Phoenix (BattleMech)

This article is about the 50-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Phoenix.
Phoenix (BattleMech)
Phoenix
Production information
Manufacturer Diplass BattleMechs[1]

Krauss-Liemann Incorporated[2]


Wechsel Royal Industrial Repair and Heavy Machining

Production Year 2520[3][4]
Model PX-3R[2]
Class Medium
Cost 4,234,250 C-bills[3]
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 50 tons
Chassis 12b Krauss-Liemann
Armor PanzerSlab Type 3
Engine Magna 250
Communications System Vex/Holden TriComm Plus
Targeting Tracking System Dillon QuadTrac with Particle Cannon Suite
Heat Sinks 14 single
Speed 86 km/h
Jump Jets Gerard Special A
Armament
BV (1.0) N/A
BV (2.0) 1,106[2][3][5][6]


Description[edit]

The Phoenix was the Rim Worlds Republic's first effort to design a jump-capable BattleMech designed and produced by Krauss-Liemann Incorporated. Terens Amaris was convinced that the Wasp and its jump jets heralded a sea-change in tactics and was determined to build a 'Mech larger than the Wasp that incorporated them. Unfortunately, the Republic lacked jump jets, so the project stalled while technicians reverse engineered the technology. Terens insisted on "quality over quantity" in the Republic's BattleMech program, delaying production until well after the Terran Hegemony had fielded the Griffin and Shadow Hawk. The First Consul diverted resources away from other production efforts to accomplish this which became a massive boondoggle. Nonetheless, the Phoenix and its jumping capability did allow the Republic to execute new battle plans, including combat drops from DropShips. No other power produced or salvaged the Phoenix and it was believed to have become extinct following Aleksandr Kerensky's conquest of the Rim Worlds Republic. It was surprising, then, when a ComStar report indicated that the Hanseatic League was deploying a number of them.[7]

The earliest prototypes of the Phoenix underwent numerous changes throughout its long development history. Having nearly reached completion of a prototype in 2470, Terens Amaris ordered the design team to implement jump jet technology for immediate testing - information that had been acquired by the Republic's intelligence agency. They quickly scrambled to redesign a machine that was essentially complete as a result. The design philosophy had been intended to create a front-line trooper BattleMech that would engage enemies at all ranges and so had mounted a PPC and two SRM-4 launchers. In order to reconfigure it as jump-capable, the launchers were downgraded to twin SRM-2s, but received slightly better armor protection. Ultimately Krauss' engineers encountered the same problems as the Terran Hegemony with their earlier Wasp and it took an additional four years until the redesigned prototype was unveiled and another six before it was production ready. It was mired by constant problems including electronics interference when the particle cannon was fired, with pilots giving it the name "Sparkly Bird." The legs were also too weak to deal with the stress of landing a 50 ton BattleMech, resulting in fractured or shattered leg and torso structural components.[8] These were eventually corrected by 2490, just thirteen years before being "modernized" for the new century.[4][8]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The main feature of the medium Phoenix is its ability to jump up to 150 meters thanks to five Gerard Special A jump jets. While grounded, it is capable of attaining 86.4 km/h thanks to a Magna 250 fusion engine, and is protected by nine tons of PanzerSlab Type 3 standard armor.[7]

Primarily a sniper, the Phoenix mounts a Stolz Harbinger 2 PPC. To back it up, the 3R carries a pair of Marklin Mini SRM-2 launchers. Two ammo bins enable the use of different munitions, including inferno missiles.[7]

Variants[edit]

  • PX-1KR 
    The third WRI, Inc. Phoenix configuration replaces the PPC and two single heat sinks with a heavy rifle and two tons of ammunition. The loss of the 'Mech's jump jets for the heavy, inefficient weapon and an extra half ton of armor makes it unpopular with pilots.[9] BV (2.0) = 760[12]
  • PX-1KT 
    The final WRI, Inc. Phoenix configuration may be the best. The PPC is traded for a Thunderbolt 10 missile launcher with two tons of ammunition. This lets the Phoenix hit with as much damage as the original, but with much less waste heat.[9] BV (2.0) = 857[13]
  • PX-4R 
    This variant, developed in 2581,[16] was highly anticipated, but it proved to be so unpopular that production was canceled. The decision to switch to an ammunition-fed AC/10 instead of the PPC is blamed.[2][7] BV (2.0) = 996[17][18][16]

Design Quirks[edit]

The PX-1R Phoenix variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[8]

The PX-3R Phoenix is subject to the following Design Quirks:[19]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 11: "Infrastructural Integrity"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 88–89: "PX-3R Phoenix"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 MUL online entry for the Phoenix (BattleMech)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Era Digest: Age of War, p. 11
  5. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 272
  6. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 217
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Technical Readout: 3075, pp. 298–299: "PX-3R Phoenix"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 5, p. 4: "PX-1R Phoenix 'Mech Profile"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Touring the Stars: Kaumberg, p. 13
  10. Touring the Stars: Kaumberg, p. 17
  11. Touring the Stars: Kaumberg, p. 18
  12. Touring the Stars: Kaumberg, p. 19
  13. Touring the Stars: Kaumberg, p. 20
  14. 14.0 14.1 MUL online entry for the PX-1R Phoenix variant
  15. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 273
  16. 16.0 16.1 MUL online entry for the PX-4R Phoenix varinat
  17. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 274
  18. Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 218
  19. BattleMech Manual, p. 94: BattleMech Quirk Table - Phoenix Entry

Bibliography[edit]