Author Topic: [Empires Aflame] FFL-4TS Firefly  (Read 890 times)

The_Livewire

  • Warrant Officer
  • *
  • Posts: 731
    • The Livewire's Battletech Blog
[Empires Aflame] FFL-4TS Firefly
« on: 20 September 2019, 14:55:30 »
Disclaimer: I've loved the look of the firefly in the 3050 revised book, and had some success with the tiny tank.  So when I started looking at how the Terran Supremacy would upgrade the royals, I had to include a Firefly.

Firefly FFL-4TS
Mass: 30 tons
Chassis: Earthwerks Firefly endo
Power Plant: GM 150 Light
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86.4 kph
Armor: StarSlab
Armament:
     3 ER Medium Laser
     2 Small X-Pulse Laser
     1 MML 3
Manufacturer: Coventry/Earthwerks
     Primary Factory: Terra
Communication System: Datcom 18 with Guardian ECM
Targeting & Tracking System: Radcom TXX
Introduction Year: 3090
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-X
Cost: 3,666,000 C-bills
Overview
A Mainstay of the SLDF forces, it is no surprise that the Firefly remained in production in the Terran Supremacy. After close to 400 years of service, the Terran Supremacy ordered an upgrade to the tough tiny ‘Mech.

Capabilities
The new Firefly switches to endo-steel internal structure instead of ferro fibrous armor, allowing for the replacement of the fragile XL engine with a smaller and heavier light engine. A Multi Missile launcher 3 rack replaces the older LRM 5, the reduction in ranged firepower being a good trade for the greater flexibility. The laser systems are upgraded as well, with three ER medium lasers spaced about the torso, and a pair of small x-pulse lasers in the arms. The recent production issue X-pulse lasers allow the Firefly enhanced anti-infantry abilities. The other major change from the FFL3A is the removal of the Target Acquisition Gear and installation of a Guardian ECM in the left torso. The ten double heat sinks hand most of the heat from the weapons, but they can be quickly overwhelmed by repeated alpha strikes. Knowing this, Coventry/Earthwerks has taken a page from the Shadow Hawk and enhanced the life support. The firepower, mixed with the thick standard plate armor, has made the Firefly an anvil against which its lancemates drive light mechs

Deployment
While the Firefly has been seen across the face of the Terran Supremacy and the 4a Exported to the Periphery states, the 4TS is used primarily in Supremacy space.

Code: [Select]
Type: Firefly
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Tonnage: 30
Battle Value: 992
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure Endo Steel 1.5
Engine 150 Light 4.5
     Walking MP: 5
     Running MP: 8
     Jumping MP: 4
Double Heat Sink: 10 [20] 0
Gyro: 2
Cockpit: 3
Armor Factor: 104 6.5
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Head 3 8
Center Torso 10 15
Center Torso (rear) 5
R/L Torso 7 11
R/L Torso (rear) 3
R/L Arm 5 10
R/L Leg 7 14
Weapons
and Ammo         Location Critical Tonnage
2 Jump Jets     LL         2           1
ER Medium Laser CT 1 1
Double Heat Sink RT 3 1
ECM Suite RT 2 1.5
ER Medium Laser RT 1 1
Small X-Pulse Laser LA 1 1
Double Heat Sink LA 3 1
MML 3 SRM Ammo (33) LT 1 1
MML 3 LT 2 1.5
CASE LT 1 0.5
MML 3 LRM Ammo (40) LT 1 1
Double Heat Sink LT 3 1
ER Medium Laser LT 1 1
2 Jump Jets RL 2 1
Small X-Pulse Laser RA 1 1
Double Heat Sink RA 3 1
Features the following design quirks: Improved Life Support, No/Minimal Arms, No Torso Twist
Alamo - When you care enough to send the very best.

And Purifiers *still* suck.

Now doing battletech blogging
https://livewire2112.blogspot.com/search/label/Battletech

gyedid

  • Captain
  • *
  • Posts: 2573
  • Always brighter on the other side of the mirror.
Re: [Empires Aflame] FFL-4TS Firefly
« Reply #1 on: 20 September 2019, 23:00:40 »
Ooh, me likey.  ;D (points at board avatar, unchanged since 2015!)

While the appearance of many early Republic designs on the TSDF RAT in _Empires Aflame_ fits the whole tongue-in-cheek Mirror Universe nature of the project, I always had this conception that the EA Terrans, seeing themselves as the true successors of the Star League, would continue to deploy mostly old Terran and SLDF designs in the TSDF, but would just keep upgrading them technologically.  For example, why would they ever need the Prefect, when they can just crank out an upgraded Guillotine with about the same capabilities?

cheers,

Gabe
So, now I'm imagining people boxing up Overlords for loading as cargo.  "Nope, totally not a DropShip.  Everyone knows you can't fit a DropShip in a WarShip!  It's...a ten thousand ton box of marshmallows!  Yeah.  For the Heavy Guards big annual smores party."
--Arkansas Warrior, on the possibility of carrying Dropships as cargo in Warship cargo bays.

TERRAN SUPREMACY DEFENSE FORCE.  For when you want to send the SLDF, but couldn't afford the whole kit and kaboodle.

 

Register