Gyrfalcon

This article is about the BattleMech. For the Clan Jade Falcon Galaxy, see Delta Galaxy (Clan Jade Falcon).
Gyrfalcon
Gyrfalcon
Production information
Manufacturer Olivetti Weaponry
Production Year 3112[1]
Model Standard
Class Medium
Cost 12,092,842 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 55 tons
Chassis Olivetti Stage 3 endo steel
Armor Raydient Advance Series 4 [reflective]
Engine 275-rated XL engine
Communications System Raptor X-T Type iii
Targeting Tracking System Goshawk E-Series with light active probe
Heat Sinks 11 laser heat sinks
Speed 86.4 km/h (108 km/h with MASC)
Jump Jets Clan Standard Type A1 with a partial wing
Armament
BV (1.0) N/A
BV (2.0) 2,367[2][3][4]


Description[edit]

Clan Jade Falcon developed this medium-weight BattleMech as part of a Clan-wide project in the early 3110s, aiming to revitalize the whole Clan. It replaced some older designs whose parts became increasingly scarce since the loss of Homeworld ties.[5] Conceived by the Clan's Council, it served as its intended purpose not only to act as replacement for older designs, but also bolster the Clan's morale for older warriors and next generation.

Among the design's early deployments, it would see action against Clan Hell's Horses in 3113. As part of an effort to showcase the 'Mech, the 2nd Falcon Dragoons were sent to Chateau. There the Dragoons conducted a Trial of Possession for a Star of the Horses' Balius Quad OmniMech. The Dragoons winning bid consisted entirely of a Star of Gyrfalcons against 30th Mechanized Strike Cluster's Star of Balius. A fight which would pit both Clans' totem 'Mechs against one another, in this battle the Gyrfalcons would prove its worth to its creators. After the defeat of the Horses, the Dragoons' commander would order the complete destruction of the Balius in front of their former MechWarriors instead of claiming them as their prize.[6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Built for speed, firepower, and simplicity, the Gyrfalcon became common in Jade Falcon Stars. Its 275-rated XL engine would help propel the design into the battlefield at 86.4 km/h, and at bursts to 108 km/h with the help of its MASC. Included in its construction is a partial wing, which gives the design the ability to jump further than the normal 150 meters that its jump jets would be capable of. In addition to its regular sensors, the engineers would fit a light active probe in the 'Mech's head to help it identify potential enemy targets.

While it has been noted that its MechWarriors have it customized for their purposes, this design's original weapons layout consisted of two Series 6b ER large lasers and two Type OVR-V LB 2-X ACs mounted in its shortened arms actuators. In addition to these ranged weapons systems, engineers would go on to reinforce the Gyrfalcon's legs. This is a nod to their touman changing its attitude towards the use of physical attacks, namely using Death from Above maneuver.[7]

Variants[edit]

Gyrfalcon 2
The second version of the Gyrfalcon would appear in 3112. This version dropped the reflective armor of the standard model for ferro-fibrous. In addition to using a less advanced armor, this version also drops the light active probe and adds two laser heat sinks. BV(2.0) = 2,105[8][9][10]
Gyrfalcon 3
The third variant produced in 3112, replaces both LB 2-X ACs with two Type 25 UAC/2s, while fitted with Gyrfalcon 2's ferro-fibrous armor, it adds a targeting computer, a small cockpit, and carries only 10 laser heat sinks. BV(2.0) = 2,228[11][12][13]
Gyrfalcon 4
Produced with a mix of Inner Sphere and Clan technologies, the fourth variant of the Gyrfalcon carries a pair of TSEMP cannons in place of the original's autocannons. Similar to the third variant, this version retains the same level of ferro-fibrous armor protection, but has been equipped with 3 additional laser heat sinks in comparison to the previous three variants' 10. BV(2.0) = 3,716[14][15][16]
Gyrfalcon
Used by Aleksandr Hazen, this configuration has an ER large laser and UAC/5 on each arm, with the center torso carrying a single ton of ammunition for the autocannons. The reflective armor is replaced by ferro-fibrous armor plate, and the light active probe is removed. BV (2.0) = 2,151[17]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Gyrfalcon is subject to the following Design Quirks:

Notable Pilots[edit]

See: Category:Notable Gyrfalcon Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • Gyrfalcon 3 would originally appear as MechWarrior Benj Malthus, an unnamed personal variant, until CGL revisited Dark Age and adapted the dossier's stats to make it into an official canon variant. However, it differs from canonized 3rd variant due to the dossier naming it having standard armor vs ferro-fibrous in the canon variant.

BattleMech Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Online date for the Gyrfalcon
  2. Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, pp. 39, 90 - Gyrfalcon - BV2.
  3. MUL Profile for Gyrfalcon - BV2 and Introduction Year
  4. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 446
  5. MechWarrior: Dark Age - Dossiers and Pilot Cards, p. 233: "Jiyi Chistu"
  6. Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, pp. 39, 90 - Gyrfalcon - Background.
  7. Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, pp. 39, 90 - Gyrfalcon - Stats.
  8. Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, pp. 39, 91 - Gyrfalcon 2 - Variant 2 info.
  9. MUL Profile for Gyrfalcon 2 - BV2 and Introduction Date.
  10. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 447
  11. Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, pp. 39, 92 - Gyrfalcon 2 - Variant 2 info
  12. MUL Profile for Gyrfalcon 3 - BV2 and Introduction Date
  13. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 448
  14. Technical Readout: 3145 The Clans, pp. 39, 93 - Gyrfalcon 4 - Variant 4 info
  15. MUL Profile for Gyrfalcon 4 - BV2 and Introduction Date
  16. Record Sheets: 3145 Unabridged, p. 449
  17. Shrapnel (magazine)|Shrapnel Issue 2
  18. Flight of the Falcon, pp. 227-228 - Aleksandr Hazen's Gyrfalcon fires its autocannons and lasers which out range his sibkin's Shrike' weaponry. Aleks fires its pair of 5-centimeter mounted guns from each of its arms
  19. Flight of the Falcon, p. 171 - Nova Cats in Gnome Battle Armor tear off one of Aleks' Ultra AC/5s

Bibliography[edit]