adversaries.
However, this maneuverability came at a heavy price; the Rocust mounted
no jump jets, and was protected by a mere four and a half tons of standard
armor. Armament consisted of a pair of Grizzly-3 miniguns fed by half a ton of
ammunition in the arms and a head-mounted small laser, with an LRM-5 and one
ton of ammo providing some measure of long range firepower. While adequate
against infantry and light vehicles, this armament proved far from effective
against other 'Mechs and heavier units.
Deployment:
Despite the flaws in its design, the RCT-1V's capabilities were deemed
sufficient for its role as a light scout 'Mech. In 2488, the Rocust
began deployement to AFFS BattleMech units participating in combat on the
Capellan and Taurian fronts. While praised by technicians for its ability to be
easily maintained and repaired using existing stockpiles of existing
components, the light armaments and armour, coupled with the large amounts of
explosive ammunition in the center torso gave the Rocust a reputation
among pilots as a death trap. Additionally, the small laser in the 'Mech's head
made it unusually cramped, and often resulted in the cockpit overheating when
fired, which exacerbated the Rocust's bad reputation.
Production of the RCT-1V continued until the early 26th century, when,
ironically, the original reasons for the Rocust's design compromises
proved to be its downfall. With the Federated Suns' expanding assortment of
modern BattleMechs and combat vehicles, the Rocust's reused parts became
less omnipresent, and it was determined that the 'Mech was far too costly for
its capabilities. The Terran Hegemony's suspiciously similar LCT-1V
Locust was found to have nearly the same combat capability as the
RCT-1V at nearly half the weight and unit price. In 2510, Achernar BattleMechs
decided to shut down production of the Rocust and acquire a license to
the Locust, which it soon began manufacturing. Remaining Rocusts
continued active service in the AFFS for some time, but were removed from front
line duty by the start of the Reunification War, and phased out completely soon
afterwards.
Variants:
Only one production variant of the Rocust is known to exist. The RCT-1E,
designed for prolonged campaigns with little chance of resupply, swapped out
the armament of the 'Mech in favour of four medium lasers. This served to limit
its reliance on, as well as the danger from, ammunition, and also increased its
firepower against heavier targets, but limited the 'Mechs ability to engage
infantry units compared to the original variant. Very few RCT-1Es were produced
before the Rocust was discontinued.
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard 58 points 3.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 280 16.00
Walking MP: 8
Running MP: 12
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 10 0.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 69 4.50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 11 9
Center Torso (rear) 3
L/R Torso 8 8
L/R Torso (rear) 2
L/R Arm 6 6
L/R Leg 8 8
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Laser HD 1 1 0.50
LRM-5 LT 2 1 2.00
Machine Gun RA 0 1 0.50
Machine Gun LA 0 1 0.50
@LRM-5 (24) CT - 1 1.00
@MG (1/2) (100) CT - 1 0.50
Free Critical Slots: 45
Notes: Features the following Design Quirks: Obsolete/2510, Easy to Maintain,
Cramped Cockpit, Bad Reputation.
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 2 Points: 5
8 1 1 1 0 1 0 Structure: 3
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
