Scarabus

Scarabus
Scarabus
Production information
Manufacturer Coventry Metal Works[1]
Production Year 3053[2]
Model SCB-9A[1]
Class Light
Cost 5,489,770 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 30 tons
Chassis Small Bug-B [endo steel]
Armor Valiant Gauntlet Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Vlar 300 XL
Communications System Wilson Silicon Siren
Targeting Tracking System Winston Coral Snake with CherrySeed Bullseye TAG
Heat Sinks 10 single
Speed 162 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 732[3]
BV (2.0) 846[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Scarabus is a 'Mech that was designed to be faster than the Locust, with more firepower. The 'Mech achieves this with a massive Vlar 300 XL extralight engine, built on a Small Bug-B endo steel chassis. These lightweight technologies allow it to move at a maximum speed of 162 km/h and still have weight left over for heavier weaponry and equipment. To protect its internals and save even more weight, the 'Mech is armored with five and a half tons of Valiant Gauntlet ferro-fibrous armor.

Originally designed by the Solaris-based Vining Engineering and Salvage Team, the small company quickly found it couldn't meet the AFFC's production goals. Coventry Metal Works purchased a license to produce it, and the Scarabus has been part of Lyran Commonwealth and Federated Suns units ever since.[5]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Scarabus is equipped with a close range weapons arsenal, with the primary weapons being a pair of Defiance B3M medium lasers backed up by a pair of Defiance B3S small lasers. To defend itself when the 'Mech gets into extremely close range combat, the Scarabus carries a two ton hatchet, which allows it to cleave into an enemy's armor.

The 'Mech is also equipped with a CherrySeed Guardian ECM suite to protect itself from advanced electronic detection equipment when scouting against an enemy, and mounts a CherrySeed Bullseye TAG to designate targets for Arrow IV artillery attacks.[5]

Variants[edit]

  • Prototypes 
    VEST tried various other melee weapons, including vibroblades, shields, and spikes; none entered mass production.[1]
    SCB-9T 
    The 9T variant of the Scarabus is built using Triple Strength Myomer to enhance the 'Mech's speed and strength once in the proper heat range. This enhances the 'Mech's top speed to a maximum of 183.6 km/h and also increases the sheer amount of damage that the Scarabus is capable of doing with its hatchet. Otherwise, the 'Mech has not had any significant changes made.[1] BV (1.0) = 749[3], BV (2.0) = 953[6]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Scarabus has the following Design Quirk:[7]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Skarabäus. The model code was accordingly changed to SKB-9A.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 98–99: "SCB-9A Scarabus"
  2. MUL online date for the Scarabus
  3. 3.0 3.1 Combat Operations, p. 132
  4. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 26
  5. 5.0 5.1 Technical Readout: 3055, p. 24, "Scarabus 'Mech Profile"
  6. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 27
  7. BattleMech Manual, p. 94 BattleMech Quirk Table - Scarabus Entry.

Bibliography[edit]