Champion

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Champion
Champion
Production information
Manufacturer Bergan Industries
Production Year 2602[1]
Model CHP-1N
Class Heavy
Cost 5,754,400 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 60 tons
Chassis Bergan XI
Armor Star Slab/2 Ferro-Fibrous
Engine Vlar 300
Communications System Garret T-11 C
Targeting Tracking System Mercury-IV w/Artemis IV FCS
Heat Sinks 10
Speed 86.4 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 942
BV (2.0) 1,233[2]


Description

The Champion debuted in 2602 from Bergan Industries and is the second BattleMech released by Bergan Industries, following just over a century after their highly successful Locust design. Intended to work in heavy recon and fast strike roles, the Champion was selected over Earthwerks Incorporated's competing bid (a modified version of its 55 ton GRF-3N Griffin) primarily due to intensive lobbying.

A heavy 'Mech with only eight tons of Ferro-Fibrous armor and a weak weapons payload, the Champion is both under-armored and under-armed. This has led to the design being widely criticized as a 'Mech that is too heavy for its role. It has also been pointed out that the Champion's greatest weakness is the use of single heat sinks which cause the 'Mech to suffer from heat problems when weapons are used aggressively. Despite these weaknesses, the Champion performs well enough to remain popular amongst its pilots and those who have served alongside it.

Weapons and Equipment

The armament on the Champion consists of a Lubalin LB-X Autocannon/10, one Harpoon 6 SRM-6 Launcher mated to an Artemis IV Fire Control System, two Magna MkII Medium Lasers, and two Martell Small Lasers. The excess heat produced by these weapons is barely kept in check through the use of ten single heat sinks. Many Star League Defense Force units took it upon themselves to replace these with double heat sinks.

Variants

  • CHP-1N2 
    This variant uses double heat sinks instead of the standard variety of the 1N. BV (1.0)= ??, BV (2.0) = 1,233[3]
  • CHP-1Nb 
    This variant replaces all the standard weaponry with a Gauss Rifle and ER PPC. It also uses double heat sinks. BV (2.0) = 1,632[4]
  • CHP-2N 
    The 2N is a downgraded variant that removes the advanced LB-X Autocannon and replaces it with a standard Autocannon/10 and also removes the Artemis IV Fire Control System. In addition, this variant removes the Ferro-Fibrous armor and replaces it with the same weight in standard armor further reducing the overall armor protection on what is widely acknowledged as an already fragile 'Mech. Note that this 'Mech remained in production during the Succession Wars at Bergan's plant on Corey in the Capellan Confederation. BV (1.0) = 839, BV (2.0) = 1,116 [5]
  • CHP-3P 
    The 3P is the newest variant of the Champion. The 'Mech's weapons have been completely upgraded to modern standards with the removal of all of its weapons. In their place this version of the Champion carries four ER Medium Lasers, one in each arm. An Ultra Autocannon/10 replaces the LB-X Autocannon and the SRM-6 has been replaced by an improved Narc Missile Beacon. In addition, the ExtraLight engine used in the 3N has been retained and an improved C3 computer was added to allow the Champion to work as part of a 6-unit C3 network. BV (1.0) = 1,454 [7][8], BV (2.0) = 1,503[3]
  • Champion C 
    This variant uses Clan technology, including an XL Engine. The weight saved went to the addition of jump jets that enable the 'Mech to jump up to 150 meters at a time. The Medium Lasers are upgraded to Medium Pulse Lasers and a pair of ER Medium Lasers are added. The Small Lasers are also upgraded to Small Pulse Lasers. The rest of the weaponry is upgraded to Clan standards. The remaining tonnage went to additional armor[citation needed]. BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 2,191[3]

Related Designs

  • Champion LAM - Using the bullet-nosed Champion as the basis for an attempt to create a heavy Land Air 'Mech, Bergan Industries ultimately admitted defeat and the flawed concept was discontinued. [9]

Gallery

  • CHP-1N Champion

  • Side view of a CHP-1N Champion

  • CHP-2N Champion in Motion

  • CHP-2N Champion

  • Low-angle shot of a CHP-2N Champion

  • CHP-3N Champion

References

  1. ↑ MUL online date for the Champion
  2. ↑ Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 203
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 78
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: Operation Klondike, p. 43
  5. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 136
  6. ↑ Tukayyid, p. 14
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Combat Operations, p. 123
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 101
  9. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Boondoggles, p. 6, "CPN-1X1 Champion LAM"

Bibliography

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