GiovanniBlasini
07/20/14 05:01 AM
75.85.176.204
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Another downgraded Star League design from Niops, that, like the PXH-0 Phoenix Hawk, I was able to shove a 270 GM into.
Code: Black Knight BL-7-KNT-N
Mass: 75 tons Tech Base: Inner Sphere (Primitive) Chassis Config: Biped Rules Level: Era Specific Era: All Eras (non-canon) Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/E-X-F-A Production Year: 3147 Cost: 5,930,750 C-Bills Battle Value: 1,256
Chassis: Technicron 1L Primitive Primitive Structure Power Plant: GM 270 270 Primitive Fusion Engine Walking Speed: 32.4 km/h Maximum Speed: 54.0 km/h Jump Jets: None Jump Capacity: 0 meters Armor: Valiant Primitive Primitive Armament: 1 PPC 2 Harmon Large Lasers 4 Harmon Medium Lasers Manufacturer: Niops New Project Workshops Primary Factory: Niops VII Communications System: TransComm Alpha Targeting and Tracking System: TransComm Beta
Overview: While the Niops New Project Workshops (NNPW) found themselves unable to domestically produce new BattleMech chassis larger than 50 tons, what they did find themselves capable of doing was salvaging wreckage of existing BattleMechs left over from the troubles during the Jihad. One such commonly-available chassis were from the remains of Niops Association Militia BL-6-KNT Black Knights that had not been able to be put back in service with the Militia, due to a shortage of components such as 300-rating engines or replacement myomers.
After review of domestic manufacturing, evaluation of a handful of these still-wrecked Black Knights, and calculations of expected power output, it was realized that, while returning these venerable 'Mechs to the standards of the original, or even Succession Wars downgrade, was impossible, it would be within the realm of possibility to field a handful of downgraded "RetroTech" Black Knights using the lower-grade components that NNPW was able to manufacture. These BL-7-KNT-N Black Knights, it was hoped, would be able to supplement the Niops Association Militia's forces, reducing dependence upon imported BattleMech designs, especially if the ability to domestically produce new chassis was recovered.
Capabilities: Originally, it was hoped that multiple wrecks could be used to put together a new skeletal structure that retains the avantages of the original BL-6-KNT Black Knight's endo steel structure, which earned the project and, later, the entire 'Mech, the nickname "FrankenKnight". Unfortunately, this proved completely unworkable, though a prototype downgraded skeletal structure, based on purchased documentation on the Succession War's BL-7-KNT, was successfully produced in 3147.
After assembly of the new skeletal structure, NNPW strung the FrankenKnight with domestically-produced low-grade myomers. When paired with the 270-rating GM fusion plant, this gave the FrankenKnight a top speed of 54 kph, notably slower than the original. Communications and targeting systems from the originals are hoped to be utilized whenever possible, to ease the burdens on the still-nascent electronics production capability of NNPW. Unfortunately, control systems tend to be one of those components that take the biggest amount of abuse on destroyed Black Knights, and new production is not up to the quality of the original, so, like the PXH-0 Phoenix Hawk series, new BL-7-KNT-N Black Knights must devote an extra two tons to cockpit and control systems.
Original armor moulds for the Black Knight were not sufficiently intact to produce new armor plating, which forced NNPW engineers to piece together new molds from armor plates on active Militia BattleMechs that had previously been salvaged and put back into the field. Unfortunately, the reduced industrial base the Niops Association still suffers from reared its ugly head again, forcing the Militia to choose how badly they wanted to retain the Beagle Active Probe of the original Black Knight, as this would reduce the mass available for armament and armor. With the PXH-0b in production, albiet in limited numbers, it was decided to focus on combat capabiltiy on the FrankenKnight, and 13.0 tons of lower-quality armor no better than the industrial-grade armor found on many WorkMechs, giving the BL-7-KNT-N less protection than even the Succession Wars Black Knights. NNPW engineers had hoped to compensate for this with heavier armor, but the changes necessary proved too difficult to manage.
Fortunately, one thing there was room for was weaponry. With no active probe or small laser, and unable to add more armor, the reduced mass of the 270 GM not only allowed NNPW to mount the single PPC, twin large lasers, and quad medium lasers of the original Black Knight, along with an extra heat sink the original lacked. Despite this, the problems with heat buildup of the original Black Knight are still present in the BL-7-KNT-N, though it is a familiar problem with NAM mechwarriors.
Battle History: With only the prototype completed, the BL-7-KNT-N has not seen live combat to date, instead only seeing simulated combat evaluations.
The reduction in speed has been a concern of NAM commanders, as has the downgraded armor protection. Still, with the exception of the head, the FrankenKnight can withstand a single gauss rifle or heavy PPC hit to any frontal location without being breached, and its back offers limited protection against standard-grade Inner Sphere lasers. Because of its reduced speed, the Niops Association Militia plans to use the BL-7-KNT-N strictly in defensive operations of static locations. In this role, it would serve as a second line of defense, with the faster, more advanced BattleMechs of the NAM engaging invaders and raiders as far as possible from Niops' critical infrastructure.
Deployment: With only the prototype completed, the BL-7-KNT-N Black Knight has not seen widespread deployment in the Niops Association. While the New Project Workshops continue to expand, it NNPW only expects to have a second FrankenKnight completed by the end of 3147, expanding to a rate of production of one every four months through 3148.
At present, less than a dozen BL-6-KNT Black Knights remain operational, and it is expected that parts shortages for the 300 Vlar engines, as well as replacement armor and endo steel components, could cut that number in half over the next five years, as scavenging existing 'Mechs for components that haven't been made in over six decades becomes more critical, making domestic manufacture of a replacement during a time when warfare across the Inner Sphere and Periphery is on the rise all the more critical.
In order to show his approval for the new Black Knight, Brigadier Zeb Kindarps, commander of the Niops Association Militia, has assigned himself the FrankenKnight, reassigning his BL-6-KNT to frontline duty, where it will replace another Black Knight suffering from systemic problems due to its age and shortages of replacement parts.
================================================================================ Equipment Type Rating Mass -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Internal Structure: Primitive Structure 114 points 7.50 Engine: Primitive Fusion Engine 270 14.50 Walking MP: 3 Running MP: 5 Jumping MP: 0 Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 21 11.00 Heat Sink Locations: 1 CT, 3 LT, 3 RT, 2 LL, 2 RL Gyro: Standard 3.00 Cockpit: Primitive 5.00 Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H Armor: Primitive AV - 139 13.00
Internal Armor Structure Factor Head 3 8 Center Torso 23 17 Center Torso (rear) 8 L/R Torso 16 16 L/R Torso (rear) 5 L/R Arm 12 16 L/R Leg 16 16
================================================================================ Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Medium Laser RA 3 1 1.00 PPC RA 10 3 7.00 Medium Laser LA 3 1 1.00 Large Laser RT 8 2 5.00 Medium Laser RT 3 1 1.00 Large Laser LT 8 2 5.00 Medium Laser LT 3 1 1.00 Free Critical Slots: 25
BattleForce Statistics MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 5 Points: 13 3 3 3 1 0 3 2 Structure: 6 Special Abilities: ENE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA
Member of the Pundit Caste
"Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, Chief. We're evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction wherever we go. I'm surprised you didn't know that." -- Col. Saul Tigh, BSG2003
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ghostrider
07/20/14 11:40 AM
24.30.141.170
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If your up to it, why not do a series of the downgraded retro tech like kj did? Would be interesting to see what you can come up with.
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Cray
07/20/14 12:38 PM
67.8.171.23
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It's fragile, but the firepower is nothing to sneeze at. That'd make a decent "pocket assault 'Mech."
Mike Miller, Materials Engineer
Disclaimer: Anything stated in this post is unofficial and non-canon unless directly quoted from a published book. Random internet musings of a BattleTech writer are not canon.
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