Catapult

Catapult
Production information
Manufacturer	Hollis Incorporated, Yori 'Mech Works
Model	CPLT-C1
Class	Heavy
Cost	5,790,125 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	65 tons
Chassis	Hollis Mark II
Armor	10 tons of Durallex Heavy
Engine	Magna 260
Speed	64.8 km/h
Jump Jets	Anderson Propulsion 21
Armament	2xLRM-15s 4xMedium Lasers
BV (1.0)	1,165
BV (2.0)	1,399

Description

The Catapult was designed as a close support 'Mech built for the Star League for only two years starting in 2561. Being a fire support 'Mech, the Catapult is not as fast as other 'Mechs of similar weight. This is because the Catapult is designed to stay at the edge of the battlefield providing fire support for friendly units. The one upper hand that this 'Mech does hold is in maneuverability with a jumping distance of one hundred and twenty meters to allow the Catapult to easily seize the high ground to give it an advantageous position for fire support operations.

Armament

The primary weapons of the Catapult are two Holly LRM-15 launchers. These allow the Catapult to give friendly units fire support. The only disadvantage of the launchers is their long minimum range, which nearly envelops the LRMs short-range bracket. For back up weapons, in case an enemy closes, the 'Mech carries four Martell Medium Lasers, which are usually enough to dissuade most light and medium 'Mechs from closing with the Catapult.

Variants

• CPLT-A1 - The A1 variant of the Catapult was designed without back up weapons. This variant carries much heavier armor but is highly susceptible to close range attacks and has little defense if an enemy does manage to close range with it. BV (1.0) = 1,184, BV (2.0) = 1,285

• CPLT-C2 - The C2 Catapult is built using an Hollis Marik III Endo Steel chassis and powered by an Magna 260 extralight engine. The saved weight is used to make the C2 a dedicated long range 'Mech. The primary weapons are two Federated LRM-15 launchers mated to an Artemis IV fire control system. The Medium Lasers have been replaced with two Defiance Shredder LB-X Autocannon/2s. While this makes the Catapult vulnerable to close range attacks, it makes it extremely deadly at long range. BV (1.0) = 1,281, BV (2.0) = 1,346

• CPLT-C3 - The C3 variant of the Catapult takes the 'Mech's long range fire support to a new level by removing both of the LRM-15 launchers and replacing them with an Arrow IV artillery system, allowing the Catapult to stay a safe distance from the battlefield, though its solitary ton of ammunition forces it to stay close to supply lines. The 'Mech is otherwise identical to the C1 model. BV (1.0) = 1,030, BV (2.0) = 1,247

• CPLT-C4 - The C4 Catapult downgrades the Medium Lasers to a single Small Laser. This allows the 'Mech to carry two LRM-20 launchers, giving it about twenty five percent more damage capability at long range. BV (1.0) = 1,104, BV (2.0) = 1,358

• CPLT-C5 - An upgrade of the C3 model, the C5 Catapult retains the Arrow IV artillery system. The lasers have all been removed though and upgraded to four ER Medium Lasers. The 'Mechs chassis has also been upgraded to Endo Steel, uses double heat sinks for enhanced cooling capabilities, and carries twelve and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,329, BV (2.0) = 1,550

• CPLT-C6 - A field refit of the C5 pressed into service in the Capellan Confederation, the C6 removes the artillery and two medium lasers to mount paired Plasma Rifles. Three additional double heat sinks keep heat down. BV (2.0) = 1,874

• CPLT-H2 - A Periphery upgrade of the Catapult based upon the K2, the H2 carries a PPC, two Medium Lasers, and eight Rocket Launcher 20s which can be used one at a time or can allow the Catapult to cause a crippling amount of damage to almost any 'Mech in existence and then fade away using its jump jets. BV (1.0) = 1,437, BV (2.0) = 1,473

• CPLT-K2 - Breaking the mold of the Catapult, the K2 model removes the LRM-15 launchers and replaces them with two PPCs which allows the Catapult to act as a direct fire support 'Mech and take a more active role in front line combat. The 'Mech has additional heat sinks to help dissipate the added heat from the PPCs. The K2 also has two Machine Guns to deter infantry attacks. BV (1.0) = 1,052, BV (2.0) = 1,319

• CPLT-K3 - Though this design never reached full production, it was prototyped during the War of 3039. It upgraded the PPCs of the K2 to ER PPCs. Twenty double heat sinks kept heat to a minimum.

• CPLT-K2K - An upgrade to the K2 Catapult, the K2K model upgrades the engine to an extralight model. The twin PPCs have also been upgraded to two ER PPCs. The 'Mech also carries two ER Medium Lasers for close range firepower. To handle the added heat from the upgrades, the 'Mech uses double heat sinks. Finally, the K2K model carries thirteen and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,500, BV (2.0) = 1,716

• CPLT-K4 - An upgrade of the prototype K3, this variant carries twin Heavy PPCs and ER Medium Lasers. A standard 195-rated fusion engine only gives this design a top speed of 56 km/h, and its jumping capacity is reduced accordingly to ninety meters. Seventeen double heat sinks do an admirable job keeping heat levels down and a C3 Slave Unit allows the K4 to share targeting telemetry. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,880

• CPLT-K5 - The K5 is a Kuritan upgrade of the Catapult that utilizes an extralight engine for power. The 'Mech is also built using an Endo Steel chassis to save weight for extra weapons and armor. The K5 carries two MRM-30 launchers for its primary firepower. These are backed up by two Medium Pulse Lasers for close range firepower. The K5 also carries a C3 slave unit to allow it to work as part of a C3 lance. The K5 is protected by twelve and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 1,244, BV (2.0) = 1,457

Gallery

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  CPLT-C1 Catapult in Motion

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  CPLT-C3 Catapult in Combat

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  CPLT-C3 Catapult

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  CPLT-C3 Catapult in action

Bibliography

• Master Unit List.pdf
• Combat Operations
• Field Manual: Periphery
• Record Sheets: 3025/3026
• Record Sheets: 3039
• Record Sheets: 3050
• Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere)
• Record Sheets: 3067
• Record Sheets: Upgrades
• Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I
• Technical Readout: 3025
• Technical Readout: 3025 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3039
• Technical Readout: 3050
• Technical Readout: 3050 Revised
• Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade
• Steel Wolves - Sadia Wolf's Dossier