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Despite the Advocator ADV-1R using the Locust's engine, the possibility of future supply or transport issues meant that alternative engine solutions were also considered. The humble GM 120 fusion engine, the most common engine in the Inner Sphere at the time, was one of the engines tried. In December of 3024, funds and the small amount of resources needed were allocated for the engine swap.
The initial prototype was swiftly completed, as it was effectively just a ADV-1R with a lighter and lower output engine. No major issues stemmed from this change, though testing report does state that slight initial sluggishness was noticeable when trying to run from a standstill. The saved weight meant that more weapons could be added if desired, though with mobility reduced to that of a Highlander, any new potential variant mounting the GM 120 wouldn't be a mainline 'Mech.
Perhaps most crucially the lower stress placed on the chassis and joints meant that, in theory, parts that had failed the standards set for the ADV-1R could be instead be used to build this new slower model. CCAF overseers quickly realized the utility of this, and authorization for two more prototypes were given. These new machines and the modified prototype would increase the short range firepower significantly over the original Advocator with the intent of creating a viable garrison 'Mech.
The five-tube LRM launcher and its ammunition were replaced with a Holly four-tube SRM launcher and a single ton of ammo. Two additional medium lasers would be installed, on in the centre torso and one in the right torso. This was done to simplify the power and data feeds and to spread out the short range weaponry in case of battle damage. An additional half a ton of armour was added, bringing the total to eight and half tons. Fourteen heat sinks were mounted, though unlike the ADV-1R more had to be placed in the side torsos. The Ceres Arms Smasher PPC and the left arm mounted Ceres Arms medium laser were kept as is.
Mild overheating was observed when jumping and firing all short range weaponry, but this was accepted given the more than tripled firepower. The benefits of being able to squeeze even more use out of parts that otherwise would need to be recycled were obvious enough to all involved parties, and so the initial ADV-1X2 designation gave way to the final ADV-1L. The slow acceleration behavior wasn't fixed yet, but the design team believed that with enough time they could alter the myomer layout to compensate for the weaker engine.
Had the mass production of the Advocator occurred, it would've likely resulted in the humble Urbanmech being at least partially supplanted by the -1L variant. Boasting greater speed, protection and firepower, the slow Advocator would have been an effective unit for defending urban environments without sacrificing that much of the long range punching power. With a top speed of 54 kph and a reduced jump distance of 90 metres, these machines would've been able keep up with typical assault weight formations.
With the cancellation of the Locust factory conversion, ADV-1L would also die out with only three machines built.
Advocator ADV-1L
Mass: 40 tons
Chassis: Ceresplex IV
Power Plant: GM 120
Cruising Speed: 32.4 kph
Maximum Speed: 54 kph
Jump Jets: Anderson Propulsion 30
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor: Starshield
Armament:
1 PPC
3 Medium Laser
1 SRM 4
Manufacturer: Ceres Metals Industries
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communication System: CeresCom Model 21-Rs
Targeting & Tracking System: C-Apple Churchill
Introduction Year: 3025
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-E-D-D
Cost: 2,745,680 C-bills
Type: Advocator
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Introductory)
Tonnage: 40
Battle Value: 1,004
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 4
Engine 120 Fusion 4
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 3
Heat Sink 14 4
Gyro 2
Cockpit 3
Armor Factor 136 8.5
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head 3 9
Center Torso 12 18
Center Torso (rear) 5
R/L Torso 10 15
R/L Torso (rear) 5
R/L Arm 6 12
R/L Leg 10 20
Right Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm
Left Arm Actuators: Shoulder, Upper Arm, Lower Arm, Hand
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Heat Tonnage
Heat Sink LL 1 - 1.0
Jump Jet LL 1 - 0.5
Medium Laser CT 1 3 1.0
Jump Jet CT 1 - 0.5
4 Heat Sink RT 4 - 4.0
Medium Laser RT 1 3 1.0
Medium Laser LA 1 3 1.0
4 Heat Sink LT 4 - 4.0
SRM 4 LT 1 3 2.0
SRM 4 Ammo (25) LT 1 - 1.0
Heat Sink RL 1 - 1.0
Jump Jet RL 1 - 0.5
PPC RA 3 10 7.0
Features the following design quirks: Rugged (1 Point), Cramped Cockpit, Poor Performance.
Notes: A marginally cheaper variant, using yet another common engine. This time making use of the Stinger's and Wasp's GM 120. Functionally, this would be a bigger and nominally better suburbanmech.
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