Mad Cat III

This article is about the 55-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Mad Cat (disambiguation).
Mad Cat III
Mad Cat III
Production information
Manufacturer Manufacturing Plant DSF-IT1
Production Year 3086[1]
Class Medium
Cost 12,358,925 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 55 tons
Chassis DSAM Endo-6 endo-composite
Armor Forging Zk15 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine 330-rated XL engine
Communications System Comset 1
Targeting Tracking System J-Track 52 with Artemis V
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 97 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) N/A
BV (2.0) 2,400[2]


Description[edit]

With the success of the Mad Cat Mk II design, Clan Diamond Shark developed the Mad Cat III as a medium 'Mech to accompany the heavy Mad Cat and assault Mad Cat II. Intended for sale to both Inner Sphere and Clan customers, it has been shunned by the Clans save for the Nova Cats and Exiled Wolves as "...an outrage against everything Nicholas Kerensky stood for and taught us." However, it has proven popular with the Successor States and the Republic of the Sphere.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

With its top speed of 97 km/h thanks to a 330-rated extralight engine combined with an endo-composite structure, the Mad Cat III can quickly close with enemies to bring its short-range armament to bear. Eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor offer adequate protection, though with only 10 double heat sinks the design can be easily overheated.[2]

Armed with twin LRM-20's equipped with Artemis V, six ER micro lasers, and a pair of ER medium lasers in each arm, the Mad Cat III can quickly inflict a lot of damage on its opponent after closing in.[2]

Variants[edit]

  • Mad Cat III
    This variant uses an endo steel internal structure. Its weapons consist of a pair of LRM-20s for use at long range, though each launcher only has enough ammunition for six shots. When it closes, it can use an all-energy configuration of two ER medium lasers, two ER small lasers, and four ER micro lasers. 16 double heat sinks allow this 'Mech to fire all weapons and not worry about heat so long as it sticks to its cruising speed. An anti-missile system increases its protection. BV (2.0)= 1,913[5] BV (2.0) = 2,061[6]
  • Mad Cat III
    This variant removes all of the lasers, replacing them all with a pair of heavy medium lasers, enough jump jets to vault the 'Mech up to 150 meters, and maxes out the armor. Heat is no longer a concern, though the limited ammunition of the missile launchers is more of a liability. BV (1.0) = 2,081[7] BV (2.0) = 2,053[8]

Custom Variants[edit]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Mad Cat III is subject to the following Design Quirks:[2]

The Mad Cat III-X variant has the following Design Quirks:[3]

Notable Pilots[edit]

Please see Category:Notable Mad Cat III Pilots

Related Designs[edit]

  • Mad Cat Mk II - Clan Diamond Shark tried to use the success of the Mad Cat Mk II to kick-start the design of this Clan medium mech.
  • Mad Cat Mk IV (Savage Wolf) - The third Clan Sea Fox BattleMech evoking the weapons loadout and visage of the Timber Wolf, the 75-ton Savage Wolf is very similar to the original, emulating the "D" configuration.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Mad Cat III
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: Prototypes, pp. 148-149, "Mad Cat III Profile"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Experimental Technical Readout: Clans, p. 5
  4. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 127
  5. Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 60
  6. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 128
  7. Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 61
  8. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 129
  9. Dark Age Turning Points: Liao, p. 26
  10. Dev-Level Errata

Bibliography[edit]