Difference between revisions of "Katana (BattleMech)"

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*2x [[Small Laser]]s
 
*2x [[Small Laser]]s
 
|BV (1.0)=1,312<ref name=CO>''Combat Operations'', p. 125</ref>
 
|BV (1.0)=1,312<ref name=CO>''Combat Operations'', p. 125</ref>
|BV (2.0)=1,629<ref>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 95</ref>
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|BV (2.0)=1,629<ref name=TRO3050u>''Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade'', p. 94-95</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
The '''''Katana''''' began its existence when the [[Draconis Combine]] was given several downgraded ''[[Crockett]]'' [[BattleMech]]s by [[ComStar]] as part of [[Operation Rosebud]]. The 'Mech shares the same illustrious history as the ''Crockett'', but since it became the ''Katana'', the 'Mech has served the Combine well and is a powerful force to be reckoned with.
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The '''''Katana''''' began its existence when the [[Draconis Combine]] was given several downgraded ''[[Crockett]]'' [[BattleMech]]s by [[ComStar]] as part of [[Operation Rosebud]]. During negotiations in [[3035]] [[Primus]] [[Myndo Waterly]] gave the Combine the [[Blankenburg Technologies]] storage facility on [[Soul]] as a gesture of good faith.  The facility was handed over to [[Independence Weaponry]] (although for appearance's sake it was "leased" from Blakenburg) which, beyond a treasure trove of [[lostech]] weapons, also contained a number of ''Crocketts''.  IW went about reverse-engineering the weapons so they could produce copies at a nearby facility for sale to other Combine manufacturers and closely examined the ''Crocketts'' for several months.  After making minor modifications these 'Mechs were renamed ''Katanas'' and used to replace ''[[Charger]]s'' in several [[DCMS]] units.<ref name=TRO3050u/>
  
The 'Mech is capable of jumping up to ninety meters and has a ground speed of 54 km/h. The mobility of the ''Katana'' makes it a valuable assault 'Mech as it can use its superior maneuverability to position itself in the most advantageous position it can on the field to rain fire down upon the enemy.
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The ''Katana'' quickly become a mainstay in many of the heavier mobile line units, especially after the invention of the [[C3 Computer]]. Recognizing the value in this new technology, IW quickly developed several new ''Katana'' variants which could effectively operate as part of C3 lances.  When the "lease" expired and the Soul facility was returned to Blakenburg, the company hired on the entire IW ''Katana'' engineering team and entered into a technology-sharing agreement to continue production of new ''Katanas''.<ref name=TRO3050u/>
  
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
 
==Weapons and Equipment==
The ''Katana'' is armed with two Magna Mk III [[Large Laser]]s and a Blankenburg [[LB-X Autocannon/10]] as its primary weapons. The Large Lasers and LB-X Autocannon/10 have complimenting range brackets and can cause a great deal of damage at long range. The LB-X Autocannon can also fire cluster rounds which act like 'Mech sized shotgun shells. The ''Katana'' carries two Holly [[SRM-6]]s for close combat and for seeking out weak points in an enemy's armor. Finally, for point blank defense, the 'Mech carries two Dodd [[Small Laser]]s.
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The ''Katana'' shares many of the same features as the ''Crockett'', right down to the serial number.  In its left torso is a Blakenburg [[LB-X Autocannon/10]] which draws from a two-ton ammo bin in the right torso. A pair of Magna Mk III [[Large Laser]]s split between both arms take the place of the extended-range versions found in the ''Crockett''.  For close-range combat it carries two Holly [[SRM-6]]s in either side torso, with two tons of reloads concentrated in the right side, and for point blank defense the 'Mech carries two Dodd [[Small Laser]]s mounted co-axially with the large lasers.<ref name=TRO3050u/>
 +
 
 +
Just like the ''Crockett'' the ''Katana'' mounts the same [[fusion engine]] and [[jump jet]]s for similar ground speed and leaping ability. It is also protected by the same twelve and a half tons of armor and utilizes the same electronic systems.  Unlike the original 'Mech the ''Katana'' makes do with twenty standard [[heat sink]]s.<ref name=TRO3050u/>
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
*;CRK-5003-C : A simple variant of the ''Katana'', the 5003-C variant is a modification intended to carry a [[C3 Slave]] unit into battle. In order to achieve this, the 'Mech has removed both of the [[Small Laser]]s from the chassis, freeing up the needed room for the slave unit and allowing the ''Katana'' to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,321<ref name=CO/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 211</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,618<ref name=MUL115>''Master Unit List: Battle Values'', p. 115</ref>
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*;CRK-5003-C : A simple variant of the ''Katana'' introduced in [[3057]], the 5003-C variant is a modification intended to carry a [[C3 Slave]] unit into battle. In order to achieve this, the 'Mech has removed both of the small lasers from the chassis, freeing up the needed room for the slave unit and allowing the ''Katana'' to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,321<ref name=CO/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 211</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,618<ref name=MUL115>''Master Unit List: Battle Values'', p. 115</ref>
  
*;CRK-5003-CJ : This modification of the -C increases the jumping capacity to 150 meters through the inclusion of [[Improved Jump Jets|improved jump jet]]s. Room is made for them by swapping out the lasers for paired [[Light PPC]]s and [[ER Medium Laser]]s. In addition, the heat dissipation system is upgraded to fifteen [[double heat sink]]s, allowing the -CJ to handle the heat load of the weapons with no difficulty. The design still suffers from lack of [[CASE]] to protect its vulnerable ammunition bins, a fact that is especially important given the use of a standard [[fusion engine]].BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,844<ref name=MUL115/>
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*;CRK-5003-CJ : This modification of the 5003-C unveiled in [[3071]] increases the jumping capacity to 150 meters through the inclusion of [[Improved Jump Jets|improved jump jet]]s. Room is made for them by swapping out the lasers for paired [[Light PPC]]s and [[ER Medium Laser]]s. In addition, the heat dissipation system is upgraded to fifteen [[double heat sink]]s, allowing the CJ to handle the heat load of the weapons with no difficulty. The design still suffers from lack of [[CASE]] to protect its vulnerable ammunition bins, a fact that is especially important given the use of a standard fusion engine.BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,844<ref name=MUL115/>
  
*;CRK-5003-CM : A modification intended to carry a [[C3 Computer]] onto the battlefield to coordinate a C3 Lance, the CM variant does this by removing both of the Small Lasers and one of the SRM-6 launchers to make room for the master computer. This also allows the 'Mech to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,331<ref name=CO/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 212</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,554<ref name=MUL115/>
+
*;CRK-5003-CM : Introduced at the same time as the C variant, this modification is intended to carry a [[C3 Computer]] onto the battlefield to coordinate a C3 Lance.  The CM variant does this by removing both of the small lasers and one of the SRM-6 launchers to make room for the master computer. This also allows the 'Mech to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,331<ref name=CO/><ref>''Record Sheets: 3060'', p. 212</ref>, BV (2.0) = 1,554<ref name=MUL115/>
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==

Revision as of 13:20, 8 July 2014

Katana (BattleMech)
Katana
Production information
Manufacturer Blankenburg Technologies
Production Year 3035[1]
Model CRK-5003-2
Class Assault
Cost 7,807,925 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 85 tons
Chassis Geometric 530 Hard Core
Armor CarbonStrand 30 Weight AS
Engine Strand 255
Speed 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets Geotec 300
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,312[2]
BV (2.0) 1,629[3]


Description

The Katana began its existence when the Draconis Combine was given several downgraded Crockett BattleMechs by ComStar as part of Operation Rosebud. During negotiations in 3035 Primus Myndo Waterly gave the Combine the Blankenburg Technologies storage facility on Soul as a gesture of good faith. The facility was handed over to Independence Weaponry (although for appearance's sake it was "leased" from Blakenburg) which, beyond a treasure trove of lostech weapons, also contained a number of Crocketts. IW went about reverse-engineering the weapons so they could produce copies at a nearby facility for sale to other Combine manufacturers and closely examined the Crocketts for several months. After making minor modifications these 'Mechs were renamed Katanas and used to replace Chargers in several DCMS units.[3]

The Katana quickly become a mainstay in many of the heavier mobile line units, especially after the invention of the C3 Computer. Recognizing the value in this new technology, IW quickly developed several new Katana variants which could effectively operate as part of C3 lances. When the "lease" expired and the Soul facility was returned to Blakenburg, the company hired on the entire IW Katana engineering team and entered into a technology-sharing agreement to continue production of new Katanas.[3]

Weapons and Equipment

The Katana shares many of the same features as the Crockett, right down to the serial number. In its left torso is a Blakenburg LB-X Autocannon/10 which draws from a two-ton ammo bin in the right torso. A pair of Magna Mk III Large Lasers split between both arms take the place of the extended-range versions found in the Crockett. For close-range combat it carries two Holly SRM-6s in either side torso, with two tons of reloads concentrated in the right side, and for point blank defense the 'Mech carries two Dodd Small Lasers mounted co-axially with the large lasers.[3]

Just like the Crockett the Katana mounts the same fusion engine and jump jets for similar ground speed and leaping ability. It is also protected by the same twelve and a half tons of armor and utilizes the same electronic systems. Unlike the original 'Mech the Katana makes do with twenty standard heat sinks.[3]

Variants

  • CRK-5003-C 
    A simple variant of the Katana introduced in 3057, the 5003-C variant is a modification intended to carry a C3 Slave unit into battle. In order to achieve this, the 'Mech has removed both of the small lasers from the chassis, freeing up the needed room for the slave unit and allowing the Katana to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,321[2][4], BV (2.0) = 1,618[5]
  • CRK-5003-CJ 
    This modification of the 5003-C unveiled in 3071 increases the jumping capacity to 150 meters through the inclusion of improved jump jets. Room is made for them by swapping out the lasers for paired Light PPCs and ER Medium Lasers. In addition, the heat dissipation system is upgraded to fifteen double heat sinks, allowing the CJ to handle the heat load of the weapons with no difficulty. The design still suffers from lack of CASE to protect its vulnerable ammunition bins, a fact that is especially important given the use of a standard fusion engine.BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,844[5]
  • CRK-5003-CM 
    Introduced at the same time as the C variant, this modification is intended to carry a C3 Computer onto the battlefield to coordinate a C3 Lance. The CM variant does this by removing both of the small lasers and one of the SRM-6 launchers to make room for the master computer. This also allows the 'Mech to share targeting data with friendly units. BV (1.0) = 1,331[2][6], BV (2.0) = 1,554[5]

Gallery

References

  1. MUL online date for the Katana (BattleMech)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Combat Operations, p. 125
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 94-95
  4. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 211
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 115
  6. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 212

Bibliography