Grasshopper GHR-JMNY
Mass: 70 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: All Eras (non-canon)
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-F
Production Year: 3069
Cost: 10,725,300 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,631
Chassis: Unknown Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Unknown 210 Compact Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h
Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets: Unknown
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Snub-Nose PPC
4 Medium Pulse Lasers
1 Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Black Hawk Mechworks
Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown
Overview:
The modern battlefield has seen great strides in technological innovation since
the days of the Clan Invasion, with Electronic Warfare equipment becoming more
and more prominent on the battlefield landscape. From advanced Missile
targeting systems to the frankly game-changing technology of C3 networks, EW
tech has become a potent force multiplier.
So too has there been a similar rise in anti-Electronic Warfare units. From the
outset the 'Mech of choice was the Raven, one of the first such available units
of the post-Succession War battlefield. The field of 'Mechs that can fill this
role has since diversified, and has now had added to it a particularly focussed
new entry in the form of the GHR-JMNY Grasshopper. Indeed, few Battlemechs
pursue a set role quite as single-mindedly as the GHR-JMNY, which has had every
aspect of its design devoted to its core mission of getting to an optimal
position to disrupt enemy EW equipment, and to stay there until the battle is
over.
Capabilities:
Choosing a Heavy chassis for an anti-EW 'Mech seems strange at first:
traditionally most ECM-carrying 'Mechs aimed at disrupting enemy units have
been relatively light in order to be able to speedily get into position.
However given the proliferation of technologies like Pulse Lasers and Precision
ammunition, any lighter 'Mech wishing to dive into the midst of an enemy
formation and stay there while relying purely on its speed for protection can
quickly find itself dispersing across the battlefield as a fine ferrous mist. A
combination of manoeuvrability and raw protection was deemed necessary, hence
the somewhat oddball design.
Weighing at 70 tons, the GHR-JMNY runs at an extremely anaemic 50kmph. This was
deemed acceptable, however, as its primary form of locomotion is intended to
mirror its namesake. 5 Improved Jumpjets gives the GHR-JMNY the ability to
traverse terrain quickly and effectively, closing with its target while using
terrain features like wooded areas to its advantage. This also means that once
locked on to its target it is generally able to maximise its movement while
still keeping it within its ECM 'bubble'.
On top of its excellent evasiveness for a 'Mech of its size, the GHR-JMNY is,
simply put, extremely robust. Not only does it carry close to the maximum
armour that a 70 ton Chassis can support, but a Compact Engine and Compact Gyro
allows it to cram a prodigious amount of equipment into its central torso
section while also minimising the potential impact of a torso breach. Put
simply, a GHR-JMNY can lose both of its arms and side torsos while still
retaining 100% of its jump capacity as well as its ability to disrupt enemy
equipment. This allows it to perform its duty of sticking close to the middle
of an enemy's formation for as long as possible, maximising its battlefield
impact.
Given the design's intended role its weaponry is frankly a secondary concern,
however the GHR-JMNY is still relatively potent with regards to its offensive
capabilities. A Snub-Nose PPC provides good penetration at moderate distance,
and a quartet of Medium Pulse Lasers provide accurate fire within the confines
of the GHR-JMNY's intended operating range of 180 meters from its target. 14
Double Heatsinks allows it to constantly jump and fire all of its weapons with
minimal heat gain, and a Targeting Computer offsets the effects of its tendency
to remain almost constantly airborne on its accuracy. Combined with its jumping
capability and ability to survive in close quarters, the GHR-JMNY's weapons
package often allows it to make a substantive impact on the battlefield simply
by jumping over its intended target and attempting to gut it from behind.
Battle History:
Trial by fire for the GHR-JMNY came as part of a battle involving a DCMS
C3-equipped company. Piloting a pre-mass-production model, Mechwarrior Piers
Reeve made an audacious move for the command lance - a mix of Assault and Heavy
'Mechs headed by a Tai-sho acting as Company Commander. After withstanding a
withering amount of fire on its approach, the GHR-JMNY brought the entire C3
network down, causing mass confusion amongst the enemy forces. Members of the
command Lance turned to swat it down in order to re-establish the network,
however the GHR-JMNY was able to stay alive long enough for its rallying allies
to close in on the DCMS command lance, and to add insult to injury performed a
final coup de grace on the Tai-sho as it turned to face the supposed greater
threat of the Grasshopper's allies.
================================================================================
Equipment Type Rating Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel 107 points 3.50
Internal Locations: 2 LT, 1 RT, 5 LA, 6 RA
Engine: Compact Fusion Engine 210 13.50
Walking MP: 3
Running MP: 5
Jumping MP: 5 Improved
Jump Jet Locations: 3 CT, 1 LL, 1 RL 10.00
Heat Sinks: Double Heat Sink 14(28) 4.00
Heat Sink Locations: 3 LT, 2 RT, 1 LA
Gyro: Compact 4.50
Cockpit: Small 2.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA R: SH+UA
Armor: Standard Armor AV - 208 13.00
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 22 33
Center Torso (rear) 10
L/R Torso 15 22
L/R Torso (rear) 8
L/R Arm 11 18
L/R Leg 15 30
================================================================================
Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium Pulse Laser RA 4 1 2.00
Snub-Nose PPC LA 10 2 6.00
Medium Pulse Laser RT 4 1 2.00
Targeting Computer RT - 4 4.00
Medium Pulse Laser LT 4 1 2.00
Medium Pulse Laser CT 4 1 2.00
Guardian ECM Suite HD 0 2 1.50
Free Critical Slots: 3
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 7 Points: 16
3/5j 5 4 0 0 3 0 Structure: 7
Special Abilities: ECM, ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
