Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap
Wolf Trap
Production information
Manufacturer Luthien Armor Works[1]
Production Year 3051[2]
Model WFT-1[1]
Class Medium
Cost 7,910,258 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 45 tons
Chassis Alshain Class 580 Endo Steel
Armor Durallex Super Medium with CASE
Engine Hermes 270 XL
Communications System Sipher Security Plus 2
Targeting Tracking System Eagle Eye 400 XX
Heat Sinks 10 single
Speed 97 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 827
BV (2.0) 1,070[1]


Description[edit]

The Wolf Trap is a BattleMech that the Draconis Combine designed to be used as a long-range combat 'Mech. Originally called the Tora, Luthien Armor Works hastily rechristened it the Wolf Trap, the name Federated Commonwealth analysts had given it, to downplay its association with the Combine. The 'Mech is built on an endo steel chassis and protects the ammunition stores that it carries onboard with CASE that redirects the force of the explosion when an ammunition bin is hit by enemy fire. The 'Mech has a very respectable speed of 97.2 km/h, which it achieves through the use of a Hermes 270 XL engine. Finally, the 'Mech is protected with seven and a half tons of armor, giving it a good amount of armor protection for when it is in combat. The Wolf Trap debuted in 3051 but fell out of favor due to opponents targeting its ammunition bays. Subsequently, the DCMS ended procurement in 3061.[3]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Wolf Trap carries as its main weapon an Imperator Code Red LB-X autocannon/10, which allows it to fire both standard solid shells or cluster shells that act like a shotgun and cause damage all over the enemy. For added long range firepower, the Wolf Trap carries a Shigunga LRM-10 launcher which allows it to fire directly and also give indirect fire support when needed. Finally, for close combat, the 'Mech carries a pair of Victory 23R medium lasers. This varied arsenal lets the Wolf Trap effectively engage an enemy at any range.[4]

Variants[edit]

  • WFT-2 
    Despite no longer being produced, Luthien Armor Works authorized an upgrade program during the Jihad at their new plant on Abiy Adi. Though the Wolf Trap is unpopular, there were storehouses that abounded with the discarded 'Mech, giving the DCMS an upgraded machine in desperate times. The autocannon is replaced with a plasma rifle, while the missile launcher is upgraded to an MML 9. These changes give the -2 increased flexibility at the cost of range. It also upgrades the lasers to ER medium lasers and adds a third. In addition, three light machine guns are added and linked in a machine gun array. Finally, the heat sinks are upgraded to doubles and armor is redistributed.[1] BV (2.0) = 1,289[5]
  • WFT-2B 
    This variant of the Wolf Trap is roughly based on the "Bear Trap" model. The medium X-Pulse lasers and improved armor protection remain, as does the performance provided by the XL engine, but the silver bullet Gauss rifle has been replaced by a standard Imperator Dragon's Fire Gauss rifle to ease logistical concerns. This Wolf Trap variant is typically used by newer MechWarriors in less-prestigious units as a light cavalry unit. BV (2.0) = 1,439[6]
  • WFT-C 
    A field modification of the Wolf Trap, the C model is modified to carry a C3 slave unit onto the battlefield, allowing the Wolf Trap to share targeting telemetry with other friendly units. The 'Mech achieves this by removing one of the medium lasers that it carries.[1] BV (1.0) = 865; BV (2.0) = 1,001[8]

Custom Variants[edit]

  • WFT-1 Wolf Trap Daitama 
    A uniquely customized Wolf Trap created for former Kurita MechWarrior Daitama Muraki, refitted by Star League Defense Force techs from the shell of a Wolf Trap given to him. The tech fitted a 270-rated XL fusion engine and 10 double heat sinks into the 'Mech. The design retained the 'Mech's two medium lasers and LRM 10 Launcher, while adding an extended-range PPC in place of the autocannon. The Second Star League techs then added a Beagle active probe and C3i computer to the 'Mech. BV (1.0) = 1,019[9]
  • WFT-2X Wolf Trap "Bear Trap" 
    A mid-Jihad testbed design of the Wolf Trap, this 'Mech was used to test out Experimental Technologies under the supervision of Akihisa Inoue. This test model retains most of the 'Mech's equipment, however it replaced all of the weapons and armor. Its standard armor was replaced by 8 tons of New Samarkand Royal ferro-fibrous armor, and is armament consists of an Experimental silver bullet Gauss rifle with 2 tons of ammunition backed up by a pair of experimental Diverse Optics Type 25PX medium X-Pulse lasers. The 'Mech's heat sinks were replaced by double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,211[10]

Design Quirks[edit]

The WFT-1B Wolf Trap has the following Design Quirks:[11]

The WFT-2B Wolf Trap variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:[6]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Fangeisen, commonly called a steel-jaw or gin trap in English. The model code was accordingly changed to FNG-1.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: Clan Invasion, pp. 118–119: "WFT-1 Wolf Trap"
  2. MUL online date for the Wolf Trap
  3. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 52
  4. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 53
  5. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere), p. 96
  6. 6.0 6.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 107
  7. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere), p. 97
  8. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere), p. 98
  9. Record Sheets: Unique 'Mechs, p. 6: Wolf Trap Daitama - Custom Variant published by BattleCorps website
  10. Experimental Technical Readout: Kurita, pp. 4, 17: Experimental Wolf Trap's fluff and stats
  11. BattleMech Manual, p. 95: BattleMech Quirk Table -Wolf Trap Entry

Bibliography[edit]