Hercules (BattleMech)

This article is about the 70-ton BattleMech. For the DropShip, see Hercules (DropShip class).
Hercules (BattleMech)
Hercules
Production information
Manufacturer Kali Yama/Alphard Trading Corporation[1]

Kali Yama Weapons Industries[1]

Production Year 3054[2]
Model HRC-LS-9000[1]
Class Heavy
Cost 16,411,687 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 70 tons
Chassis Northrup-502
Armor Aldis Heavy Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Magna 350 XL
Communications System Irian Orator-5K
Targeting Tracking System Irian 511
Heat Sinks 12 double
Speed 86 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,336[3]
BV (2.0) 1,561[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Hercules was built in response to a request by the Free Worlds League for a 'Mech with balanced mobility and firepower. The Hercules is powered by a Magna 350 XL engine that propels the 'Mech up to speeds of 86.4 km/h. The Hercules is also well armored, with eleven tons of Aldis Heavy ferro-fibrous for protection. Overall, the Hercules has turned out to be a good all-around trooper 'Mech that can handle a variety of combat roles, from air defense to long-range direct fire support.

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Hercules carries a wide variety of weapons. For long-range firepower, the 'Mech is armed with a Fusigon Model XI ER PPC. The ER PPC is backed up at intermediate ranges by an Imperator Code Red LB-X Autocannon/10 that can fire both standard and cluster rounds, making it effective against a wide range of combat units. For close-range combat, the Hercules carries a Holly Streak SRM-2 launcher, an Aberdovey Medium Pulse Laser, and two Martell Small Pulse Lasers. For added protection from missile attacks, the 'Mech also carried a Burow anti-missile system.

Variants[edit]

  • HRC-LS-9001 
    A basic field modification of the Hercules, the -9001 model removed the anti-missile system to add a second streak SRM-2 launcher.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,347, BV (2.0) = 1,566[5]
  • HRC-LS-9004 
    This Hercules variant is based on the 9003 model, but replaces the Angel ECM suite with a Blue Shield system.[6]

Custom Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Hercules has the following Design Quirks:[9]

Notes[edit]

  • Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Hercules was among the BattleMechs which he designed and for which he wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3055.
  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Herkules. The model code was accordingly changed to HRK-LS-9000.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 156–157: "HRC-LS-9000 Hercules"
  2. MUL online date for the Hercules (BattleMech)
  3. Combat Operations, p. 121
  4. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 89
  5. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 90
  6. 6.0 6.1 Technical Readout: 3150, p. 223
  7. Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs p. 13: Hercules Walker - Fluff and basic stats of customized Hercules published by BattleCorps. BV in listed with fluff incorrect.
  8. Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs p. 29: Hercules Walker - Record Sheet has correct BV.
  9. BattleMech Manual, p. 92: BattleMech Quirk Table - Hercules Entry

Bibliography[edit]