Cray
08/26/02 01:58 PM
64.83.29.242
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The FNR-1X Fafnir was the prototype for the successful FNR-5 Fafnir. The FNR-1X was a straight derivation of the mighty Atlas, but in the rush to mount twin "Thor's Hammer" heavy gauss rifles on the Atlas chassis, the original designers concentrated on getting the mech built as fast as possible. The result was something that would later be recognized for breaking new ground in mech construction, but at the time it was considered a failure and blamed for budget overruns in the Fafnir project. Lyran engineers apparently considered the FNR-1X unusable for a number of reasons, including inability of the mech to fit into conventional dropship mech bays and (more importantly) lack of an assembly line that could build the beast. A "tiger team" was assembled to hastily correct the faults in the FNR-1X, resulting in a succession of prototypes that culminated in the production Fafnir, the FNR-5.
The FNR-1X, all 4 prototypes, did see battle in the FedCom Civil War. Their appearance lead to a blast of concentrated firepower that rapidly annihilated the huge mechs despite piloting by elite test pilots. It was only after examining the wreckage that Victor loyalists realized what they had fought.
The FNR-1X Fafnirs were 120-ton mechs. In the rush to get twin HGRs onto the Atlas chassis, Lyran engineers had just reinforced, beefed, up-engined, and thickened until the mech bloated to 120 tons. Follow up work revealed this weight gain to be unnecessary but, for a brief time, something munchkins and mechwarriors with Freudian issues had dreamt of for decades had walked the battlefields of the Inner Sphere.
The FNR-1X showed their Atlas origins more clearly, retaining full arms. The revisions that led to the FNR-5 simplified these complicated structures in the name of speeding production.
code:
Type: FNR-1X FAFNIR tons
Tonnage: 120
Internal Structure: 12 - endosteel
Engine: 360 Hermes 33
Walking: 3
Running: 5
Jumping: 0
Heat Sinks: 10 (20) 0
Gyro: 4
Cockpit: 3
Armor: 368 23
Head: 4 12
CT: 37 60/13
RT/LT: 26 42/10
RA/LA: 20 40
RL/LL: 25 50
Weapon Crits Loc
HGR 11 RT 18
HGR 11 LT 18
ER Small Laser 1 H 0.5
ER Medium Laser 1 LA 1
ER Medium Laser 1 RA 1
Guardian ECM Suite 2 CT 1.5
Ammo (HGR) 8 2 RL 2
Ammo (HGR) 8 2 LL 2
CASE 1 RT 0.5
CASE 1 LT 0.5
Endosteel: 7 RA/LA
Both hand actuators present
Though perhaps attributable to the hasty design of the FNR-1X, the structure of the mech was proportionally twice as heavy as those of lighter mechs. Even with endosteel, the chassis was still 20% heavier than an Atlas's. It proved possible to reinforce the head internal structure slightly. The rest of the internal structure could absorb about as much punishment as a 20-ton mech and a 100-ton mech together. The gyroscope and engine were stock models used on large, faster assault mechs (Cyclops in particular). These "super heavy" FNR-1Xs were reportedly even better at absorbing the recoil of the HGRs than assault mechs (-2 to piloting roll). There were distinct issues with available room on the chassis - the hulking FNR-1Xs had no room remaining for additional equipment.
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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NathanKell
08/26/02 02:26 PM
24.44.238.62
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Duuuude #2.
Although it seems to me that the engine itself is enough of a disadvantage, without having to go to x2 IS.
-NathanKell, BT Space Wars
Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.
Thomas Jefferson |
realworldviews
08/26/02 09:03 PM
24.98.65.7
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I would have to agree.
DUDE!
Colonel Brian Davis
Gamers United
"Dreams become reality, for all who start off with a dream"
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