Wind personal VTOL

[Lagrange]

The Wind personal VTOL is a broadly useful personal vehicle with a cost small enough to be affordable at typical inner sphere salaries.  At a half ton with a 80kg of cargo it's something like a motorcycle size, except that it works where there are no roads and avoids traffic jams entirely.   Given a top speed of 280kph, it will get you there fast. 

The Wind features two unusual features --- a modest amount of armor on all sides except for the rear making it rugged enough to survive a few bullets or modest wrecks and an advanced sensor suite and computer making it capable of recognizing other vehicles in the vicinity.  These are both marketed as safety features.  The government seems to agree as it offers a small subsidy for the purchase and use of the Wind.

Code: [Select]

Wind Personal VTOL
Mass: 0.5 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant:  Fusion
Cruising Speed: 183.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 280.8 kph
Armor: BAR 2
Armament:
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost: 5,243 C-bills

Type: Wind
Chassis Type: VTOL (Small)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 500 kg
Battle Value: 12

Equipment                                         Mass (kg)
Chassis/Controls                                  75.00000000000001
Engine/Trans.                                     293.0
    Cruise MP:17
Flank MP:26
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.0
Armor Factor (BAR 2)          4                    52.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   1         1     
     R/L Side               1/1       1/1   
     Rear                    1         0     
     Rotor                   1         1     


Weapons
and Ammo              Location    Tonnage   
None

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (0.08 tons)       1 Door   

Notes:
Features Ultra-Light Chassis and Controls Modification
Advanced Fire Control

The real reason the government offers a subsidy is that the factory sold the government several 'technical' upgrades.  In the event of war, weapon stockpiles and tech teams can rapidly convert a common and ubiquitous personal transport vehicle into a fierce battlefield combatant.  Deployed in squadrons they are an extraordinarily dangerous alternative to foot infantry in open field combat while at the same time being far more survivable. 

Combatwise, the Wind Assault VTOL operates in a role similar to battle armor except they rely on mobility rather than armor for defense generating up to a +7(!) target movement modifier.  The firepower is however similar since they feature 5 machine guns with a battletech range of 1/2/3 which can all be fired by the pilot using the computer systems with software refreshed to function as advanced fire control systems.  Against infantry this  inflicts potentially 5+5d6 damage.

Code: [Select]

Wind Assault VTOL
Mass: .5 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant:  Fusion
Cruising Speed: 183.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 280.8 kph
Armor: BAR 2
Armament:
  5 Machine Gun (Portable)
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost: 9,869 C-bills
Type: Wind
Chassis Type: VTOL (Small)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 500 kg
Battle Value: 51

Equipment                                         Mass (kg)
Chassis/Controls                                   81.0
Engine/Trans.                                     293.0
    Cruise MP:17
Flank MP:26
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.0
Armor Factor (BAR 2)          4                    52.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   1         1     
     R/L Side               1/1       1/1   
     Rear                    1         0     
     Rotor                   1         1     


Weapons
and Ammo                                    Location    Tonnage   
5 Machine Gun (Portable)                     Front    57.49999999999999
5 Machine Gun (Portable) Ammo (375 shots)    Front        15.0   

Cargo
    None

Notes:
Features Ultra-Light Chassis and Controls Modification
Advanced Fire Control(6 kg)

Another important version is the Wind Flamer VTOL, which inflicts heat damage via inferno rounds at a range of 2/4/6 while retaining a portable machine gun. 

Code: [Select]

Wind Flamer VTOL
Mass: 0.5 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant:  Fusion
Cruising Speed: 183.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 280.8 kph
Armor: BAR 2
Armament:
                2 SRM Launcher (Std, Two-Shot) - Inferno
  1 Machine Gun (Portable)
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost:8,699 C-bills
Type: Wind
Chassis Type: VTOL (Small)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 500 kg
Battle Value: 47
Equipment                                         Mass (kg)
Chassis/Controls                                   83.0
Engine/Trans.                                     293.0
    Cruise MP:17
Flank MP:26
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.0
Armor Factor (BAR 2)          4                    52.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   1         1     
     R/L Side               1/1       1/1   
     Rear                    1         0     
     Rotor                   1         1     


Weapons
and Ammo                                                  Location    Tonnage   
2 SRM Launcher (Std, Two-Shot) - Inferno                   Front        60.0   
2 SRM Launcher (Std, Two-Shot) - Inferno Ammo (4 shots)    Front        40.0   
Machine Gun                                                Front        11.5   
Machine Gun Ammo (75 shots)                                Front        3.0     

Cargo
    None

Notes:
Features Ultra-Light Chassis and Controls Modification
Advanced Fire Control(8 kg)
Stacking limits apply per elevation, so there is plenty of room to max out +15 points of external heat on a heat tracking unit.  In a 3025 context, that varies between devastating (light mechs) and crippling  (assault mechs).  The SRM here could of course be loaded with non-inferno rounds instead, if desired.

A laser variant sees additional heavy use, hitting at ranges of 3/6/9, potentially a nigh-unbounded number of times per day.   The extra range allows for the slow safe elimination of shorter-ranged infantry units.  Two portable machine guns provide additional close-in firepower if needed.

Code: [Select]

Wind Laser VTOL
Mass: 0.5 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: Fusion
Cruising Speed: 183.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 280.8 kph
Armor: BAR 2
Armament:
  1 Support Laser (Semi-Portable)
  2 Machine Gun (Portable)
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost: 12,054 C-bills
Type: Wind
Chassis Type: VTOL (Small)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 500 kg
Battle Value: 45

Equipment                                         Mass (kg)
Chassis/Controls                                   82.0
Engine/Trans.                                     293.0
    Cruise MP:17
Flank MP:26
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.0
Armor Factor (BAR 2)          4                    52.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   1         1     
     R/L Side               1/1       1/1   
     Rear                    1         0     
     Rotor                   1         1     


Weapons
and Ammo                                    Location    Tonnage   
Support Laser                                Front        40.0   
Support Laser Ammo (21 shots)                Front        3.0     
2 Machine Gun (Portable)                     Front        23.0   
2 Machine Gun (Portable) Ammo (150 shots)    Front        6.0     

Cargo
    None

Notes:
Features Ultra-Light Chassis and Controls Modification
Advanced Fire Control(7 kg)

These are a factor of 1000 cheaper than an assault mech providing an absurd degree of force cost efficiency.   Even if you use the luxury versions with robotic control, that's still a factor of 500 cheaper.  Looking at BV instead, there's about a factor of 40---I'd probably still favor the Wind swarm.  This is not conducive to a game, so not recommended for that use.

[Red Pins]

Nice!  Can I steal this for a project? 

[Lagrange]

Nice!  Can I steal this for a project?

Sure---just reference :-)

[Red Pins]

I'll try - chances are I'll forget about it with all the others and get engrossed with building my own again.   

[Daryk]

Not bad, but I think I'd scrape up the 13 kg for a point of armor on the rear.

[Lagrange]

Not bad, but I think I'd scrape up the 13 kg for a point of armor on the rear.

There's a maximum of 4 points of armor on a support vehicle of this tonnage, so you'd have to take it from somewhere else.   I don't see good options there.  Do you?  You could argue for 2 points of armor on the front, 1 on the back, and 1 on the rotor, I guess...  Leaving the sides uncovered seems rough though.

[Daryk]

Ah, if you're limited to 4, I think you got it as good as it gets.

[Lagrange]

Ah, if you're limited to 4, I think you got it as good as it gets.

Cool.

Any idea how damage is supposed to resolve with medium (aka support) weapons fired by a vehicle?

[Daryk]

I'll do some research in the morning... too close to bed for that deep a dive...

[Daryk]

I think the relevant rules are on page 136 of Tech Manual.  The way I read it, they all fire individually.

[Lagrange]

I think the relevant rules are on page 136 of Tech Manual.  The way I read it, they all fire individually.

So anything doing [0,.49] damage rounds to 0, and anything doing [0.5,1.49] damage rounds to 1, if I understand correctly.  That's a pretty significant rounding effect.

Looking through weapons, I see as interesting:
Autorifle (0.52 damage, range 1, 80 c-bills, 4kg)
Burst fire Long Range: Barton AMR Sniper Rifle (0.61 or 0.74 damage, range 7, 700 c-bills, 14kg)
Flame: Man-portable flamer (0.55 damage, range 0, 100 c-bills, 15kg)
Double damage: Heavy Grenade launcher (1.76 damage, range 1, 1500 c-bills, 18kg)

nonexistent in 3025:
Anti-Air: Mk 2 Man-portable AA (0.81 damage, range 2, 35kg)
Double damage Flame: Man-portable Plasma Rifle (1.58 damage, range 2, 7500 c-bills, 30kg)

MML seems to only have a subset of the above.

[Daryk]

That's how I understand it too.  Since it's a vehicle, it should have no problem with targeting airborne things without an AA weapon (which are truly unfit for purpose anyway).  If MML had them, Sun Raker and L5L laser rifles would be on the list too.  I don't think you get the Heavy Burst special with vehicle mounted infantry weapons affected by the 0.60 cap.

[Lagrange]

That's how I understand it too.  Since it's a vehicle, it should have no problem with targeting airborne things without an AA weapon (which are truly unfit for purpose anyway). 

Ah---I was assuming a bonus to hit which is wrong (and lame).

If MML had them, Sun Raker and L5L laser rifles would be on the list too. 

The advantage being just ammo independence?  They tend to be more expensive and shorter range.

I don't think you get the Heavy Burst special with vehicle mounted infantry weapons affected by the 0.60 cap.

Tweaked.

[Daryk]

Yes, ammo independence is the advantage... since you're going with a fusion power pack, I figured that was important.

[Lagrange]

Yes, ammo independence is the advantage... since you're going with a fusion power pack, I figured that was important.

Unfortunately, there's a bug in MML.

Advanced Fire Control only applies to Medium (~= support) and Heavy weapons, not Small (=primary personal and a few light support weapons).   Also, the heavy grenade launcher is unavailable in 3025.  Redoing the weapons lists, I believe the 3025 pareto frontier is just:

Burst, Range 1: Machine Gun (Portable), 11.5kg (3kg reload), 1000 c-bills +10/reload (75/5 shots)
Burst, Range 2: Machine Gun (Support), 44kg (5kg reload), 1750 c-bills + 50/reload (100/5 shots)

Range 2: SRM Launcher (Light), 10kg (9kg reload), 1500 c-bills (2 shots)
Range 3: Support Laser (Semi-portable), 40kg (3kg reload), 3000 c-bills (21 shots)

Flame, range 0: Man Portable Flamer, 15 kg (8.4 kg reload), 100 c-bills + 2/reload (12 shots) Most units can't fire at things in the same hex.
Flame, range 2: SRM Launcher std 2 shot, 30kg (20 kg reload), 1500 c-bills + 450/reload (2 shots)

Overall, definitely still possible to do a full 5 points of damage, but ranges are reduced since we can't use small arms, there are no double damage weapons, and you can have at most one laser.

A couple side thoughts:
Should the Light SRM Launcher really have a 2 shot reload? 

The threshold between "small" and "medium" weapons seems odd.  Personal weapons are always "small", presumably even up to that 14kg Shrapnel sniper rifle but definitely including 12kg Mauser IIC.   Support weapons seem to have a variable threshold with everything <7kg "small" while everything >8 kg is "medium".   In that gap, you have the small 8kg light recoilless rifle and the medium light machine gun.

[Daryk]

Infantry missile launchers have been on my "to do" list for a while now.  The number of shots on the launchers was supposed to work with the "Reload" factor, but it gives weird results with the listed weapons.

[Lagrange]

Infantry missile launchers have been on my "to do" list for a while now.  The number of shots on the launchers was supposed to work with the "Reload" factor, but it gives weird results with the listed weapons.

Huh.

I updated the designs to reflect the discoveries above.  There are three combat variants: an MG variant that deals 5+5d6 vs. infantry (or 5 vs. other units), a flamer variant that does 5+3d6 vs infantry, 5 vs. non-heat tracking units, and 3+2 heat vs. heat tracking units, and a laser variant with an effective 3/6/9 range. 

[Lagrange]

Ah, there's another bug: most units (including VTOLs) can't fire at units in the same hex, so all range 0 weapons (including the flamer) are out.  I'll update....

[Daryk]

Range 0 is something I tried to address with my "Remote Weapon Stations"... they're linked in my sig block if you're interested... :)

[Lagrange]

One last update---Liam's Ghost reminded me that you can use a Pillion seat to save 50kg.  This allows you to increase the base civilian model to 17/26 and push the cargo space up to a nice round 80kg.  Although 280 vs. 250 kph doesn't matter much in civilian applications, in military applications it allows you to fully hack TMMs to reach +7 (+6 from 25+ hexes and +1 from being airborne).  At the high end, adding to the target number makes a substantial difference in the quantity of hits: for example target number 10 hits twice as often as target number 11.  Hence, this modest change is something like doubling the effect of speed-as-armor, unless of course the adversary is using AE weapons.