Stooping Hawk

Stooping Hawk
Stooping Hawk
Production information
Manufacturer York OmniMech Y1 Facility
Production Year 2970[1]
Model Prime
Class Medium
Cost 6,690,446 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Clan OmniMech
Mass 55 tons
Chassis York YT
Armor Compound Alpha Ferro-Fibrous
Engine 275 Standard
Communications System York Y2-Com
Targeting Tracking System York Y-2 T&T
Heat Sinks 10 Double heat sinks
Speed 86 km/h
Armament

Primary Configuration

BV (1.0) 1,881[2]
BV (2.0) 2,147[3][4]


Description[edit]

A rarity for the normally frugal Clan Blood Spirit, the Stooping Hawk is an OmniMech in a Clan that normally eschews them in favor of traditional BattleMechs.[4]

With the rise of the OmniMech in 2854, the Blood Spirits simply assumed their perennial lack of resources would prevent them from either successfully bargaining for or fighting to secure this superior technology. The Blood Spirits were thus surprised when Clan Fire Mandrill's Kindraa Smythe-Jewel offered them OmniMech technology in exchange for territory on Foster.[5] Now both able and eager to design their own OmniMech, the Blood Spirit scientists got their chance when Clan Ghost Bear phased out its OmniMech Prototype A in favor of the Mad Dog, the Spirits successfully winning the Bear prototype in a Trial of Possession. This would be developed to its fullest and christened with a new name - the Stooping Hawk.[4]

Very much an anomaly in the small and traditionally frugal Blood Spirit touman, the Stooping Hawk's use of advanced construction materials and expensive weaponry and electronics they generally considered excessive resulted in the Spirit Khans regularly reviewing the 'Mech's performance to determine if the results continued to the justify the cost. The fact the Stooping Hawk remained in service with Clan Blood Spirit until their Annihilation was a testament to its performance on the battlefield.[4] Operating from a similar position of weakness as the Spirits, the newly formed Clan Stone Lion would seek out and capture the production facility for the Stooping Hawk to ensure ready access to the low-cost and sturdy design for its rebuilding touman.[6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

Despite Khan Ceana Boques's demand for a low-cost and rugged design, the Blood Spirit scientist caste built the Stooping Hawk around a more expensive York YT Endo Steel frame and Compound Alpha ferro-fibrous armor to enhance Pod Space, but even they did not dare attempt the inclusion of an extralight fusion engine recognizing that this would be a step too far. While not as affordable as the Spirits would have preferred, the Stooping Hawk is a sturdy 'Mech with twenty-one and a half tons pod space and a ground speed maxing out at 86 km/h.

The Stooping Hawk's primary configuration uses jump jets to vault up to 150 meters at a time. Its main gun is an Ultra Autocannon/10 that has enough rounds to keep it supplied throughout a traditional Trial. It is supported by four medium lasers, two extended range versions, and two pulses. The medium-range weaponry allows the 'Mech to excel at Trials where it can use cover (and its jumping ability) to its advantage.[4]

Variants[edit]

  • Alternate Configuration A 
    A direct-fire support variant, the A uses a pair of ER PPCs. It retains the jump jets of the primary configuration to aid in finding a spot to snipe from. The variant also mounts seven additional double heat sinks to keep the heat buildup controlled. BV (1.0) = 2,333;[2] BV (2.0) = 2,319[7]
  • Alternate Configuration B 
    The B configuration is a missile boat that is capable of delivering forty-five long-range missiles through its three LRM-15 launchers, each of which is aided by an Artemis IV FCS. Four tons of ammunition keep it well supplied, while a single ER Large Laser keeps it in the fight should ammunition run out. BV (1.0) = 1,709;[2] BV (2.0) = 2,111[8]
  • Alternate Configuration C 
    The Stooping Hawk C comes equipped with two ER Large Lasers and two ER Medium Lasers, all of which are guided by an advanced Targeting Computer. It also uses jump jets to vault up to 150 meters, like the A, and it makes use of seven additional double heat sinks, like the A. BV (1.0) = 2,286;[2] BV (2.0) = 2,435[9]
  • Alternate Configuration E 
    The bulk of this configuration's weight is taken up by an LB 10-X AC with two tons of ammunition. It is supplemented by two ER Medium Lasers and the new ATM technology, utilizing three ATM-3s with three tons of ammo between the three launchers. BV (1.0) = 1,525;[2][11] BV (2.0) = 1,674[12]
  • Alternate Configuration F 
    Introduced during the Jihad, this configuration was design for close-in fighting. Principally geared toward usage of energy weapons, it includes; paired Heavy Medium & Medium Pulse Lasers, Heavy Small Lasers, and a Streak SRM 4 Launcher. Also, to enhance its infighting abilities, it's been given eight Improved Jump Jets. Two additional Double Heat Sinks have been added to help the 'Mech to cope with the additional heat. BV (2.0) = 1,988[13]
  • Alternate Configuration G 
    Also introduced during the Jihad, this configuration includes Advanced Technologies developed for ProtoMechs. The 'Mech includes three torso mounted Class 4 ProtoMech Autocannons, with 2 tons of ammunition split between the side torsos. A pair of ER Medium Lasers have been installed in each arm. Two extra Double Heat Sinks are provided for this configuration. BV (2.0) = 1,657[14]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Stooping Hawk has the following Design Quirk:[15]

Related Designs[edit]

Notes[edit]

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

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. MUL online date for the Stooping Hawk
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Combat Operations, p. 110
  3. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 240
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Technical Readout: 3060, pp. 162–163: "Stooping Hawk 'Mech Profile"
  5. Field Manual: Crusader Clans, p. 24
  6. The Wars of Reaving: Supplemental, p. 16: "Tactics of War - Clan Stone Lion"
  7. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 241
  8. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 242
  9. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 243
  10. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 244
  11. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 98
  12. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 245
  13. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 246: Jihad era's F Configuration of the Stooping Hawk.
  14. Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged, p. 247: ProtoMech AC configuration for the Stooping Hawk.
  15. BattleMech Manual, p. 95: "BattleMech Quirk Table"
  16. Technical Readout: Golden Century, p. 24

Bibliography[edit]