Venom

Venom
Venom
Production information
Manufacturer Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited[1]
Production Year 3050[2]
Model SDR-9K[1]
Class Light
Cost 6,371,910 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 35 tons
Chassis Crucis-II, Newhart Refit Standard
Armor Kallon FWL Special Ferro-Fibrous
Engine VOX 280 XL
Communications System Omicron 4002 Networking Channel
Targeting Tracking System TRSS Eagle Eye
Heat Sinks 12 heat sink
Speed 130 km/h
Jump Jets Rawlings 75
Armament

4x medium pulse laser

BV (1.0) 634[3]
BV (2.0) 798[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Venom was built in direct response to losses suffered by the Draconis Combine during the Clan Invasion and to boost sales for Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited. The company, which at the time was producing only the Spider, was forced to comply with an order by Coordinator Takashi Kurita himself that 'Mech manufacturers make up for the losses suffered by the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery. Their need was particularly great on account of the lack of salvaging opportunities during the Invasion, however Nimakachi decided that with their limited resources a simple increase in Spider production might backfire on them should the fighting slow down. Instead the company chose to develop a larger version of the Spider, one which replicated the mobility of the smaller 'Mech while utilizing as much new and recovered technology it could get from the Combine.[5][6]

The DCMS was so pleased with the final design they ordered large numbers of Venom 'Mechs from Nimakachi, and the first production models rolled off the assembly line in January 3050. These first Venoms were deployed along the Periphery border to defend against pirate attacks, but soon the 'Mech spread throughout the DCMS until examples could be found in nearly every line regiment. With its reputation as a deadly light 'Mech, the Venom continued to serve prominently in the DCMS for many years, new variants continually improving its longevity in the face of competition.[5][6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

At five tons heavier than the Spider, the Venom nevertheless perfectly replicates its progenitor's excellent mobility, including a cruising speed of 86.4 km/h and eight jump jets split between the rear side torsos allowing a total jumping distance of 240 meters. It also improves upon the Spider's firepower by mounting four Tronel XII medium pulse lasers, two each in either side torso, which allow the 'Mech to strike an enemy with a blistering barrage of lasers when in close combat. This was achieved through the use of an eight-ton, 280-rated XL fusion engine, which freed up space for these improvements while giving the 'Mech its only downside. When combined with a relatively light three and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor, any solid penetration of the side torsos is likely to result is destruction of the engine and the 'Mech itself. Ideally the 'Mech should be capable of using its maneuverability to compensate for this, outrunning any 'Mech it does not wish to engage while hunting down other light recon 'Mechs.[5][6]

Variants[edit]

  • SDR-9KA 
    The 9KA variant of the Venom is a simple modification that intends to increase the 'Mech's protection at the cost of firepower. Introduced in 3056, it does this by removing one of the medium pulse lasers and replacing it with an additional two tons of armor, increasing the total armor protection to five and a half tons.[1] BV (1.0) = 677[3], BV (2.0) = 865[7]
  • SDR-9KB 
    The 9KB variant of the Venom is a modification introduced in 3057, intended to increase both the 'Mech's protection and its anti-infantry capabilities. This is done by removing one of the medium pulse lasers and two jumps jets and replacing them with a single machine gun with a half ton of ammunition and a heat sink. The remaining ton has been used to increase the 'Mech's armor.[1] BV (1.0) = 638, BV (2.0) = 769[8]
  • SDR-9KC 
    A radical refit of the Venom introduced in 3066, the 'Mech has been modified to use an endo steel chassis, mounts eleven double heat sinks, and removes one of the medium pulse lasers. The 'Mech uses the saved weight to mount a single C3 slave unit, making the Venom capable of sharing targeting telemetry. Leftover weight is used to mount additional armor for a total of seven tons.[1] BV (1.0) = 702, BV (2.0) = 939[9]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Venom has the following Design Quirks:[11]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Spider - The Venom was essentially an upgrade to the Spider, based on the same chassis.

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Giftzahn, which means Poison Fang. The model code was accordingly changed to GFT-9K.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 108–109: "SDR-9K Venom"
  2. MUL online date for the Venom
  3. 3.0 3.1 Combat Operations, p. 125
  4. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 30
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Technical Readout: 3055, p. 28
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade, p. 26
  7. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 31
  8. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 32
  9. Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged, p. 33
  10. Technical Readout: 3150, p. 223
  11. BattleMech Manual, p. 95 Design Quirk Table - Venom Entry.

Bibliography[edit]