Blackjack (OmniMech)

Blackjack
Production information
Manufacturer	Luthien Armor Works, Irian BattleMechs Unlimited, General Motors , Ceres Metals Industries
Production Year	3057
Model	BJ2-O
Class	Medium
Cost	8,915,937 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	50 tons
Chassis	Alshain 50 Endo Steel
Armor	Mitchel Argon
Engine	Nissan 200 XL Engine
Communications System	Sipher Security Plus
Targeting Tracking System	Matabushi Sentinel
Heat Sinks	10 Double heat sinks
Speed	64.8 km/h
Jump Jets	Icarus Standard
Armament	Primary Configuration 2 x Ultra Autocannon/5s 4 x Medium Lasers 4 x Machine Guns
BV (1.0)	1,187
BV (2.0)	1,201

Description

An upgrade of the Blackjack BattleMech, the Blackjack OmniMech is a design that is shared between Luthien Armor Works and Irian BattleMechs Unlimited. The Blackjack has four permanently mounted Icarus jump jets that allow the 'Mech to jump up to one hundred and twenty meters. The Blackjack is protected by nine-and-a-half tons of armor giving it a respectable amount of protection for a 'Mech of it's size. The Blackjack is also built with a weight saving Alshain 50 Endo Steel chassis and a Nissan 200 XL Engine giving it a top speed of 64.8 kph. The use of advanced construction materials gives the Blackjack 26.5 tons of pod space, allowing it to carry an impressive weapons payload.

Armament

The primary configuration of the Blackjack is armed for long range combat with a pair of Ultra Autocannon/5s that can put twice as much volume of fire downrange as a standard Autocannon/5. For close combat, the Blackjack carries four Medium Lasers and four Machine Guns defend the 'Mech against infantry attacks.

Alternate Configurations

• Alt Config A - Intended for long-range fire support, the A configuration carries two LRM-20 launchers. For close range defense, two Medium Lasers and a Small Laser are carried in this configuration. BV (1.0) = 1,231, BV (2.0) = 1,318

• Alt Config B - A long-range bombardment configuration, the primary weapon in the B configuration is a Gauss Rifle backed up by an LRM-10 with an Artemis IV fire control system for increased missile accuracy. For token close range defense, this configuration carries a Small Laser. The B configuration is linked to allied C3 networks with it's C3 Slave unit making it a highly accurate 'Mech. BV (1.0) = 1,298, BV (2.0) = 1,323

• Alt Config C - A versatile configuration, the C configuration carries two LB-X Autocannon/10s. These can fire both solid rounds and cluster rounds making it effective in almost any role. The C configuration has two Medium Lasers and a Small Laser for close range defense. BV (1.0) = 1,161, BV (2.0) = 1,189

• Alt Config D - The D configuration is capable of operating without constant ammunition supplies as it is configured to use only energy weapons. The primary weapon is a PPC backed up by two Large Lasers for long-range firepower. For short range combat, the D configuration has two Medium Lasers, two Medium Pulse Lasers, and a single Small Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,184, BV (2.0) = 1,375

• Alt Config E - Similar to the B configuration, the E Configuration is a true sniper. It carries a Light Gauss Rifle as its primary weapon backed up by an ER Large Laser. A LRM-10 launcher allows it to act in an indirect fire support role if needed and an ER Small Laser provides close range defense. BV (1.0) = 1,158, BV (2.0) = 1,260

• Alt Config F - The F configuration is centered around an ER PPC and an Ultra Autocannon/10 as it's two primary weapons. These two weapons provide the F configuration with a powerful long-range punch. For close ranges, the 'Mech carries two ER Medium Lasers and an ER Small Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,258, BV (2.0) = 1,405

• Alt Config R - A field upgrade developed in the midst of Operation Bulldog, this configuration utilized captured Clan Smoke Jaguar weapons to help bolster the SLDF forces in later waves, mounting a Clan-tech Gauss Rifle supported by a single Clan Large Pulse Laser and a trio of Clan Medium Pulse Lasers and a single ER Small Laser. BV (2.0) = 2,010

• Alt Config U - Another underwater fighter, the Blackjack U variant carries three LRT-5s in each arm, supported by a Light PPC in the side torsos. A single ER Small Laser rounds out the offensive capabilities of this variant. Most intriguing is the use of the experimental BattleMech HarJel System to prevent hull breaches. BV (2.0) = 1,223

• Alt Config X - This configuration is being used to test some experimental equipment. The Blackjack X mounts a quartet of Light PPCs, each equipped with a PPC Capacitor. To provide additional firepower, each arm carries a single Streak SRM-4 which draw ammunition from a single ammunition bay in the center torso. BV (2.0) = 1,335

Related BattleMechs

• Blackjack - When designers at Luthien Armor Works received license to produce the BJ-2 Blackjack, they quickly used the plans as a template to produce a new OmniMech. The Blackjack OmniMech became the first OmniMech exported from the Draconis Combine.

Gallery

• 

  A Blackjack OmniMech in Combat

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  BJ2-OA Blackjack OmniMech in Battle

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  BJ2-OB Blackjack in Battle

Bibliography

• Master Unit List
• Combat Operations
• Field Manual: Free Worlds League
• Objectives: Capellan Confederation
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrades
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade
• The Dragon Roars