The VTOL discussion in general discussion got me thinking.
The Clan Invasion & Jihad-era Warriors (H-8, H-9, H-10) differ from their father the H-7 by weighing 20 tons instead of 21 tons. This is an odd design choice for the later Warriors, since going from 20 tons to 21 tons not only increases the free weight available, it actually makes the designs cheaper in terms of C-Bills by reducing the size of the engine due to the suspension modifier (until you add more equipment with the free mass, at least). There really was no need to fix what wasn't broken.
So I decided to redo the 20-ton designs as 21-ton designs, just like the original.
H-8
Switching to a 21-ton chassis and downgrading the Streak Launchers to a standard SRM-4 frees up enough weight for an extra LRM-5 launcher and a ton of ammo. Granted, it's now essentially a slightly improved H-7C, but not every design needs to be a world-beater.
Warrior Attack Helicopter H-8
Mass: 21 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 70 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
2 LRM 5
1 SRM 4
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3054
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Cost: 834,700 C-bills
Type: Warrior Attack Helicopter
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 21
Battle Value: 499
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
Engine 70 Fusion 3
Cruising MP: 10
Flanking MP: 15
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Lift Equipment: 2.5
Power Amplifier: 0
Armor Factor (Ferro): 44 2.5
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Front 3 14
R/L Side 3/3 10/10
Rear 3 8
Rotor 3 2
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
2 LRM 5s Front 2 4
SRM 4 Front 1 2
LRM 5 Ammo (48) Body 2 2
SRM 4 Ammo (25) Body 1 1
H-9
The pre-rework H-9 had an XL engine, so going to 21 tons only freed up 1 ton, which was not enough to get a Targeting Computer as I originally planned. So instead I went the other way and used the extra weight to downgrade to a cheaper Fusion Engine. I had to cut out a half-ton of armor to make it work, but even then it still matches the H-8 and H-10 variants.
The net result is a VTOL wielding a RAC/2 that's essentially identical in effectiveness of the original for half the price.
Warrior Attack Helicopter H-9
Mass: 21 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 70 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 Rotary AC/2
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3068
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 785,400 C-bills
Type: Warrior Attack Helicopter
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 21
Battle Value: 469
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
Engine 70 Fusion 3
Cruising MP: 10
Flanking MP: 15
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Lift Equipment: 2.5
Power Amplifier: 0
Armor Factor (Ferro): 44 2.5
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Front 3 14
R/L Side 3/3 10/10
Rear 3 8
Rotor 3 2
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
Rotary AC/2 Front 3 8
Rotary AC/2 Ammo (45) Body 1 1
H-10
This redesign uses the two tons to enhance its capabilities as a BA transport. The cargo bay is expanded to 6 tons, enough to carry an IS heavy BA squad or an entire WoB medium BA squad. The fusion engine is utilized to its fullest by replacing the MGs and the overly-large ammo bay with 2 Small Pulse Lasers for better infantry mauling. The last ton is used for a token ER Medium Laser to ward off light armored threats.
The price tag does go up a bit but I think it's worth it. A 5-ton infantry bay doesn't make a whole lot of sense for a vehicle that's supposed to carry the squads in the Inner Sphere (4-man in Houses, 6-man in Comstar & WoB).
Warrior Attack Helicopter H-10
Mass: 21 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 70 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
1 ER Medium Laser
2 Small Pulse Laser
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3070
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-D-D
Cost: 673,200 C-bills
Type: Warrior Attack Helicopter
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 21
Battle Value: 361
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
Engine 70 Fusion 3
Cruising MP: 10
Flanking MP: 15
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Lift Equipment: 2.5
Power Amplifier: 0
Armor Factor (Ferro): 44 2.5
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Front 3 14
R/L Side 3/3 10/10
Rear 3 8
Rotor 3 2
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
2 Small Pulse Lasers Front 2 2
ER Medium Laser Front 1 1
Infantry Body 1 6
H-11
A new Jihad-era Warrior, the H-11 features MMLs, allowing it to throw more LRMs on the field than the H-8 while also allowing for enhanced short-ranged punches at a moment's notice.
Warrior H-11
Mass: 21 tons
Movement Type: VTOL
Power Plant: 70 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 108 kph
Maximum Speed: 162 kph
Armor: Ferro-Fibrous
Armament:
4 MML 3
Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3075
Tech Rating/Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Cost: 936,700 C-bills
Type: Warrior
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Tonnage: 21
Battle Value: 458
Equipment Mass
Internal Structure 2.5
Engine 70 Fusion 3
Cruising MP: 10
Flanking MP: 15
Heat Sinks: 10 0
Control Equipment: 1.5
Lift Equipment: 2.5
Power Amplifier: 0
Armor Factor (Ferro): 44 2.5
Internal
Structure Armor
Value
Front 3 14
R/L Side 3/3 10/10
Rear 3 8
Rotor 3 2
Weapons
and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
4 MML 3s Front 8 6
MML 3 SRM Ammo (33) Body 1 1
MML 3 LRM Ammo (80) Body 2 2
