Design Requests - NSOC Anti-Armour BA

[maxcarrion]

The Navy Special Operations Command would like to commission a larger BA suit for anti-armour/assault work.  Teamed up with the lighter Medium and PA(L) suits that have been put out for tender the larger suit will primarily be tasked to engage the most pressing threats and tie them up until all objectives are achieved.  With approximately 10T of transport space NSOC would be happy with 5 Assault suits or 6 Heavy suits depending on performance.  Mounted in WIGE transports jump capability would be preferable for rapid drops, as part of a covert force stealth capabilities are also preferred but performance is key and these suits can come in as part of a second wave where shortcomings in stealth or mobility can be overcome.  The most important part of these suits role is the ability to eliminate LB-X and Flak equipped units as these units offer a disproportionate threat to the WIGE IFVs that will be providing transport and armour support.

More information on the NSOC can be found here https://bg.battletech.com/forums/index.php?topic=63785.0

[Sabelkatten]

Problem: If you want to knock out AA units you presumably don't want to get within range of said AA before dropping the BA. That means the BA need enough speed to close with the target before getting blown up themselves. Which means strong armor and heavy weapons will be difficult to fit...

NSOC fast strike BA
IS heavy quad BA
4 ground MP (5 w/ booster)
0 jump MP (1 w/ booster)
10 points advanced armor
MagShot GR Body
3-slot turret
2xLMG Turret
APWM Turret

Run the transport past the enemy as close as you dare, kick the BA out the back, and have them charge into close range.

NSOC heavy combat BA
IS assault quad BA
3 ground MP
15 points advanced armor
Parafoil Body
LRM2 w/ 8 rounds Body
6-slot turret
MagShot GR Turret
LMG Turret
LTAG Turret
APWM Turret
(20 kg left)

Parafoil at least makes it airdrop capable... On the ground it fights much like any other armored unit given its LRMs.

[maxcarrion]

Hmm, I think the Fast Strike armour is an interesting solution to the problem that I hadn't really considered, although I'm not sure it benefits all that much from being Heavy (although I appreciate that was the specifications).  At medium weight we can get the speed up to a blistering 6, fit a parafoil for altitude insertion and fit 7 points of basic stealth and still keep the body mounted MagShot GR.

For the 9 tons of WIGE space we'd have 9 Magshot rather than 6 Magshot and 12 LMG (ok the 12 LMG are a fair benefit), 63 points of basic stealth over 60 points of advanced armour (and 9 points of flesh over 6) - it's pretty close and there's definitely merits both sides but my gut is telling me the extra speed and stealth capabilities give the medium suit the edge (especially as it'd also fill in the scout role really well).  We'd also need to compromise the Heavy Quad if we wanted to fit it for higher altitude drop with a parafoil or regular jump mp.

[Sabelkatten]

10 points of armor on each suit gives much greater resistance to AE weapons and mines, plus less mouths to feed. ;) 33% more firepower is rather substantial, too.

Of course maybe I could interest you in this for all straight-up combat and recon roles:

Code: [Select]

Greyhound Special Operations BA
IS medium quad BA
Chassis 175 kg 7 slots
Motive system 5 ground MP 120 kg
Improved stealth armor 5 points 300 kg 5 slots
configurable turret 5 slots 100 kg 2 slots
Mechanical jump booster 6 ground/1 jump MP 100 kg

Cost 400,000/1,600,000 BV 22/112

Scout configuration:
APWM 5 kg 1 slot
Remote sensor dispenser 40 kg 1 slot
Improved Sensors 65 kg 1 slot
Power Pack 25 kg 1 slot
Mission Equipment 70 kg 1 slot

Cost 444,000/1,776,000 BV 22/112

Forward Observer configuration:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
Light TAG 35 kg 1 slot
Improved Sensors 65 kg 1 slot
ECM Suite 100 kg 1 slot

Cost 525,500/2,102,000 BV 23/121

Spotter configuration:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
Light TAG 35 kg 1 slot
Light Machine Gun 75 kg 1 slot
SRM1 3 rounds 90 kg 2 slots

Cost 450,500/1,802,000 BV 44/229

Minelayer configuration:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
Mine Dispenser 50 kg 2 slots
Grenade Launcher 100 kg 1 slot
Firedrake Support Needler 50 kg 1 slot

Cost 425,000/1,700,000 BV 26/136

Gauss configuration:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
Magshot Gauss Rifle 175 kg 3 slots

Cost 411,000/1,644,000 BV 38/200

LRM configuration:
Light Machine Gun 75 kg 1 slot
LRM 1 8 rounds 130 kg 4 slots

Cost 411,000/1,644,000 BV 43/223

SRM configuration A:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
David Light Gauss Rifle 100 kg 1 slot
SRM 1 4 rounds 100 kg 2 slots

Cost 428,000/1,712,000 BV 46/241

SRM configuration B:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
SRM 6 One-shot 200 kg 4 slots

Cost 415,500/1,662,000 BV 35/182

AI configuration:
AP Weapon Mount 5 kg 1 slot
Firedrake Support Needler 50 kg 1 slot
Firedrake Support Needler 50 kg 1 slot
Firedrake Support Needler 50 kg 1 slot
Firedrake Support Needler 50 kg 1 slot

Cost 406,500/1,626,000 BV 31/159
 8)

[maxcarrion]

I'm very much liking the Greyhound, to the point where I am thinking the NSOC could support 4 types of BA with the Greyhound taking half the general infantry slots from the other BA and once we have that capacity integrated into the unit then we can swing over to the Heavy Combat BA safe in the knowledge that we have a BA asset that can handle the fast attack and other forward observation roles.

Having the Greyhound also reassures me about the biped infantry having to jump to move quickly (I tend to think that jumping and stealth are fairly mutually exclusive)