Drop Cocoons

[Aunodin]

I was reading the article on the Robinson on the BT wiki and it mentions something called drop cocoons for your battle mechs. To say the least i am curious about this and am wondering if there is rules covering this in a book. Dunno where to look to say the least.

If there are rules anyone use the rules in a game. it kind of seems like it would be a deep strike thing from 40k

[Weirdo]

You'd want the rules for combat drops in Strategic Operations. It may also be called an orbital or high-altitude drop, I forget which is the technical term.

[martian]

I was reading the article on the Robinson on the BT wiki and it mentions something called drop cocoons for your battle mechs. To say the least i am curious about this and am wondering if there is rules covering this in a book. Dunno where to look to say the least.

"Connor’s  Bushwacker was already secured into its droppod, ready for imminent deployment. The egg-shaped shell acted as heat shield and extra armor for the penetration of Tranquil’s upper atmosphere. Explosive charges would separate the pod from BattleMech well after insertion, allowing the large ‘chute to arrest the fall and settle the ’Mech easily to ground."

Of course, some 'Mechs are equipped with jump Jets in legs or torsos, so they do not need a parachute.

Another solution is to attach a detachable cradle with jump jets.

If you check the cover of Operation: Stiletto scenario book, you may see how the cocoon looks like.

If there are rules anyone use the rules in a game. it kind of seems like it would be a deep strike thing from 40k

In Strategic Operations (CAT 35 004), page 22.

[Armitage72]

Dropships & Jumpships listed a 30,000 C-Bill price for a Reentry Kit.  I'm not sure a price has been listed anywhere else.
The book seemed to assume that the metal and ceramic pod would be retrieved after use and the foam and ceramic cocoon would be destroyed by friction, since it also listed a 5,000 C-Bill refurbishing price.

"The one-ton reentry kit is designed to be used by Battlemechs that are dropped from orbit.  These kits consist of a ceramic and metal capsul (the DropPod) and a spun foam and ceramic structure (the cocoon).  As the `Mech hits the atmosphere, the DropPod absorbs the great amount of friction generated.  After a time, timed explosions break the DropPod into five sections (which will confuse ground-based observers).  Then, the cocoon absorbs the friction, shredding away in the process and adding to the radar-reflective debris surrounding the `Mech."

[SCC]

TacOps had Vehicular Drop Chutes, those are probably what you're looking for

The cover of BattleTechnology #10 show a drop in progress and can be seen on Sarna here: http://www.sarna.net/wiki/File:Bt10cov.jpg

[Aunodin]

well thanks for the info must of glanced over it in statigiec ops. ya it is kind of cool to have the option at least

[Colt Ward]

If you ever read Starship Troopers, where they describe what a Cap Trooper goes through on each first wave drop . . . just scale it up to mechs.  Or leave it at battle armor size!

Fiction has some interesting Orbit/HALO drop bits . . . like fighters making straffing attacks on falling mechs to tumble the gyro . . . though honestly I would think a mech would drop with a streamer to try to maintain orientation.

[doulos05]

If you ever read Starship Troopers, where they describe what a Cap Trooper goes through on each first wave drop . . . just scale it up to mechs.  Or leave it at battle armor size!

Fiction has some interesting Orbit/HALO drop bits . . . like fighters making straffing attacks on falling mechs to tumble the gyro . . . though honestly I would think a mech would drop with a streamer to try to maintain orientation.

A streamer!? Big Stompy Robots(tm) don't have streamers like little girl bikes. They remain upright because they are so awesome that the atmosphere wouldn't dare attempt to flip them upside down for fear they would take their awesome and go play on another planet with a friendlier atmosphere.