It's Monday start of a new week! And How better then to start a new week then by posting a Mech of the Week. Before we begin I want to thank Greekfire who I sent a copy of my draft in advance to see if there was anything he thought I should add from his wonderful Heirofalcon Article
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/fan-articles/mech-of-the-week-hierofalcon/ he also BTW posted Diplominator's article on the Jade Phoenix just last week.
https://bg.battletech.com/forums/fan-articles/mech-of-the-week-jade-phoenix/ I encourage folks to take a look at them as well since the Ion Sparrow is the "older little brother" of those two. I'd also like to thank Jymset for both designing this mech and being kind enough to answer some questions about it.
The Jade Falcons have long loved jump jets—perhaps because it allows them to swoop down on their foes like their namesake bird. It should, therefore, surprise no one that the Falcons developed the BattleMech partial wing in the late 3060s. The Cougar XR was the first Falcon 'Mech to use the technology. Scientists later intended for the Flambridge OmniMech to use it as well, but the dismal state of the scientist caste prevented the full maturation of the technology before the OmniMech's debut. Even so, the Jade Falcons eventually managed to master the partial wing, and it saw deployment on a number of popular BattleMechs. An OmniMech with a partial wing, however, remained elusive...until the Ion Sparrow, code named Butcherbird by the Lyrans (which apparently was the original "working name" for the mech and they liked it so much they formalized the nickname)
The Ion Sparrow was originally as much a test bed for partial wing technology as a functional 'Mech design hence why the design has been heavily based on the Fire Falcon. In fact, it was only after the warrior assigned to the project suggested it would have value as a trainer that the Falcons decided to put it into service. So what does the Ion Sparrow look like? The frame is solid, but it has some flaws indicative of its status as a prototype. Massing in at 20 tons, the design has a rare weight for an OmniMech. Packing 3 tons of ferro-fibrous armor wrapped around an endo steel skeleton, it also uses a small cockpit, a 160-rated XL engine moving it up to 129 KPH, and 10 DHS. The real stand out here is its partial wing and 8 jump jets—meaning in a normal atmosphere you have 10 jumping MP. And yes, unlike this 'Mech's bigger brothers, this thing mounts fixed jump jets. No improved jump jets for you! Additionally, it should be noted that if you're using quirks, this design is classed as easy to pilot; Letting the small cockpit's PSR penalty be cancelled out.
The design is interesting in that after a particularly nasty run in with Wolf clan Storm Wolves (a 50 ton mech capable of CATCHING the speedy Ion Sparrow) Malvina issued orders that the design not be used in a battle line, instead operating in a support capacity.
One might think that all this gear can't leave much room for pod space, and one would be correct. The Ion Sparrow mounts a record LOW tonnage of pod space with only four tons; only the Celerity has less, and I tend to not count the ultralight drone as a real OmniMech. But four tons can be plenty if used properly, so how does the Ion Sparrow use its podspace?
The Primary variant mounts a pair of improved heavy lasers and two antipersonnel Gauss rifles. This config might run a bit hot if you're overly jumpy, but is easy enough to run cool. With 26 max potential damage, the Ion Sparrow Prime can force that all important PSR, while also being a capable infantry hunter. For some reason the weapons package reminds me a little of the classic stinger or Locust weapons loads.
The Alpha configuration is likely the config that earned this 'Mech the nickname "Butcher Bird" on Coventry, mounting 8 machine guns in two arrays and an active probe for hunting down infantry...or back during Malvina's day, orphanages. It has half a ton of ammo, which even with this many machine guns is plenty.
Beta Config is a pretty simple one: it mounts twin SRM 6s with a ton of ammo between them. twin SRM 6s isn't very much firepower, and this is the only mech that won't be able to force a PSR, however when hunting something that number of hits is more important then how much damage the hit does, this is a fine mech. useful for hunting tanks, or just hunting down mechs already damaged and crit seeking the heck out of them!
Charlie Config is every non-Jade Falcon's Least favorite configuration. Mounting 6 ER small lasers tied to a targeting computer, this thing is a backstabber extraordinaire. The mobility of this 'Mech combined with the small lasers means that you're always gonna be in the rear arc of something.
And finally, Delta Config. I admit I had some trouble understanding this one initially, a MPL and 2 ER MLs design is a bit odd as useally you see something symmetrical. Jymset was, helpful in understanding the design philosophy behind this of wanting a bit of a heavy hitter/sniper capable of forcing a PSR while also doing something more interesting then 4 ER MLs or 2 MPLs.
One thing worth noting about all the configs is the Mechs are 100% arm mounted, this compared with the designs near unparalleled mobility for an omnimech makes this a fantastic battle armor carrier.
Finally, I want to talk a bit about this 'Mech's future. Given the current state of the Jade Falcons, the future of their designs is worth bringing up. The Ion Sparrow, like the Hierofalcon and Jade Phoenix, are all produced on Alyina—putting control of the factory firmly in Alyina Mercantile League hands. What this means for the future is hard to say; however, I suspect that short term is this means that the Sea Foxes are likely to spread this design far and wide.
