Raijin (Fujin)

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Raijin (Fujin)
Raijin
Production information
Manufacturer Independence Weaponry[1]

Krupp Armaments Works[2][3][4]


Martinson Armaments[4]

Production Year 3052[5]
Model RJN-101-A
Class Medium
Cost 9 ,946,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Krupp 200
Armor Krupp 200 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Vlar 300 XL
Communications System Exeter Longscan 200
Targeting Tracking System Garret T12A
Heat Sinks 10 double
Speed 97.2 km/h
Jump Jets Rawlings 60
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,132[6]
BV (2.0) 1,350[7][8]


Description[edit]

The Raijin was designed as an all-purpose BattleMech to rearm Com Guard units that had suffered heavy losses during the Battle of Tukayyid. Despite having stockpiled Star League era BattleMechs at his disposal, Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht wanted something unfamiliar to both the Inner Sphere and the Clans. One of the first 'Mechs to be built by Krupp Armaments Works' German plant following its razing by the Amaris Empire Armed Forces during Operation LIBERATION, the Raijin rolled off the production line in only six months, a testament to the foresight of the ComStar founder who ordered the Krupp plant rebuilt and mothballed to be reactivated should ComStar ever need them. Initially sent to the Eighth Army's Eighty-Fifth and 167th followed by the Eleventh Army then posted along the border of the Federated Commonwealth-Clan Jade Falcon Occupation Zone border,[2][3] the Raijin rapidly spread through the Com Guards until 3058 and the Word of Blake's Operation ODYSSEUS.[9]

In response to heavy combat losses suffered by Raijin pilots during the hard fighting on Terra, Word of Blake designers carefully researched BattleROMs and interviewed surviving pilots, identifying thin armor, ammunition dependence, and lack of sufficient long-range armament as the cause. Blakist Precentor Martial Cameron St. Jamais acknowledged this and slated the 'Mech for upgrading with the newly developed improved C3 computer, resulting in the visually different RJN-200 Raijin II models first rolled out in early June 3066 as both extensive field refits of existing 'Mech in use throughout the Word of Blake Militia, alongside new production by Krupp of variants equipped with the Capellan Confederation-developed stealth armor intended for the Blakist Militia's most elite divisions.[9] To compensate for the loss of Terra, ComStar would receive new production models from Independence Weaponry in the Draconis Combine.[1]

With both production lines being shuttered with the Blakist defeat and the Com Guards disbanding in the wake of the Jihad, the Raijin seemed destined for extinction until Malcolm Buhl's Blessed Order reached out to Independence Weaponry to secretly manufacture a new variant for their reconstituted First Division in the 3120s. After the Combine seized Quentin from the Republic of the Sphere, despite its complicated pedigree they modified and rebranded the 'Mech as the Fujin for both export sales to entities such as the storied Wolf's Dragoons as well as the use of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery.[1]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Raijin is designed to be highly mobile and capable of engaging an enemy at a variety of ranges. It is built around a Vlar 300 XL extralight engine that gives it a top speed of 97.2 km/h. For added mobility, the Raijin carries six Rawlings 60 jump jets, allowing the 'Mech to jump up to 180 meters. The Raijin carries seven tons of Krupp 200 ferro-fibrous armor, which can be a liability if it is engaged in close combat or finds itself in a protracted engagement. To handle the heat from the weapons onboard, the Raijin carries 10 double heat sinks.[2][3]

For long-range striking power, the Raijin carries a Blankenburg 200 ER PPC that can be used to engage a target at up to 690 meters. For close combat, the Raijin has three highly accurate Blankenburg Technologies medium pulse lasers. Additionally, to seek out any weak points in an enemy's armor, the Raijin has a Holly SRM-6 and an ammunition-efficient Holly Streak SRM-2. The SRM launchers used by the Raijin are of note, as the SRM-6 rack was originally a One-Shot version hidden in a heavily insulated bay to prevent detection by IR before being replaced with a standard model for more sustained staying power in combat, where the angle of the Streak missile launcher resulted in its loading mechanism frequently jamming in the first production runs until field modifications allowed Krupp to resolve the issue on further runs.[2][3]

Variants[edit]

  • RJN-101-B 
    A field refit intended to turn the Raijin into a better scout after ComStar lost its source of Mongooses during Operation ODYSSEUS, the 101-B retains the right-torso ER PPC but swaps the other weaponry for a left-arm mounted large pulse laser, a medium laser, and a flamer in each side torso alongside a Beagle active probe. Considered an ad hoc solution at best, the variant was quickly replaced by the more reliable Beowulf.[1] BV (2.0) = 1,383[10]
  • RJN-101-C 
    Manufactured by Independence Weaponry for ComStar after the loss of Terra, the 101-C turns the 'Mech into a powerful close range brawler that was well-received by Com Guard pilots. This necessitated the 'Mech's entire arsenal being stripped and replaced, as well as the addition of one and a half tons of armor. The 'Mech's primary weapon is a large pulse laser, backed up by three ER medium lasers, and a Streak SRM-6. Finally, the 'Mech also incorporates an improved C3 computer system that allows it to provide targeting data to friendly units similar to the Blakist Raijin II models. BV (1.0) = 1,179 (C3: 138);[6][11] BV (2.0) = 1,389[12][13]
  • RJN-101-X 
    A failed prototype focused on MechWarrior safety, the 101-X featured almost the same weaponry as the 101-A save its use of a One-Shot Holly SRM-6 pack hidden deep in its center torso behind a heavily shielded swing-open mechanism. Intended to allow its pilots to surprise foes with this hidden weapon at close range, thought it was eventually decided a normal SRM-6 rack with one ton of reloads provided more combat utility.[2][3][1] BV (2.0) = 1,302[14]
  • RJN-200-A Raijin II 
    Following a similar process as the Combine's Project Phoenix–refurbished WVR-8K Wolverine, the RJN-200-A was a refit of the RJN-101-A intended to overcome its flaws awhile also having simplified installation requirements to limit downtime. Retaining only the Blankenburg 200 ER PPC as its primary weapon, the 200-A carries three Diverse Optics Sunbeam ER medium lasers and a Holly Streak SRM-4 with a single ton of reloads for enhanced close-range ability while reducing the space needed for ammunition storage. Rebuilt on a Krupp 200-ES Endo Steel chassis to save weight, increased ground speed is achieved through the use of Triple Strength Myomers that increase the 'Mech's top speed to 118 km/h under the proper conditions. The 200-A model is protected by a respectable 11 tons of Krupp Standard Plate armor with CASE, giving it superior armor protection to older models as well as altered visual appearance. The RJN-200-A also carries a C3i computer allowing it to share targeting data with friendly units. The original comms and T&T systems were retained.[4] BV (1.0) = 1,546; BV (2.0) = 1,696[15] or 1,763[4]
  • RJN-200-B Raijin II 
    Built at Krupp's Australian plant and intended to act as a heavy scout, the 200-B uses the 200-A as its base but mounts stealth armor that makes it extremely hard to hit when activated and carries the ECM suite that is needed with any stealth armor system. The 'Mech also has a TAG laser designator, a Beagle active probe, and an improved C3 computer system. The only drawback to all of the advanced electronics is that when the stealth armor is activated the 'Mech is subject to its own ECM system, effectively blocking its own improved C3 system. The 200-B carries four ER medium lasers and an ER small laser to defend itself. Additionally, to increase its survivability, the 200-B uses a light fusion engine.[4] BV (1.0) = 1,274; BV (2.0) = 1,377[16]
  • RJN-200-C Raijin II 
    The 200-C takes the concept of the 101-A and the 200-B and combines the best of them, making an agile long-range sniper 'Mech that is extremely hard to hit. This is done by combining the light fusion engine, stealth armor, and ECM suite of the 200-B model with the armament and Triple Strength Myomer of the 200-A model. The 200-C is armed with an ER PPC for long range combat, which is backed up by two ER medium lasers.[4] The 'Mech is also linked to network using an improved C3 computer, making it one of the most impressive sniper 'Mechs when paired with other C3 units. However, it should be noted that its stealth armor interferes with the C3 network while active, requiring the pilot to choose between improved accuracy or stealth.[9] BV (1.0) = 1,447; BV (2.0) = 1,816[17]
  • RJN-301-B 
    Intended to serve as a well-protected artillery spotter and scout for the Blessed Order's reconstituted Com Guards, Independence secretly rebuilt the Raijin around an adapted and improved version of the Tessen's endo steel frame to free up weight for an altered weapons array, retaining the RJN101-C's triple-mount of ER medium lasers but replacing the remaining weaponry with an SRM-2, SRM-6 and an improved Narc missile beacon, carrying a single ton of reloads for each SRM launcher alongside a three-ton iNarc bay, allowing a varied array of Narc pods to be carried.[1] BV (2.0) = 1,365[18]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Raijin is subject to the following Design Quirks:[20]

The Raijin II is subject to the following Design Quirks:[20]

The Fujin is subject to the following Design Quirks:[1]

Notes[edit]

  • The SNES MechWarrior game featured two 'Mechs that used the same in-game chassis named for the Japanese mythological twin gods of thunder (Raijin) and wind (Fujin), with Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23 renaming the Raijin the Fujin as a nod to this.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, pp. 6–7: "RJN-301-F Fujin (Raijin)"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 ComStar, p. 100: "ComStar Raijin"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Technical Readout: 3058, p. 110: "RJN101-A Raijin"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Technical Readout: Jihad, pp. 102–103: "RJN-200-A- Raijin II"
  5. MUL online date for the Raijin (Fujin)
  6. 6.0 6.1 Combat Operations, p. 124
  7. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 160
  8. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 19: "Raijin RJN-101-A"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 98: "RJN-200-A Raijin II"
  10. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 20: "Raijin RJN-101-B"
  11. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 88
  12. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 161
  13. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 21: "Raijin RJN-101-C"
  14. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 22: "Raijin RJN-101-X"
  15. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 162
  16. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 163
  17. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 164
  18. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 23: "Raijin RJN-301-B"
  19. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 23, p. 18: "Fujin RJN-301-F"
  20. 20.0 20.1 BattleMech Manual, p. 94: Design Quirk Table

Bibliography[edit]