Cataphract

Cataphract
Cataphract
Production information
Manufacturer Earthwerks Incorporated
Production Year 3025[1]
Model CTF-3D
Class Heavy
Cost 13,612,354 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 70 tons
Chassis Earthwerk CTF
Armor 11 tons of Kallon Royalstar
Engine GM 280 XL
Communications System CommuTech Multi-Channel 10
Speed 64.8 km/h
Jump Jets HildCo Model 12
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,266[2]
BV (2.0) 1,325[3]


Description

The Cataphract was originally designed and prototyped as a Capellan BattleMech, but because of the capture of Tikonov by the Federated Suns, the 'Mech also became a Davion design after it reached the full production phase. The 'Mech is armed for medium to long range combat and is highly mobile with a maximum speed of 64.8 km/h and a jumping distance of up to one hundred and twenty meters. The 'Mech is capable of fighting in a variety of situations, but due to its ammunition dependent design cannot operate for long periods away from dedicated supply lines. The Cataphract is armored with eleven tons of armor, giving it ample protection, which allows it to survive to retreat from the battlefield for reloading if necessary. Federated Commonwealth MechWarriors nicknamed Mech "Frankenstein" due to its look like an collection of various Mech parts.[4]

Armament

The longest ranged weapon carried by the Cataphract is a General Motors Nova-5 Ultra AC-5, which has a rate of fire that is twice as fast as a standard autocannon. This is backed up by a Mydron Excel LB-X Autocannon/10 that fires both solid and cluster rounds. Finally, the 'Mech has four Intek Medium Lasers for close range defense. Because of its high ammunition dependence, if the two main guns fall silent, the Cataphract must fall back to be reloaded before continuing the fight.

Variants

  • CTF-1X - The original prototype of the Cataphract, the 1X model is armed with a PPC as its primary weapon, which is backed up by an Autocannon/10. For close combat, the 1X model carries four Medium Lasers. Additionally, since the 1X was built before the discovery of the Helm Memory Core, it lacks any advanced Star League technology and is built with a standard engine. The 'Mech also lacks the jump jets of the 3D model. BV (1.0) = 1,092[2], BV (2.0) = 1,316[5]
  • CTF-2X - Another prototype of the Cataphract design, the 2X is armed with a much more diverse weapons mix. The primary weapons are a Large Laser and Autocannon/10, which have similar range profiles and compliment each other well. The 'Mech carries only two Medium Lasers and an SRM-4 launcher for close combat. The 'Mech is armored with slightly thicker armor at thirteen tons. BV (1.0) = 1,035[2], BV (2.0) = 1,344[6]
  • CTF-3L - An upgraded version of the Cataphract that follows more in line with the prototype 1X model, the 3L variant is propelled by an XL Engine with MASC which allows it to move at speeds up to 86.4 km/h in short bursts. The 'Mech is armed with an LB-X Autocannon/10 as its primary weapon which is matched with an ER PPC for powerful striking capabilities at long range. The 'Mech is also armed with four Medium Pulse Lasers for close combat. This design was produced by the Confederation at Grand Base following the ascension of Chancellor Romano Liao. BV (1.0) = 1,302[2], BV (2.0) = 1,545[3]
  • CTF-3LL - This basic refit of the 3L replaces the PPC with a Plasma Rifle. Tonnage is freed up for its three tons of ammunition by swapping out the two forward-facing pulse lasers for ER Medium Lasers. The reduced heat load gives the 3LL the luxury of not building heat before it is damaged. BV (2.0) = 1,664[3]
  • CTF-4L - A Capellan upgrade of the Cataphract, the 4L is built using a standard fusion engine and utilizes thirteen and a half tons of Stealth Armor for protection. The 'Mech is armed with a Gauss Rifle and an ER PPC as its primary weapons, giving it a powerful long-range punch. For close range defense, the 'Mech carries two ER Medium Lasers. Because the 'Mech has Stealth Armor, it carries a Guardian ECM Suite. BV (1.0) = 1,634[2], BV (2.0) = 2,037[3]
  • CTF-4X - The 4X is another prototype, this one produced by the Suns following the capture of Tikonov, but never saw use due to a lukewarm reception. The Large Laser of the 2X is retained, but all of the other weapons are removed in favor of two Autocannon/5s and an LRM-5. In order to fit all of this equipment, the top speed is lowered to 56 km/h. In a strange twist of fate, the copious ammunition bins for the autocannons became popular with the creation of special munitions, making this design much more well-liked than it had been in the past. BV (2.0) = 1,216[3]
  • CTF-5D - This upgrade of the 3D removes the weapons and is powered by a Light Fusion Engine. It adds enough improved jump jets to leap up to 180 meters. This enables it to bring its Plasma Rifle and Light Autocannon/5 to bear. A one-ton ammunition bin for the autocannon limits its ability to use special munitions. Two ER Medium Lasers provide backup in case an enemy closes with the Cataphract. The inclusion of a Small Cockpit allows for the armor to be increased to eleven and a half tons worth. BV (2.0) = 1,510[3]

Custom Variants

  • CTF-2X Cataphract George - Taking a 2X variant Cataphract salvaged after the 7th Crucis Lancers capture of Tikonov to replace his aging Warhammer, in the lead-up to the War of 3039 Fox's Teeth member George Lytton's Lucky Thirteen was outfitted with an experimental NAIS Mk. III ER Large Laser prototype to replace the standard model and corrosive coolant Double Heat Sinks[7]. BV (2.0) = 1,367[3]
  • CTF-3X Cataphract Sara - Salvaging her father's 'Mech after his death fighting Clan Jade Falcon on Wotan in 3051, fellow Fox's Teeth member Sara Lytton had Lucky Thirteen fully upgraded prior to the FedCom Civil War. Adopting a modern take on the 2X variant's weapons load-out, the now production grade ER large laser is joined by two ER Mediums in the torso while the SRM-4 is swapped for a ammo-efficient Streak SRM-4 and single ton of reloads, with the standard autocannon replaced with a advanced Rotary AC/5 supplied with three tons of ammo. Mounting Ferro-Fibrous armor allows a ton less to be carried to be devoted to CASE in each torso, while switching all its heat sinks to doubles improves its heat dissipation. [8] [9]
  • CTF-5MOC Cataphract Naomi - Magestrix Naomi Centrella's customized variant used during Jihad battles on Sian and later Canopus IV, the 'Mech has been equipped with a Heavy PPC in its right torso and a Plasma Rifle with 2 tons of ammo found its right arm. Also, it has 4 one-shot Ten-Tube Rocket Launchers mounted into both torsos. As secondary weaponry, it has been given a Medium Pulse Laser in its left torso and Extended Range Medium Laser in the right arm. To handle the heat load, the 'Mech has 15 Double heat sinks. Protecting the hull of the wife of the Chancellor, 'Mech is encased with Stealth Armor with it required Guardian ECM Suite. To give it mobility, the customized machine has four Jump Jets mounted into its torsos. BV (2.0) = 2,104 [10]

Related BattleMechs

  • Caesar - One of the first new 'Mechs designed for the AFFC, the Caesar resembles a smoother and streamlined Cataphract, with captured Capellan 'Mechs used in the early development testing for the design. Closer to the original Capellan rather than Davion Cataphract, the Caesar mounts a ER PPC, Gauss Rifle and four Medium Pulse Lasers.

Gallery

  • CTF-3D Cataphract

  • CTF-3D Cataphract in Combat

  • CTF-1X Cataphract in Combat

References

  1. ↑ MUL online date for the Cataphract
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Combat Operations, p. 122
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 75
  4. ↑ Blood Legacy, p. 49
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 153
  6. ↑ Record Sheets, p. 154
  7. ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 21, 102
  8. ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 31, 112
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: Sword and Dragon, p. 7
  10. ↑ Jihad Turning Points: Sian, p. 2, 7, & 13 - Intro, 3rd Canopian Fusiliers profile, and Record sheet for Cataphract Naomi.

Bibliography

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