Designers: Clan Ghost Bear
Class: Assault Battlemech
Background
Although possibly one of the Clan's totem mechs such as the Mandril the Kodiak has never been called a totem mech, non-omni it is more often seen in garrison clusters than front line forces, close to supply lines to support its weapons load. The Kodiak Prime is a formidable machine, a purpose built brawler with little in the way of concessions for long range engagements other than a single ER large laser. The Kodiak 6 seems to be an attempt to modernise the design and correct some percived flaws.
Armament.
Thinning out the Primes 8 ER Mediums to 4, two on each hand the Kodiak 6 retains the dual Streak SRM-6's each launcher fed by a ton of ammo in the right torso as well as the center torso mounted ER Large Laser. The biggest and most obvious change is the removal of the Ultra AC-20 and its replacement with the newer HAG-30 and four tonnes of ammunition. Although lacking the raw punch weight of the Ultra, the HAG allows the machine to engage at longer ranges and still allows it to 'sand blast' armour off an opponent before getting into range of the lasers and SRMs. An ECM sits in the head to protect the machine and its Star mates from the growing threat of C3 co-ordinated fire.
Engine.
The Kodiak 6 retains the huge XL 400 rated engine of its predecessors but is lacking jump jets, although it is still fast for so heavy a machine capable of moving at 64 kph at full speed.
Coolant.
Equipped with 18 double strength heat sinks the Kodiak 6 runs cool and can fire all of its weapons at a sprint without the cockpit heating up, only adding the ER laser to the salvo will start causing heat problems but pilots usually cease firing this weapon once in range of the ER Mediums and Streak SRMs. This fixes one of the main problems with the original Prime which always ran hot in combat, its heatsinks struggling to contain the heat generated by its 8 x ER Medium lasers, dual streaks and the heavy bore cannon.
Protection.
As one might expect of a Clan Assault mech the Kodiak 6 carries as much armour as it can on its Endosteel chassis although the designers reduced the armour to a standarised 10 rating across the back to maximise frontal protection, probably recognising that the Kodiak 6 will be in the thick of fighting and would be under fire on its approach.
Production.
Seemingly a refit and alteration of the Kodiak Prime the Kodiak 6 is starting to see service with not only Garrison commands but also front line Galaxies and the elements of the Royal Kungsarmy of the Ghost Bear Dominion. Although ammunition limits do keep it tied to supply chains the machine is a formidable opponent to face and its claw like hands make it a popular puncher amongst the Kungarmy pilots who command the big machines.
Just a re-design of one of my favorite mechs, loved it in Ghost Bears legacy, loved it on the tabletop.
