Piranha

Piranha
Piranha
Production information
Manufacturer Constantin Assembly Plant M27A-E[1],

Unnamed manufacturing plant on Vinton[2]


CSD Poseidon/Auxiliary Production Site 4[1]

Production Year 3051[3]
Model PRA[citation needed]
Class Light
Cost 2,780,940 C-bills[4]
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan BattleMech
Mass 20 tons
Chassis Bergan XIV Endo Steel
Armor Forging ZK11 Standard
Engine 180 Firebox XL
Communications System K9 Communications System
Targeting Tracking System Able-Seven Sensor Suite
Heat Sinks 10 single
Speed 151 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 801[5][6]
BV (2.0) 998[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Piranha was developed by Clan Diamond Shark shortly before the Battle of Tukayyid to combat Inner Sphere conventional infantry and light vehicles. The sheer speed that the BattleMech is capable of has also made it something of a scout, though it lacks the sophisticated electronic equipment of dedicated scout 'Mechs.

Relatively rare in the Inner Sphere following Tukayyid, by the late 3060s the Diamond Sharks maintained production of the Piranha primarily as a filler to pad out other sales to the various Clans. The design had also begun to appear in sizable numbers in the Flurry Clusters of Clan Ice Hellion, who successfully bid for and won the rights to produce the design in 3066[5] in a Trial fought on Hector.[1] Ideally suited to their "pack" tactics, the Hellions created new variants on the Piranha, though they maintain the original design philosophy.[5][7][8]

At least two dozen were sold by Shark merchants to Clan Wolf-in-Exile in late 3068.[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Piranha's main threat is its 12 Series XII Rotary machine guns. These pose a serious threat to any foe on such a speedy 'Mech, especially if a Star of Piranhas operate in a pack, and such a large array allows the 'Mech to chew through an opponent's rear armor almost instantly. They are most deadly, however, to unarmored infantry, capable of wiping out an entire company in seconds. For work against hardened targets, the Piranha mounts a pair of Mk. 3 ER medium lasers and a single Series 1 ER small laser.

Since the design only uses 10 single heat sinks, the MechWarrior must still manage heat levels, and the ammunition dependency of the machine guns ensure that Piranhas must stay close to supply lines, so most have been relegated to solahma or garrison roles.[5][8]

Variants[edit]

Apocryphal Variants[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:

  • PIR-B 
    The second MWO developed variant, the Piranha B carries a pair of ER small lasers in each arm, supported by a pair of heavy machine guns in each side torso and twin ER medium lasers in the center torso. Built on the same body as the Piranha A, the B variant carries a single ton of heavy machine gun reloads.[16]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Piranha has the following Design Quirks:[17]

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Piranha Pilots

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 8–9: "Piranha"
  2. The Wars of Reaving, p. 130
  3. MUL online date for Piranha
  4. 4.0 4.1 Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 94
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 160-161, "Piranha"
  6. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 134
  7. Invading Clans, p. 142
  8. 8.0 8.1 Technical Readout: 3058, pp. 156-157, "Piranha"
  9. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 135
  10. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 95
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades, p. 136
  12. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 96
  13. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 191
  14. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 135
  15. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 13, p. 14
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 MechWarrior Online "Piranha Sale Page"
  17. BattleMech Manual, p. 94 BattleMech Quirk Table - Piranha Entry.

Bibliography[edit]