Wasp

This article is about the 20-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Wasp (disambiguation).
Wasp
Wasp
Production information
Manufacturer Achernar BattleMechs[1] [2]

Bordello Military Goods, Inc.[3]


Defiance Industries[1][4][2]


Detroit Consolidated MechWorks[1]


Diplass BattleMechs[5]


General Mechanics


General Motors[6]


Hellespont Industrials[1]


Interstellar Arms[7]


Irian BattleMechs Unlimited


Kali Yama Weapons Industries


King Dumount Defense Facility[8]


Pride of Granada Industries[9]


Taurus Territorial Industries[1]

Production Year 2464[10][11]
Model WSP-1A
Class Light
Cost 1,646,640 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 20 tons
Chassis 1A Type 3
Armor Durallex Light
Engine GM 120
Communications System Duotech 65
Targeting Tracking System RadCom TXX
Heat Sinks 10 single heat sinks
Speed 95.1 km/h
Jump Jets Rawlings 52
Armament
BV (1.0) 335
BV (2.0) 384[12][13]


Description[edit]

Introduced in 2464 as an attempt by General Mechanics to create a fast and maneuverable recon BattleMech for the Terran Hegemony, the Wasp was revolutionary for being the first 'Mech capable of jumping, sporting a prototype jump jet system; however, the system was not perfected for most of the next decade.[10][11] After improvements in production and jump jet technology progressed, the modern WSP-1A Wasp began production in 2471. Centuries later, it is still considered a valued asset for recon work and is one of the most numerous 'Mechs in existence.[14]

The initial design was built without monomolecular stress-resistant materials (MMSR) in the lower leg actuator. This wasn't identified as a flaw until the 2580 Battle of Imbros III when many Wasp MechWarriors practiced the jump-kick maneuver. After performing the maneuver even once, so much stress was put on the actuator that any subsequent jump-kicks immediately amputated the lower leg upon impact. By 2610 nearly all Wasps had been retrofitted with MMSR actuator bars.[14][15]

The classic WSP-1A has a ground speed that could be considered lackluster when compared to many modern light 'Mechs, but this was offset by its jump capability. While carrying heavier weapons than 'Mechs like the Locust, the Wasp would generally only engage other light 'Mechs, using its jump capabilities to avoid conflicts with larger foes. The Wasp was also used in the role of raider because of its ability to hit and fade in rough terrain.[12][14]

Even after the sheer destruction of the Succession Wars, the Wasp still remained the most numerous 'Mech ahead of the Locust and Stinger; many thousands were in use by all of the Great Houses and in the Periphery while 100 or more were built each year from factories across known space. Nearly half of all newly built Wasps came from IBMU's and Kali Yama's factories located in the Free Worlds League on Shiro III and Kalidasa respectively. Among other major Inner Sphere Wasp manufacturing sites were Defiance Industries' Furillo factory in the Lyran Commonwealth and Achernar BattleMechs on New Avalon in the Federated Suns. Many of the Great Houses had Wasp variants built specifically for them, as did Wolf's Dragoons. Even out in the Periphery the Wasp was manufactured on Taurus, Perdition, Canopus IV and Alpheratz, making it equally common among the Periphery States.[12][16]

The reintroduction of Star League lostech was used to update the ancient design with modern improvements, starting first with the WSP-1S built by Defiance for the Federated Commonwealth. This was followed by the new WSP-3W built specifically for Wolf's Dragoons by Achernar, then the WSP-3M built by IBMU and Kali Yama.[16] Another wave of updates came when Vicore Industries began to peddle their "Project Phoenix" program and found a willing buyer in Hellespont Industries. Requiring only minor changes to their production line, the new WSP-3L was more mobile and more stealthy; it debuted in late July of 3067, and the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces used it alongside new Raven and Phoenix Hawk models to form Shadow Lances. Taurus Territorial and Detroit Consolidated also began building these new Wasps under license from Hellespont, while Defiance designed their own updated version of the Wasp, the WSP-3S, which was then licensed to Achernar.[17]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The WSP-1A Wasp was not designed as a line combat unit. It carries a light weapons payload meant primarily for self-defense against other light 'Mechs and was not meant to engage heavier 'Mechs, resulting in tactics such as the jump-kick in order to deal more damage. The primary weapon is a Diverse Optics Type 2 medium laser carried in the right arm, backed up by a Bical SRM-2 launcher that is curiously mounted in the left leg which can carry one ton of standard or Inferno rounds in the left torso, making it useful against enemy 'Mechs and a good deterrent against infantry and vehicles.[14][12] Published schematics indicate that the leg-mounted SRM-2 launcher is located near the hip (see Notes).

The six jump jets, split between the Wasp's legs and torso sections, are responsible for its jumping distance of 180 meters and its longevity as a recon 'Mech. These also make up for the relatively slow 66.5 km/h cruising speed produced by its four-ton fusion engine. 10 single heat sinks are more than enough for the Wasp - it can actually fire both of its weapon systems continuously with little to no issue unless the jump jets have been overused. The three tons of armor protection is average for light 'Mechs, and with its placement around the chassis essentially two shots to the same spot anywhere will punch through and cause damage.[14]

Variants[edit]

  • WSP-1 
    Developed by General Mechanics on Mars in 2464 as the first generation Wasp, this version used several primitive components. The primitive engine reduced the top speed to 85 km/h and meant that only a single medium laser was carried, the prototype jump jets could only cover 150 meters in a jump, and the primitive armor provided much less protection than the later Succession Wars-era Wasps, even though it carried three and a half tons of armor.[10]
  • WSP-1K 
    Another variant intended to ease logistical requirements as the First Succession War dragged on, the Draconis Combine's 1K Wasp was introduced in 2818, improving protection while sacrificing firepower.[14] It retains the medium laser but replaces the SRM-2 launcher with a Sperry Browning machine gun and one ton of ammunition in the left torso. The saved weight was used to upgrade the armor by half a ton.[12][18] BV (1.0) = 330; BV (2.0) = 376[20]
  • WSP-1L 
    A variant of the Wasp produced by Hellespont for Capellan Confederation in 2799, the 1L replaced the medium laser and SRM-2 launcher with a single Holly SRM-4 launcher carried in the right arm supplied with a single ton of reloads in the right torso. Envisioning a variant highly adaptable to the raiding actions of the First Succession War, the Capellan Strategios deployed the 1L with multiple munition types based on their intended mission role, such as incendiary or gas SRMs for anti-infantry support or smoke SRMs for recon concealment. The reduction in overall firepower made the 1L an adequate though not spectacular combatant.[14][12][18] BV (1.0) = 290; BV (2.0) = 335[21]
  • WSP-1W 
    Associated with Wolf's Dragoons and debuting in 3009, the 1W Wasp replaced all of the weapons with six small lasers, two each split between the right arm, right torso, and left torso. While sacrificing long-range capability this gives the 1W superior close-range firepower.[14][12] BV (1.0) = 316; BV (2.0) = 373[23]
  • WSP-3P 
    Another Dark Age era variant, this model has a top speed of 110 km/h and can cover 210 meters in a jump. It's also equipped with a Full-Head Ejection System. For offensive operations it carries an ER medium laser and a RL-10. BV (2.0) = 537[29]
  • WSP-8T 
    Manufactured by Hellespont and Detroit Consolidated in 3075, the 8T carries a single MML-3 and a light PPC to increase the Wasp's effective range. The increased size of the weaponry forced designers to use a small cockpit and XL engine. BV (2.0) = 439[36]

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.

The 1988 video game BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Inception features two unnamed consecutive modifications that 'Mech techs would perform on WSP-1A at MechIt-Lubes on Chara III, with the impression given that they are standardized and common modifications that are frequently made as of 3028:
"First Modification" - SRM-2 and ammunition exchanged for one medium laser in the left leg and a ton of armor (+4 to head, +4 to center torso, +3 to each leg, +2 to each side torso and -2 to center torso/rear);
"Second Modification" - In addition to the first modification, all jump jets are exchanged for three medium lasers, with one each installed in the head, center torso, and left arm.

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks[edit]

The Wasp has the following Design Quirks:[37]

The WSP-1 Wasp variant is subject to the following Design Quirks:[10]

Related designs[edit]

  • WSP-2A Super Wasp - Although it carried the designation WSP-2A, this is arguably not a variant but rather a new 'Mech design based on the regular Wasp in a similar fashion to IIC evolutions of existing designs, albeit without Clan level technology. The Super Wasp weighs in at 25 tons, 25% more than its predecessor.
  • Wasp LAM - A heavy modification of the Wasp, it was capable of transforming between a 'Mech and an aerospace fighter. The most successful of the LAMs, it is nonetheless very rare and hard to use, and is almost unseen by the thirty-first century. While the Wasp has seen many variants and production over the years, the LAM model was only briefly produced.

Notable Pilots[edit]

See Category:Notable Wasp Pilots

Notes[edit]

  • Introduced in Battledroids with incorrect stats (it was one ton overweight) and then with accurate stats in BattleTech, 2nd Edition, the Wasp was one of the first BattleMechs ever. Its original visual representation is now among the Unseen.
  • The placement of the SRM-2 launcher in the left leg of the original WSP-1A is somewhat curious. The weapon is not visible in artwork depicting the 'Mech. An illustration in the (apocryphal) Wasp combat book (Section 63: "Medium Range Firing Missiles") indicates the launcher is mounted high up on the leg, near the hip. (The leg-mounted SRM launchers on the Crusader, the only other original 'Mech with leg-mounted weapons, are also depicted as being essentially hip-mounted.)
  • The Marik Zabielski dossier, from the MechWarrior: Dark Age Counterassault set, cites an unknown variant of the Wasp with serial number DA4350-11L. This Wasp has been equipped with endo steel, a 120-rated XL engine, jump jets, an ER medium laser, and an LRM 10 launcher. It was noted as being customized with Clan technology and is likely a one-off customization.
  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Wespe. The model code was left unchanged.
  • In French products, the unit's proper name was translated as Guêpe.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 90–91: "WSP-3L Wasp"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Combat Manual: Kurita, p. 94
  3. Objectives: Periphery, p. 31, "Bordello Military Goods, Inc."
  4. Objectives: Lyran Alliance, p. 12
  5. Field Report 2765: Periphery, p. 11: "Infrastructural Integrity"
  6. Handbook: House Davion, p. 187
  7. Field Manual: 3145, p. 189: "Fronc Reaches"
  8. Objectives: Periphery, p. 31, "King Dumount Defense Facility"
  9. Objectives: Periphery, p. 32, "Pride of Granada Industries"
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 2, p. 3
  11. 11.0 11.1 Era Digest: Age of War, p. 11
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 283
  13. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 444
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 14.8 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 10
  15. 15.0 15.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 4
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 Technical Readout: 3050, p. 60
  17. Technical Readout: Project Phoenix, p. 18
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 First Succession War, p. 156: "Rules Annex - Technical Readout: - WSP-1D/1K/1L Wasp"
  19. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 445
  20. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 446
  21. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 447
  22. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 24
  23. Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged, p. 448
  24. 24.0 24.1 Technical Readout: 3085, p. 231
  25. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 25
  26. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 75
  27. 27.0 27.1 Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 26
  28. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 27
  29. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 76
  30. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 28
  31. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 29
  32. Experimental Technical Readout: Caveat Emptor, p. 9
  33. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, pp. 4, 17
  34. 34.0 34.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 4, p. 5
  35. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 30
  36. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Project Phoenix, p. 31
  37. BattleTech Manual, p. 95: "BattleMech Quirk Table - Wasp"

Bibliography[edit]