Drillson

Drillson RGilClan v32.jpg
Drillson
Production information
Manufacturer Cyclops Inc.
Production Year 3025[1]
Mission Support
Type Hovercraft
Cost 2,819,333 C-Bills
Technical specifications
Tech Base Inner Sphere
Mass 50
Armor ArcShield Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Engine MaxLift 215 fusion engine
Speed 151.2 km/h
Crew 4
Communications System Cyclops 1[2]
Targeting Tracking System Evil Eye[2]
Heat Sinks 10 single
Armament
BV (1.0) 710[3]
BV (2.0) 950[4]


Description[edit]

Entering service with the Lyran Commonwealth's military in 3025, at a cost of 2,819,333 C-Bills each, the Drillson is another example of the LCAF's preference for heavy vehicles.[5][3] The excellent performance of this heavy hovertank during the Fourth Succession War established it as one of the best of its type. The government of the Federated Suns was sufficiently impressed to make the Drillson a mainstay of the then forming Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. [4]

The Drillson is very heavy for a hover vehicle. Much of this weight is invested in protection. The vehicle features six and half tons of ArcShield armor evenly spread across the tank, with somewhat stronger protection in the front and on the turret. This heavy protection, combined with the powerful armament, make the Drillson much more durable in combat than is usual with hover vehicles. This survivabilty allows it to take part in the direct support of BattleMechs in combat.[5][3][4]

The targeting systems available to Drillson crews almost equal BattleMech-standards, featuring a full 360° view of the battlefield and a direct connection with the turret-mounted Laser. [5][3][4]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Drillson relies mostly on the Cyclops Eye Large Laser based in its turret. This weapon and its associated fire control system were developed specifically for this vehicle by the ordnance division of Cyclops, Inc. This unconventional design uses a combination of laser energy and particle-beam technology. The unique structure of this system enables it to dispense with the relatively vulnerable reflector systems. Mounted alongside the Cyclops Eye are two HoverTec SRM-2-racks supplied with one ton of ammunition. A single Light CrossBow LRM-10 and two Kicker Machine Guns complete the weapons array. [5][3][4]

Variants[edit]

  • I.C.E. 
    Armed with the same weaponry as its fusion-powered counterpart, this original diesel-engine model of the Drillson was much slower due to the additional weight of the heat sinks and amplifiers. Its cruising speed is 64.8 km/h.
  • SRM 
    This 3028 variant features a missile armament optimized for close combat. The long-range missile system is replaced by four additional SRM-2s and three tons of ammunition. The Cyclops Eye system and the machine guns are unaltered. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 945[3][4]
  • ERLL 
    A variant rumored to be under development around the War of 3039, it was supposedly a testbed for the then experimental Cyclops XII ER Large Laser. No production models ever appeared.[4] BV (2.0) = 960[6]
  • Streak 
    This updated post–Clan Invasion model of the Drillson from 3053 features an updated weapons package. The HoverTech SRM racks have been removed and more efficient Streak SRM-2s fitted. The venerable Cyclops Eye system has been retired in favor of a modern Large Pulse Laser.[4] BV (2.0) = 899[7]
  • Sealed 
    This 3076 version replaces all the standard weaponry with a pair of Light PPCs which are mounted in the turret and an MML-3. It carries sufficient ammunition for extended battles (33 shots SRM + 40 shots LRM). A flotation hull allows this model to support amphibious operations alongside the Plainsman.[8] BV (2.0) = 870[9]
  • Drillson Heavy Hover Tank C 
    Developed by Jade Falcon when they captured the world of Skye[10] this version of the Drillson was produced with factories retooled to utilize Clan laser technology. Both the C2 and the C are common sights across Jade Falcon garrison clusters.[10] The C mounts a LRM 10 with an Artemis V, a single Large Chemical Laser, twin Machine Guns, and four ER Small Lasers.[11] It carries two tons of LRM ammunition, two tons of Chemical Laser ammunition, and a half-ton of MG ammunition in CASE protected bins. BV (2.0) = 1,295[11]
  • Drillson Heavy Hover Tank C2
    Another variant developed by Jade Falcon this Drillson mounts 4 ATM 3s, twin Machine Guns, and a Large Pulse Laser. The C2 carries a half ton of MG ammunition, and one ton of all ATM ammunition variants (Standard, ER, and High Explosive).[11] BV(2.0) = 1,516 [11]
  • MML
    A licensed production variant built by Scarborough Manufacturers as a companion to their Maxim Mk II this variant upgrades the majority of the systems, the exceptions being the reliable Kicker machine guns.[10] Scarborough elected to use surplus engines from the Maxim to reduce costs resulting in a top speed of 129 kph and a cruising speed of 86kph.[10] It mounts 1 Large Pulse Laser, 2 Streak SRM-2s, 2 MML-5s, and 2 Machine Guns. It carries one ton of MML/LRM ammunition, one ton of MML/SRM ammunition, a half-ton of MG ammunition, and one ton of Streak SRM ammunition in CASE protected bins. BV(2.0)= 910[11]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Drillson
  2. 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 62: "Drillson Heavy Hover Tank"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Technical Readout: 3026 Revised, p. 54
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 62
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Technical Readout: 3026 - p. 50
  6. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 111
  7. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 112
  8. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 191
  9. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 37
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Recognition Guide: ilClan vol. 32, pp. 6–7
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Recognition Guide: ilClan vol. 32, pp. 23–28

Bibliography[edit]