Linebacker

Linebacker
Linebacker
Production information
Manufacturer Wolf Clan Site 1[1]

Wolf Clan Site 2[1]

Production Year 3052[2]
Model Prime[1]
Class Heavy
Cost 20,277,984 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 65 tons
Chassis Type W4 Endo Steel
Armor Composite A-4 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Heavy Force 390 (XL)
Communications System Khan Series (Type 3)
Targeting Tracking System Series V OPT
Heat Sinks 14 double
Speed 97 km/h
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 2,016[3]
BV (2.0) 2,390[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Linebacker was designed to eventually replace the Timber Wolf in the touman of Clan Wolf when it was found that the venerable design could not keep pace with its Starmates in running battles, which could limit its effectiveness during the invasion of the Inner Sphere. The name for the OmniMech comes from the Linebacker's hunched appearance, which resembles players of ancient American Football. The Linebacker has found a home within Clan Wolf in Exile and is tolerated by the Crusader Wolves due to their need for equipment. It is said the Crusader Wolves are less accepting of the 'Mech because it was originally planned by Khans Natasha Kerensky and Phelan Ward; both of the Warden cause.[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Linebacker is built on a lightweight Type W4 Endo Steel chassis, which carries a powerful Heavy Force 390 XL engine, giving the 'Mech a top speed of 97.2 km/h, and is protected by a respectable ten tons of Composite A-4 ferro-fibrous armor. The Linebacker also has 17.5 tons of pod space, which allows the 'Mech to carry a variety of effective payloads.

In its primary configuration the Linebacker is configured for long range combat, with two powerful ER PPCs for its primary firepower, as they can reach a target at long range and are each capable of vaporizing almost a full ton of standard armor. These are backed up by an LRM-5 launcher for long range missile bombardment. For close combat, the Linebacker Prime carries a light arsenal of a highly accurate Streak SRM-4 launcher and a rear-mounted ER Small Laser.

Alternate Configurations[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    Configured similarly to the Timber Wolf Prime, the Linebacker A carries, as its primary long-range weapons, a pair of ER Large Lasers that are backed up by an LRM-5 launcher and LRM-15 launcher, both of which allow the Linebacker to bombard its target at long range. For close combat, the 'Mech carries two ER Medium Lasers.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,854[3], BV (2.0) = 2,264[1][6]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    The Linebacker B is a sniper configuration. The 'Mech carries a powerful Gauss rifle for fearsome long range hitting power. For close combat, the 'Mech has three ER Medium Lasers and a single ER Small Laser.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,849[3], BV (2.0) = 2,048[1][7]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    An all-around trooper configuration, the Linebacker C has weapons which allow the 'Mech to engage an enemy effectively at any range. For long ranges, the 'Mech is armed with an Ultra Autocannon/5 and a single ER Large Laser. For close combat, the 'Mech has four ER Medium Lasers, one of which is rear-mounted. To keep the 'Mech from being attacked by unarmored infantry it has two Machine Guns, one of which is mounted in the rear arc, as well as a rear-mounted Flamer.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,824[3], BV (2.0) = 2,075[1][8]
  • Alternate Configuration D 
    The Linebacker D is a committed close-combat configuration with four highly accurate Streak SRM-6 launchers providing an overwhelming close range missile barrage. The launchers are backed up by two ER Medium Lasers and a rear-mounted ER Small Laser,[1] making this configuration a ferocious short-range brawler - until its three ammunition bins run dry. BV (1.0) = 1,865[3], BV (2.0) = 2,039[1][9]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    An extremely flexible configuration, the Linebacker E has an ER Large Laser as its primary long range weapon. This is backed up by a pair of ATM-6 launchers which are capable of firing ammunition for long, medium, and short ranges, which have increasing warhead payloads as the ranges close. Additionally, the 'Mech carries a Light Active Probe to allow it to detect hidden enemy units.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,669[3][10], BV (2.0) = 1,846[1][11]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    A rather flexible fire support configuration, the Linebacker F carries four SRM-6s for close range brawling, with three tons of Narc-guided ammunition split between them. An ER PPC in the right torso provides long range firepower, and an Improved One-Shot Narc Missile Beacon can mark an enemy for friendly missile barrages. BV (2.0) = 1,928[12]
  • Alternate Configuration G 
    This configuration was introduced during the Dark Age. It uses a Supercharger to reach a top speed of 120 km/h in short bursts. Offensively, it carries an Improved Heavy Large Laser in each arm, which are tied into a Targeting Computer. It has a pair of Improved One-Shot Streak SRM-2 launchers for close-in defense. BV (2.0) = 2,433[13]
  • Alternate Configuration H 
    Another close range configuration, the Linebacker H is armed with a pair of powerful Heavy Large Lasers which have a great deal of hitting power. These are backed up by a pair of ER Medium Lasers and a single ER Small Laser, with an additional double heat sink. The 'Mech also has six jump jets that allow it to jump up to one hundred and eighty meters.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,891[3][14], BV (2.0) = 2,097[1][15]
  • Alternate Configuration I 
    A scouting configuration that brings an Active Probe to the field. An ER Large Pulse Laser is used to engage heavily armored targets. The main firepower of the configuration, however, is in the form of multiple Machine Gun Arrays. Each arm has two Machine Gun Arrays, each with three Machine Guns. Each side torso carries a Machine Gun Array with four more Machine Guns. This is a total of six Machine Gun Arrays and twenty Machine Guns, fed by one and a half tons of ammunition. An engine Supercharger allows for sprint speeds of 120 km/h. BV (2.0) = 1,929[16]
  • Alternate Configuration T 
    Each arm carries a Plasma Cannon with two tons of ammunition. A Streak SRM-4 is in the left torso, while a Streak LRM-5 is in the right torso. Each missile launcher gets a ton of ammunition. An Active Probe finds hidden foes. For covering a retreat, a rear-mounted flamer in the right torso allows the Linebacker to set distracting fires. BV (2.0) = 1,851[16]

Apocrypha Configurations[edit]

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From MechWarrior Online:

  • LBK-RL Redline 
    The Redline Hero 'Mech custom configuration mounts an Ultra AC/10 in the left arm and a single Streak SRM-4 rack in the right arm supported by five ER Small Lasers - three in the right torso, two in the left. Two tons of Ultra Autocannon ammunition and a single ton of Streak reloads is adequate for Clan trials.[17]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Linebacker is subject to the following design quirk:[18][19]

Related OmniMechs[edit]

  • Timber Wolf - The Linebacker was designed as a faster version of the venerable Timber Wolf.[20]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper Clan name was altered to Schwergewicht, which literally means Heavy Weight.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 22–23: "Linebacker"
  2. MUL online date for the Linebacker
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Combat Operations, p. 108
  4. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 143
  5. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade, p. 90
  6. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 144
  7. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 145
  8. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 144
  9. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 147
  10. 'Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 113
  11. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 148
  12. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 155
  13. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 145
  14. 'Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 114
  15. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 149
  16. 16.0 16.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 6, p. 12
  17. MechWarrior Online Linebacker Sale Page
  18. BattleMech Manual, p. 92: "BattleMech Quirk Table"
  19. BattleMech Manual Errata (Version 6.01), p. 9
  20. Technical Readout: 3055, p. 138

Bibliography[edit]