BattleMech
Sarna News
A BattleMech ('Mech), in the science fiction universe of BattleTech, is a bipedal war machine about 30 to 40 feet tall, and massing from 20 to 100 tons (although recent developments in the fiction mention a Colossus class mech weighing more than a 100 tons). BattleMechs are capable of speeds up to 180 km/h (112 mph). These 'Mechs are powered by fusion reactors and are best suited for ground combat, although they are also capable of limited performance underwater and in outer space.
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A single 'Mech can easily destroy a city block. A BattleMech's only true equal is another 'Mech — artillery, aircraft, and tanks are disadvantaged against them without BattleMech support or a strong advantage in numbers.
Origins
The first BattleMech ever developed was the Mackie, often described as a 100 ton box with legs. It was developed in 2439 by the Terran Hegemony, first deployed in 2443, and produced throughout the rest of the Inner Sphere after the BattleMech construction plans were stolen in 2455. Throughout the many wars in BattleTech's history, BattleMechs have seen significant development.
By the year 3050, the Houses of the Inner Sphere have been fighting with 'Mech designs that are decades, if not centuries, old; the destruction of the Succession Wars had even made them less technologically advanced than those designs produced during the Star League era. With the invasion of the Clans in 3050, the Inner Sphere got its first look at the potent technology wielded by the followers of Kerensky.
The first official sighting of a Clan 'Mech was that of a Timberwolf by the legendary Phelan Kell of the Kell Hounds. It was nick-named the Mad Cat by the Precentor Martial of ComStar because the Mad Cat sports weapon arms similar to the Marauder, shoulder-mounted missile pods like the Catapult's and a horizontal torso on birdlike legs common to both designs.
Similar naming ideas existed for the initial lines of Clan 'Mechs such as the Clan Summoner dubbed by Prince Victor Steiner Davion as the Thor, because of its deliverance of "thunder and lightning" by its PPC and Autocannon. This naming approach resulted in a number of 'Mechs having two official names which is often confusing. It has since ceased for new Clan 'Mech designs.
