BattleAxe

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BattleAxe
BattleAxe
Production information
Manufacturer Achernar BattleMechs (7K/8D)[1]

New Hessen WorkMechs

Production Year 2459[2][3][4][5][6]
Model BKX-7K[1]
Class Heavy
Cost 6,384,634 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 70 tons
Chassis Achernar Special Type 4
Armor StarGuard-X
Engine DAV 280
Communications System Achernar Electronics HICK-1
Targeting Tracking System Federated Gatherer
Heat Sinks 15 single
Speed 64 km/h
Jump Jets Rawlings 40-Beta
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,087
BV (2.0) 1,329[1][3][7][8]


Description[edit]

The prototype of the BattleAxe originally appeared in 2459, and relied on the standard armament of the time: lasers and missiles. Over the next fifteen years, the speed was increased by a third and the mass of the cockpit and armor were reduced. In the late 2460s, unsure of the BattleAxe's maneuverability, the introduction of the WSP-1 Wasp inspired designers to mount experimental jump jets onto the upper legs, allowing it to vault over anything it could not run through. Unfortunately, MechWarriors had to go through training for the new jump jets and the landing process, as many died early on. The Federated Suns subsequently switched the Large Lasers in the arms for new Particle Projection Cannons. The BattleAxe only has nine tons of armor, which is comparatively light for a 'Mech of its size. Massive overheating problems, and the introduction of the Hammerhands, eventually ended the operational service of the BattleAxe. The last BattleAxes, considered ancient, were destroyed in a desperate defense of Robinson against conventionally equipped Combat Vehicle formations during the Second Succession War.[3][4][5]

As with many ancient designs dating from the Age of War, the BattleAxe found new life on the battlefields of the Jihad. Inner Sphere powers, desperate to reinforce their ranks, turned to old 'Mech schematics and retooled their production lines to produce retrotech machines including the BXK-series.[3] Though considered only subpar by modern standards, the heavy 'Mech filled a much-needed hole in Federated Suns regiments and continued to serve into the ilClan Era.[citation needed]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The original production variant of this 'Mech, the BKX-7K, utilizes two massive Donal Particle Projection Cannons, which were relatively new at the time. To support the massive cannons, it also has two Federated-5 Shot LRM-5 launchers with one ton of ammo to split between them and a Harpoon-6 SRM-6, giving it something to hit with at all ranges.[3][4]

Variants[edit]

  • BKX-1X 
    The prototype BattleAxe uses a primitive engine, cockpit and armor. The weapons load is slightly different as well, with Large Lasers in the arms instead of the PPCs of the later variants. A pair of Machine Guns with a half-ton of ammunition defend against infantry units. It carries a single SRM-6 launcher as well as a pair of LRM-5s. The bulky engine is much less efficient than later models, limiting the BattleAxe to a top speed of 54 km/h. In addition, this version of the 'Mech lacks jump jets.[9]
  • BKX-7NC 
    Due to the uncertainty of the BattleAxe's jump jets, many MechWarriors had technicians remove the jump jets in favor of two more LRM-5 launchers, one on each side of the torso. It was labeled the 7NC because of its nickname "No Crash".[1] BV (2.0)= 1,252[10][11]

Design Quirks[edit]

The BattleAxe has the following Design Quirk:[14]

The BKX-1X BattleAxe variant is subjected to the following exclusive Design Quirks:[4]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Hammerhands - The successor of the BattleAxe.[15]
  • Warhammer - The BattleAxe and the Hammerhands influenced the design of the Warhammer.[16]
  • BTX-7K Battleax - An apocryphal design that appeared in BattleTechnology magazine. Functionally almost identical to the BKX-7K, it had one less ton of armor and one more ton of LRM ammo; brand names of components are almost entirely different.[17]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Streitaxt. The model code was accordingly changed to STX-7T.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 126–127: "BKX-7K BattleAxe"
  2. TechManual, p. 15
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 224-225, "BattleAxe Profile"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2, p. 7
  5. 5.0 5.1 Era Digest: Age of War, p. 11
  6. MUL online date for the BattleAxe
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 214
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 120
  9. Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2, p. 7
  10. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 215
  11. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 121
  12. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 216
  13. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 122
  14. BattleMech Manual, p. 90 Design Quirk Table - BattleAxe Entry.
  15. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 224-226
  16. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 224-226
  17. BattleTechnology, Issue #0203, pp. 40–41

Bibliography[edit]