Design Challenge for fun: New Lyran Battle Armor

[Liam's Ghost]

The Lyran Commonwealth is searching for a new standard issue battlesuit to replace existing IS Standard suits.

The design requirements are as follows:

Medium Weight.
Three hexes of jumping movement.
Enhanced ground movement for maneuvering in urban environments.
A hefty amount of reactive armor sufficient to protect from a near miss from artillery.
A single multi-roll weapon system able to effectively handle multiple classes of targets.
An inner sphere tech base, to ease maintenance and supply.

Yes, meeting all of these requirements is impossible. The real point of the challenge is which ones do you compromise on, and how do you sell those compromises to a military establishment that wants all of them, no matter how impossible?

[Sharpnel]

Here's my take

Code: [Select]

        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                        * CUSTOM EQUIPMENT

Type/Model:    Arminius 
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3085 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Medium Battle Armor (751 - 1,000 kg)
Rules:         Level 3, Standard design

Ground Speed:  21.6 km/h
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor Type:    Reactive*

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Arminius
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Medium Class Humanoid                  0       175
Motive System: Ground Movement (2 MP)                 0        40
               Jump Jets       (3 MP)                 0       150
Armor Type:    7 Points Reactive*                     4       420

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Battle Claw                            0        15
  Right Arm:   None                                   0         0

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          LA               1         5
 Sub-Machine Gun, Gunther MP-20      LA        60     0         0
SRM 1                                LA         3     2        90
Anti-Personnel Weapon Mount          RA               1         5
 Sub-Machine Gun, Gunther MP-20      RA        60     0         0
SRM 1                                RA         3     2        90
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                              10       990
Slots & Mass Left:                                    0        10

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     662,890 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   42 (168 for 4)  Weapon Value: 36 (Ratio=.86)
Cost per BV:    12,211.67 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 3   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can perform Swarm and Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 3J   Armor/Structure: 2 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 2    Specials: mec, car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 8/7/6/6    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -1
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: 0,  Running: 0,  Sprinting: 0
                Jump:  90 m/turn
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +3,  DEX: -2,  RFL: -1
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor


[Sabelkatten]

I had much the same idea... Thought I went with fixed guns. No design program available unfortunately.

IS Medium BA, 175 kg
2 ground MP, 40 kg
3 jump MP, 150 kg
8 points reactive armor, 480 kg, 4 slots
APWM LA, 5 kg, 1 slot
Firedrake Needler LA, 1 slot
SRM1 @4 RA, 100 kg, 2 slots

Total 1000 kg, 8 slots.

Medium Weight: Check
Three hexes of jumping movement: Check
Enhanced ground movement for maneuvering in urban environments: Check
A hefty amount of reactive armor sufficient to protect from a near miss from artillery: Survives 30 meters from a Long Tom II burst. Check
A single multi-roll weapon system able to effectively handle multiple classes of targets: The SRM has good (BA) range and damage. It can be loaded with infernos for hunting PBI or just burning things up.
The firedrake is just a backup (as an alternative it could carry 4 extra rounds for the SRM instead of the Firedrake).

[Daryk]

I thought missile systems could only go in the body?  ???

[Andras]

When you said multi-role weapon, I figured a Plasma Rifle would suffice, too bad about that extra ground movement though (dropping 1pt armor would get it back)

Code: [Select]

New BattleArmor Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Level
Era
Experimental
-
Advanced
-
Standard
3145+
Tech Rating: F/X-X-F-E BV: 245 Cost: 2,305,900 C-bills  Movement: 1/1/3  Internal: 4 Armor: 24 BA Reactive (Blazer)

  Internal
  Armor


Trooper 1
1
6

Trooper 2
1
6

Trooper 3
1
6

Trooper 4
1
6

 
Weapons
  Loc
  Heat
Plasma Rifle (Man-Portable) (Right arm)
Squad
0

Grenade Launcher (Auto) (APM)
Squad
0

Swarm Mek
Squad
0

Attack Swarmed Mek
Squad
0

Stop Swarm Attack
Squad
0

Leg Attack
Squad
0

 
Equipment
  Loc
BA Manipulators [Armored Gloves] (Left arm)
Squad
BA Manipulators [Battle Claw] (Right arm)
Squad
   
Here's with 1 less armor, 1 extra ground MP, and a HvyGL vice the AutoGL.

Code: [Select]

New BattleArmor Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)
Level
Era
Experimental
-
Advanced
-
Standard
3145+
Tech Rating: F/X-X-F-E BV: 221 Cost: 2,368,000 C-bills  Movement: 2/2/3  Internal: 4 Armor: 20 BA Reactive (Blazer)

  Internal
  Armor


Trooper 1
1
5

Trooper 2
1
5

Trooper 3
1
5

Trooper 4
1
5

 
Weapons
  Loc
  Heat
Plasma Rifle (Man-Portable) (Right arm)
Squad
0

Swarm Mek
Squad
0

Attack Swarmed Mek
Squad
0

Stop Swarm Attack
Squad
0

Leg Attack
Squad
0

Grenade Launcher (Heavy) (APM)
Squad
0

 
Equipment
  Loc
BA Manipulators [Armored Gloves] (Left arm)
Squad
BA Manipulators [Battle Claw] (Right arm)
Squad
   

[worktroll]

A single multi-roll weapon system

So only LB-X, or multiple missile tubes, need apply? :)

[Sabelkatten]

I thought missile systems could only go in the body?  ???

Other way around. When mounted on the body you can't jump, leg attack or swarm. In the arms they're clear for everything!

[Andras]

Here's a Light suit that works. It has a Medium MG and handheld Plasma Rifle plus 3 ground and 3 jump movement and 6pts Reactive armor.

Code: [Select]

Light (MMG/MPPR/Reactive) BattleArmor Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)

Tech Rating: F/X-X-F-E BV: 169 Cost: 1,940,000 C-bills  Movement: 3/3/3 
Internal: 4 Armor: 24 BA Reactive (Blazer)

Internal/Armor
Trooper 1
1/6

Trooper 2
1/6

Trooper 3
1/6

Trooper 4
1/6

 
Weapons
Swarm Mek
Attack Swarmed Mek
Stop Swarm Attack
Leg Attack
Machine Gun (Medium) (Body)
Plasma Rifle (Man-Portable) (APM)
 
Equipment  BA Manipulators [Armored Gloves] (Left arm)
BA Manipulators [Battle Claw] (Right arm)


[Cavgunner]

Here's my entry.  3 mp jump, decent capability against armored targets, terrifyingly effective against unarmored infantry.  No reactive armor, but 8 points of Advanced is good enough for most situations.  Includes a power pack so that the operator isn't constantly watching his battery levels.



        Classic BattleTech Battle Armor Technical Readout
                            VALIDATED

Type/Model:    Sturmwind 
Tech/Era:      Inner Sphere / 3067 / CBT Rules
Chassis Type:  Humanoid
Weight Class:  Medium Battle Armor (751 - 1,000 kg)
Rules:         Level 2, Standard design

Ground Speed:  10.8 km/h
Jump Capacity: 90 meters
Armor Type:    Advanced

------------------------------------------------------------------
Type/Model:    Sturmwind
Equipment:                                          Slots    Mass
Chassis Type:  Medium Class Humanoid                  0       175
Motive System: Ground Movement (1 MP)                 0         0
               Jump Jets       (3 MP)                 0       150
Armor Type:    8 Points Advanced                      5       320

Manipulators:
  Left Arm:    Battle Claw                            0        15
  Right Arm:   Battle Claw                            0        15

Weapons and Equipment                Loc     Shots  Slots    Mass
------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Recoilless Rifle              Body      20     2       250
  (with High-Explosive Ammo)
Firedrake Support Needler            RA        30     1        50
Power Pack                           Body             1        25
------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS:                                               9     1,000
Slots & Mass Left:                                    1         0

Calculated Factors:
Total Cost:     601,200 C-Bills, Including Trooper
                Training Costs of 150,000 C-bills
Battle Value:   53 (212 for 4)  Weapon Value: 30 (Ratio=.57)
Cost per BV:    8,513.21 (w/o Trooper Training costs)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 2   MRDmg = 0   LRDmg = 0
Mechanized:     Can travel on OmniMechs and OmniVehicles
Attacks:        Can perform Swarm and Leg attacks
BattleForce2:   Class: IB   MP: 3J   Armor/Structure: 2 / 0
                Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-   Overheat: 0
                Point Value: 2    Specials: mec, car4

CBT:RPG Data:   Armor Value (M/B/E/X): 9/7/7/7    Coverage: Full
                IR: 0,  ECM: 0,  Camo: 0
                Melee AP: 2,  Target Size Modifier: -1
                Movement Modifiers:
                  Walking: -1,  Running: -2,  Sprinting: -3
                Jump:  90 m/turn
                Attribute Modifiers:  STR: +3,  DEX: -2,  RFL: -1
                Equipment Rating:  E/E/E

                Created by HeavyMetal Battle Armor

[Ruger]

Well, the reactive armor does limit one somewhat due to the hefty amount of slots, but here's a simple design that kind of meets all requirements to some extent:

SturmJaeger Medium BattleArmor
Mass: 1000 kg
Chassis: 175 kg
Motive Systems:
-Enhanced Ground Movement: 80 kg (3 Ground MP)
-Jump Jets: 150 kg (3 Jump MP)
Armor: 6 pts Reactive: 360 kg, 7 slots
Manipulators: Heavy Vibro-BattleClaw: 60 kg, LA
Weapons:
Light Recoilless Rifle: RA, 175 kg, 2 slots

Another option would be the following:

FlammeJaeger Medium Battle Armor
Mass: 1000 kg
Chassis: 175 kg
Motive Systems:
-Enhanced Ground Movement: 80 kg (3 Ground MP)
-Jump Jets: 150 kg (3 Jump MP)
Armor: 6 pts Reactive: 360 kg, 7 slots
Manipulators: BattleClaws (1 per arm): 30 kg
Weapons:
Flamer: RA, 150 kg, 1 slot
Firedrake Needler: LA, 50 kg, 1 slot
AP Weapon Mount: LA, 5 kg, 1 slot

Or for something that's more anti-infantry than the rest

Panzer Grenadier Medium Battle Armor
Mass: 1000 kg
Chassis: 175 kg
Motive Systems:
-Enhanced Ground Movement: 80 kg (3 Ground MP)
-Jump Jets: 150 kg (3 Jump MP)
Armor: 6 pts Reactive: 360 kg, 7 slots
Manipulators: Basic Manipulators (1 per arm): 0 kg
Weapons:
Grenade Launcher: RA, 100 kg, 1 slot
Grenade Launcher: LA, 100 kg, 1 slot
Light TAG: Torso, 35 kg, 1 slot

Or for maximum mobility (but not much against hardened targets on its own):

Shredder Medium Battle Armor
Mass: 1000 kg
Chassis: 175 kg
Motive Systems:
-Enhanced Ground Movement: 80 kg (4 Ground MP; see below)
-Jump Jets: 150 kg (3/1 Jump MP, see below)
Armor: 6 pts Reactive: 360 kg, 7 slots
Manipulators: Basic Manipulators (1 per arm): 0 kg
Weapons:
Firedrake Needler: RA, 50 kg, 1 slot
Firedrake Needler: LA, 50 kg, 1 slot
Light TAG: Torso, 35 kg, 1 slot
Mechanical Jump Booster: 100 kg

I still prefer either some form of Stealth plating or Advanced plating though...

Ruger

[Liam's Ghost]

Here's a Light suit that works. It has a Medium MG and handheld Plasma Rifle plus 3 ground and 3 jump movement and 6pts Reactive armor.

Code: [Select]

Light (MMG/MPPR/Reactive) BattleArmor Base Tech Level: Standard (IS)

Tech Rating: F/X-X-F-E BV: 169 Cost: 1,940,000 C-bills  Movement: 3/3/3 
Internal: 4 Armor: 24 BA Reactive (Blazer)

Internal/Armor
Trooper 1
1/6

Trooper 2
1/6

Trooper 3
1/6

Trooper 4
1/6

 
Weapons
Swarm Mek
Attack Swarmed Mek
Stop Swarm Attack
Leg Attack
Machine Gun (Medium) (Body)
Plasma Rifle (Man-Portable) (APM)
 
Equipment  BA Manipulators [Armored Gloves] (Left arm)
BA Manipulators [Battle Claw] (Right arm)


I'll be honest, I kinda want to award it to this one just because I'm imagining the presenter convincing the Generals that a handheld infantry plasma rifle is "just as good" as a battle armor version.

Man, I wish the board rules would let me accept bribes, make the selection process really authentic.  ;)

[Daryk]

LOL... I finally got around to hand jamming a couple of options for you, just to make it a little more challenging.

First, the Einfach.  I think everyone who's been using the Firedrake is on the right track as far as a "multi-role" weapon.  It says so right on the label!  9 points of reactive almost makes a direct hit from a Long Tom survivable:

Code: [Select]

Einfach Medium Battle Armor
Mass: 1000 kg
Chassis: 175 kg
Motive Systems:
-Enhanced Ground Movement: 80 kg (3 Ground MP)
-Jump Jets: 150 kg (3 Jump MP)
Armor: 9 pts Reactive: 540 kg, 7 slots
Manipulators: Basic Manipulators (1 per arm): 0 kg
Weapon:
Firedrake Needler: RA, 50 kg, 1 slot
5 kg of ammo or mission equipment
That "almost" got one of the design engineers thinking, and thus was born the Einfach Schale, which CAN survive said hit, but at the cost of the enhanced ground movement:

Code: [Select]

Einfach Schale
Mass: 1000 kg
Chassis: 175 kg
Motive Systems:
-Enhanced Ground Movement: 0 kg (1 Ground MP)
-Jump Jets: 150 kg (3 Jump MP)
Armor: 10 pts Reactive: 600 kg, 7 slots
Manipulators: Basic Manipulators (1 per arm): 0 kg
Weapon:
Firedrake Needler: RA, 50 kg, 1 slot
25 kg of ammo or mission equipment

[Ruger]

I was looking back through some of the entries, and noticed that some entries had Reactive armor has using only 4 slots? Isn't it supposed to use 7 slots in a battle armor design?

Ruger

[Daryk]

7 is what my TacOps has for Inner Sphere reactive...

[Liam's Ghost]

I was looking back through some of the entries, and noticed that some entries had Reactive armor has using only 4 slots? Isn't it supposed to use 7 slots in a battle armor design?

Ruger

Final designs unable to meet the promised performance of the original is also part of the authentic weapons procurement process.  :)

[Sabelkatten]

I just looked at the entry above mine since I forgot how much it took up... :(

Firecracker Urban Assault BA:
IS medium, 175 kg
2 ground MP, 40 kg
3 jump MP, 150 kg
Battle Claw LA, 15 kg
Armored glove RA, 0 kg
8 reactive armor, 480 kg, 7 slots
SRM1 w/ 8 rounds RA, 140 kg, 3 slots
(+handheld AP weapon)

[Sharpnel]

7 is what my TacOps has for Inner Sphere reactive...

If that's the case then my and most of the other designs are screwed.