Centurion (BattleMech)

This article is about the BattleMech. For the the dated AeroSpace Fighter, see Centurion (Aerospace Fighter). For the Marian Hegemony military rank see Centurion (rank). For the OmniMech see Centurion (OmniMech).

Centurion (BattleMech)
Centurion
Production information
Manufacturer Corean Enterprises, Jalastar Aerospace
Production Year 2801[1][2][3]
Model CN9-A
Class Medium
Cost 3,491,500 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Corean Model K7
Armor 8.5 tons of StarGuard III
Engine Nissan 200
Communications System Corean Transband-J9
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 772
BV (2.0) 945[3]


Description

The Centurion was originally designed to compliment the Trebuchet fire support BattleMech. To allow the Centurion to perform this duty, it was equipped with a heavy and varied arsenal that allows it to strike at enemy units at a variety of ranges. Born on the battlefields of the First Succession War, the Centurion performed admirably with the FWLM to draw interest in its destruction. In 2845, in the midst of the Second Succession War, Corean Enterprises' Ramen II production lines were destroyed (in fact, Ramen II's proximity to the League/Confederation border and its value resulted in the loss of the planet by 3025.[4][5]).[6][3] However, Corean was able to maintain a flow of spare parts from secondary sites, allowing the Centurion to never truly disappear. With interest in the design growing in the Federated Suns, Corean eventually opened a secondary plant on New Avalon in 3012.[3] Demand for the Centurion was so pitched in the AFFS, Corean Enterprises licensed the CN9-A to Jalastar Aerospace on Panpour in 3047.[7][8]

Armament

The top speed of the Centurion is 64.8 km/h. While this is slower than the Trebuchet that it guards by 22 km/h, it is capable of keeping up with most fire support 'Mechs and the Centurion has made a reputation for itself as a front line combat 'Mech.

The Centurion carries as its primary weapon a Luxor D-Series Autocannon/10 which gives the 'Mech a powerful direct fire capability. Also supporting the Centurions long range fire capability is a Luxor 3R LRM-10. The Luxor LRM allows the Centurion to both assist in a fire support and to be used against 'Mechs closing with the Centurion. As its last secondary weapons, the Centurion carries two Photech 806c Medium Lasers, one of them rear-mounted. These lasers allow the 'Mech a good close range striking power against enemies who make it through the combined barrage of Autocannon and LRM fire.

Variants

  • CN9-Ar - A Jihad-era variant, this version mates Succession Wars era production capability of the factory with improved technology to get more units on the field. Carrying ten Double Heat Sinks, this field refit uses a Heavy PPC and Light PPC instead of the autocannon. It keeps the standard LRM-10, but upgrades the rear-firing laser to a pulse version. BV (2.0) = 1,226[9]
  • CN9-AH - The CN9-AH Centurion is a variant of the 'Mech that removes the Autocannon/10 and the Medium Lasers and adds a single Autocannon/20, somewhat reducing the long range capabilities in exchange for raw short-range firepower. BV (1.0) = 749, BV (2.0) = 945[10]
  • CN9-AL - The AL variant is an attempt to reduce the ammunition dependency of the 'Mech. It achieves this is by replacing the Autocannon/10 with a Large Laser and a Small Laser. Additionally, six heat sinks were added to the design as were two and a half additional tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 887[11], BV (2.0) = 1,057[12]
  • CN9-D - The D variant of the Centurion is the first of many upgrades using Star League technology. The chassis was re-engineered to use Endo Steel construction techniques. Next the power plant was changed from the standard engine to an extralight engine. In the process the maximum speed was increased to 97.2 km/h. Finally, the weapons were upgraded. The Autocannon/10 was upgraded to an LB-X Autocannon/10 and an Artemis IV fire control system was added to the LRM launcher. The two Medium Lasers were retained. BV (1.0) = 940[13], BV (2.0) = 1,130[14]
  • CN9-D3 - The CN9-D3 variant is identical to the CN9-D Centurion with one exceptional difference. The D3 uses Triple Strength Myomer to increase its top speed up to 118.8 kph while it is running hot. BV (1.0) = 968[13], BV (2.0) = 1,264[16]
  • CN9-D3D - The D3D variant of this 'Mech is a potent long-range sniper. It uses the same chassis and engine combination as the D3 variant. The 'Mech uses MASC to augment its movement to give it a maximum speed of 129.6 kph. The primary weapon on the D3D is a Light Gauss Rifle. For added long range assistance, the 'Mech carries an LRM-10 launcher and for close range combat it carries an ER Medium Laser. This is all protected with eight tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor. BV (1.0) = 1,028[17], BV (2.0) = 1,266[citation needed]
  • CN9-D4D - The D4D Centurion is almost identical to the D3D variant with two major modifications. The engine has been replaced with a smaller model to make more room for weapons on the 'Mech and the LRM-10 has been upgraded to an LRM-15 with an Artemis IV fire control system for greater long-range support capabilities. BV (1.0) = 1,034[18], BV (2.0) = 1,306[citation needed]
  • CN9-D5 - This variant of the Centurion is inspired by the CN9-D and uses the same engine and chassis. The 'Mech uses MASC to allow it bursts of speed reaching up to 129.6 kph. The weapons have been greatly modified. The weapons compliment has been completely removed. The 'Mechs primary weapon is a Rotary Autocannon/5. This is backed up by two ER Medium Lasers. To direct this firepower, the 'Mech uses an advanced Targeting Computer. Additionally, the 'Mech carries a C3 Slave unit to allow it to share targeting data with its lance mates. BV (1.0) = 1,376[13][19], BV (2.0) = 1,738[16]
  • CN9-D9 - Built by Jalastar Aerospace as a testbed for newer technologies, the D9 modifies the D. It utilizes Light Ferro-Fibrous armor, and upgrades the amount of protection to the specifications of the D5. It also mounts a Compact Gyro, though the design does little to utilize the space that is made available. The autocannon is replaced with a Plasma Rifle, which is fed by a two-ton ammo bin. Like the upgrade to the D5, the D9 mounts to ER Mediums in the chest and upgrades to double heat sinks. Perhaps the most notable upgrade, however, is the inclusion of jump jets that enable the Centurion to leap up to 180 meters at a time. BV (2.0) = 1,638[16]
  • CN10-B - The CN10-B uses an Endo Steel chassis to save weight on the design. The 'Mech also retains its original ground speed and standard Fusion Engine. The 'Mech carries an LB-X Autocannon/10 as its primary weapon with an LRM-10 launcher with an Artemis IV fire control system. This is all backed up with a Medium Laser and a Medium Pulse Laser. BV (1.0) = 1,078[21], BV (2.0) = 1,243[citation needed]

Custom Variants

  • Yen-Lo-Wang was a famous ArenaMech in the Solaris Games. Originally a CN9-A that underwent a series of modifications to a variety of customized configurations over time, it was occasionally reported as the "CN9-YLW" but this is explicitly[22] not considered to be a proper variant. The CN9-YLW designation is associated with one particular modification that drops the LRM to upgrade the autocannon to an Autocannon/20 with three tons of ammunition and add a Hatchet to the left arm. BV (2.0) = 957[23][24]
  • A second incarnation of the Yen-Lo-Wang is known to exists. Commonly, it is referred to as the CN9-YLW2. It still based upon a CN9-A, but uses more modern equipment. Keeping the speed the same, the engine was changed to an extra-light. The AC/10 has been upgraded to a Gauss Rifle and two tons of ammunition. Three medium pulse lasers, two in the left arm and another rear-mounted in the center torso, replace the old standard ones. A left arm Hatchet is paired with Triple-Strength Myomer. BV (2.0) = 1,415[25]

Related BattleMechs

  • Legionnaire - The Legionnaire was developed from the reworking of the 55-ton version of the Centurion.[26]
  • Trebuchet - The Centurion was originally designed as an "operating partner" for the Trebuchet, but the start of the First Succession War largely interrupted those plans.[27]
  • Centurion (OmniMech) - The Centurion OmniMech was introduced by Corean Enterprises in the 3120s.[28]

Notable Pilots

  • Justin Xiang Allard - Famous Solaris Champion and MIIO agent who established the fame of Yen-Lo-Wang, arguably the single most famous Centurion ever. Justin Allard bequeathed Yen-Lo-Wang to his son Kai Allard-Liao from whom it later passed on to Danai Liao-Centrella. They all became Solaris Champions in their time with the famous 'Mech, which was frequently customized into wildly different configurations.

Gallery

  • Centurion in urban terrain

  • CN9-D Centurion

  • CN9-A Centurion in motion

  • CN9-D in combat

  • CN9-H Centurion

  • Centurion lining up a shot

References

  1. ↑ MUL online date for the Centurion (BattleMech)
  2. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 54
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 133
  4. ↑ Handbook: House Marik, pp. 34, 38, and 42, maps
  5. ↑ Handbook: House Liao, pp. 31, 39-40, maps
  6. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025, p. 54
  7. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050, p. 116
  8. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 54
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 75
  10. ↑ Record Sheets, p. 119
  11. ↑ Combat Operations, p. 131
  12. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 120
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Combat Operations, p. 127
  14. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 55
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 76
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 77
  17. ↑ Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 55
  18. ↑ Record Sheets: MechWarrior Dark Age I, p. 56
  19. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 82
  20. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: RetroTech, p. 5
  21. ↑ Record Sheets: 3060, p. 155
  22. ↑ according to an official ruling on the CBT Forum
  23. ↑ Record Sheets: 3025 & 3026
  24. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 121
  25. ↑ Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p.124
  26. ↑ Techical Readout: 3075, p. 76
  27. ↑ Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 54
  28. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns, p. 40

Bibliography

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