Vulcan (BattleMech)

This article is about the 40-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Vulcan.
Vulcan (BattleMech)
Vulcan
Production information
Manufacturer Coventry Metal Works[1]

MatherTechno Incorporated[1]


Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited[1]

Production Year 2777[2]
Model VL-2T[1]
Class Medium
Cost 3,462,900 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 40 tons
Chassis Mather Tech 500
Armor StarGuard I
Engine Pitban 240
Communications System Hartford 200S
Targeting Tracking System Hartford TA10
Heat Sinks 10 single
Speed 97 km/h
Jump Jets Model 9 Pitban
Armament
BV (1.0) 523
BV (2.0) 642[1][3]


Description[edit]

The Vulcan was designed as an anti-infantry 'Mech in 2775 during the closing years of the Amaris Civil War. As the SLDF battled Republican troops in the streets and thoroughfares of the Terran Hegemony, many 'Mechs were destroyed by dug-in infantry during these urban battles. In response to this problem, MatherTechno Inc. designed the Vulcan to pack weaponry capable of taking out large numbers of enemy troops and capable of unparalleled mobility in an urban environment, though not intended to engage in all-out battles with larger 'Mechs. The Vulcan's distinct profile would eventually give rise to its nickname "Scarecrow."[4][5][6]

Production of the Vulcan began as soon as MatherTechno's factory on Northwind was liberated by the SLDF, with Aleksandr Kerensky himself specifically ordering their production lines converted to produce the Vulcan. The design's baptism of fire came during Operation Liberation, the final battle of the civil war to liberate Terra from Stefan Amaris, where it served as part of the Volunteer Regiments and earned its reputation as a tough city fighter. Each of the Great Houses had a sizable number of Vulcans at the start of the First Succession War when, just a few months into the conflict, MatherTechno's factory on Northwind was destroyed. Only the Lyran Commonwealth and Free Worlds League managed to acquire the design specifications for the Vulcan and keep it in limited production throughout the rest of the Succession Wars, with the League awarding the schematics to Nimakachi Fusion Products Limited and the Commonwealth giving theirs to Coventry Metal Works. Of the other Great Houses the Capellan Confederation had the fewest number of Vulcans as a result of the loss of Sappho, where the majority of their Vulcans were stationed, to House Marik during the Second Succession War. The Federated Suns kept their Vulcans going thanks to several spare part supply dumps located in their territory, and used the 'Mech extensively during the reconquest of Kentares IV. The majority of the Draconis Combine's Vulcan inventory was used during a raid on Dobson in 3020 where they decimated several key Davion aerospace fighter bases.[4][5][6]

Following the recovery of several lostech components Nimakachi was able to create a new variant, the VT-5M, and begin limited production in 3050,[7] eventually increasing their lines to produce twenty a month. Coventry Metal Works produced their own upgraded variant around the same time, the VT-5S, which played a pivotal role during the FedCom Civil War as part of the Allied forces. The Word of Blake purchased a number of Vulcans in preparation for their seizure of Terra in 3058, codenamed Operation Odysseus. The Blakists would go on to seize more Vulcans after the start of the Jihad following their sacking of Nimakachi's Tematagi plant in 3069, with many transferred to the Protectorate Militia for policing duties.[4][5][6]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Vulcan's primary weapons are a Firestorm Flamer mounted in the right arm and a Sperry Browning Machine Gun in the left arm, fed by one ton of ammunition stored in the left torso. To give it some anti-'Mech firepower the Vulcan was given a reliable Armstrong Autocannon/2 with one ton of ammo, both mounted in the right torso, however it performed poorly in this regard and was most often employed as an anti-building weapon. A Randell medium laser in the left torso served as a backup weapon for the autocannon, while ten heat sinks are used to keep the 'Mech cool. Its one true deficiency was the lack of manipulative hands, limiting its ability to engage in close combat fighting with other 'Mechs.[4][5][6]

The Vulcan is lightly armored at only five tons, though this is typically sufficient when facing infantry forces and its narrow profile makes it a harder target to hit. A cruising speed of 97.2 km/h is enhanced by six jump jets mounted in the rear of the Vulcan's torso, specially vented to reduce heat buildup, giving it a jumping range of 180 meters.[4][5][6]

Variants[edit]

  • VL-5T 
    One of the most common of the Vulcan's early variants, the 5T was introduced by MatherTechno a year after the original model debuted. It removes the Autocannon/2 and replaces it with three Maxum medium lasers, two heat sinks, and using the remaining mass saved to add two additional tons of armor. The majority of the Federated Suns' Vulcans were 5T models.[1][4][5] BV (1.0) = 744, BV (2.0) = 942[8]
  • VT-5S 
    The 5S Vulcan is a 3050 upgrade of the 2T version used by House Steiner which replaces the standard fusion engine with an extralight engine and also upgrades the armor to Lexington Ltd. High Grade ferro-fibrous with CASE to protect itself from ammunition explosions. The inclusion of MASC enables the 5S to move up to 129 km/h in short bursts. Additionally, the Autocannon/2 has been replaced with an Imperator Ultra Autocannon/5.[6] BV (1.0) = 681, BV (2.0) = 833[9]
  • VT-5Sr 
    This Jihad-era field refit Vulcan carries two extra heat sinks and a plasma rifle while retaining the medium laser, machine gun and flamer. Outfitted with MASC, the 'Mech could escape with a short speed boost from a dangerous situation.[10] BV (2.0) = 1,210[11]
  • VT-6M 
    Another upgrade of the 5M, this variant was produced by Nimakachi before their plant was destroyed, though only around thirty of these 'Mechs were produced and most were captured by the Blakists. The addition of an 240 XL engine allowed engineers to swap out the lasers for an ER Medium and a Light Gauss Rifle with a generous two-ton ammunition bin. Its armor was upgraded to five tons of StarSlab 1/d Light Ferro-Fibrous to improve protection, especially around the arms.[6] BV = 959[12]
  • VT-7T
    In light of collapsing Vulcan sales due to increasingly stiff competition, representatives from Coventry reached out to Nimakachi executives to organize a technical summit. The resulting 7T was a blend of strengths from the prior models[13]. It carries a Plasma Rifle, a Heavy Machine Gun, a Heavy Flamer, and an ER Medium Laser. It maintains the 240 XL Engine and Light Ferro-Fibrous Armor layout while adding a Targeting Computer[13]. It carries a 1/2 ton of Heavy Machine Gun ammunition, a single ton of Heavy Flamer ammunition, and two tons of Plasma Rifle ammunition. BV (2.0) = 1,499 [13]

Custom 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 5: Heroes of the Inner Sphere Expansion Pack:

  • VL-2P
    This variant of the Vulcan mounts EW countermeasures and an active probe alongside the usual complement of flamers and machine guns.[16]

From MechWarrior Online:

  • VL-BL Bloodlust
    While all indications are that Sondra Stoverston piloted a standard VL-2T variant, MWO's Hero 'Mech version of her Bloodlust is armed with two Machine Guns in the Left Arm, while a Small Laser and another Machine Gun round out the Right Arm. The Head, Right and Left Torso each carry an SRM-4, while four tons of ammo help keep the SRMs sufficiently supplied. Powered by a 240 XL engine to mount such a heavy weapons loadout, otherwise the Bloodlust retains the same jump jets, armor volume and single heat sinks of the common VL-2T variant. [1]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Vulcan has the following Design Quirk:[17]

Related BattleMechs[edit]

  • Stag - Clan Wolverine extensively redesigned the Vulcan, resulting in the Stag and Stag II.

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Vulcan Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • Author Blaine Lee Pardoe stated in a blog entry that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Vulcan was among the BattleMechs for which he wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its name, image, and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.
  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Vulkan. The model code was left unchanged.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 64–65: "VL-2T Vulcan"
  2. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 47
  3. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 105
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 42-43
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 124-125
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 42-43
  7. MUL online date for the Vulcan (BattleMech)
  8. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 106
  9. Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 164
  10. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 190
  11. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 69
  12. 12.0 12.1 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 165
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 30, p. 12, p. 28
  14. Experimental Technical Readout: Royal Fantasy, pp. 7 "VT-5ML Vulcan Aladdin"
  15. Turning Points War of 3039: Vega, p. 25
  16. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Heroes of the Inner Sphere
  17. BattleMech Manual, p. 85, "Design Quirk Table"

Bibliography[edit]