Albatross

Albatross
Albatross
Production information
Manufacturer Irian BattleMechs Unlimited[1]
Production Year 3053[2][3][4]
Model ALB-3U[1]
Class Assault
Cost 25,608,701 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 95 tons
Chassis Albat-50
Armor StarSlab/3 with CASE
Engine GM 380 XL
Communications System Irian Technologies HMR-35s
Targeting Tracking System Omicron TrackerKeeper
Heat Sinks 14 double
Speed 65 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,296[2]
BV (2.0) 1,668[1][5]


Description[edit]

The Albatross was designed by the Free Worlds League in 3053 with an eye toward a possible future conflict with the then advancing Clans. The 'Mech is built using a Hermes 380 XL engine to minimize weight and maximize free tonnage for its weapon loadout. The Albatross also uses a variety of weapons in an attempt to make the 'Mech effective at any range. The 'Mech has average mobility with a maximum speed of 64.8 km/h and also makes use of double heat sinks for their greater heat dissipation capability. The Albatross carries thirteen tons of Starslab/3 armor. Finally, the 'Mech is also equipped with CASE to protect against ammunition explosions. When it was first produced, the Albatross was deployed exclusively to the newly formed Knights of the Inner Sphere. Though it would soon be deployed throughout the top units of the Free Worlds League Military, it remained a signature 'Mech among the Knights.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Albatross does not specialize in one role and is more of a workhorse design than anything else. The 'Mech carries an Irian Weapons Works V7 LRM-15 launcher which gives it long range and indirect fire support capabilities. This is backed up by an Oriente Model O LB-X Autocannon/10 and a Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER Large Laser which give the 'Mech a powerful long-range punch. The 'Mech carries a Tronel PPL-20 Large Pulse Laser which allows the 'Mech to engage an enemy at the edge of the medium to long-range envelope. Finally, for close combat, the 'Mech has an Irian Weapons Works 60mm SRM-6 and two Irian Weapons Works Super 6 medium lasers.

Variants[edit]

  • ALB-3Ur 
    This version replaces the missile launchers with a single MML-9 and the autocannon and Large Laser are replaced with a Gauss rifle and Snub-Nose PPC.[6] BV (2.0) = 1,902[7]
  • ALB-4U 
    The 4U variant of the Albatross is a basic upgrade of the design. The 'Mech replaces the medium lasers with a pair of ER medium lasers, the LB 10-X Autocannon with a Light Gauss Rifle, the SRM-6 with a Streak SRM-6 launcher. The ER large laser is removed and replaced by an ER small laser, while the armor is increased by more than three tons and upgraded to ferro-fibrous.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,572, BV (2.0) = 1,907[8]
  • ALB-4Ur 
    The 4Ur is more a direct upgrade of the 3U than a refit of the 4U. The armor is maxed out with 16.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous. The Light Gauss Rifle of the 4U is replaced with a familiar LBX-10 like the original 3U. A standard LRM-15 and SRM-6 fill out the right torso. A pair of ER Medium Lasers replace the standard lasers and sit atop the traditional Large Pulse Laser. A Light PPC sits in the left torso mount. When the 5U debuted to lack luster reception the League fell back on the dependable performance of the 4Ur. BV (2.0) = 1,893[9]
  • ALB-5U 
    This variant uses 15 tons of Heavy Ferro-Fibrous to maximize protection. A Heavy-Duty Gyro and Light Fusion Engine help increase survivability of this Albatross. The right arm houses a pair of ER Medium Lasers and a Large X-Pulse Laser. The right torso missile launchers are consolidated into a MML-7. A Rotary AC/2 is mounted in the left arm, but only has a single ton of ammo in a CASE protected magazine in the left torso with 2 tons of MML ammo. An ER Small Laser fills the left torso energy mount. While very tough, this Albatross is light on weaponry. BV (2.0) = 1,885[10]
  • ALB-6U 
    The 6U is the preeminent Albatross variant of the Free World’s League. The 6U uses 16.5 tons of Ferro-Fibrous to provide maximum protection for the chassis, which is critical as this variant uses a fragile Composite Structure and XL Gyro to save weight. A standard Gauss Rifle sits in the left arm, while a Light PPC sits atop the left torso. A standard LRM-15 and SRM-6 once again fill out the right torso. A pair of ER Medium Lasers and a Large VSP are mounted in the right arm. 13 Double heatsinks keep the design fairly cool, but overheating is a distinct possibility. CASE II protects the ammo magazines in the left torso BV (2.0) = 2,159[12]
  • Albatross C “Sooty Albatross” 
    A Clan Wolf variant built after they captured the Albatross factory, the Sooty Albatross is not well regarded by Clan Wolf pilots. Built on the same Composite Structure as the 6U, it also uses the XL Gyro and engine, but now uses 15 double heatsinks. Four jump jets are mounted in the legs. The weaponry is all Clantech, including an ER Large Pulse Laser and twin ER Medium Lasers in the right arm, Gauss Rifle in the left arm, Plasma Cannon in the left torso, and finally and ATM-9 in the right torso. All ammunition is stored in a CASE II protected magazine in the left torso. BV (2.0) = 2,885[13]

Custom Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Albatross has the following Design Quirks:[15]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • INI-02 Initiate - Though not directly related, the Initiate medium BattleMech, which was designed and deployed by the Word of Blake, was designed around some of the same weapons systems, and wields an eclectic mix similar to its inspiration.[16]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Albatros. The model code was left unchanged.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 184–185: "ALB-3U Albatross"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 74-75
  3. Technical Readout: 3055, p. 82-83
  4. MUL online date for Albatross
  5. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 114
  6. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 190
  7. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 118
  8. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 115
  9. Shrapnel Issue 13, p. 49
  10. Shrapnel Issue 13, p. 50
  11. Shrapnel Issue 13, p. 51
  12. Shrapnel Issue 13, p. 47
  13. Shrapnel Issue 13, p. 48
  14. Jihad Turning Points: Atreus, p. 15
  15. BattleMech Manual, p. 90 BattleMech Quirk Table - Albatross Entry.
  16. Technical Readout: 3060, p. 84

Bibliography[edit]