Author Topic: CPLT-Z1 - an L1 Pocket Assault  (Read 464 times)

Breetai

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CPLT-Z1 - an L1 Pocket Assault
« on: 28 February 2019, 08:57:29 »
Catapult CPLT-Z1

Mass: 65 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Introductory
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D
Production Year: 3025
Cost: 4,734,675 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,390

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 195 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
    Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
    2  LRM-15s
    2  SRM-6s
    2  Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Black Hawk Mechworks
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

Overview:
The Catapult has always been a somewhat odd design amongst the ranks of Support
Mechs in the Inner Sphere. More flexible because of its jump capability, and
possessed of relatively potent close-range weaponry, it can operate well as a
brawler in a pinch - and in fact is often forced to due to the low number of
reloads for its missile systems. Battlefield simulations of the Catapult
suggest that the optimum usage is to wear an enemy down from afar using the
LRMs, and then immediately close in order to use the laser payload at its
maximum efficiency. In this way, the Catapult can operate both as a support
'Mech, or as a main battle 'Mech in its own right. The CPT-Z1 is a Black Hawk
Mechworks redesign aimed at greatly increasing the close-in capabilities of the
Catapult, albeit at the loss of some groundspeed. The reduction in tonnage and
cost afforded by the usage of a smaller engine and gyro, coupled with the
subsequent increase in payload, is thought to balance against the reduction of
the design's maximum running speed by 10kmph - particularly in the light that
its retention of jumpjets still allows it to get into a firing position as well
or even better than some faster, yet ground-hugging, designs. In fact, even
though both the close-range punch and the long-range sustainability of the
design has increased, the cost of the design is 1,055,450 c-bills less than a
stock Catapult, making it an attractive prospect for a budget-conscious merc.


Capabilities:
The CPT-Z1 mounts a class-195 fusion engine and maintains a jumping capacity of
90 meters. 11.5 tons of armour provide greater protection than the stock
Catapult (partially in deference to the reduced ground speed), leaving the
design with no less than 31 tons of weapons and equipment. While the
characteristic swivel-mounted LRM-15 units are maintained (albeit with 150% of
the standard Catapult's ammo supply, greatly increasing its ability to function
as a support 'Mech or to wear the enemy down before closing in for the kill),
its close-range package has been greatly expanded. Two of the Medium Lasers
have been retained, however two others have been removed in order to make way
for a pair of SRM-6 units. These SRMs are more powerful than the lasers they
replace, and allow the Catapult to operate in a close-support role; crippling
the subsystems of enemy 'Mechs who have had their armour eroded during the
course of a battle. It also renders the Catapult effective at supporting
direct-fire-support lances comprising of units carrying mainly high-penetration
weapons. 14 heatsinks leave the CPT-Z1 relatively cool; allowing it to fire its
long-range missiles indefinitely or to fire all of its close-range weapons with
the only heat build-up being due to movement.


================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     104 points                6.50
Engine:             Fusion Engine                195                       8.00
    Walking MP: 3
    Running MP: 5
    Jumping MP: 3 Standard
    Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 1 LL, 1 RL                                   3.00
Heat Sinks:         Single Heat Sink             14                        4.00
    Heat Sink Locations: 3 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA, 1 RA
Gyro:               Standard                                               2.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA    R: SH+UA
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 184                 11.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            8         
                                        Center Torso     21           30       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  8         
                                           L/R Torso     15           21       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  7         
                                             L/R Arm     10           20       
                                             L/R Leg     15           21       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LRM-15                                       RA        5         3         7.00
LRM-15                                       LA        5         3         7.00
SRM-6                                        RT        4         2         3.00
SRM-6                                        LT        4         2         3.00
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1.00
Medium Laser                                 HD        3         1         1.00
@LRM-15 ( 8 )                                  RA        -         1         1.00
@LRM-15 (16)                                 LA        -         2         2.00
@SRM-6 (15)                                  RT        -         1         1.00
@SRM-6 (15)                                  LT        -         1         1.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 24

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 14
3j         1       1       0       0      3     0   Structure:  5
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0, LRM 1/1/1, IF 1


Daryk

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Re: CPLT-Z1 - an L1 Pocket Assault
« Reply #1 on: 28 February 2019, 20:45:17 »
It's... it's like a tiny Stalker with jump jets!  :D