BattleTech Vehicle Technical Readout
VALIDATED
Type/Model: Lynx Light Strike Hover Tank
Tech: Inner Sphere / 3025
Config: Hovercraft
Rules: Level 1, Standard design
Mass: 15 tons
Power Plant: 80 Leenex Fusion
Cruise Speed: 118.8 km/h
Maximum Speed: 183.6 km/h
Armor Type: ProTech 12 Standard
Armament:
2 OMI HighBurn Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Defiance Motors
Location: Tag
Communications System: Dalban CommLink
Targeting & Tracking System: RCA Instatrac Mark III
==Overview:==
The development of the Lynx Light Strike Hovertank followed a strange course. It started when the plans for the Nissan 80 powerplant were discovered in the ruins of a manufactory on New Earth in 3007. While few 'Mechs in the Lyran Commonwealth could make use of such a small powerplant, there was such a use for a fusion powerplant for vehicles. As the need for a multi-mission scout/strike vehicle were being acknowledged, a set of specifications for such a vehicle were quietly issued.
Defiance Motors of Tag showed interest in the proposal, as well as the possibility of diversifying their line of powerplants with the newly rediscovered small powerplants. A small production facility was assembled on-site to handle prototyping the new hovercraft and powerplant at the same time. The vehicle, while not as large nor as fast as other scout vehicles, was seen as able to survive on the battlefield. The new light hovercraft was given the designation of Lynx, and it was soon entering limited service with the LCAF.
==Capabilities:==
The Lynx relies less on speed like other small scouts and more on its unusually thick armor for such a small craft. The compact yet powerful Leenex fusion powerplant generates enough force to lift a weight of armor that constitutes almost a third of the vehicle's overall weight. This is more protection than most hovercraft over twice the weight are clad in; while the Lynx is by no means invulnerable, it can shrug off a few attacks from vehicles of comparable weight. Combined with its small size and speed, a Lynx makes for a very hard target to hit.
The heart of the Lynx's firepower are the two turret-mounted OMI HighBurn medium lasers. The OMI HighBurn is a well-tested design, with plenty of spare parts and an impressive energy output. The turret makes use of the RCA Instatrac Mark III, a look-fire targeting system that slaves the turret to the pilot's helmet. This helps to take some of the demands of the pilot's attention and resolves it with the movements of the pilot. Combined with the accuracy of the OMI weapon, this targeting system enables a Lynx lance to heavily damage or destroy just about any target it comes across.
While not as advanced as the targeting system, the Dalban CommLink communication system is relatively easy to use by the driver and enables a lance of Lynxes to keep in communication despite most battlefield conditions. While the system is relatively powerful and dependable, what it is not is easy to maintain. So much of the electronics had to be woven into the small chassis that in order to repair it, a tech has to disassemble to driver's compartment and part of the turret assembly to reach the various components. While a Lynx driver may swear by the CommLink system, techs just swear at it.
==Variants:==
The only variant being considered at this time would replace the two medium lasers and a ton on armor with a Coventry Five-Tube missile launcher and a ton of ammunition. While this would help the little tank provide highly maneuverable fire support for scout units, it would also make it more fragile if caught in direct combat. If the supply of the critical fusion powerplants could be expanded, then the variant might go into limited production.
==Deployment==
The slow production rate of the Leenex fusion powerplant has in turn slowed production of the little tank. The current rate of manufacture is barely sufficient to meet the original contract, let alone additional sales. While Defiance Motors might want to expand sales of their hovercraft, for the forseeable future the Lynx remains a Lyran-only design.
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Type/Model: Lynx Light Strike Hover Tank
Mass: 15 tons
Equipment: Items Mass
Int. Struct.: 10 pts Standard 0 1.50
Engine: 80 Fusion 0 2.50
Shielding & Transmission Equipment: 0 1.50
Cruise MP: 11
Flank MP: 17
Heat Sinks: 10 Single 0 .00
Cockpit & Controls: 0 1.00
Crew: 1 Members 0 .00
Lift Equipment: 0 1.50
Turret Equipment: 0 .50
Armor Factor: 72 pts Standard 0 4.50
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Front: 2 20
Left / Right Sides: 2 12/12
Rear: 2 10
Turret: 2 18
Weapons and Equipment Loc Heat Ammo Items Mass
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2 Medium Lasers Turret 6 2 2.00
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TOTALS: 6 2 15.00
Items & Tons Left: 6 .00
Calculated Factors:
Total Cost: 341,250 C-Bills
Battle Value: 302
Cost per BV: 1,129.97
Weapon Value: 129 / 129 (Ratio = .43 / .43)
Damage Factors: SRDmg = 8; MRDmg = 1; LRDmg = 0
BattleForce2: MP: 11H, Armor/Structure: 0 / 3
Damage PB/M/L: 1/1/-, Overheat: 0
Class: GL; Point Value: 3
