Guardian (Conventional Fighter)
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This article refers to the Guardian conventional fighter. For the ECM suite, see Guardian ECM Suite.
| File:*.*** | |
| Guardian | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Mujika Aerospace Technologies |
| Use | CAS |
| Tech Base | Inner Sphere |
| Cost | |
| Introduced | 2831 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 20 tons |
| Engine (Type) | Rawlings 140 Air Turbine |
| Armament | 1x SRM-6 |
| Armor | 1 ton |
| Crew | 1 |
| BV (1.0) | |
| BV (2.0) | 176 |
Contents |
[edit] Description
With the smallest military and industrial base of any Inner Sphere power, House Liao has been known for using conventional forces to add to the capabilities of it's AeroSpace and 'Mech forces. The Guardian was introduced in 2831 as a close air support fighter, freeing up more costly aerospace assets for other duties. Cheap and easy to maintain, the Guardian exhibits traits that would be later seen in OmniMech design. All components are modular in nature, and with the proper diagnostic equipment only one Astech is needed to keep the fighter ready for combat.
[edit] Armament
With only conventional bombs and an SRM-6 missile launcher, the Guardian cannot be mistaken as heavily armed. This armament is all the craft needs in it's close air support duty. The only flaw is that the Guardian cannot stand up to AeroSpace fighters, even in it's own weight class, where a speedy retreat is the best course of action.
[edit] Variants
- B - Created by pilot demand, the Guardian B replaces the Rawlings 120 for a 140 engine, reducing the bomb load and speed, and pulls the SRM-6 launcher for a Medium Laser and extra heat sinks. Considered a better close support craft than the missile carrier, it does take away from the Guardian's already poor air to air performance.
- C - A modern post-Clan Invasion variant, the Guardian C features swaps the standard missile launcher for an Streak SRM-4, offering the same average firepower as the older launcher while considerably more ammo efficient.
- D - Another modern variant made possible due to trade with the Draconis Combine, the Guardian D replaces the SRM launcher with a MRM-10. The intended combat role of the Guardian is well suited to the MRM launcher, boosting range and firepower with the reduction accuracy is not too detrimental.
[edit] Related Designs
- Boeing Jump Bomber - Design to bolster the Federated Commonwealth's planetary defense forces, the Boeing Jump Bomber is shamelessly based on the Capellan Guardian, boosting speed at the cost of the SRM launcher and relying entirely on externally mounted bombs.
[edit] References
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