Defiance (BattleMech)

This article is about the flagship BattleMech produced by Defiance Industries. For other uses, see Defiance.
Defiance (BattleMech)
Defiance
Production information
Manufacturer Defiance Industries[1]
Production Year 3057[2]
Model DFN-3S
Class Heavy
Cost 15,275,750 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 75 tons
Chassis Defiant V Endo Steel
Armor Durallex Heavy Standard
Engine Edasich 300 Light
Communications System Angst Discom
Targeting Tracking System Angst Accuracy
Heat Sinks 12 double
Speed 64.5 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) ??
BV (2.0) 1,940[3][4]


Description[edit]

Originally developed in 3057, the prototype Defiance was intended to be the flagship design of venerable Defiance Industries, only to become mired in Field Marshal Brandal Gareth's abortive revolt (subsequently put down by the Gray Death Legion) and passed over for the successful Fafnir. The Defiance's fortunes changed with the loss of Hesperus II to the Word of Blake, with the LAAF scrambling for any available 'Mech designs. Though configured mainly to produce light and medium 'Mechs, the remaining Defiance factory on Furillo was able to retool one of their medium lines to produce a heavy 'Mech, selecting to produce a modernized version of the Defiance in 3074.[2]

Described as a "Warhammer on steroids," the Defiance is visually similar to the original WHM-6R, carries a similar weapons array, and uses a searchlight linked to the 'Mech's targeting system. Where it differs from the classic design is in the use of digitigrade instead of humanoid legs, and modern construction components such as an endo steel skeleton, light fusion engine, and triple strength myomers. Due in part to the high heat levels required by its specialized myomers, as well as weight constraints, the Defiance carries only twelve double heat sinks, forcing it to rely upon volley fire to avoid shutdown, much like the design upon which it was based.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Defiance for the most part closely apes the weapon loadout of the Warhammer, with two Defiance 1001 ER PPC in the 'Mech's handless arms as primary weapons, backed up by a Coventry 90mm SRM-6 rack, two pairs of Diverse Optics ER small and medium lasers, and a Trellshire MiniGun. The most significant addition is a torso-mounted Defiance Disintegrator LB 10-X Autocannon, which has a similar range to the arm-mounted ER PPCs and is capable of firing standard or cluster munitions.[2]

Variants[edit]

  • DFN-3C 
    The original prototype Defiance produced on Hesperus II, this version was powered by an Edasich 300 XL engine and used an experimental compact gyro, which freed up space to mount a second SRM-6 rack in the center torso. As extended-range versions of medium and small lasers were not yet available to the Federated Commonwealth, it carried two pairs of small and medium pulse lasers instead, the increased weight devoted to weapons limiting the armor to twelve tons. BV (2.0) = 1,817[5][6]
  • DFN-3T 
    A common field refit choice for ER PPC–mounting 'Mechs as much as a way to overcome matériel shortages during the Jihad, the 3T swaps two Magna Hellstar standard PPCs for the advanced models. While reducing range, it also reduces the heat load on the 'Mech's overstressed coolant systems, leading to it being offered as a factory configuration. BV (2.0) = 1,981[7][8]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Defiance has the following Design Quirks:[9]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Warhammer - Bearing a visual resemblance to the Defiance, the classic Star League Warhammer BattleMech is the inspiration for the Defiance. Both BattleMechs boast a strong complement of particle weapons, SRMs, and a searchlight.[10]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See: Category:Notable Defiance BattleMech Pilots

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Objectives: Lyran Alliance, p. 12
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 86–87
  3. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 79
  4. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 172
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 80
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 171
  7. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 81
  8. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - The Cutting Edge, p. 173
  9. BattleMech Manual, p. 91: Design Quirk Table - Defiance Entry
  10. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 86

Bibliography[edit]