Alacorn

Revision as of 14:30, 19 October 2013 by Doneve (talk | contribs) (→‎Variants: new layout)
Alacorn.jpg
Alacorn Mk VI
Production information
Manufacturer New Earth Trading Company
Production Year 2590[1]
Mission Heavy Tank
Type Tracked
Cost 16,609,126 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 95
Armor Star Guard Type VH
Engine Pitban 285 XL Fusion XL
Speed 54 km/h
Crew 7
Armament

3 x Gauss Rifles

BV (1.0) 1,372[2]
BV (2.0) 1,850[3]


Description

Developed by the New Earth Trading Company in 2587, the Alacorn attracted a reputation in the SLDF as an effective and dependable tank. Deployed throughout the Periphery, General Aleksandr Kerensky was reported to have taken hundreds of them during the Exodus. Production continued until the start of the Second Succession War when its advanced components could no longer be manufactured and the design disappeared outside of ComStar's stockpiles. New Earth were eventually able to restart production in 3055 with the Federated Commonwealth snapping up the majority produced.[4][5]

The design is popular with mercenary units and minor powers who can't afford BattleMechs, because of its heavy offensive weaponry and thirteen tons of armor; however, this payload is only possible through the use of an expensive and fragile Pitban 285 XL Engine. The Alacorn's popularity also received an unexpected boost when its crews discovered that the unique truncated pyramid can of the popular Federated Suns Pharaoh beer was the perfect track tension gauge. As only a freshly opened can has the exact measurement required, Alacorn crews are renowned for making frequent and extremely thorough track maintenance checks.[6][7]

Armament

The three turret-mounted Norse-Storm Gauss Rifles allow the Alacorn to unleash devastating barrages at range, with five tons of reloads offering excellent endurance in combat.

Variants

  • Mk I 
    Introduced in 2561, the Mk I Alacorn was equipped with a trio of AC/10s with five tons of ammunition. Equipped with a standard fusion engine, it was protected by ten and a half tons of Ferro-Fibrous Armor, but manufacturing flaws left the armor brittle. The Terran Hegemony Armed Forces were interested, but the armor issue was a deal-breaker.[8]
  • Mk II 
    The Mk II Alacorn was another design prototype introduced alongside with Mk I. Though it used the same engine and chassis as the Mk I, the Mk II carried three AC/20s in its turret. It only carried three tons of ammunition however, and to make room for the heavier guns the armor protection was reduced to six tons. This resulted in a vehicle with a much shorter effective range, meaning it had to close with enemy forces, but the machine lacked the armor to survive a close-up fight. The Mk II never entered production.[8]
  • Mk III 
    An early and poorly received prototype developed prior to the invention of the Gauss Rifle, the Mk III carries a rather mundane payload for three AC/10s. BV (2.0) = 1,432[9]
  • Mk IV 
    Another prototype developed shortly after the Mk III, this variant was outfitted with the ultimate big-gun of its era: a trio of AC/20s. BV (2.0) = 1,400[10]
  • Mk VII 
    A modern variant developed after the Alacorn's revival and taking the Mk VI's gauss rifle weapon load to the next level, the Mk VII features a pair of mammoth Defiance Hammerfist Heavy Gauss Rifles with 6 tons of ammo for each weapon. BV (2.0) = 2,163[11]

Design Quirks

The Mk. I Alacorn and Mk. II Alacorn variants are subject to the following Design Quirks:[8]

References

  1. MUL online date for the Alacorn
  2. Combat Operations, p. 106
  3. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 221
  4. Technical Readout: 3058, pp. 74-75 - "Vehicle Profile"
  5. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 202-203 - "Vehicle Profile"
  6. Technical Readout: 3058, pp. 74-75 - "Vehicle Profile"
  7. Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade, pp. 202-203 - "Vehicle Profile"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 3, p. 11
  9. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 222
  10. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 223
  11. Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Clan & Star League), p. 224

Bibliography