Pinion

Pinion
Pinion
Production information
Manufacturer Olivetti Weapons
Production Year 3065[1]
Model Standard
Class Medium
Cost 4,289,390 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 45 tons
Chassis Olivetti Stage 3
Armor Raydient Series 2
Engine 225-rated fusion engine
Communications System Squawkbox 3.56
Targeting Tracking System Olivetti Pinpoint Advanced
Heat Sinks 14 double
Speed 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets Clan Standard Type A1
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,490[1]
BV (2.0) 1,646[2]


Description[edit]

The Pinion is part testbed, part leftovers. Developed by Clan Jade Falcon and introduced into service in 3065, the Pinion BattleMech is the second Clan 'Mech to be produced by Olivetti Weapons on Sudeten. The second-line BattleMech was designed as a patrol and guard duty 'Mech, so it has modest speed coupled with good maneuverability thanks to its jump jet range of 150 meters. Additionally, the Pinion is meant to test the effectiveness and drawbacks of heavy lasers, as early reports from Clan Star Adder indicated heavy lasers are unreliable and possibly damaging to the MechWarrior. In order to properly judge the effect of this new weapon, the Falcons decided to use garrison MechWarriors as guinea pigs. Their vitals were carefully tracked and medical evaluations were administered weekly as part of these tests.

The leftovers in the 'Mech are its micro pulse lasers. Micro pulse lasers were developed for ProtoMech production, but when Khan Marthe Pryde killed the program in 3064, the Falcons were left with an overabundance of leftover lasers. Despite the weapons being unwanted, the Jade Falcons have decided to utilize them on the Pinion rather than waste these resources. When the supplies of micro pulse lasers are used up, the Pinion will be refitted and retrofitted with heavier weapons already in production.[1]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The largest gun on the Pinion is its Witherer heavy large laser. Although it experiences some targeting difficulties, it packs a strong punch into a relatively small package. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the four Raid micro pulse lasers mounted in the Pinion's torso. These weapons are only useful at point-blank range, but the pulse technology makes them quite accurate, and make the Pinion devastating against conventional infantry. The Series 14a medium pulse lasers have a decent range and are highly accurate and provide reliable, mid-range firepower. This all-energy weapon configuration allows the 'Mech to range far and wide without having to worry about resupply or ammunition explosions in combat. 14 double heat sinks keeps the 'Mech fairly cool, though an alpha strike will seriously overheat it.[1]

Variants[edit]

  • Pinion
    This variant replaces the four micro pulse lasers with a pair of small pulse lasers. This keeps the damage output the same, but the small lasers have a better range while still being effective against infantry.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,490;[3] BV (2.0) = 1,657[4]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Pinion is subject to the following Design Quirk:[6]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Fittich.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: 3067, pp. 114–115
  2. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 199
  3. Combat Operations, p. 116
  4. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 200
  5. Record Sheets: 3067 Unabridged, p. 201
  6. BattleMech Manual, p. 94: BattleMech Quirk Table - Pinion Entry

Bibliography[edit]