Gurkha

Gurkha
Gurkha
Production information
Manufacturer Krupp Armaments Works[1]
Production Year 3063[2]
Model GUR-2G[1]
Class Light
Cost 6,659,910 C-bills[2]
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Krupp 255 Endo Steel
Armor Krupp 155
Engine Magna 245 XL
Communications System Exeter Longscan 500 with C3i Computer
Targeting Tracking System Garret T97C
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 118 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 892 (C3: 104)[3]
BV (2.0) 1,101[1][2]


Description[edit]

The Gurkha was developed by the Word of Blake in response to a request from Precentor Martial Cameron St. Jamais to keep the production lines on Terra running. To open up as much space as possible for weapons and equipment, the Gurkha is built on a lightweight Krupp 255 endo steel chassis and is powered by a lightweight Magna 245 XL engine that gives it a top speed of 118.8 km/h. That, combined with the Gurkha's seven and a half tons of Krupp 155 armor, make taking the 'Mech down a difficult proposition. Its only real deficiency is its lack of jump jets, which make maneuvering in limiting terrain difficult for the 'Mech. As the Word of Blake's opponents realized the power of this little 'Mech, Gurkhas quickly became targets to be eliminated quickly, as the C3i computer often means that an individual MechWarrior can rapidly find him or herself attacked by up to six extremely accurate 'Mechs.[4]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The four Diverse Optics ER small lasers and the sword all lend themselves to the up-close style of fighting that the Gurkha is centered around. It can deal a fair amount of damage relatively quickly, but its real strength lies in the C3i that allows the other five members of the pilot's Level II to effectively fire upon the Gurkha's target. The Fusigon Longtooth ER PPC provides a strong long-range punch that may surprise opponents who do not expect such a powerful weapon on a light 'Mech.[4]

Variants[edit]

  • GUR-4G 
    The 4G field modification, developed in 3065,[5] replaces the ER PPC with a large pulse laser for an accurate, stronger close-range punch at the expense of the 'Mech's long-range firepower.[1] BV (1.0) = 787,[3] BV (2.0) = 908[6][5]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Gurkha has the following Design Quirks:[11]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 60–61: "GUR-2G Gurkha"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 MUL online entry for the Gurkha
  3. 3.0 3.1 Combat Operations, p. 134: "Force Faction Tables"
  4. 4.0 4.1 Technical Readout: 3067, pp. 54–55: "GUR-2G Gurkha"
  5. 5.0 5.1 MUL online entry for the Gurkha GUR-4G variant
  6. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 82
  7. 7.0 7.1 MUL online entry for the Gurkha GUR-6G variant
  8. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 83
  9. 9.0 9.1 MUL online entry for the Gurkha GUR-8G variant
  10. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 84
  11. BattleMech Manual, p. 92: BattleMech Quirk Table -Gurkha Entry

Bibliography[edit]